************
Ethan
***********
**********Salman**********
Mrs. Hudson was making her pastry snacks for a client celebrating her 29 years wedding anniversary when her doorbell rang, she was not expecting anyone so she ignored it, maybe the person would go away she had hoped.The doorbell rang again and she impatiently dried her hands with the towel hanging on the rail and went to the door. She swung the door open and was surprised to see two policemen at her door.
"Mother can you come over to my place, it's urgent. " Clara said over the phone to her mother."What's the problem, hope you have not done anything silly this time."
The day started with a heavy downpour, you could hear the splattering of the rain on the rooftop. As a child, Maya had always loved it when it rained because she was sure of an offering of cookies and some hot cocoa by her mum. Life had been simpler those days, she had little or nothing to worry about. Growing up had not been all that rosy with an absent father and the little resources available to them, but somehow they survived it all especially her mothers' power to provide her with what she needed to have a better future.Now it was her turn to ensure she provides her own baby with what it needs, getting pregnant at her age with no husband was not the future she had envisioned for herself but life happened. She had choices to make but she believed that she took the best decision and would live by it.Her baby bump was already showing but only when she took off her clothes, her outfit to work or church was still able to conceal it but it was a matter of time before people started no
Maya found herself being so emotional lately, she cried at unnecessary things and her mother had told her it was just the pregnancy hormones, she assured her it would stop after delivery.Even at work, she had gone to the school restroom to cry whenever the emotions hit her up on several occasions.Her baby bump had grown bigger and round that everyone knew she was pregnant, she couldn't hide it anymore. They didn't ask about the father but you would notice their stares and whispers, they judged her without knowing the truth.Maya remained positive in all this and tried as much as possible not to allow people's opinions about her matter too much. She did not owe anyone an explanation, her only concern was her child. She didn't know the gender yet, as she had asked her doctor not to reveal it to her. She wanted to know the gender only after birth.************Hospital*************Maya walked down the hospital corridor, tugging at the hem of her maternity top and thinking that her mo
"I want us to go for a mini-vacation to any location of your choice," Kabir said to his wife after they had made love and laid down cuddling."Are you serious right now.""Yes, I want to make up for our honeymoon that was cut short and I also have some free time.""That would be great. Do you have a particular place in mind for the vacation.""Hmmm….I want you to make your choice. This vacation is especially for you." He said smiling down at her."I would go anywhere with you Kabir, it doesn't matter the place as long as you are there."Kabir looked at his young wife, she had stopped dying her hair blond at his insistence, her hair was originally red and it suited her more, she looked her age now and had also started eating healthier and more food. She looked happier than he had ever seen her and so did he. "Let's go to the city of love," Kabir suggested."Then you have to learn how to say I LOVE YOU in French. So you can tell me that every morning while we are there.""I can start no
Clara walked into the doctor's office like a zombie, she didn't know how she was able to drag her heavy cold feet towards his office. She was scared beyond words and when she sat down facing him, the first word that escaped her mount was "I'm going to die, doctor, ain't I.""Don't say that you don't know your diagnosis yet, allow me to explain to you what is happening to your body and also the treatment you need to get better.""I'm sorry doctor, what is wrong with me." The doctor opened her file in front of him and read through, Clara tried to watch his facial expression to know if she could read it and probably guess if it's good or bad news. But the doctor's face was unreadable."From your test result Clara and your symptoms, you have Stomach cancer."Clara froze and was left speechless but the doctor continued.There are usually no symptoms of stomach cancer early on until later, and since you have started developing serious symptoms already I have to run some more tests on you to
"What do you mean by, you are dying Clara," Kabir asked, trying to control his temper. She looked at her husband trying to gauge her words."I have stage 4 cancer and the chance of survival is very slim Kabir." She replied her voice inaudible from her emotions."Okay, assuming that what you just told me is true. Then tell me, how long have you known about this?""When we came back from France, I went for the test before we traveled as I had cramps and bloody stool. ""And you are just telling me now, ma chérie," Kabir said his voice mixed with pain and anger"I didn't want you to be worried until I was sure of what was happening to me.""You have hurt me again Clara, my heart bleeds from this pain you have inflicted on me for the second time."Clara's nose was already red and swollen from the tears her eyes glassy from the tears that filled it and spilled down her cheeks, she stared at Ethan in confusion.Kabir watched her stare at him looking uncertain and thinking of how she had hur
Kabir went straight to the airport from Maya's home, the flight to Florida was smooth without hassles and he arrived in Florida before it was too dark to make out where he was. He logged into a hotel close to the airport as this was his first time here and he didn't know his way around town. He had not eaten the whole day so he went to the hotel restaurant for a quick dinner of mashed potatoes, gravy and steak, before retiring to his room. He didn't come with any luggage either, his plan was to get whatever he needed at the mall, especially some change of clothes.
*******Maya********
Maya was awake early on Saturday morning. This was the day Kabir would be coming over to teach Mark how to ride his new bike. Mark had been excited about it and so was she, though she didn't know whether her excitement was seeing her son learn to ride or if it's because she will get to see Kabir again.She brewed coffee for herself and her mother then made pancakes and scrambled eggs for her son. Maya still lived with her mother, it was more convenient for both of them and they needed each other now more than ever before.Mark was also as excited as his mother, he was going to learn how to ride a bicycle today."Mum has uncle Kabir come yet., '' Mark said as he entered the kitchen and walked towards his mum, his face puffy from sleeping."Not yet honey." She bent over and gave him a light kiss on the cheeks before putting him on his highchair. "Eat your food okay, and be a good boy." She placed his meals in front of him and watched him eat. Her heart swelled with love for him.It was p
****************Kabir felt lost, the woman he had come to love with all his heart had left him forever. Theirs wasn't a perfect love story but somehow they found love and peace in their imperfection. The night has become cold and lonely and the warmth of her body against his is gone. It was almost a month since Clara died but the vacuum she left in his life and heart was indescribable.Going home after work had become torture for him that he spends most part of the day at the hospital and whenever he comes home he is too tired and goes straight to bed. He worked extra hours and took shifts as he would rather be anywhere but home. Home reminded him so much of Clara, and her memory was everywhere.Everything Kabir did became mechanical, he didn't put any feeling into what he did and operated like a robot from his waking up till the day was over.He was on his desk one morning and going through some files on the desk when a small piece of paper fell off from a file he just opened, he pi
"What do you mean by, you are dying Clara," Kabir asked, trying to control his temper. She looked at her husband trying to gauge her words."I have stage 4 cancer and the chance of survival is very slim Kabir." She replied her voice inaudible from her emotions."Okay, assuming that what you just told me is true. Then tell me, how long have you known about this?""When we came back from France, I went for the test before we traveled as I had cramps and bloody stool. ""And you are just telling me now, ma chérie," Kabir said his voice mixed with pain and anger"I didn't want you to be worried until I was sure of what was happening to me.""You have hurt me again Clara, my heart bleeds from this pain you have inflicted on me for the second time."Clara's nose was already red and swollen from the tears her eyes glassy from the tears that filled it and spilled down her cheeks, she stared at Ethan in confusion.Kabir watched her stare at him looking uncertain and thinking of how she had hur
Clara walked into the doctor's office like a zombie, she didn't know how she was able to drag her heavy cold feet towards his office. She was scared beyond words and when she sat down facing him, the first word that escaped her mount was "I'm going to die, doctor, ain't I.""Don't say that you don't know your diagnosis yet, allow me to explain to you what is happening to your body and also the treatment you need to get better.""I'm sorry doctor, what is wrong with me." The doctor opened her file in front of him and read through, Clara tried to watch his facial expression to know if she could read it and probably guess if it's good or bad news. But the doctor's face was unreadable."From your test result Clara and your symptoms, you have Stomach cancer."Clara froze and was left speechless but the doctor continued.There are usually no symptoms of stomach cancer early on until later, and since you have started developing serious symptoms already I have to run some more tests on you to
"I want us to go for a mini-vacation to any location of your choice," Kabir said to his wife after they had made love and laid down cuddling."Are you serious right now.""Yes, I want to make up for our honeymoon that was cut short and I also have some free time.""That would be great. Do you have a particular place in mind for the vacation.""Hmmm….I want you to make your choice. This vacation is especially for you." He said smiling down at her."I would go anywhere with you Kabir, it doesn't matter the place as long as you are there."Kabir looked at his young wife, she had stopped dying her hair blond at his insistence, her hair was originally red and it suited her more, she looked her age now and had also started eating healthier and more food. She looked happier than he had ever seen her and so did he. "Let's go to the city of love," Kabir suggested."Then you have to learn how to say I LOVE YOU in French. So you can tell me that every morning while we are there.""I can start no
Maya found herself being so emotional lately, she cried at unnecessary things and her mother had told her it was just the pregnancy hormones, she assured her it would stop after delivery.Even at work, she had gone to the school restroom to cry whenever the emotions hit her up on several occasions.Her baby bump had grown bigger and round that everyone knew she was pregnant, she couldn't hide it anymore. They didn't ask about the father but you would notice their stares and whispers, they judged her without knowing the truth.Maya remained positive in all this and tried as much as possible not to allow people's opinions about her matter too much. She did not owe anyone an explanation, her only concern was her child. She didn't know the gender yet, as she had asked her doctor not to reveal it to her. She wanted to know the gender only after birth.************Hospital*************Maya walked down the hospital corridor, tugging at the hem of her maternity top and thinking that her mo
The day started with a heavy downpour, you could hear the splattering of the rain on the rooftop. As a child, Maya had always loved it when it rained because she was sure of an offering of cookies and some hot cocoa by her mum. Life had been simpler those days, she had little or nothing to worry about. Growing up had not been all that rosy with an absent father and the little resources available to them, but somehow they survived it all especially her mothers' power to provide her with what she needed to have a better future.Now it was her turn to ensure she provides her own baby with what it needs, getting pregnant at her age with no husband was not the future she had envisioned for herself but life happened. She had choices to make but she believed that she took the best decision and would live by it.Her baby bump was already showing but only when she took off her clothes, her outfit to work or church was still able to conceal it but it was a matter of time before people started no