our ride through life

CHAPTER 17

--TORI--
Its now 8:47; I have been on the road for an hour and 24 minutes. I am no where near my grandparents house at all. Estimated time that I would be arriving would be 2 a.m.

I don't think I would be able to stay up that long while driving.

I wonder how they are at home. Maybe I should give them a call.

I pulled out my phone from my bag that was on the passenger seat. I dialed Aku's number and I waited.

"Hello?" His breathing was heavy.

"Aku? What's happening there?" I asked, worried.

"Everything is peachy, Tori." He answered quicky.

"What is really happening, Aku?" I said after a moment of silence.

Silence.

"Aku. What is happening?" I said- my voice was stern.

"You wouldn't want to find out, Tori."

"I'm coming back."

"No!" He yelled which stopped me from hanging up.

"Don't come back." He said.

"Why?"

"Just... don't come back, Tori. That's all Luke needs." Then, he hung up.

That's all Luke needs?

Luke doesn't want me back?

Tears clouded my vision and I made no move to wipe them away.

*****
I parked my car on the driveway; I drove non-stop since I found out that Luke doesn't want me back. I clutched the steering wheel.

He's probably happy that I'm out of his hair.

The second that that thought entered my mind, tears rushed down my cheeks. I went out of my car, opened my trunk, and carried my suitcase to the porch- not bothering to wipe my tears.

I grabbed the spare key that was under the loose floorboard and unlocked the door. I pulled my suitcase inside and closed the door. I placed my suitcase beside the couch and ran upstairs- to the room where I stay every summer when my grandparents were still alive.

I collapsed on the bed and I immediately fell asleep- tears escaping my eyelids.

*****
--LUKE--
A continuous beeping woke me up. I reached over to my desk to turn off my alarm.

Where's my desk?

I opened my eyes and looked beside me. I saw a chair where my mom is seated. Her withered body barely took up any space. She's sleeping. I also saw a monitor that was continuously beeping.

I looked at the ceiling and the events of last night came rushing back. I jolted up and properly looked at my surroundings. I was wearing a hospital gown, an IV line was connected to my body  and IV fluid was being injected in my body. I shook my mom awake.

"Mom? Mom? Mom?" She opened her eyes and all the sleep dissipated when she looked at me.

"Luke! You're awake!"

"How long have I been out?"

"2 days."

"Where's Tori." She shut her mouth, and she shook her head.

I stood up and grabbed my phone from my jacket that was on the chair where my mom is seated.

The second I dialed Tori's number, Aku entered the room.

"Who are you calling?" He asked.

"Tori." My voice came out as a growl. I didn't mean to sound like that, I was just frustrated.

I turned my back to him. Seconds later, someone grabbed my phone from my hand. I turned around and saw him end the call.

"Do not call Tori under any circumstances." He told me.

"Why?" I growled at him.

"Tori doesn't know that you're in the hospital and she doesn't have to know."

"Last night, she called me. After we took you to the hospital, I received her phone call. She asked what's happening and I told her that everything is peachy."

"Peachy? You never use the word 'peachy' to describe things." I stopped him.

"I know. That's where I screwed up. She got suspicious and she said she was coming back so I told her that all you need right now is for her not to come back. Then, I hung up." He said, his eyes were emotionless but mine were full of anger.

"All I need right now is for her not to come back?" I repeated his words. I said it quietly as if sharing a secret.

"HOW COULD YOU?" I suddenly yelled; I was seething.

"How could I not?" He raised his voice.

"Luke, can't you see that your ignoring your health for her? Yes, she's like my sister but she's not the only one that's important." He told me.

"I told you last night. I didn't take my medications or go to check ups because I wanted to save money so my mom could take her chemotherapy again." I said.

"Luke, you didn't tell Tori what type of asthma you have which is why she didn't persuade you to go see a doctor or why she didn't ask you about any of your medications. You started to ignore your health for her when she was hospitalized. You used to go to check ups before that but when she was hospitalized, you didn't go to any of your check ups anymore. You think it was just for your mom, but part of it was for Tori. You know that you can die from your condition so you try to spend as much time with her as possible. You think that going to doctor appointments is a waste of time- you would rather spend that time with Tori. You use your mom as your reason so you don't feel guilty. You even ignore your real reason, Luke. You think I don't see it?" He countered.

"You didn't take your medications or go to check ups?" My mom's voice interrupted us.

Shit. I forgot that she was here.

I turned around and looked at her. I heard footsteps and the door close. I opened my mouth to say something but eventually closed it, knowing that I couldn't answer her.

"Why, Luke?" I lowered my head and just looked at the ground.

"You know I'm dying. Why would you risk your life just to save mine?"

I looked at her- pain clear on my eyes.

"Mom, you're  all I have left! I can't lose you too. If I have to die just to save you, then I would." Then, I looked at the ground again- unaware that she smiled a smile that can only be made by mothers.

"You have Tori." My eyes grew wide and I looked at her.

"Luke, I have already lived my life. If you die, then who would I live for? I already lost my husband and my daughter. I am not going to bear it if I lose another child." She told me.

"Live your life, Luke. I don't need to be cured anymore because I know that you already found the girl that's going to be with you for the rest of your life."

"Mom, we lost Amanda when she ran away from home. Last night Tori ran away- the love of my life ran away. What if I lose her too?" I stared at her. My eyes searching for answers.

"You won't lose her too." She smiled at me.

I started crying because somehow I believe my mom. But I couldn't help but doubt it.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Aku told me that she promised. Tori never breaks her promises." She stretched her arms out- gesturing for a hug. I walked to her and hugged her.

"All you have to do is believe in her."