Truth In Loneliest

Chapter 41

Veronica's POV

"Not enough." My voice trembled as I counted the crumpled bills again, my hands shaking. I knew the answer before I finished, but I clung to a foolish hope that somehow, miraculously, the amount would change. It didn't. Still short. A hundred bucks short.

My chest tightened. What now? I ran my fingers through my hair, frustration mixing with helplessness. Should I ask Trisha and Veronica to chip in? No... they've done enough. And Noah, God, Noah. He's already given so much, never hesitating to swipe his card for me. My groceries, those endless cups of coffee I needed to survive long study nights, even my winter coat. I can't ask him again.

But I have to buy the ticket by tomorrow. If I wait any longer, I might miss my chance. And I need to go home. I need to see Mom. She's back in the hospital, and this time... this time feels different. She's not doing well.

Tears pricked my eyes, blurring the numbers on the bills in front of me. I swallowed hard, willing them not to fall, but my resolve cracked. What if I don't make it in time? What if... what if I never see her again?

A soft knock at the door startled me. My heart leapt. Noah? No, he left an hour ago.

Wiping my eyes quickly, I opened the door.

And there they were. Trisha and Tina, their faces lighting up when they saw me.

"Surprise!" Trisha grinned, holding up an assortment of shopping bags that seemed to multiply every second. Tina, right beside her, balanced even more. My eyes widened.

"What's all this?" My voice barely hid the exhaustion.

They didn't answer right away. Instead, they walked and placed the bags down gently. Trisha pulled out a smaller bag, her eyes softening.

"This is dinner," she said, then gestured to the rest. "And these... these are for your family."

My breath caught in my throat. For my family?

"Presents, chocolates... little things for your sisters. We know how much they're waiting for you."

My lips quivered. "You didn't have to..." My voice cracked before I could finish the sentence.

Tina walked toward me, her warm hands finding my shoulders. Her touch felt grounding, like an anchor in the storm that was my mind.

"Vero," she whispered softly, "your family is going through so much right now. Especially your younger sisters. Imagine how worried they must be, how sad they feel. You bringing these little things will mean the world to them. It's not just stuff... it's hope. A little joy in the middle of all this pain."

Her words broke me. My walls, already fragile, crumbled. I threw my arms around her, my tears finally escaping.

"I don't know what I'd do without you two," I sobbed, my body shaking. All the strength I had been forcing myself to hold onto drained away. The weight of Mom's illness, my helplessness, and my fears, everything poured out.

Trisha joined the hug, her arms wrapping around both of us. They held me tight, like they could hold me together when I felt like falling apart.

I don't know how long we stood like that, but eventually, they led me to the sofa. One sat on each side, holding my hands like lifelines.

Tina, her voice barely above a whisper, asked, "How's your mom?"

Her name alone brought a fresh wave of tears to my eyes. Mom. My heart clenched.

"Not good," I whispered, barely audible. "The doctors said... the cancer... it's stage four now." My voice cracked, the words feeling like shards in my throat. "The chemo isn't working anymore. Her immune system is too weak..." My breath hitched. "She wants to see me."

I stared at the floor, as if somehow, looking anywhere but their eyes would make the words hurt less. "Is she going to leave me?" The question escaped me before I could stop it. My worst fear, voiced out loud, shattered the silence.

Trisha and Tina exchanged a quick glance. They didn't need to say anything. I already knew the answer. But they tried.

"No," Tina said firmly, though her eyes betrayed her. "Of course not. She's strong, Vero. She'll fight. You just need to stay strong for her."

Lies. Gentle lies meant to protect me. I wanted to believe them, but reality clung to me like a shadow. No one survives stage four.

"She promised," I whispered, more to myself than to them. My fingers tightened around theirs. "She promised she'd come to my graduation. She said... she said she was so proud of me, being the first in our family to go to university. She... she can't break that promise." My voice cracked. "She has to get better. She has to."

Tears streamed down my face, uncontrollable, unstoppable. "I need to be with her."

"When are you leaving?" Trisha asked softly. "Have you bought your ticket?"

I hesitated. The question stung. What do I say?

"I... not yet," I replied, my voice dry.

"What?" Trisha's tone sharpened with concern. "Why not? What are you waiting for?"

My throat tightened. I couldn't bring myself to admit the truth. But they deserved to know.

"I'm short," I finally muttered, barely audible. "I still need a hundred dollars."

Tina sighed, a mix of frustration and love. "Vero," she grunted. "Why didn't you tell us?" She grabbed her phone swiftly.

"Wait, what are you doing?" I asked, confused.

She didn't answer. Within seconds, her phone dinged softly.

"You're flying tomorrow morning," she said, looking up at me with a small smile. "I just bought your ticket."

My eyes widened, and I shook my head. "No, Tina... you've already done so much."

"Vero," she cut me off gently, "you're our friend. Friends do this. We do this." She hugged me again, this time softly, like a mother holding her child.

"Okay," Trisha stood up, her usual spunky energy returning. "Let's eat. You look like you'll collapse any second, and then we'll finish packing. You need rest too."

Dinner was quiet, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions, until Trisha broke it.

"Do you have enough cash for the trip? If you need more, just say it. Please."

My heart swelled with gratitude. "I think I'll be okay now that Tina bought the ticket. If I need anything... I guess I can use what I have left." I looked at Tina. "Unless you need it back?"

"Seriously?" Tina chuckled softly. "No. We're worried about you, not about the money."

I swallowed hard. "I'm so lucky to have you both. Thank you... for everything."

"Anything for you, hun," they said in unison, making me smile for the first time all day.

We finished dinner, and they stayed to help me pack. As we zipped up the last suitcase, Trisha said, "Edam will pick us up tomorrow morning. We'll drop you off at the airport, then he'll take us to work."

Later that night, I texted Noah to let him know I was okay, that the girls were here, and I'd be flying home tomorrow. His reply was immediate:

"I'll see you at the airport."

That night, they didn't leave. They knew I needed them. All three of us squeezed into my tiny bed, snuggling close like we were holding each other together. As I closed my eyes, I whispered a prayer. Please, let Mom be okay. Let me see her. Let her keep her promise.

Tina's POV

I stretched my weary body, a deep sigh escaping my lips as I loosened my hair from its tight bun. The strands fell over my shoulders like a comforting weight. Sinking into the sofa, I hugged a cushion close, as though it could shield me from the crushing loneliness that clung to me after another endless day of work. Maybe Trisha was right. I was becoming a workaholic. But what choice did I have? Work was my only escape from the emptiness that echoed through my life.

It had been three agonizing months since Joe left the city. Three months since I last felt his arms around me or heard his laughter fill the room. Our only connection now was the occasional text. No warmth, no voice. Just sterile words on a cold screen.

I hugged myself tighter, blinking back tears. Trisha was off making memories with Edam, and Veronica was miles away, lost in her own grief with her mother on life support. And me? Alone. Utterly alone.

My mind drifted to better times. The carefree days of partying until dawn, spontaneous shopping sprees, and those long, soul-baring chats about love and life. The laughter that once filled my world now felt like a distant echo. God, how I missed them.

Friday nights were meant for fun. I could almost hear the muffled beats from nearby clubs, the laughter of strangers. But my apartment was eerily silent. Desperate for company, I called Trisha.

"Hey girl! What's up?" Her voice was a bright spark.

"Just... bored. Thought maybe we could hang out?" My voice wavered, hope flickering like a candle.

"I'd love to, but Edam's taking me on a mini vacation. Next weekend though! Edam will be away on business, and it'll be just us!"

My heart cracked a little more. "Alright, have fun. See you on Monday."

I stared at my phone. No messages from Veronica. No calls from Mom. Shawn's text blinked at me: At a birthday function. Even Joe was at a corporate dinner.

Everyone had a life. Everyone but me.

Tears blurred my vision as I tossed the phone aside. I dragged myself to my room, the weight of solitude pressing down on me. Changing into pajamas felt like a ritual, dull and mechanical. A glass of red wine called my name from the kitchen. At least it never left me.

Wrapped in blankets, I opened my laptop, scrolling through movies. Comedy. Yes, that should help. But my mind whispered cruel thoughts.

Why does it feel like I'm losing everything?

Tears trickled down my cheeks. What if Joe doesn't love me anymore? What if he's already gone?

I clutched my glass tightly. Stop overthinking. But the silence screamed louder.

Trisha has Edam. Veronica has her family. Mom has her life. Shawn has his friends. What do I have? The emptiness clawed at my chest.

As the movie played, laughter filled the room-but it wasn't mine.

And then, like a quiet whisper in my heart, a thought broke through the despair.

Everything is in my hands.

I sat up, breath quickening. No one will pull me out of this darkness. I have the power to press play, pause, or stop.

A tear fell, but it wasn't sorrow. It was clarity. I need to stop waiting. I need to create my own happiness.

Raising my glass to the empty room, I whispered, "I choose to press play."

Trisha's POV

I stared at myself in the mirror, my reflection a stranger to me. My eyes, hollow and tired, flickered between my own face and the two pieces of jewelry sitting on the dresser. They gleamed under the dim light, mocking me. The engagement ring and the necklace. Symbols of a truth I could no longer suppress.

These weren't just ornaments; they were shackles. Secrets I had buried deep inside me, but the weight of them had become unbearable. I had to tell someone, and that someone was Tina. She might understand. She had to.

And Edam...

I swallowed hard. I would have to tell him soon. He deserved the truth. No more hiding, no more pretending. I had built a castle of lies around us, thinking I could keep it standing until graduation, but the walls were crumbling. I was engaged. Engaged to someone else. And in a few months, I will be married. The very thought sent a chill down my spine.

Marriage.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. I had dreams. Studying, graduating, working, standing on my own two feet. But now, those dreams felt like whispers in the wind, slipping away beyond my grasp.

A knock at the door pulled me back to reality.

"Madam, Miss Tina is here," Lia announced from the other side.

My heart jumped. It was time.

"I'll be down soon," I called back, my voice steadier than I felt.

With trembling fingers, I slipped the ring onto my finger and clasped the necklace around my neck. A deep breath. One last look in the mirror.

"You can do this," I whispered.

But could I?

I forced one foot in front of the other, each step toward the staircase heavier than the last. As I descended, I saw Tina on the couch, her fingers dancing across her phone screen, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. I hesitated, the urge to turn back, lock my door, and hide clawing at my insides. But how long could I hide? The truth would catch up eventually.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I plastered on a smile, masking the turmoil beneath. "Finally! Look who's here!"

Tina looked up, her face lighting up with a grin. "I'm so glad you invited me!"

Despite seeing each other daily at work, we always seemed to miss each other. Or maybe it was the bond we shared. One that made every meeting feel like a reunion.

"Come, let's go to the poolside," I suggested. I needed to be far from Lia's ears.

We stepped outside, the air thick with the promise of summer. The water sparkled under the sun as we dipped our feet in. Lia soon arrived with a bottle of vodka and some bites.

"Thanks, Lia. I'll take over from here. You can rest now," I said, dismissing her.

As she left, I poured vodka and soda into two glasses, handing one to Tina. We clinked them together in an unspoken toast.

I waited. Maybe after one more drink, I'd be ready. Maybe then the words would flow.

"So, any updates from Joe?" I asked, desperate for a distraction, though I had already asked her this two days ago.

"Nope," she said, sighing. "I don't think he's coming back anytime soon."

Enough stalling, Trisha. Just say it.

I inhaled sharply, extending my hand toward her. The ring caught the light.

Tina's eyes widened. "Wow! It's gorgeous! You're so lucky to have Edam. Did he propose?!"

I felt my heart clench. "I'm engaged," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her excitement froze. "What? When?"

"When I was in India."

She blinked, confusion settling in. "But... Edam was in England, and you were..."

"I'm engaged to someone else." The words felt like acid on my tongue.

Tina's brows furrowed. "I don't get it. What are you saying? How is that possible?"

I took another sip of vodka, my hands trembling. "I've lied to you. To everyone. Not once, but over and over."

She sat upright, eyes locking onto mine. "What do you mean?"

"I won't be staying after graduation," I confessed.

Her face fell. "But you promised. You said we'd work here together. I even convinced my dad."

"I can't stay, Tina. I won't be able to. Because... I never got the scholarship. Nikhil's dad paid for my tuition. He covered my rent. It was all part of an agreement."

"What?!" Tina's voice cracked.

"Please, let me finish." My voice trembled as I continued. "It was an arrangement. A marriage contract. When I went back for Christmas, they decided I would marry Nikhil before the end of this year."

Tina's silence was deafening. I looked at her, searching for any sign of understanding, but her face was blank. Processing.

Then, finally, she spoke. "So let me get this straight. Nikhil's dad funded your education because they made a deal that you would marry his son. You got engaged during the holidays, and after this semester, you'll go back and marry Nikhil?"

"Yes," I whispered.

Tina's eyes darkened. "But I thought you loved Edam. Weren't you going to marry him?" She paused. "Wait... does he know?"

I shook my head, shame burning through me. "No. But I'm planning to tell him soon. I just... I don't know how. I don't want to hurt him. I don't want him to hate me. I love him so much." My voice cracked, and tears spilled down my cheeks.

Tina reached over, squeezing my hand. "Whatever you decide, I'm with you. Always."

We leaned against each other, staring at the rippling water in silence. The weight of my confession still hung heavy in the air.

Then, my phone dinged. I ignored it, not ready for any more truths tonight.

A second later, Tina's phone buzzed.

Curious, we both picked up our phones.

A message from Veronica.

My breath caught in my throat as I read it.

Mom broke her promise. She left us.

The world blurred, the pool, the sky, even Tina's concerned gaze. I felt the earth shift beneath me.

I had just begun to untangle my past, but now, my present was unraveling too.

______________________________

"Loneliness reveals the truth we often ignore. Sometimes, the silence speaks louder than words."