CHAPTER 6

It's a Thursday morning and my sis is now re-energized. She is getting better and better. People were still talking about the story on social media and she receives many positive comments and she was now getting better. We woke up to a surprise today. Evans had made a video that was going viral. He apologized in the video and admitted he was wrong and didn't intend to. You could see guilt beneath his eyes. He admitted he had denied the charges and would have done better. He had left her out there and that really was something I was ready to forgive him for although I wasn't the victim. I carry my sister's pain the same way she does, she is my blood and the only sister I had. At least he got to apologize though that wasn't enough. It was up to my sister to choose if she wants to forgive him or not. But for me and Alasdair we wouldn't forgive his ass at what cost. We almost lost a sister due to his selfishness. I don't care how students would see him, he would have thought of that right before attempting to force my sister into unwanted sex. Well talking of sex, uh let me just focus on my sister for now. We order her, her favorite food, snacks, and drinks and she is always getting better each and every day. Day 29, my sister has been the greatest priority but today I had to go get some gift bags and wrappings. I was almost done with their gifts as I add more of them. Sweet Sixteen is quite an age. It wasn't just about their birthday but something they would hold on to till I am back home and for them to know that I they are always in my heart. Mostly it is always on birthdays and Christmas that we give out gifts. Actually, I had a gift for everyone. Turns out the 30-day challenge gave my mind so many ideas and challenged it for sure. We clean up and decorate the house later in the afternoon. Balloons are everywhere, candles and flowers. I was tired of moving up and down and had to rest since there would still be a lot of work in the morning. There is food that needed to be prepared and cooked. Well, we all retired to bed early awaiting the big day.

I had even overslept. I was to wake up before the sun comes out and here I am woken by the rays of the sun on my face and interfering with my sleep. It was just 6:30 a.m I thought it was twelve already. I am even the first to wake up here. Almost everything was done yesterday, the remaining stuff was to prepare milkshakes, smoothies, salads, and some lunch. Oh and breakfast too I almost forgot. I prepare coffee and boil milk, make some pancakes and place them on the dining table. They were waking up one by one and mom was first. She came and took breakfast with me and after finishing we were done doing everything. Everyone went to dress up since it was almost twelve and Maritim and his family would arrive any moment from now. The cake was to be brought by them and doughnuts and what a view. I didn't feel like putting on a dress since we would all just be here in the house all day. Playing, laughing, running around and that would be so uncomfortable. I go ahead and wear a black leather skirt and some creamy top. I had to look nice regardless of being home. We were to take photos and I don't think I want to appear in shorts and a baggy shirt.

Everyone turned up so smart and dressed up. We all prayed for my twin siblings. There was just a lot to eat. We had prepared some food and ordered some more. Maritim brought two cakes and we were so full. We took photos and videos. We played around giving random stories. My going back story came up later in the day. I wasn't ready at all, I didn't want to leave my sister, my family, Maritim, and home in general. My dad invited Ryan's family. I was trying to prepare myself in these last days and I wasn't fully ready but I just knew that this has to be done. I had to be strong, I had to be a good role model to my siblings. I am the one who was asking my sister to be strong and try to ease up and it was my turn to be strong and show them what it means to face your fears. I didn't know what I am doing but I was just doing it. I promised myself not to cry, in front of them at least. I was to book a flight this evening or early morning tomorrow. We all changed into pj's and we had a sleepover for the team of five. The youngest was Cassie, Maritim's sis but she was fifteen not that young though she was a teen. We didn't gift my siblings but I guess we can still do that tomorrow. I will give Maritim his on my last day. Growing up is quite fun but also scary at a point.

There is no way we would be up all night. I don't know who the first to fall asleep was, I had a strong feeling it was me. The morning was here and discomfort woke us up, some on the floor others on the couch, it was a great night and I wish we started doing this a while ago. Maritim and Cassie left to get some rest. We had been eating almost all night and hence we all didn't wait to have breakfast but all retired to bed. We had made a big mess in the living room. That was to be taken care of later though.

After hours of sleep, my father came knocking and I told him I will be coming. I don't feel satisfied with my sleep so I continue sleeping and when I am waking up it is two o'clock in the afternoon. I know my dad was reminding me to book a flight and I went and we did finish it. I had to pack my clothes but I have another day to prepare. I call my sis and she comes helps me pack as I give her some clothes I won't be wearing and maybe I will outgrow by the time I get back home. We have a sis talk and end up crying. It now seems so real when we see bags set aside, me checking my requirements and getting everything ready. We make a promise that we will try to be strong. I call Alasdair and give them my gifts, they even thought I wasn't going to give them something.

Alasdair plays football and loves that game so much. Like most boys, he is obsessed with it and I get him the latest jersey of his best football club. There are of the same blood, my sis on the other side is a great swimmer. I get her a swimsuit, swimming glasses, and a Versace robe. Yes, most of my savings were for this. I was happy to see all of them smile and they were so happy that it made me happy too. Almost all of their gifts cost the same amount. I don't understand how that jersey cost all that money. They are worth everything even when it comes to my breath. All my things were packed and in the next two days, I won't be in the city. I will gift my parents and boyfriend in the remaining days.

Long-distance relationship was a new thing we were to try. I loved him so much and in a matter of time, we can be meeting once in a month since we will be few hours' flights. I will take him out on a date and give him his gift for also being the best gift in the last two months. I wasn't quite a poet but I know that I can write something amazing too.

"Hey, there handsome.

Well, I decided to write to you this wonderful poem for being such a special thing to my life for the past two months and many more to come.

I never thought my heart was capable of so much love.

If there was only one drop of water left in the world and we all depended on it to survive I would let you have it.

I know you wouldn't let me let you have it so I would take it and then kiss you seconds later so we could all have it.

I hope this signifies the amount of love I have for you.

I think I have finished all the content I had for the letter but I will add a bit hoping I make sense.

I will wait on you, I don't think my heart can fit perfectly if not in yours.

I want to go as high as we can with you.

Same case if we go down we go together.

I adore you."

I have never ever written a letter to someone. A handwritten letter where I am pouring all my heart nakedness into someone else. Love is truly a beautiful thing, although sometimes it makes us feel somewhat ugly. We have had a slight breakup right before we even started the relationship I can't forget how I felt on those days he was ghosting me. We have all grown and outgrown some things and we are still learning.

Well, I had texted him and of course, I am the one who choose the place to visit. I chose a hotel that has villas out in the hotel's environment so we could have no or at least few people staring at us. He would come to pick me up though. Okay, I might start calling him Mr. Silk. I have seen him in a cotton t-shirt but loved him more in his silks. "Wait, has a silk company signed you up?" I asked laughing and as I ran my hand across his chest. I loved how it slid smoothly though I was keen it doesn't slide all down since we are in public.

"Nope, I just loved them too the first time I wore them and I was in awe. They made and make me so confident, comfortable and make me feel hot too, haha." his beard was really taken care of and has been oiled and trimmed. He also turned up for the date and impressed me as always. He knows I love that beard and I told him if he does shave it we are done. So I know he won't shave it, he can only trim it and not so much. His mum did complain about it but I don't even know what excuse he gives but as long as it isn't shaved. His mom also is his designer since I am sure she does make the shirts herself.

His gift did fit in my handbag and so I would take it out once we were done eating. Maritim wouldn't ever leave any hotel without having a freak shake. Even though he was full he had forced it in. I love how he is free and does not have an issue with me paying the bill though it took me some time to really convince him. He even asked for foods that are a little expensive so he would end up paying but I still did pay. It is now time to start the speech and I gather some strength and began. He is already getting nervous about me saying that I have something to tell him.

"I want to keep you and I can only keep you if you want to be kept. But mostly I wasn't to say thank you for being such a best boyfriend to me even though you knew there would be some distance in a matter of time. I hope we can still maintain this or even make it better with time. I don't want us to accept defeat by letting the distance ruin us."

I take out the gift. It is a pack of a watch, belt, and some great perfume since I already knew what type he liked. Of course, I got him some chef/baker apron that I printed 'sweet apron for a sweet baker', the letter, and I had some rings too. I delayed a bit on the rings and gave him the other gifts. I have never seen him so happy honestly. He has been happy but today he did unlock whatever he kept a secret. He really took it as a big deal and was about to cry but his tears were nowhere to be located. I loved everything in him and the thought of me not seeing him in the next few months was really trying its best to break my heart. I always take random pictures of him anytime we are on a date or together. At least I would hold onto these memories before we get to meet and keep making them. We also had several of us together and his aura always makes me feel at home. Oh, his scent too. I wit and watch his beautiful face read the letters and I feel the way he felt when I was reading his the other day. Reading someone's letter when they are not watching you is quite better but of course, we want the reaction and feelings un-filtered.

He took out his handkerchief and started acting like he is wiping his tears but he was playing with me there weren't any tears. He really does enjoy making jokes. "I have never been so happy in my life. No one has made me wear such a wide smile ever. My jaws almost hurt actually. I am grateful for you being in my life and it is such a great honor to have such a girlfriend like you. Yes, I know you are a cardiologist and you will indeed take care of my heart. Just be passing on some notes and elaborate since that is too much biology I mightn't understand. I hope I also don't fail or mess up in taking care of yours. I adore you baby." He goes ahead and leans in to plant a kiss on my lips. Well, we are about to be the center of attention here now. "I won't accept defeat and hence I do want to invite you for a swim and pay for it."

I tried bailing it and he threatened to carry me to the pool and make me go in in the same clothes that I was in. We headed out to some mall just so close and walked to it and shopped for some costumes. Walking was also quite fun we should have been walking sometimes too. I am glad that Elsa did take me to some swimming lessons, I wasn't a pro like her but at least I did know how to swim. There was some good sun for swimming and we even bought some snacks to have after our swim plus sunscreen. I actually remember there is a time he had enrolled in swimming in his junior year but chose to drop it after we started our senior year. They even talked about it with my sister on their birthday the other day. That is what made them get along well that night. So there is no way I would beat him unless he just chooses to let me win. We play around, dive together as we swim underwater. He introduces a game where we throw coins into the water and dive in to get them together and no one has coins. But then I do remember that I have rings. They are of good quality yes but should I tell him or not. I find myself already saying it and he does tell me to get them. I didn't want to get out of the water since I do feel so shy in these costumes. Nearly half of my butt is outside and it makes me uncomfortable in public and also by the thought that Maritim will just keep staring at it.

Anyway, I get them fast and I am back. We have to ensure we get them since they can't get lost. I throw the one he is supposed to get and he throws mine. We have a timer to see who took the longest time to get their ring. He goes first and he gets it in no time. It's my turn now and I am scared of not finding it. I go ahead dive in and look around and I don't find it. I have used up my breath so I go up to get some more air and get back there. I have to get the ring it is a promise ring that we are going to hold on to us no matter the cost.me getting the ring will also play a part in me giving my all to keep the promise. I dive in again after he has given me some motivation and I do get it in no time. Maritim helps me out and he places a towel around me and we go and lie just by the pool. We wear some sunscreen and sit out in the sun to dry up. "What were the rings for and why didn't you take them out before?" He asked me as held our towel wrapping it around us so it fits properly. I really don't know too why I didn't take them out before. I knew I would give him eventually but not today.

"Uh, I really am not sure but I would give one to you before my flight," I said to him hoping he wouldn't add another question.

"What purpose were they to serve?" he adds the toughest question now.

"I bought them as promise rings, they are a symbol that we should try to keep this no matter the cost. Taking care of the ring is also like taking care of the relationship. Taking care that it doesn't get lost. I don't know why I hesitated, it felt like a hard thing to do but that doesn't mean I am not ready to do that."

"Why now, you know I love you so much and I am willing to do everything possible to keep you too? Anyway, it is okay I am so down for it. I also love how you never gave up looking for it. I was to help you look for it but I knew you can do it by yourself." said he. He puts on his ring and I put mine on too and we smile at each other. Oh yes, we do our photos thing and then go change. That cap did let some water in and now my hair was a bit wet. I was done in some time and he was outside waiting for me. I never carry a jacket but I am lucky I wasn't evening yet and there was still some sun.

It is time to head back home and we have a bomb playlist and our snacks in check. We don't go home yet but have some fun before we do head out. I will miss him a lot and I don't know how I will survive not having him around and seeing him often.

Maritim's POV

It has been a while now since I have been feeling like this, happy and contented and at the same time somewhat scared. She has been the greatest gift in my life, she has taught me to do things differently. She on the other side has taught me to move to greater levels. I mean, I thought it was just going to end on the prom night that I had no hopes of in the first place. If she didn't accept the offer I wouldn't even turn up for it since it would be useless. Well luckily, Olivia didn't turn up for the prom and I was happy since it wasn't so weird. It has been a long since we broke up, a month ago. She just compared me so much to others and I never felt safe. I can't even imagine that I did consider pushing myself to change myself for her. She never understood that I was busy most of the time. It was much of a bold move when I broke it off although I don't think it even hurt her in any way.

When I asked Everett for the dance I just wanted to be around her. She has been a great competition to me and I wanted to at least get to know a bit of her. We only conversed in discussion groups or just academic issues and I had also heard about her scholarship I wanted to congratulate her too. I was extra on that night but I wasn't pushed by anyone to put on this or that. I was just being me and I was surprised she even liked it. Everett knew simply because I was a bright dude and a competitor I don't think she did know about me and Olive. It was somewhat a date and I really liked it. I hoped to be around her so often. Everett was a young beautiful girl, a light complexion with long brown hair. Her face was so close to me and I have never seen her so close to me. Her beauty was now magnified and her brown eyes were a beautiful scenery for mine. Brilliance was painted all over her features. She did have some smooth soft soprano that I wished to hear all night hence I had to keep asking her questions or just bringing up some story. I am glad that I am smart, I don't think I would ever have a chance for this golden moment with her.

It was a great evening and I love how she was free with me. Trusting me mostly, when she would drink around me and not just one glass. I just behaved well and of course, I am not typing to take advantage of girls when they are drunk. Her lying on my chest for like three hours that night oh my word! That was really amazing. I really slept feeling so overwhelmed. I didn't have her number but I really didn't want to take it too far. She is about to start her freshman year in two months' time and I am not ready to get my heart broken all over again. I take it as a memory to be remembered and I start off my normal day, as usual, help my dad bake and get my mum the material she ordered. I go to the school library the next day to return a book I borrowed and well fate has planned its thing. I find her waiting in line and I am glad I have seen her. I say hi and apologize for not inquiring if she was well after her hangover.

Well, I pulled my strings and got her number already. Talking to her once every evening isn't such a bad thing. I am so busy of late, there is just a lot of work home and I will text her soon. The day was finally over and I had time to rest. I wasn't going to be here the next day so I had to work a bit extra today. Anyway, I check up on this girl before I get to sleep. When I get online I also come around our video on the prom night. The time I carried her to the car, and she had my blazer on. I had no idea this was a great thing and I really loved the video. Well, Olive did text after seeing the video and was really asking me so many questions and that's when I had to block her. She didn't like me for me and I had to tell her to leave me the fuck alone. I did look at the video several times and felt like a superhero or something. It did seem like in the movies and I was really happy and that song 'I like me better when I am with you. I truly resonated with it. I talked to this shawty and she was doing fine and really seemed to be waiting for my text. I got another opportunity to meet her, we needed to fill in universities we needed to go and she did say she will be there. Some teachers would help her make her choice although I think she did know what she wants. Well, it didn't take much time to make the choices. We all had the same university choices since we did fight for those rated schools. I didn't dress that well, I don't know why I did this but I needed her reaction. Maybe I will know what she needs as early as now before we waste so much time. Our morning was great, our group was the first and we were done in an hour's time. We headed and got some sliders and smoothies for brunch. We are still getting to know each other and I was shy a bit but I don't think she did see it anyway. We had fun tasting each other's smoothies and giving stories and laughing all through. It was still early to go home and we needed to hang around before going home. I would go home and help a bit then sit in my room and watch till I get bored. I could pass time here with her and so I had to think of something so fast. Bikes, yikes, well I am glad she did know how to ride one. We go and check if they still offer to hire or they haven't come back due to the pandemic. Luck is on our side and they are open but it looks like they are still resuming and they only give out about five bikes a day. We take two bikes for two hours and since I know the hometown well I take her to my favorite spots.

She is so fun to be around. She is always so quiet but I am seeing a different version of her and I like it. She isn't used to going for such long trips and she is tired already so we have to rest a bit. We put the bikes down and sit in the shade for a while. She is caring and I saw that when she was saving a bird that seemed to be stuck. I find my hands catching hers and I really thank her for her time. I am running my mouth and sweet things I might regret saying come out of it. Looks like she somehow feels something for it and my lips are already tasting hers. She doesn't stop me and I do continue ensuring she is comfortable. We are making out and we hear voices of people coming our way and I don't know how fast we acted but in a matter of seconds, we were already on our bikes as if nothing was happening. Everett was already weak and tired and I don't know where her energy came from. I ensured I am not fast and that we are going with her pace. Finally, we are almost home. We return the bikes and walk back home, with our stories and no one talked about our moment. Looks like she had done too much exercise today and her feeble legs were almost collapsing but it was a couple of steps and we were home. I hug her but warn her of my sweaty body and as much as she agrees that I have really sweat she stills hugs me and holds on for a while. I go home and take my shower. I now realize that I am going too far. I don't want it to seem like a rebound and at the same time, I don't want to fall too hard for her and have my heart into more pieces. She will be gone soon and I know we can still manage it as a long-distance but what if she does forget about me and find a better person. I know there is a possibility I get a university closer o hers since my choices are just in close vicinity to the university she has chosen to go to. I see her text and I am now too confused, I don't want it to go too far then I break her heart. It is better if I stop it as early as now before we get deep into it. I don't reply to it since I am not so sure of what to say. Once I am composed I will reply to her.

I did enjoy the time I spent with her. She has nothing against me, none that she has said yet. I am doing wrong by comparing her to Olive. Olive just gets the influence from her friends and takes all the advice from them. Everett is a lot not like her or even close. I like her smartness, she knows what she wants in her life and she is also kind and humble. She comes from a rich family but she doesn't show any pride whatsoever. I hate what I am doing to her. Three days and I haven't answered her. I do realize that the more I hide my feelings and deny myself such a privilege the more I hurt myself. I do love her and pushing her away doesn't change anything. Of late my blog has been my hub for pouring my naked feelings. I go ahead and write an apology and post it. It is anonymous and hence no one knows it's me and who I am writing to. I text her inviting her for lunch as I explain why I ghosted her. This would be our first date if she would even hear me out for being such a prick. She didn't reply and maybe this was payback. I stopped waiting since it was so evident that I had messed up. I found her text later in the evening saying she will give me a response when she thinks it over. Waiting for such an answer is usually a tough thing, to be honest. You keep on glancing at your phone waiting for a text to pop up. After the struggle of making myself busy, she came around and gave me a chance to explain myself. Of course, I had to be on my best behavior. I do pick her up and she is wearing a beautiful grey dress, which is in sync with my silk t-shirt. I can wear anything I please since she doesn't judge me at whatever cost and letting her go will be something I will regret.

Our day goes on well and I give her my reasons and apologize and I am glad she forgave me. I was so sure of this moment, I wanted nothing less than this. I really admire everything she has and all that she is. When you really do resist something you find yourself now fully drowning in it once you stop for a moment. She has made me see that I am capable of love and I will return the favor too. I enjoy everything with her, especially now that I got bake a cake with her. Her family likes me too I guess or it's better when I say they have nothing against me. I promised myself that I would do all it takes to make her happy and with my blog I had to ensure that her sister would get justice. There wasn't any hope in Evans getting arrested but I had to try I had to do my best. We did try all we could and the fact that he got to apologize to Elsa made the situation a little better. I treated Elsa as my little sissy and I would have given Evans a couple of blows if I was able to see him.

She has invited me to a date and whoa! I am so excited, of course, I tried convincing her that we will split the bill but she didn't go for it. Anyway, I did accept her date offer and carried my shy ass to pick her up. There is always a way she tends to hug me forever because of my cologne and she actually sniffs almost all of it. This cologne cost me a couple of dollars and I had saved for it for some time hoping to impress Olive but she didn't even ever mention it at all. It is high time I stop even mentioning her name. I hadn't even a pinch of love for her. Everett was all in my mind and heart right now. She is about to leave but we agreed on being strong and keeping our promise to do all that it takes. We can beat the distance and more so we just had to wait four months and we would be great. Just a few hours' drive away from each other or even the same university.

Our date has gone so well and she is really full of surprises today. Aside from my mom, dad, or grandma, no one has ever gifted me anything. This beautiful girlfriend of mine bought me a wonderful package and God knows how much I needed a watch but never bought one. I always postponed getting one and she actually bought maroon. How did she know I love Maroon since we have obviously never had that talk of favorite colors? This and many more things have made me realize that she really does love me. I really felt so emotional my tears just failed me. My heart was melting with spasms of joy. I won't be seeing her anytime soon a day from tomorrow. I am not sure I expressed my gratitude enough but I just wanted this to last forever. I never wanted to leave her sight even for a second. The best part was the promise rings. I didn't take it as a possession if she might think of it like that. It was a good gesture that she wanted to keep me. As we headed home I almost cried and I really wanted her to be in my arms for some time. She had already started crying and this was now tough already. I comforted her as I comforted myself and after some few minutes, we promised to try and be strong. I go back home and my mood has drastically changed I am happy that the day was amazing but again I am sad that she is leaving soon. I have some memories and gifts to hold on to until we meet again.

It is now hitting and it is indeed the last day. I had baked the cake last evening. I carried my sis and we went with her to have a small celebration as we give Everett all the blessings she deserves as she starts this new phase of life. We head over to the Walton's. We have to escort her to the airport. Her flight is to take off at around 10 pm and it is around 10 a.m. I carry her one of my favorite sweaters that she liked and of course, I pack my cologne for her. She needs to have my scent and that will remind her and make my presence linger in her thoughts. She loves cakes and my doughnuts so I ensure I have several of them that she can have while on her flight and after she has arrived maybe if she will have left some. We enjoyed ourselves and it was just smiles and laughs all through. I gave her my sweater and the cologne while she was getting ready. When I was kissing her, I did it as if it is the last time. I didn't want it to be the last but I ensured that I will remember it just like the first one. I had some a rose for her too. I knew she would be glad to have the cologne. This smile makes me so happy and gives me the motivation to go ahead and wait for the next time I will be seeing this smile. We are happy for her and we toast for a great and successful start for her. She is a bright and brilliant girl and I know she will make a very good cardiologist. Her twin siblings didn't want to see her leaving and were left at home. This is where it all started crashing. I was crashing inside and I don't know how much more was left to crash. We leave together with her dad and mum and we are in the backseat. I am trying to contemplate and digest the reality of things. This moment never sounded real like it is right now. I am holding her palm in mine. Her flight takes off at 10 and she has to check in two hours earlier since this pandemic has changed and they have to check so many things. The Covid certificate, temperature and they have to fumigate the planes, and people have to ensure social distance. So the more there are details to check the more time it takes.

We are at the airport already and she isn't even saying a word. Her other hand is now cupping mine and I feel her tightening her grip. I kiss the pretty hands and I can feel whatever she is feeling. All that she is experiencing is going through my veins and I can feel it go through my whole body. I know silence means so many things and I feel the tears on my cheeks already. I have tried to be strong, the more I try to be the more I now get weaker. So I let go and let myself feel all the pain. She wipes my tears and says to me 'It is alright, we will conquer this baby'. Her voice is shaky and I just hug her and try to compose myself while I am on her shoulder. Her dad was unloading her luggage and we helped her carry her backpacks too. "This is the point where we leave baby girl", her dad said to her as he opened his arms to her. She was crying and I understand why her siblings couldn't bear coming all the way. It hits hardest here. "Remember our little promise", he told her as he hugged her and he raised her making her smile a bit. Her mom had already wet her handkerchief already. Her mom was already not letting her go. She held on to her tightly and her father joined hugging them and whispering to her" honey it will be well". They asked me to join and I joined before they stop us. Hugging and shaking hands weren't allowed in these times of the pandemic. There was still some line so we went ahead and had a drink and ease up a little. Actually, no one wanted anything to eat, this wasn't that time. We all got milkshakes and Everett just needed water. Her mom had stopped crying and we were now saying goodbyes with small smiles. After we were done we left her and seeing us go different sides. I am waving and I feel my arm get weak, my feet are weaker.

I wait till she disappears and waits for her to turn so that I can see that pretty face for the last time till forever. She is in my sweater actually and I can't get that picture of her off my thoughts. Her sweet taste, her fragrance which was mixed with my cologne was the best match. I did smell it while I was in the backseat all alone on our way back home.