Chapter 8

The days passed in a blur. Elena mostly stayed inside her room, refusing to meet or even look at anyone. Her nights were sleepless. Nightmares took them from her. Her mornings were dark and uneventful. Her health deteriorated rapidly. She couldn't even eat a proper meal. She'd throw up everything, then would spend the whole day on her bed, under her blanket. 

One of those days, Nathan knocked on her door, begging to see her. She let him in, but her eyes held no more hope. She was just like a living doll; an empty vessel; lost in the world. 

Even getting up from bed became a chore, and twice already, her parents had come and talked to her, but their words seemed like bubbles, catching her attention in a short time until they popped and disappeared in her mind again, just like bubbles that weren't even permanent. Once said, they didn't care anymore. 

Erika tried to talk to her, but she was too exhausted to mask herself and entertain her sister's bubbly personality. So, she would always pretend like she was sick and push her away. 

If she was going to live like this, then what was the point of surviving? 

Nathan came again. He knelt before her. He held onto her hands above her knees, as he looked up and gazed at her with sadness and pity. 

"Elena," he called softly, yet Elena remained unresponsive. He took a deep breath. "Elena, your parents and your sister are getting worried. I know it's hard. It's traumatizing, but you need to move on with your life. Life goes on, babe."

For a long time, Elena just stared at Nathan's pained eyes. He was hurting seeing her like this, but Elena started to doubt his sincerity. 

Finally, she parted her lips and mumbled, "...how?"

Nathan paused. He looked away for a moment, then he fished something in his pocket. It was a business card. He placed it between Elena's hands as he replied, "You need help. Let's make an appointment with Dr. Swan in the city."

Elena did not answer. 

Nathan sighed, rubbing his face once. "Elena, you need to make an effort. How are we going to help you if you don't help yourself? Let's go tomorrow, okay?"

Nathan was long gone when Elena finally moved from her position. She sat next to the window, watching the leaves sway with nothing. Time passed like that, and the next morning came. 

However, contrary to what Nathan said, the doctor's appointment did not happen. Erika suddenly got a fever due to fatigue. She was so excited to be mobile and out of bed again, so she had been hopping from place to place. 

She caught the flu and kept asking for Nathan. Therefore, his schedule with Elena was canceled. 

That night, Elaine came to Elena's room. 

"Nathan told me about your plan. But Elena…must it come to that? People are talking already—about what happened to you and what you said at the police station. They think you're insane, and that you're using…using drugs. Your father and I are doing everything to refute the rumors, but even the church people are looking down on us. We raised you the best we can do, but because of this incident, people are judging us now," Elaine's voice broke. 

Elena flinched, hearing her mother about to cry. She shut her eyes tightly. Everything throbbed painfully. Her head, her stomach, her body, her heart.

"Elena, can we start over? Forget the bad things and just move on, okay? It'll be fine. I'm sure everything will be fine. Please, do it for me," Elaine said, cupping the face of her motionless daughter. "Elena, please?"

After several minutes of silence, Elena finally nodded. Elaine hugged her tightly, wiped her unshed tears, and kissed Elena goodnight after expressing her gratitude.

Several days after that, Elena was able to step out of her room. Everything became unfamiliar to her. The warmth of the sun rays; the noises of the neighborhood; even the cracks on the cobbled pathway leading to their gate.

During meals, the usually silent and somber atmosphere became livelier because of Erika's animated speech and cheerful countenance. Everything changed in a short time.

A month passed by after that incident, and Elena's life began returning to normal again. Nathan became attentive to her again, and now she was getting ready for their date. Fifteen minutes before Nathan arrived to pick her up, Elena decided to wait by the living room. 

She descended the stairs, but her steps slowed down when she met Erika on the way. 

"Ellie, are you going somewhere?" Erika asked with a bright smile. 

Elena returned a small smile, but her eyes couldn't hide the anticipation. "Yeah. I'm going on a date with Nathan."

"Oh…." Erika bit her lower lip, seemingly upset. She forced back her bright smile after seeing Elena looking at her intently. Then, she added, "Have fun."

After that, she continued walking upstairs. Elena inadvertently followed Erika with her gaze. Once she heard a door closed, she sighed and continued walking down the stairs. Nathan arrived just in time. They left and spent the day together. 

It was past dinner time when Elena arrived. She announced her arrival, but no one answered; therefore, she thought everyone was already asleep. She tiptoed to her room, but then she heard voices from Erika's slightly opened door.

"Mom, he's originally mine, isn't he? He always told me he'd marry me when we grew up! She just came into the picture and stole everything from me! I'm fine now. I want to take him back. I can take care of him better than she does! And I know he feels the same way I do. He just didn't know what to do because of her!"

"Erika, my daughter, what do you want me to do then?"

"Help us be together again, Mom. I love him. I love—"

Elena was confused. She stopped eavesdropping and entered her room, wondering who Erika was talking about. She didn't think too much about it and just reminisced about her date until she fell asleep.