Chapter 221 A PROMISE
1665words
COUGH … COUGH …
I was deeply asleep when a cough startled me to awake. I blink my eyes rapidly with my mind disoriented, I see the white vision, white ceiling all white with my blurry eyes and it takes me a moment to realize that I am in the private hospital in San Diego inside Cyril's ward.
Yeah, right.
I look in the direction from where the sound is coming and see Cyril moving and coughing dryly.
I immediately stand up from my place and then pick the small piece of soaked cotton to rub on his lips gently after all he is not allowed to eat or drink anything for the time being.
He relaxes after some time and finally opens his eyes weakly, he blinks at me, puzzled. After all, I am wearing a mask so he is not able to recognize me at all.
"Hey, it's me." I pull down my mask and show him my face, he looks relieved when he sees my face.
"Is sis here?" He asks and I frown in distress as I shake my head.
His eyes grim with disappointment, "I am dying soon, when will she come?" He whines in a low voice and my heart tightens in a harsh grip.
"Sshh, don't say like this, Cyril. We all are here." I tell him as I start to coax him.
"Why doesn't she care about me, now?" He questions with tears of fury and sorrow.
"She does care about you, and she will come." I tell him and his pupils are dilated as he stretches his hand and looks at me expectantly, "Promise me, then."
I look at him and then his hand hesitantly, A promise?
Am I able to fulfill his promise? Am I capable of it?
I look at his small, weak face and then gulp a huge lump inside my throat. At last, I made a promise to him, "I promise, she will definitely come to see you."
His face brightens up with a smooth smile and I let out a sigh of relief.
I have to bring Tessa here, no matter what. I have to think about something because if not now, I am afraid that Cyril will never be able to meet his sister again.
The doctor comes over and checks on Cyril, there is still a few hours restriction for him until he will be allowed to eat solid and drink liquids.
I inform his parents about his health and make them assure that Cyril is fine. They will visit us in a while for sure.
"How's Aaron?" Cyril asks and I show him Aaron's recent picture while I think of showing him Tessa's and Cyrus's pictures too but then I stop, I don't think it's a good idea at all.
After chatting for a while, he takes out his notebook and starts writing something. "You and your diary, what is it really about?"
I question, curiously trying to peek into his diary.
"This is a secret," He says mischievously and I smile.
"Secret from me too?" I ask, faking a look of disappointment and Cyril laughs, Thanks, God.
Hahaha
"This diary is all about me, when I will be gone, I want Tess to have this. This will keep her closer to me." He says and all the delights in my heart vanish in an instant. Even when he is so young he started talking very maturely.
I admire him for being such a strong person and feel afraid when I picture Aaron in his place.
No… Never.
Cyrus is definitely going to save his brother, Aaron won't suffer, he won't.
"What happened?" Cyril asks when he looks at me getting lost in worries.
"Oh, nothing… I am wondering if you have written some bad words about me." I tease and he laughs.
"If you have treated me unfairly, then." He then laughs and I stare at his small happy face with gratitude. I am happy and relieved that Cyril is happy, awake, and alive.
I hope Tessa will also be able to see him happy like this. I hope she will also be able to hear his hearty laugh.
*****
"You should go and get some rest." Tessa's mother hands me a bag of clothes that she has bought for me, so kind of her, and her apartment keys. I am reluctant to say "NO" as I take the keys and bag and then thank her politely.
I know the address of their apartment, after all, I am the one who bought it for them. It's a 2BHK with a good environment and peaceful neighbors around them, there is a gym in the building and a beautiful park for them to take Cyril out for a walk, and even the sea connects at the back of the building.
This means they can enjoy the beach whenever they want to.
I have tried my best to give them all the luxuries but sadly they are not able to enjoy it as Cyril keeps getting sick now and then.
Huh…
A deep sigh with heavy guilt escapes my mouth.
I quickly take a shower and change into simple trousers and a T-shirt that Tessa's mother has bought for me, it's quite loose but comfortable for me.
She even left the food for me. I warm it and then eat in complete silence. The voice of seashores only echoes in the home.
I stare at my phone past 3, and then decided to call Miss Martha to check on Aaron and Cyrus. Even when Tessa is completely ignorant I can't ignore my kids, No?
RING … RING … RING …
The phone starts to ring as I wait patiently for Miss Martha to answer but she doesn't.
Anxiously, I call Miss Celine and she answers my phone pretty quickly.
"Miss Celine." I greet her.
"Oh, Sir Andrew, how are you doing, Sir?" She asks in concern.
"I am fine, where's Miss Martha? She hasn't attended my call, are kids ok?" I ask, worried.
"Oh, yes, they are completely fine. In fact, just now Aaron was asking about you. Here, sir." She hands the phone to Aaron while I frown confused, why is she with the kids at this hour? Miss Martha or Tessa has to be with them instead of her.
"Daddy…" Aaron squeals with happiness fluttering my heart with immense joy. "Aaron, how are you?" I ask.
"I am fine, Daddy, but where are you? Ann told me you have gone somewhere for work. Why didn't you say goodbye to me before leaving?" He complains softly and I chuckle at his innocence.
"Aaron, it happened so suddenly, I couldn't get the time to return home to say goodbye," I explain to him and he is an obedient and understanding son, didn't say another complaining word understanding my difficulties.
Good Boy.
"Where's your elder brother, Cyrus? Isn't he missing Daddy?" I ask curiously.
"Cyrus," Aaron calls out and then pauses for a moment, "He… he is angry, Daddy." He says and I question nervously, "From me?"
"Oh… No… No… he is angry at Mommy…" Aaron informs and I frown, "Why?"
"Mommy has gone out somewhere leaving Cyrus alone here. So, he is angry now." He explains and my brows furrow. Tessa has gone out, where to?
"Hand him the phone," I command Aaron and he obliges immediately.
"Cyrus, are you there?" I ask as only silence welcomes me on the other line.
"Yes," He answers grumpily and I get the idea of his mood.
"Are you missing me?" I prompt and he replies bluntly, "No, not much."
Honest child.
"You're missing Mommy, then?" I ask.
"Yes," He replies immediately.
"Mommy must have some work to do outside, she will be back soon," I tell him to comfort him but look resist listening to my words.
"Before Mommy never leaves me alone." He complains with a fair valid point.
Before and now things have changed Cyrus.
"Don't worry, Cyrus, I will talk to your Mommy to never leave you alone, ok?" I tell him hoping that will soother his anger and thankfully it does slightly.
"Ok."
"So, are you still leaving your room at night? I ask to distract him from his mother's absence and he then starts telling me how last night instead of being afraid he didn't leave his room and slept on his bed.
His voice reflects pride and joy that makes my lips curl all the time while I interact with him. After an hour of talking with my both charms, I finally end the call but my heart feels uneasy as I look at the clock, 4 ' o'clock which means 5 in Denver.
Why hasn't Tessa returned home yet?
Worriedly, I pick up my phone again and then call Ron whom I have left in Denver to keep a safe eye on Tessa and the kids in my absence.
"Sir." He greets me.
"Where is Tessa?" I literally growl at him and he pauses for a moment before answering me, "She's just heading back home."
"Did you keep an eye on her?" I ask.
"Yes." He replies firmly.
"All the time?" I ask suspiciously.
"Yes, sir."
"Fine," I growl and then end the call. Soon, I will be able to know what the hell is so important that made her leave Cyrus alone for such hours. The thought displeases me too that she has the time to go out and do her work but not text me for once regarding my absence from the house.
But, why would she care about my absence? She must be enjoying my absence instead.
A layer of dissatisfaction and fury engulfs my heart. This woman has the ability to make me hate her yet want her to the core where I would mark her skin with my teeth and punish her rudely.
God, this woman is manipulative but the main point is where she had gone to.
