Mismatched

Chapter 18

"I don't know you that well but I'm sorry that you're going into hospice," I said, patting Nella's back.

She smiled and replied, "Don't be sorry. I'll be surrounded by many people with medical experience who would take good care of me until the day I die. You should talk to your father, though. He's very distraught."

I turned around and glanced at him. He was frowning deeply. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

She chuckled, "I'm sure he won't. Take care of him and my kids when I'm gone like you promised, okay? I don't expect you to be here around the clock. Just be there when they need you."

I nodded. She can't expect too much from me. I'm doing her a huge favour. Aunt Elena would strongly advise me against this. I can picture her screaming at me. Why are you helping the family of the man who killed your mother?

Nicole was... I don't know. She definitely didn't look happy. She looked up at me and asked, "Sister, is Mummy going to be okay?"

At thirteen years old, she was old enough to understand what cancer was and how it kills people. She knew that her mother was going to a place to wait for the moment she died. And no thirteen-year-old should experience that.

"I wish I could say yes but no. She's not okay. I won't lie to you. She's going to leave you guys sooner or later... but you have to stay strong. Mummy doesn't want to see you cry. You can cry for a while but life goes on," I replied.

Did I sound too harsh?

She nodded solemnly. "I understand," she murmured. She went to her room and took out something. It was a card that read 'get well soon'. She passed it to her mother and gave her a tight hug. "Please come back home."

I could see a little bit of myself in Nicole. I was thirteen when my mother died. She's thirteen and she knows her mother is dying. We have the same father but are treated differently growing up. I was neglected and she was showered with love.

We followed her to the hospice where she was assigned her room. She will be staring at the same four walls for the rest of her life. I don't understand. Why can't she just spend her final days at home? Isn't that better?

She doesn't want to let her family watch her grow weaker day by day, night by night, and eventually die in front of them.

That sad thought arose in my mind. It made absolute sense. If she died at home, it would be too painful for the three of them to stay in that house. Living in hospice makes things easier.

I hugged Nella. "I promise I'll take care of them for you."

Tears welling up in her eyes, she replied, "Thank you so much. I will forever be grateful. May God bless you and everyone you love. You deserve every goodness in the world, Belinda. Life sucked for you in the beginning but it will be very beautiful from now on."

I nodded. This woman is going to leave this world and all that comes out of her mouth is positivity. She's such an angel. If we were in different circumstances, if she weren't the woman whom my father cheated on my mother with, maybe we'll be friends.

I headed back home where Yvette was waiting for me. I went straight into her arms. I'm confused. Should I be happy that the person who indirectly caused my mother's death is dying or should I be sad that such a nice person like her is dying?

"It's okay," Yvette murmured.

"You're the best friend anyone can ever ask for, Eve," I replied.

She chuckled and patted my back. "I know."

We spent the next few hours watching the television while munching on Doritos, our go-to snack. She always buys them when we have sleepovers. They're the best.

Just then, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw Aunt Elena. Before I could say anything, she stormed into my apartment and dragged a chair. "I heard you visited your father. You even had lunch with that woman."

"Yes, I did," I replied.

"That family ruined your life, Belinda. Why would you do something like this?" she asked. There was no menace in her voice, only confusion. She simply could not understand why I was willing to meet up with them after expressing my hate for them all these years.

"Well, for starters, I ruined their Thanksgiving dinner. That woman who is dying and has a name, Nella, had lunch with me to clear things up. She apologised for what happened to Mum," I replied.

"And you buy it?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "She has cancer, Aunt Elena. She's actually a very nice person. I then realised that I had every reason to hate the idea of her but I had absolutely no reason to hate her as a person."

She shook her head. "She could've been faking it to gain your sympathy."

"She just went into hospice today," I replied. "I don't think someone with their status can pull strings to fake that. They're suffering so give them a break. They have two kids who are innocent. Don't drag them into this."

"I'm not," she replied.

"Can you help them? You know that man isn't exactly very reliable and he has to raise two teenagers on his own once Nella dies. The kids are innocent," I asked.

She folded her arms. "You know I can't do that. I'll be betraying your mother if I did that. I only agreed to help you, not the kids of people I'm not even related to."

I heaved a deep sigh. My aunt is very stiff. When she decides on something, nothing can change her mind. "Please, Aunt Elena. Let your generosity shine. I'm not asking you to pay their expenses for life as you do for me."

She contemplated for a moment. "Okay, fine. When they're in serious trouble, I'll jump in to help them. That's all I will do. I won't provide monetary help. I don't have the time to handle such insignificant things," she replied, rolling her eyes.

My heart leapt. "Thanks, Aunt Elena. Remember that it's for the innocent children, not for the terrible father."

She grunted and left my apartment.

"You sure have a way with your words," Yvette chuckled.

"What can I say? I'm my father's daughter," I replied with a shrug. My mother had written in her diaries how he swooned her with his words. He called her a lot of beautiful things that made her fall at his feet.

Let's just say my mother was very gullible.

Yvette smiled. "If you're happy, do whatever you want. Life has done you enough injustice. It's time for it to pay you back with its beauty. One day, you're going to marry Jace and live a beautiful life with him and his family."

I rested my head on her shoulder. "What a beautiful dream to live in. We will have two kids. You will be their godmother. Isn't that nice?"

"Of course, I have to be your bridesmaid," she laughed.

"You were always going to be my bridesmaid, Eve," I replied.

I closed my eyes and made a wish. I wish that life would treat me well from now on. I don't ever want this dream to end.

***

A/N:

Remember that there will always be innocent people in this world. One person does not define all the people they're related to.

Learn to forgive and forget, or at least just one of them. It makes you feel a lot better. If you really can't bring yourself to do it, think of it as doing yourself a favour and it's because they're not worth your time and effort hating them.

Always be happy! The story is going to be completed soon so brace yourself >.<