Chapter Twenty Six

"Are you sure we should do this?" I asked

We were outside the hospital where Miriam was admitted. Lee and Carl looked determined so I resigned from asking questions and led the way. At the reception we were directed to her room thought it was strictly under surveillance since she was a person of interest in the case. The only people who were allowed to visit her was her family so my special request had to go through Damon.

"Here we are," I sighed when I sighted a police officer manning the door.

By the look of things he had been informed about our visit so he just opened the door for us.

Miriam lay on the hospital bed. Machines all over her. She looked like a shadow of herself. So lifeless. I felt a tear fall from my eye. If only she wasn't obsessed with killing me, none of this would have happened.

I turned to look at Carl his eyes had turned blood shot. He was still hurting from loving her.

Lee on the other hand looked composed devoid of all emotions. I guess its because he did not know Miriam that much.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Came a woman's voice.

I turned to look at her.

"Mrs Halili!" I exclaimed unceremoniously.

"Mercy!" She called excitedly.

"Am so sorry madam. It wasn't intentional," I tried to explain.

"No, I should be the one apologizing to you. It was my mistake that my comparing my daughter to you brought her so much anger and pain. She felt we preferred you to be our daughter in her place which was not the case. I was just trying to make her do things better and it ended up this way," Mrs Halili explained too.

I turned to look at Carl and Lee who were standing there on my guard lest anyone caused me harm. So I decided to introduce them.

"Umh...ma'am this is Carl, he was supposed to get engaged to your daughter before all these happened. And this is Lee a therapist. They are both my friends and they wanted to check on Miriam with me." I conclude.

She scans Carl for a very long time until he cleared his throat.

"Nice to meet you Carl. To be honest I had no idea that my daughter was seeing someone let alone getting engaged,"she says and that catches us by surprise.

"What do you mean ma'am? Was your relationship on the rocks?" I asked.

"She kept her personal life away from us. We lived in the same house but never spoke. We never saw each other mostly coz she would stay in her room most of the time. When she moved out she changed her phone number so we couldn't reach her at any given time," she explained.

"In fact I found out this from the friends I have in hospital." I could see how sad she was.

##########

"Alexa!" Barak says in delight as soon as he sports me.

"Barack!" I responded with the same tone.

This is one person I have become so carefree with and its alarming but then I remember some people wait a lifetime for such. So I let it flow.

We hug each other for a long minute before we let go. Honestly I love hugs and his are the best. They feel safer and so good you would want to stay there forever.

"Looks like you are in the best. Of moods nowadays. The sun must be rising from your compound." He teases me.

"Do you prefer my frown instead?" I asked knitting my brows.

"Oh no! I would give anything in the world to see this happy version of you everyday," he says like he means it.

"I might believe you. Come on where are you taking me this time," I said hiding the excitement.

"Am supposed to be opening the door for you," he pouts when I beat him to it.

"If you weren't fantasizing you could have done that the minute I got here." I said hopping in to the car he while he stands there watching me.

"Are you coming or should I take off on my own?" I asked and he runs to his side quickly.

He puts the stereo on immediately he gets to the highway and my favourite rhumba song comes up. I sing like my life depends on it and he gets excited all the way to the game reserve.

"You are one hell of a singer," he compliments as soon as we hop out of the car.

"And you are one hell of a listener," I smile at him.

We had lots of fun taking pictures with several animals.I swear I just loved his camera.

Am in the car. Very nervous. My hands are sweaty because I have been clutching them tightly for some time. We are outside our gate. Today is the day am revealing myself and reuniting with my family. Barak and Hazel came with me and they are organising the surprise. Barak is armed with his cameras while Hazel is preparing them for the major 'surprise'.

"They are ready for you" comes a text from Hazel.

"Here I come," I said to myself stepping out of the car after taking a deep breath I walk towards the gate and proceeded in.

Barak is all set his video is already up and running. My Mum and siblings are busy preparing for an interview none aware that am here.

However my eyes are kept on one person; my Mum. This woman is nursing a broken heart from a lost child. She is seated on a wheelchair outside the house. As if sensing my presence she turns and recognition hits her immediately. She stretches her hand forward and the rest follow her gesture only to see me. Many are shocked but my Mum looks brighter. Tears stream down both our eyes as I fell into her arms. I had missed this woman.

Earlier on I had visited my former college and the director was more than happy to know that I was alive and kicking. He said it was a perfect timing since the schools graduation was due in two weeks time and for that reason I was to finally wear that gown that I had so much longed for.

We hugged for a long time with Mum and talk of miracles, she spoke for the first time in two years.

"My daughter is back," is what she said shocking every one.

When we disengaged everyone else was drying tears including Barak. I felt like mocking him but the circumstance was a barrier.

We sat down as I narrated my ordeal before I introduced my two friends.

###########

Am seated at the graduation square among thousands of other graduands. It feels odd that I know none of them and it kinda feels lonely but hey, I got to finally wear the gown that my mother so yearned to see me in. She is finally proud. Her speech is getting normal again and she is the happy woman I knew again.

The chancellor calls it my name bringing me back from my reverie. Am being awarded the best student of my time. Getting a distinction is not easy although truth be told I have no idea what content is still retained since that memory kind of got blocked. As I walk out of the pavilion after receiving my prize my story is narrated briefly and in seconds, cameras clicks from all around me I guess paparazzi doing what they know best. I however just walk calmly to my seat.

The graduation ceremony is over and we are seated in a hall secured in my honor by the director to avoid further paparazzi. Am surrounded by all the people I cherish. Barak, Ryan, Damon, Lee, Carl, Trinidad, Lyn, Christie, Mandy, Mike, Mark,Jim and my family. My mum is so happy. People are talking to those they know and I rise to introduce them to one another.

"My work is done here you know," says Barak as he pulls me away

"Am so grateful for everything you have done for me. Am forever indebted to you," I sincerely declare.

"So, I will be leaving soon in search of another story. Hours will be aired tomorrow precisely at 7pm so be in front of your TV by that time," he absentmindedly stroke his chin.

"So is this some sort of a goodbye or something?" Realization finally hits me. He just nods.

"Yes it is, unfortunately,"he says sadly

"I will miss you," I sadly responded

I can't imagine I will be out of all the good things, hugs, getaways, eat outs...

"You know you can come with me right? Alexa how else should I tell you that I love you and wish to have you by my side forever?" He looks at me and I can't believe he is this serious.

"I have just reunited with my family and you already Want to take me away?" I ask feigning seriousness too.

On the inside actually am shouting on the rooftops how I already love this man.

"We should get back to the others,"I changed the topic and begun walking away.

"How about one last road trip tomorrow? At least don't deny me that," he asks and I turn to him

"Permission granted sinyore. Now come on," I went back for him and pulled him along With me.

Our hands are entwined when we get back and its too late to let go as I can see people throwing surprising glances at me. My loving partner seems to enjoy the attention.

############

We are at the local beach riding a boat, enjoying the breeze. We have taken lots of pictures and this boat ride is the final Form of fun before we go back home.

"To be honest I don't wanna go away. This place has brought me so much joy," Barak tells me as he wraps an arm around me after hopping out of the boat.

"Then stay," I try to convince him and am excited that he don't wanna go.

"How can I stay if the person who brings me joy doesn't feel what I feel for her?" He holds me to standstill and looks into my eyes.

"I don't understand why there is sadness in your yet you have everything you have been yearning for,"he tell me and I look away.

"Come on Alexa! Cheer up the past is gone now. You should be happy always. Sadness doesn't suit you," he hugs me to himself.

"I love you too Barak. These are the arms that I want to be held in everyday," he suddenly pulls me away to look at me.

"Did I hear you right or I was just imagining things?" He asks and I leave him there still in shock.

"I love you Alexa I can't wait to spend my forever with you," he shouts as he ran after me.

He catches up with me and held me from behind.

"Thank you for loving me back," he swung me and kissed everything in me.

I finally found love

THE END.