Chapter 32

Chapter 32– When the Clouds Speak

At the Airport

The terminal was colder than Bella expected.

She stood between her parents and Andrew, watching as airport staff wheeled her father toward the gate. His frail body looked nothing like the man who used to lift her effortlessly onto his shoulders when she was small.

Her mother held his hand tightly, whispering soft reassurances with a strength that was almost superhuman.

Bella bit her lip, blinking back the tears that had threatened to fall since she woke up. The thought of what lay ahead—the surgery, the uncertainty, the distance—wrapped itself around her like a silent fog.

Andrew gently nudged her shoulder. "You okay?"

She nodded. "I just... I'm scared."

He wrapped an arm around her. "We all are. But we're going to face it together, remember?"

The announcement for boarding echoed through the hall. Her father turned back slightly and smiled at her.

"Be brave, my little star."

She ran forward and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Dad and you too mum."

"We love you more."

---

At Ethan's House

Ethan sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows on his knees, his mind spinning with thoughts he couldn't piece together.

Bella had been off for days—distracted, sad, barely smiling even when her friends joked. He couldn't stop thinking about her.

Lila came skipping into the room, followed by their mother, Mrs. Vivian. She smiled warmly as she sat beside him.

"You've been quiet lately," she observed. "Something wrong?"

He hesitated. "It's... Bella. She hasn't really been herself lately."

Mrs. Vivian's expression softened. "I was going to tell you. Her father has cancer."

Ethan sat up, his heart dropping. "What?"

"He's being flown abroad today for surgery. It's serious."

He stared at his mother in shock, his throat dry. "She didn't tell me."

"Maybe she didn't know how," she replied gently. "Sometimes, we keep quiet about the things that hurt us the most."

Ethan nodded slowly, then stood and walked to his room. The moment he shut the door, he reached for his phone.

---

Message to Bella

> Ethan:

Hey... I heard about your dad from my mum.

I'm so sorry, Bella. I know you didn't want to talk about it, but I just want you to know that I'm here.

Whatever happens, I'm here.

He'll make it through. I believe that.

And you don't have to go through this alone.

Bella read the message in the waiting area, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. She smiled faintly at her phone, fingers trembling as she typed back:

> Bella:

Thank you, Ethan.

That means more to me than I can say.

The school campus buzzed with laughter, chatter, and backpacks being dragged across tiled floors. The final paper had just ended, and the air was different—lighter, freer.

Bella stepped out of the exam hall with her friends—Sarah, Alex, and Emily—her heart swelling with relief.

"We did it!" Alex cheered, twirling in the middle of the walkway like a dancer on stage.

"Freshman year down!" Emily added, slapping high-fives with anyone who passed by.

Bella chuckled, hugging her books to her chest. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to feel joy. "It feels unreal."

"It is unreal," Sarah grinned, looping her arm through Bella's. "But we survived."

The group sat under their usual tree, the one they had claimed since their first semester. They talked about the year—the laughter, the sleepovers, the drama, the classes, and even the fights.

"I'm going to miss this," Bella said softly, staring up at the leaves that filtered the sun just right.

"We'll come visit," Alex promised. "Even if it means dragging Emily out of her bed."

"Hey!" Emily protested, laughing. "I'm not that bad."

"Yes, you are," Sarah deadpanned, and everyone laughed.

When Ethan and his friends approached, the teasing began again.

"So... any final words for your favorite guy before vacation?" Jake smirked at Ethan.

Ethan rolled his eyes but glanced toward Bella. "Just... take care, alright?"

Bella smiled shyly. "You too."

His friends waved at the girls. "Later, ladies. Don't forget us."

"We won't!" Emily said, giggling.

As the boys turned to leave, Bella turned to Sarah, nudging her lightly. "Still not talking to Jake?"

Sarah's face hardened. "We're not friends. We have nothing to say to each other."

Bella frowned. "But—"

"I'm fine, Bella. Don't worry," Sarah cut in, though her eyes looked more hurt than angry.

Soon, everyone started leaving one after another, hugs and promises exchanged like souvenirs.

"I'll miss you," Emily whispered, hugging Bella tightly.

"Text me every day," Alex added.

"Don't cry," Sarah warned, her voice cracking slightly as she hugged Bella last.

"I won't," Bella lied.

---

That Evening

The house was quiet.

No laughter from the kitchen. No scent of her mother's cooking. No soft classical music her father always played while reading.

Just silence.

Bella walked through the hallway, her suitcase in tow, and dropped it beside the living room couch. Her fingers hovered over her phone, tempted to call her mum, but she knew her mother would still be at the hospital.

Her father's surgery was done, but they were staying abroad for his recovery. Bella had insisted on coming home to rest and prepare for their next session.

But the quiet was louder than she thought.

She stared around the house and whispered to herself, "I miss you both already."

She picked up her phone and scrolled through her messages. Ethan had sent her a silly meme that made her crack a small smile. Then another message followed:

> Ethan:

Let me know if you want to talk. Or if you want ice cream. I can deliver both.

She didn't reply. But she smiled.