loving you

LOVING YOU

 Seasons came and went and love between Chris and Selena blossomed. They were almost inseparable, both finishing off each other's sentences as if their minds were in sync with one another. On-campus, they were the ultimate couple, their relationship was a source of envy to some while a vast majority of the students had great admiration for them, to a few they were inconsequential.

However, Chris and Selena were only interested in each other and cared less about what others thought about them or their relationship.

“Promise to always love me, Chris, no matter what.” Selena cupped the face of the only man that made her heart beat faster than normal. They had been dating for two years now. Although Selena’s father did not approve of them dating because he hates Chris, still Selena would not give in to her fathers' demands to stop the relationship.

She snuck out to meet Chris whenever she could escape from home. Their meeting point was Chris’s mother's, almost rundown one-bedroom apartment. They weren’t poor but they had to plan each dollar they spent. His mother treated her like a family member and this pleased Selena a lot, she hated being put on a high pedestal because of her family wealth. And with Chriss's mother, she was treated like an equal, with no special treatment because of her wealth or the color of her skin. Selena felt at home with Chris and his family more than she did with her own father. 

The young couple was inseparable, except for her father Harry, everyone else loved their union. Mr. Harry Delacriox fought dirty and dangerously, he tried to arrest Chris on different occasions but failed as he never committed any crime except that he fell in love with his daughter, neighbors in his place of residence vouched for Chris, and defended him against Selena’s fathers’ constant bullying, and also encouraged his unique love for Selena. 

Everyone except for Mr. Harry believed they would end up getting married and fill their home with children, love, and warmth. No one imagined their love story would have a tragic end, the love they felt for one another would supersede this lifetime or so they thought.

But the universe did not play a fair game,  tragedy struck where it would hurt most. Chris’s mother became unwell and they thought it was just the flu, nothing serious. But it became a gateway for the devil to perpetuate its plans and cause terrible harm to innocent lives. 

As soon as Chris walked into his home after school on a hot Friday afternoon, he walked in on his mother clutching a paper around her fingers. Making his way towards his mother with a brave front even though his heart was in his mouth, he asked the question he would have loved to avoid, afraid the answer was going to break his heart to pieces. There was no need to pretend he was not aware that his mother was expecting her test results in the mail today, so he went straight to the point.

“The diagnosis for her ailment came in. My kidneys have failed and I must undergo dialysis.” his mother replied without looking at him, as she stared into space.

Chris was dumbstruck by what he just heard, almost like a robot he continued. “When are you starting treatment?”  leaning against the wall for support he waited.

“I must come on Thursday morning, according to the hospital.” his mother said, barely audible. “However, I will not be going.” She rose from the chair and made her way towards the fridge. Chris watched her every step and noticed her limp more than once even though she tried to conceal it.

“why?” Chris asked angrily and the sharp glare from his mum made him repeat his question in a calmer voice. “Why are you  not going for treatment?” 

Laughing, his mum came to him and playfully ruffled his dreads. “It is not necessary”

“Why? You are unbelievable, mother.” 

“You need the money more for your college. I have enjoyed my life and already in my prime, I can't snatch your future away from you because of a minor illness.” she could touch the trust fund she had kept for his studies. Life was indeed unfair at times. 

Chris kicked his baseball hard and sent it flying, crashing the glassware on the table. “Would your dying make my future any better.” he shouted and stomped out of the house in anger.

“What do I do Lord, help me. I feel so alone.” hugging herself she wept, for the scary present and the unknown tomorrow

******************

A few hours later

******************

“Mum, wake up. You will catch a cold.” Chris shook his mum slowly

Disoriented, she looked at her son, “I must have slept off while cleaning.” Chris knew this wasn’t true because the glasses he broke in anger were still scattered on the floor and from the way his mum was curled up on the ground, he knew she had been crying. But he didn't say anything but helped her to the yellow faded couch in the living room.

Looking at her son with eyes filled with sorrow she held his hands and kissed them lightly. “Please forgive me.”

Understanding flooded Chris’s features even at twenty he had seen things beyond his age, life hadn’t been fair to him and he had had his fair share of bad luck. But he vowed that this time around he would win against fate no matter what he had to give up.

“We will get through this together mum.” hugging his mum he wondered what the future held for them and what bitter pills he would have to swallow.

His phone rang, breaking him from the reverie he was in. “I can’t come to the cafe, my mother is unwell. He listened to the voice on the other end for a while before cutting off the call.

“Who was on the call with you?” his mum asked weakly

“Selena, she  is coming over.”

“That girl is a keeper, I hope both of you get all the happiness you deserve.”

Chris remained silent. If he had learned anything from the past, it was how unpredictable life was.

**************

By the time Selena arrived at Chris's mother's home, his mother was already in bed and it was getting dark.

“I was expecting you, earlier. I was worried something might have happened to you.” Chris held her glad she was finally here. He needed someone to talk to, someone that would not judge him or make him less of a man. 

Kissing him on the lips, Selena dropped the groceries she bought on her way, on the kitchen counter before replying. 

“I stopped at the mall to get some groceries. How is your mum doing.” Selena said, glancing over the room.

“She has gone to bed, she was too tired and couldn’t wait for you to get here.”

“I’m sorry, I should have gotten here earlier.” selena apologized

“It’s not your fault, stop apologizing and come over here.”

His tone of voice was so sultry, that Selena blushed. She obeyed him and went straight into his arms. They both fitted perfectly.

“I love you Selena” He bent over and kissed her passionately, they had decided to stay celibate till they were sure. But the intensity of his kiss marveled at Selena. She broke the kiss and looked him straight in the eyes, the passion that burned in his eyes sent electric waves around her body. 

Chris himself could not understand what had come over him, his body burned with a passion for selena that nearly consumed him.