Chapter - 4 Return back

*Bianca's POV*

Three years had passed already. During this time, my life had been completely transformed. I had been living with my grandfather and cousin, who had been nothing but kind and supportive of me. They didn't let me move out, and nor did I think I was eligible to move out and take care of my son on my own. With their help, I was able to continue my studies while working at the Serenity Hospital, where my son was born. It was the ideal place where I dreamed to work after I graduated.  

The Serenity Hospital was one of the best hospitals in the country, and my grandfather turned out to be its owner. After living with him for these years, I realized that he had always been passionate about healthcare. So, it was no surprise that he had built such a successful empire in the medical field. Not only him but my mother too. I would hear stories about her some time as well. 

"I wonder, if I didn't meet grandfather at that time, what was going to happen to my life…" I mumbled. I shook my head, "I can't even imagine it." I chuckled. It was because of him that I am here today. I would forever be grateful to him, because of him, my life had become unimaginable even to me.

My son was going to turn three in a month. I couldn't believe how fast time had flown by. He was growing up so quickly, and I was proud of the bright, curious little boy he was becoming. He was my reason for living, my reason for wanting to be a better person, and a better mother.

Despite the happiness that surrounded me, my mind occasionally wandered off to the past, to the memories that I had tried so hard to forget. How could I forget them? Bad memories are the hardest to forget. They just hurt you, until you are finally numb from the pain. I frowned, thinking about my stillborn baby… It would have been so good if she was still here. Just why did she… I couldn't help but curse Damon in my mind. Though he wasn't at fault because of my stillborn baby, his every word was engraved in my mind, haunting me time-to-time. Still, I couldn't help thinking about Damon, and each time I recalled him, I felt a pang of sadness. After all, how could I not recall him? When, my son resembled him so much, in every way.

But I was aware that thinking about him would have no other effect on me, than affecting me badly. I made a concerted effort to get those ideas out of my mind. I needed to put all of my attention on my son, my career, and the life that I had built for myself. I couldn't let the past dictate my present.

As I was sitting in my office, The sound of the ringing phone echoed in my office, its urgency reverberating through the room. It was my grandfather, and his voice sounded urgent.

"Hello?" I responded, the rate of my heartbeat accelerating with every passing second. He doesn't call me during my work hours so, why did he call me today? Did anything happen to him?

"Bianca, I need your help," he continued, his tone solemn and his urgency clear in his voice. Hearing his voice made me relieved. Nothing happened to him, his voice was clear, no sign of illness. He continued, as I focused on his words, "It has been determined that one of my close friends is in the third stage of cancer, and I need you to travel to Los Angeles to help him."

I froze, my mind reeling with the implications of his request. Los Angeles was the last place I wanted to go. It was the place where all my memories of Damon were, and I didn't want to be reminded of him.

"No, grandfather," I said, trembling slightly as I spoke. "I can't go to Los Angeles."

"I understand how you feel, Bianca," he replied, his tone becoming more gentle. "I'm sorry to ask you." Even though I couldn't bring myself to tell him what had happened to me there, he was well aware that it was the absolute last place I wanted to go to. Even so, I couldn't bring myself to tell him what had happened to me there. He continued, But… I need you, and so does my friend. He's in a lot of pain, and I know you can help him."

"I'll get back to you later," I said before hanging up the phone and slamming my forehead against the table.

I couldn't help but feel conflicted as I continued to stare at the phone that I was holding in my hand. My grandfather had asked me to go to Los Angeles, which was the very last place I wanted to go, but his desire was tugging me on a different path. I heaved a sigh. I was completely at a loss for what to do. I didn't know what to do. On one hand, my professional ethics as a doctor was screaming at my mind. On the other hand, that was the place I wanted to avoid at all costs.

The significance of the request made by my grandfather hung heavy in the air, intertwining with the recollections and feelings that Los Angeles had for me. Even though I knew that it was my responsibility as a doctor to assist those who were in need, the idea of going back to the city that held so much suffering was too much for me to bear. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

The vibration from my phone continued. I heaved a heavy sigh as I let the phone go unanswered, knowing that I needed time to navigate the conflicting emotions swirling within me, and before I was finally able to make the next decision.