The Real Truth

"We're here." Mr. Leo said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I took a deep breath, relieved to finally be on dry land. "Where are we?" I asked, gazing around at the bustling seaside town filled with fascinating sights.

"We're in Bali," Mr. Leo revealed with a warm smile, handing me a note.

I opened it and read the content. "An address? Where does it lead?" I asked in disbelief.

"Somewhere safe," Mr. Leo assured me.

"Are you coming with me?" I inquired, but he just smiled.

"Someone has to tell the story, Darla." I nodded in understanding.

"Goodbye, Mr. Leo," I said as I prepared to disembark.

"Until we meet—" he began to say, but I cut him short.

"Don't say that. We will meet again," I assured him, offering a glimmer of hope.

What am I getting myself into?

I took a deep breath and stepped off the ship, into the unknown. It's going to be fine… hopefully.

As I stepped off the ship and onto Balinese soil, the humid air enveloped me like a warm hug. I approached a few locals, my voice shaking as I asked for directions. After several attempts, I finally grasped the basics - I needed to reach Denpasar, the capital city.

With a deep breath, I exchanged my dollars for Indonesian Rupiah on the black market streets, the scent of incense and frangipani filling my nostrils.

I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm so alone and vulnerable. But I have to keep going. For my sake and my child's.

Mr. Leo's words echoed in my mind, bringing some peace: 'Trust no one, but find solace in Bali's embrace.'.

I finally arrived at the address at nightfall. It was a three-bedroom house, not far from the city center.

The doorbell pierced the evening air, and I held my breath, my hand white-knuckled on the bag's handle.

The door creaked open, and my eyes met with a figure that made my heart stutter and my blood run cold.

"Grandma?" I whispered in horror, my voice trembling.

No. No. No. This can't be. How is she alive? She's supposed to be dead.

My body froze, and my mind raced as I stumbled backward, vomiting on the porch. The porch tiles felt cold beneath my palms as I struggled to find my balance.

My grandma comforted me, rubbing my back, but I pushed her away, retreating far. "You're... you're supposed to be dead," I said slowly, my eyes wide with terror.

My eyes fixed on her face, searching for any sign of deception.

My heart raced, and I scrambled backward, tripping over my own feet. "You died... years ago in a bomb blast." I accused, my voice shaking.

"I didn't," my grandma replied calmly, folding her hands, her eyes soft and gentle, a warm smile on her face.

"No, you did!" I refuted, my voice cracking.

"Did you ever see my dead body?" she asked, her tone serene.

I couldn't reconcile the woman standing before me with the memories I thought I knew.

I don't know what to believe. My whole life has been a lie.

She looked eerily unchanged, her youthful appearance defying the decades. One would think she was in her late thirties, despite being over sixty.

My mouth hung open, my thoughts reeling. "Yo-you lied?" I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Grandma Amelia nodded, her eyes filled with a knowing glint.

How can this be? How did she fake her own death? Why?

"But you were on the news. We mourned your death and received compensation." I pressed on, "Who else was aware of this deception?"

Grandma Amelia's reply was calm, "Your mom knew about it. By the way, where is she?"

Tears started to well up in my eyes, and Grandma Amelia noticed. "Something's wrong, isn't it?" she asked gently.

I hesitated, then revealed, "She's not coming back." A lump formed in my throat as I fought back tears.

I can't believe my mom knew about this. I feel so betrayed. But I need to know the truth.

Grandma Amelia's expression softened, and she invited me in with a warm smile. Eventually, I opened up, knowing that family bonds are unbreakable, no matter what.

I have to trust her. I have to trust someone. It's the only way.

As I entered Grandma Amelia's home, my gray eyes wandered about, taking in her surroundings. A wave of nostalgia washed over me. The musky scent of old memories enveloped me, feeling like a warm hug. It brought the feeling of home and longing.

The three-bedroom apartment was unassuming, with a hint of Indonesian style that Grandma's must have adopted after staying here for a long time. But what struck me was the sense of peace that permeated every corner. The extraordinary feeling it gave.

It was a feeling I've always yearned for, and I never knew Grandma Amelia had found it here, just from being all alone.

Maybe this is it. The fresh start I needed.

"Would you like some tea?" Grandma Amelia's gentle voice broke the spell, her brown eyes - the same shade as my mom's - gazing into mine. I nodded, forcing a small smile.

“I'll be right back.” She said, brown hair streaked with strands of grey, moving with her.

As she left to prepare the tea, I sank into the couch, my body surrendering to the comfort. The silence was overwhelming, and I didn't want to be alone with my thoughts. I wasn't ready to.

Memories of my last moments with Mom flooded my mind, making my breathing labored and my heart race. My vision began to blur, and I felt myself weakening.

I think I'm going to pass out.

"No, no, no... not now," I whispered, fighting to regain control. "Not yet."

“Here you go.” Grandma Amelia's gleeful voice came in.

Grandma Amelia handed me a steaming cup of jasmine tea, and the familiar scent transported me back to winter days when she'd visit us.

I don't know what just happened, but the feeling of dizziness that I had suddenly earlier snapped out.

With a shaky hand, I took the teacup from hers. I hesitated, afraid of the memories that one sip would bring.

But as I inhaled the floral aroma, my nerves calmed, and nostalgia washed over me. My eyes welled up with tears as I knew who this tea reminded me of.

"Why are you here?" Grandma Amelia asked, her eyes piercing mine. "You weren't supposed to know I'm alive." She leaned into her seat and took a sip of her tea.

My surprised gaze flew to meet hers before they returned back to the tea cup.

With a deep breath, I recounted my story, my voice still shaky. Grandma Amelia listened intently, her expression softening.

“Why didn't I see the signs that he was leading me on?” I muttered more to myself when I finished, my gaze still on the tea cup.

Grandma Amelia spoke, "Because there wasn't any. He was exceptionally kind and sweet, making it impossible for you to believe he'd betray you so cruelly." Her words struck a chord, and tears welled up in my eyes as my gaze locked with hers.

How did she know? She's telling the truth.

"I feel like I'm the precious gem Daniel lost by letting me go. Does that even make sense? I don't know." I said, my voice cracking as I looked away.

“No, it does. It makes total sense, darling.” Grandma Amelia assured me. She stood up from her seat, dropping her tea on the table and sitting beside me.

Grandma Amelia's eyes brimmed with understanding as I turned to face her. "Daniel lost a precious gem by hurting you. And I pray that whenever he calls your name, he'll be reminded of how he lost his beloved - Darla." She comforted me.

Tears streamed down my cheeks. Grandma Amelia wiped them off with a smile and drew me in for a hug. I sobbed uncontrollably in her arms, my body shaking. The weight of everything holding me down.

I never knew I needed a hug that much. I never knew I needed someone to understand me that much.

“I never got to say goodbye to Mom. She must be so alone and cold. I'll never forgive, Daniel. Never!” I said admist sobs while Grandma Amelia rubbed my back.

“It's going to be fine. We'll get through this.” She assured me.

“How? Mom was my everything. I don't how to move on. Am I even going to be a good mother like she was to me? I'm such a fool for getting involved with Daniel. This is all my fault!” I cried heavily.

Grandma Amelia turned me to face her. “Listen to me honey, it's definitely not your fault. You should never ever feel guilty for falling in love, especially when the two of you consented to it. Daniel is the one who caused all of this. I know it's hard right now, and you're probably feeling broken, but we'll get through this together. I'm going to help you heal, and you'll become the best mother ever. It's going to be fine.” She consoled me.

I hugged her tighter, her words calming me gently, while I sobbed my heart out. We stayed like that for a long while, until I was better.

Once I stabilized, Grandma Amelia spoke, her voice grave. "Darla, I need to tell you something. It's about your father." My heart raced as I processed her words.

What could it be? And why did her demeanor suddenly change?

What did dad do? Oh no, I pray she doesn't tell me that he has another debt that I didn't know of.

"It's the real truth about why he owed so much debt," she revealed.

I know the real truth. What other truth could there be?

"Isn't it because he was a drunk?" I asked, disgust tinging my voice.

"No, that's not the truth," Grandma Amelia said, her eyes serious. "The truth is far from what you know."

My world is spinning. I can't believe it. I was lied to?