Blessings

Chapter 16

*Chapter is written in third person.*

Aaliyah

4:07 p.m.

After finding out that Taylor had been hiding a relationship from her for almost a year Aaliyah found herself a little in her feelings about it. She told Taylor everything, she was her best friend for Christ's sake but for it not be reciprocated she wondered if she should back off a little.

Friendship meant a lot to Aaliyah, she was an open book. Therefore she expected the transparency she offered to be returned. She'd just have to accept the fact that she didn't want her to know about the two as yet.

After hopping out of the shower Aaliyah picked up the phone to call David, he seemed to be the only one really open with her as of now.

Hey baby, wassup? She smiled at the sound of his voice and that alone scared her.

Nothing, are you busy?

Yeah, I'm in the middle of a session. Wassup though?

Nothing. I'll call you later. Throwing on the grey hoodie that went along with her grey  Nike joggers.

Sure?

Mhm.

Aight. She hung up and threw her phone on the bed. It was that time of the month and she found herself being extremely emotional, it probably had something to do with her overreacting to the news her best friend shared with her the other night. Or maybe it was because today was the day Mam-Maw was diagnosed with Breast cancer 4 years ago.

After sliding on a pair of black huaraches, she picked up her phone on the bed and picked up her car keys.

"Where you headed?" Taylor called from the kitchen.

"I need some air." With that she closed the door behind her and made the short journey over to her car. The sky matched her mood, gloomy.

She pulled out of the lot and made her way to the nearest Walmart where she requested 4 pink balloons to be blown up. It not only was the color of the disease but Mam-Maw's favorite color. After paying, Aaliyah left the lot and made her way to the burial site.

Just her luck the rain began pouring down, however that didn't stop her. She held the balloons a little tighter than before and took a seat next to the tomb. It was as if everything hit her at once, every day her Mam-Maw wasn't here with her it hurt a bit more if that was even possible. It felt as if a piece of her was missing, a void that would never be filled again.

Sighing, Aaliyah said a prayer. Lord, I know my Mam-Maw made it to your pearly gates all that I ask of you is to tell her I miss her. Tell her that I think of her every day, wrap your arms around her Lord. In your most Holy name I pray.

She sat there for who knows how long and caught her up on what was going on with everything in her life. An hour later she finally decided that it was time to go after the sun began to set.

She sat the balloons down and ran towards her car. She took one last look and pulled off. Hearing her phone ring off, Aaliyah completed the order she made at Wing Stop.

She noticed that people were staring at her damp attire but she didn't care at this point.

Her order was called so she got her food and headed to her car. She hooked her phone up to the charger after noticing it was dead. She waited until it powered on to pull off. Unlocking the phone, she had a few missed calls and texts.

Sister 👯‍♀️✨

wya? 6:57 p.m.

me and don are about to watch another video. 7:00p.m.

girl. david messaged me, none of us are getting through to you. 7:05m.

i'm worried now 7:15 p.m.

Don Don🤞🏾

lil sis wya? 7:00 p.m.

we worried, answer the phone 7:15 p.m.

My future 🤧

babygirl 4:54 p.m.

aye, you good? 5:55 p.m.

call me when you see this 6:35 p.m.

damn, at least pick up the phone 6:55 p.m.

She decided to call them all back as soon as she entered the house, she didn't like being on the phone and driving.

•••

7:49 p.m.

Making her way inside of the apartment she and Taylor shared she noticed Donovan, Taylor, David and another stranger sitting in the living room. Locking the door behind her she turned around to the three of them staring at her.

"Hey.." Taylor got up first and hugged her tightly. Hugging back, Aaliyah rested her food next to her in its bag on the floor.

"You scared me." Taylor said lightly punching me in the shoulder. She looked at her to see a tear threatening to fall.

"Awe sis, I'm sorry." She hugged her again. She hugged Don next. Resting the food on the living room table she went to greet everyone else.

"Hey, I'm Aaliyah. I would hug you but.."She pointed at her attire and smiled at the man standing next to Taylor.

"Mario, Aaliyah. Best friend, boyfriend." Aaliyah apologized again for her attire and they shook hands instead.

"Hurry change, we're gonna watch the videos."

"Okay, there's enough food for everyone and then some. I'm gonna change." She looked at David for the first time all night, she avoided his gaze at first because she could tell he was upset.

Mouthing sorry, she headed to her bedroom. She took a quick shower and changed in the bathroom into a pair of David's sweatpants and a sports bra with a large t shirt. Walking back into her bedroom she seen David seated on her Queen sized bed. She stood in the front of him and he pulled her down onto his lap. He traced circles into her back. The silence was eating her alive so she spoke up.

"I wasn't ignoring you or anything. A lot was on my mind."

"I was pissed at first, not gon' lie. But Taylor explained ta' me that you shut down around this time but I need you ta' communicate wit me baby. I'm hea and a nigga ain't goin' no where aight?" Nodding she placed a kiss on his lips that lingered for a while.

"C'mon, every year we watch a new video Mam-Maw left for us. It was like she knew she wouldn't make it yino?" Nodding, David assured her that he was here for her.

Heading downstairs David sat down on the couch and Aaliyah took a seat on his lap. After everyone was settled Taylor pressed play.

"My babies..I could already tell Aaliyah crying with her emotional self." That made Aaliyah laugh because it was true.

"I'm sorry for all the pain my absence is causing you, I really want to hold you three and tell you that it'll be okay but that's not possible. God had other plans for my life. He needed another G in heaven, ain't that's what you young people be  saying?" Taylor held Aaliyah's hand as they both began to shed tears. They thought it'd be easier as time went on, but it got harder everyday without their without her.

SCENE ✨

The chapter was a bit emotional for me. My Grandma lost both of her breasts to breast cancer on two separate occasions. She's the strongest woman I know, and I aspire to have just an ounce of the strength she has.

No goal just because..