I look to Fernando, who seems to recognise her. Then I look to Hunter. His gaze is frozen on her, and he doesn’t even blink.Jennifer has green eyes. I can see it even though she is on the other side of the large room. She looks worn down but still more beautiful than the photo I saw in Hunter’s bedroom. She looks like a magazine cover model. If she took a deep breath and wiped her tears, she could participate in a photoshoot, and no one would notice her current desperation.“Sophia.” She sheds another tear. “My mother is in a coma. She had to be admitted back to the hospital, and I don’t know what to do.”“Oh Jennifer, I'm sorry. Wait for me to put on my sneakers, and I'll take you to the hospital,” offers Sophia.“I'll go with her.” Hunter repliesI look at Hunter in disbelief. He will?“You still have pain in your foot,” he explains. “I’m going with her.” He gets up and starts looking for his wallet and cellphone.“I'll go with you,” I decide. “The more help, the better.” Sophia do
Nerves hit me because of Jennifer panicking. People inside crowd around her. Hunter’s cellphone continues to vibrate frantically in my hand. I look at the screen and see a Dr. Pedro is calling.“Hello,” I answer, not sure what to expect. I stand up, alone in the hospital’s corridor.“Is this Hunter's cellphone? Could I talk to him?” Based on the man’s voice, he seems to be older.“Yeah… uh… He won't be able to answer now. Want to leave a message?” I ask.“Who am I talking with?”“It's Selena, his girlfriend.” Girlfriend? For how long? Will I still be his girlfriend once this is all over?“Well, in that case, it occurs to me to tell you I'm his physical therapist. Are all the papers crazy for saying you're pregnant or that he got hurt?”“You’re his what?”“Physical therapist.”He sounds a little harsh. He seems impatient.“A family friend is hospitalized in a coma state and he is accompanying the family,” I reveal.“Well, if it’s nothing to do with you, just tell him that Pedro called.
“Hi Jennifer, do you want anything?” I hate catching myself talking like this, so vulnerable. I am not supposed to be talking to her. I don’t even know what to say to her.She gives me a brief smile and gestures with her hands for me to sit beside her. Without thinking, I do as she asks.After a few seconds of silence, I decide to break it. “How is your mother today?”“The same. It looks like she hasn't reacted to the medications.” Her voice is weak but firm. I could see that spending so many days in the hospital had taken a toll on her pretty face. I could see dark circles and swollen eyes from the tears shed but nonetheless she had the courage to face the situation.“Have you ever taken a public speaking course?” She looks at me like I am crazy but gives a tired smile.“Yes, and how do you know that?” she asks“You speak so well and clearly,” I explain.More minutes in silence as she rubs her hands, clearly nervous about talking to me as well.“You like him,” she begins.“That wasn'
The elevator soon opens, and I jump inside. Only, I bump into someone and I smell his unmistakable scent. I cling to him and hold him tight.“Selena? Selena, what happened? Are you okay baby” he asks concerned.He tries to unglue us, in vain... He gives up and finally hugs me. The elevator doors close us in.And what am I going to tell him now? That his ex-girlfriend didn't do what he thinks she did but did it for his good, and she still loves him, and she wants him back? Damn, I can't think straight. And if I start talking, I will sob even more, and when I do, I can’t speak properly, and I don't like crying in front of someone because that's a sign of weakness.What do I say? What do I say?He walks me to the car and helps me inside. I take a deep breath, preparing for the barrage of questions that will follow. I take a deep breath once more and watch him settle into the driver's seat and stare at me.“Now tell me what happened.” His face is calm and patient. I stare and finally spea
“You’re running away.” His jaw clenches and his eyes are heated“No, I'm not…” I try to calm down. “I'm not running away.”“So why does it look like you are?”“Okay, maybe I am alright? And it is because it was the only solution I found.” I lean against the sink to keep my balance. “This is all too much for my head, Hunter. God. How do you think I feel with all this madness?”“Excuse me? It just got out of my control. I can't stand when I plan something, and it doesn't work out, and I end up doing things without thinking. Now stop this madness, and let's get out of here.” He looks around the corner of the bathroom. “Please.”“Do you already know everything? Why she broke up with you?” I stare at him, and he seems to be searching for the words to say.“Yes.” He looks down and then back at me.“And what do you think about all this?”He turns away, his mind running. That just proves he didn't think about it.“You haven't thought about it, have you?” I demand. “Now I understand why you ca
Hunter’s POVI smack the glass hard, and the bouncer holds me back. How can she walk away like this? Without even letting me explain.“Sir, we have to go,” warns the security guard. “First of all, keep calm.”I exit the airport and get in the back of Sophia's stupid car. I have to sort this out ASAP. Damn, why is this happening? If only... I fucking need to drop that fucking word "if only...". And why does she make me so mad and so confused, when she is just as confused herself?Since I met Selena, I’ve no longer been myself. I’m a better person. But I haven't had time to think about how this new self should express itself. So, I'm here, not knowing what to do. My God, I used to always know what to do and why. Now I don't? I look like her talking. I smile to myself.“To the hospital,” I tell my security guard who’s gotten behind the wheel. “ASAP.”Almost half an hour later, I arrive back in that horrible place.“I need to talk to you.”Jennifer looks up at me in shock. “Now?”I take h
August goes bySeptember flies pastI need to get my life straightened out, and I'm going to start with what I like to do most to relax: Dancing. I take my parents' car and dive to my town's community centre. Thank God my city is interested in culture and sports. I read the large poster in front of the newly renovated pavilion.I search for the coordination room, looking for an instructor, but nobody has noticed I’m here, so I sit there admiring the group of dancers forming in each corner of the huge pavilion. They seem to be separated by age or something. They dance rap, hip hop and move to an eclectic sound. I stop to watch the women who appear to be in the same age group as me. I look at their feet and notice they are all in high heels. I scan at the rest of the people on the other sides and see they have on sneakers.“You would fit in doing the Stiletto.”I get a huge fright. I look back and see a caramel-coloured boy grinning at me with perfectly white teeth.“Sorry I scared you,
“Do you believe that?” She looks at me suspiciously.“I don't even know what I believe anymore. What if he had lied that he didn't like her? Ah, I don't know what else to think!”“You know, I can't believe we graduate in three days.” She changes the subject suddenly, to my relief. “We're going to be the prettiest in that graduation.” She claps her hands in happiness. It is rare for me to see her clap her hands like that. She is always so calm and straightforward, and not a jerk.“Is Eric coming?” It is weird to call him Eric instead of "her boyfriend".“He plans to. Maybe it’s a surprise.” She looks at me from the corner with a smirk.The day today is beautiful. For the first half of December, the sun and the thermal sensation have been mild, making the day even better. Since I have started noticing the days, this is the best one so far.“Valentina said I could live with her,” I mention. I twirl the cap of my water bottle. “She said she wouldn't give it up.”“Sorry I didn't tell you b
One year later...You've been married for just over a year, and your children will complete one year. How has your life changed from then?I fiddle with my fingers that are resting on my now finely crossed legs.“I discovered myself as a woman,” I answer, facing Alice as she interviews me. “I found that I can really take care of someone, since I didn't even know how to take care of myself. And now I take care of four!”“How is the atmosphere in your house with your children?”I smile. “My house is the biggest mess ever. It's a minefield of toys everywhere. Every time I get home, my kids start waving their arms frantically and laughing nonstop to see me.”“And your husband, Hunter Blanco, is at home with his children?”I look at the camera nervously photographing me and then back at Alice.“He is an amazing father, and whenever he can, he is with his children and family.” I end it there and Alice tilts her head and looks at me.“Selena!” she scolds me. “This is a personal interview, so
I let him enter the dimly lit room. The quiet and peaceful environment, together with the image of Hunter kissing our children's foreheads, fascinates me. He cares about them fifteen thousand times more than he cares about me. Before, I didn't understand the reason for this exaggeration, but now I would watch over them as they sleep twenty-four hours a day if I could.“How did they spend these last few days?”My heart sinks, remembering. It’s been five days since we've seen each other, way too long!“The pediatrician said that Valeria should start taking half a dose of the medication,” I inform and he sighs. “The boys are missing iron. Did you see the size of Pedro's fat little hand and Liam's thick thigh?” I say, laughing.“There was no way not to notice it, it makes you want to bite it.”I feel like crying to see him so happy. I want to hug him and hold him so much that I have to hold back. I need him to keep me strong, and I like it better when I have more time, but now it doesn't
Hunter:"I know I'm stubbornBut I changed when I looked at youYou made me wiserAs much as I try to run awayI'm always led in your directionIt seems like I let go everythingAs I held your hand."“I Forgot to Forget You – Mr SantanaThe plane lands on the ground as the intense Madrid sun helps ease the short winter days it has been having lately. I smooth out my suit, ready to get off the plane. I become twice as nervous.I'm coming back from Germany after another game for the Champions League*. It was quite a game. I’m bringing another victory and two more goals in my career. Today I feel like no one can beat me. Nobody can beat me as the best player, as the best husband and as the best father, and that's why I feel powerful, having my family around.I quicken my pace, leaving my team behind. I hear protests, but I don't give a damn. I'm missing my family. It’s been two months since my two little surprises have been at home with my little princess ValeriaI get into my custom bla
I try to get comfortable in my hospital bed, but it's impossible. My stitches are sore, and my belly never seems to want to deflate. I want my tiny waist back and not get saggy!My two boys have just had their last hospital feed as tomorrow we are finally going home. After almost four days, we can go to our new house which I still haven't seen after the last details of the renovation. The hard part will be leaving my little one with the pink bow in her hair at the hospital. It won't be easy. After all, I have to feed three babies, and one of them will be far from me in that damn incubator.Hunter is hesitant after I mention Christiano's name, constantly dodging the conversation. Still, every time I look at him, I see his watery eyes for our daughter, who hasn't shown any improvement. I can't hide my crying spells. After all, I want my family back home and healthy. I can't believe that as soon as he learned more about the subject, he didn't think straight about his brother, who is too
“We have tested everyone in our family,” Hunter takes the lead. “Even Alice, Joanna, Stella, Fernando and Sophia volunteered. I realised that Sophia was on the list since she is not your blood sister. But none of them are a match,” he says, unsatisfied.I spend more time with my daughter, my beautiful little princess with blue eyes. She swallows stiffly every time she moves inside that warm bubble. She is so small, so white and almost bald.I head back to the bedroom, and soon they bring me my two boys. When I hold them one by one in my lap, already lying on the gurney, I almost fear I am going to drop them. Like their sister, they are so tiny, also white and bald. I can barely distinguish them from one another.First, I cuddle Pedro, who keeps moving his hands and making faces. And then it is Liam's turn, who keeps wiggling and blinking lazily. So beautiful.For the first time, I am going to breastfeed my children. The nurses watch me all the time to see if I am doing it wrong. And f
Life is sometimes so unfair but objectively correct. There are no pains that cannot be healed, no bonds that cannot be joined, people that do not come back—the concept of life and death. Widely known as the eminent pain after a person, who is deliberately said to set out on a better journey. Maybe not. Since no one has yet discovered what occurs after death, there are only scientific and religious theories to go by.I can say that experiencing death is neither painful nor sad. I don't feel like running out of the light and back to life. Peace. Perhaps the peace that everyone seeks is not in life itself. Never, ever, no matter how hard you try, you will never have any rest. As much as something is resolved well, another factor comes and shakes everything again. That may be the meaning of life. It’s not just you opening your eyes and feeling that your heart is still beating. It's a vicious cycle, where love and disagreement will always be present as a challenge, a challenge you face eve
I feel my eyelids getting heavier. It's too hard to keep my eyes alert. The doctors and nurses keep encouraging me to stay awake as I drift off. Sleeping at a time like this would complicate their work much more.They get to work with the scalpel. A rush takes place behind the door, and I am aware of what is happening. Hunter, my Hunter is in sterilised blue suits to match his blue eyes.My head starts to ache, and I close my eyes due to the sudden pain."Our first appearance together. There will be a lot of people.“If you get nervous and want to leave that's fine.""Let's see you soon, my beautiful. Just don't forget what we had together."More pressure in my head settles, and every time I open my eyes and blink, there’s a flash of memory.“I promise to never forget you,” I speak hoarsely, repeating what I told him on the day of the benefit ball.He takes my hand, and we both cry, and then he understands everything. Despite the rush to move my belly that occurs around us, we are obl
Losing him was something I've never imaginedMissing you was like the dark grey skies, I am here all aloneForgetting you was like trying to find out about somebodythat I never sawBut loving him was all redTouching him again was me realising that everything I ever wantedwas right in front of meRemembering it was as easy as knowing all the lyricsfrom your favourite songFighting with you was like trying to solve difficult crossword puzzlesAnd realise that there is no right answerMy regret for you was as though you wishedthat you had never discoveredThat maybe love could be this strong – Tay Swift – “Red”Contractions increase with every nanosecond of my breathing. I look at the car's dashboard and realise that Fernando is driving at 110 km/h on one of Madrid's busiest avenues. I let out one scream after another in pain, and with each one that is echoed by the car, I see the expression of agony on Sophia's face.I can't feel my hands or feet. My hair is plastered to my forehea
SelenaAfter our last fight at the end of last month it is like a burst of guilt. Guilt is now stuck between us and our relationship. He for talking to me about pessimism, and I admit that I'm pessimistic, but I didn't say that, and that's precisely my percentage of the blame.Despite what the doctor said, I was determined to fight the obvious consequence at all odds. I had to be positive, believe there was a calming light at the end of a tunnel, that it wasn’t a train which will crush me under it’s wheels of destiny.Snap! Someone makes a click with their fingers to bring me back to reality.“Stop thinking so much!” It was Sophia, my best friend soulmate.“I think the third baby's name is Theo,” I tell Sophia as she came to me to confirm that she chose her baby's name too. “And we'll have one more family man.”When we speak together, the same name is spelt out in our voices, making us laugh like crazy until she says I could put it on the third baby since I'm going to win first. It wa