Watching the moonlight

The Richards siblings had always been close and they watched over one another every time. Carmen Richards was only two years older than Cindy Richards yet she acted like some old granny. Cindy Richards often told her that she would die young if she continued acting like that but she did not know that her words would really come true.

Carmen Richards had been told she had less than a month to live and this was why she had called for Cindy Richards. She wanted to see this little sister that she loved so much once again before she left this world for good.

After her wedding to Alexander Sterling back then, Cindy Richards had told Carmen that she was leaving the country to further her studies and ever since she left, communication was not as good as it used to be between them yet the bond strangely remained tight.

Cindy Richards had never once felt bad that Carmen was the one who married Alexander Sterling, she had only been heartbroken and running away was her choice of dealing with the news.

Cindy Richards never wanted anything bad to happen to Carmen Richards, which was why after the news about her cancer; Cindy did not leave Carmen's side.

Carmen was really tired of this human glue that stuck to her day and night. Carmen was even more meticulous than Alexander. The younger Cindy stayed with them and except for nighttime, the rest of the day was spent close to Carmen, monitoring her meals and medication.

Cindy was taking excellent care of Carmen yet the other still continued to be frail. A month was just too short. Cindy cried silently at night. If Carmen died then she would truly not know what to do.

She woke up in the middle of the night and decided to stroll around the garden. She called Olivia Ashford to throw all her grievances at her.

Olivia picked up very quickly and her clear voice rang, "What could I have possibly done to make you call me at midnight?"

Cindy laughed, "Hello to you too, my dear."

Olivia sighed from the other end, "Okay, what is it? You sound weird and you only ever call at midnight when something has happened to you so what is it?" Olivia demanded very quickly.

Cindy thought about everything for a little while and it almost felt like everything was coming back to her at this very moment. She had been taking care of Carmen and she did not even stop to think about herself. Carmen was dying; that much was true but Cindy was not ready…she would never be ready.

A thin thread of tear escaped before she said shakily, "My sister is dying…she is dying soon and I don't know what to do to stop it from happening."

This was the first time she was letting all of it out. She cried, "When we were still children, my elder sister did not like to fight with the other kids even when they insulted her. You know she is the smartest person I have ever met and this became a subject of envy from the others but she never once talked back or hit anyone yet when this one kid bullied me once, she threw a punch so hard that I thought I did not know her. No one has ever protected me like she has and no one ever will which is why I don't want her to leave. I want to protect her too but my hands are tied…Olivia…I don't want Carmen to go…"

She held her face in her hands in exasperation while the tears fell slowly. Olivia was silent for a very long time but before she could answer, Cindy felt footsteps nearing where she was. She looked up and was surprised to see Alexander Sterling.

Was he here too because he was worried?

She quickly cut off the call and wiped her tears away. She then turned to smile at Alexander, "What are you doing here?"

Alexander was dressed in simple and casual trousers and a white linen shirt. He stood next to her, "Watching the moon."

Cindy did not say anything anymore. She sat there silently while wiping the tears that were still falling. Alexander did not look at her and let her grieve in peace.

Once the whimpers died down, Alexander spoke, "Carmen wants to hold a small party for your return. It will be a simple get-together with the family. She wanted me to let you know before she fell asleep."

Cindy listened to those words and suddenly laughed, "You mean the party for her to say goodbye to everyone?"

Alexander looked over. She knew very well the meaning behind those words but he did not say anything. His eyes lingered a little while on her.

They had not seen each other for three whole years yet he still remembered how she looked back then. They always played in the garden and she would hold his hand as she enthusiastically tried to tell him the name of the flowers growing in their garden.

He still remembered those moments clearly.

She had not changed much yet she had also changed a lot. Alexander could not put his fingers around it. He looked down once more and reminded, "Don't stay out for too long lest you catch a cold."

With that, he was gone.

Cindy stared at the receding back for a long time until it was out of sight. She then got up slowly and walked inside the house as well.