I sighed as I packed my things. The patient took longer than I expected. Jane must be waiting for me. I hurriedly gathered my belongings, feeling guilty for keeping Jane waiting as I quickly made my way to my office, only to see Jane with her eyes closed, lying comfortably on my chair. I'm not surprised to see her fast asleep, with her delivery date coming close and no one by her side looking for her or taking care of her. I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for Jane's well-being. It was clear that she needed someone to support her during this crucial time. It’s already very tough for a woman to give birth to a life, but in Jane’s case, things are intense. Jane's situation is compounded by the fact that she is facing this challenging time alone.
She has to do everything on her own with no one around to care for her. I do my best to help her, but Jane is such an independent woman. She never asks for anyone’s help, even when needed, and that’s what worries me the most. Even more when she is not around me, like times when I’m at work or when she is alone at her home, mostly at night, and I don’t know why, but around Jane, I feel so protective, like she is someone too precious to me, but the thing is, I can’t even tell Jane about how I feel about her. Jane has already faced so much in her life. I don’t want to burden her more at the cost of ruining our friendship with my stupidity.
"Jane," I mumbled, trying to wake her up.
"Let me sleep," she mumbled in her sleep. A few more minutes, Jared."
'Jared's name is enough for me to stop thinking about anything else. Jane loves the person so much that she can let no one take their place in her life.
Taking a deep breath and controlling the emotions in my heart, I try to wake her up again. "Jane, it's Brandon. Get up....,."
The name stuck in her mind because she opened it quickly, scanning her surroundings from left to right. Shaking her head, she stands up but loses her balance. I quickly wrapped my arms around her waist to avoid her falling to the floor.
"You okay?" She nodded her head. "Let me see. I gently guided her towards a nearby chair and knelt down to examine her. I checked, noticing that her feet were very swollen. I touched her feet, and she cried in pain.
"I’m okay, Brandon. Jane said, hiding her pain with a smile.
I could see the discomfort in her eyes, despite her attempt to hide it. "No, you’re not. Why didn’t you say anything about your feet earlier? I could have done something. It won’t be so bad."
"It’s nothing; I look fine," she added, trying to stand up again but seized in pain in her attempt. I quickly reached out to support her and gently guided her back into a sitting position. "I can see that," I replied, helping her stand, but her face looked hurt with every step she took. I don’t think she will reach the parking lot in so much pain. It’s surprising how she came here for her check-up. "Can you walk? I’m both your doctor and a friend. You can share your pain with me. Now say, Do you want me to carry you? I asked, waiting for her answer. I could see the hesitation in her eyes as she considered my offer, but she nodded her head quietly at last.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, with my other hand holding her shoulder and carrying her. Jane’s head rests just a bit above my heart. It’s just a simple act of kindness, but being so close to her makes my heart pound like a teenager. As I carried her, I couldn't help but notice the vulnerability in her eyes, reminding me of the trust she had placed in me. The weight of her body against mine felt strangely comforting, and I couldn't help but wonder if our friendship could evolve into something more. As we continued walking, I couldn't shake off the thought of how effortlessly we fit together. It was as if our bodies were made to be intertwined, igniting a spark of desire within me that I had never felt before. It was a feeling that I was both excited and scared to explore.
I don't know why, but I hope we met in normal circumstances. Things would have been so different; the clumsiness and the hesitation of not trying to express the way I feel about her wouldn’t have existed if we had met like any other people, but I am happy to meet someone like Jane.
Jane has changed little since the first time I met her. The first time I met Jane, there was despair in her eyes—pain that was fighting its way out in the form of emotions—but things change a bit as time passes; the hollowness still exists.
But despite the lingering hollowness, Jane's resilience and strength have gradually emerged. Her eyes now hold a glimmer of hope, and her emotions have transformed into a quiet determination to overcome her pain. It is both inspiring and heartwarming to witness her growth and see the positive impact she has had on my own life. And I wish to see her happy again and live her life to the fullest. Maybe her child will bring her happiness and her smile back. I just hope to see her happy all her life.
Our ride home was not long enough, and within half an hour, we were both standing at the front door of my house."I should go," Jane said as I was about to open the door. I could sense the reluctance in her voice, but I didn't want our time together to end just yet."But why? What about our dinner plans? I questioned.I could see the disappointment in her eyes as she hesitated to respond. "I don’t want to bother you," she finally said, looking down at her feet.Jane," I said reassuringly, placing a hand on her arm. "You’re never bothering me, and by the way, Marlene is also waiting for you. Calling out Marlene’s name always works to grab Jane's attention. Jane loves her, and not once does she say no to Marlene. I might be selfish for using my daughter as an excuse to spend time with Jane, but it is what it is, and I don’t mind because it brings us all together. Jane looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. "Okay," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "Let's go see Mar
The dinner was fun. When I spend time with Brandon and Marlene, whenever I’m with them, I sometimes forget my sorrows and just enjoy the present moment. Their infectious laughter and genuine camaraderie always uplift my spirits, creating a joyful atmosphere that is hard to replicate elsewhere. The ease and bond that I feel around them is very hard to describe, but the moment they appeared in my life, there was not a single time that they made me feel lonely or sad. Their presence brings so much joy and laughter into my life. It's incredible how they effortlessly create a positive atmosphere, making every moment together unforgettable. But today, when Marlene made Brandon the father of my child for a second, it seemed funny, but that is something I don’t think that I can accept. I don’t want anyone else but Jared to be the father of my baby. Marlene's unexpected announcement left me feeling conflicted and unsure about the future. While I appreciate her humor, the thought of anyone othe
"Are you okay?" he asked. Our gazes met, and I moved my head from left to right, pointing my finger at the crimson spot on my bed. His eyes followed the direction of my finger, widening in shock as he took in the sight of the crimson stain. Brandon runs his hand over his head as he grabs both my cheeks in between his hands, staring into my eyes. "Jane, calm down and tell me, how do you feel?" Brandon asked. Words don’t seem to form out of my mouth as my voice starts to choke from my cries. Tears stream down my face as I struggle to regain control of my emotions. The weight of the situation becomes overwhelming, making it difficult to articulate my feelings. "Calm down and breathe," he responded, making me sit on the bed. He gently places his hand on my back, offering me comfort and support. Taking a deep breath, I try to steady myself and find the words to express the turmoil within me. "Look at me and follow my lead; breathe in, breathe out, breathe out." I focus on his soothing v
"Jane." I heard someone calling my name, distracting me from my thoughts as I felt a hand over my shoulder. I glanced up to see the origin of the voice and found myself locking eyes with Brandon. "What are you doing standing up here? Brandon questioned, concern evident in his voice. "You seemed lost in your own world." I mustered a smile and replied, "I just needed some fresh air and a moment to clear my head." . "Where are the kids?" I stated, redirecting his attention to somewhere else. "They went to play in Liam's room. Didn't you notice?" Brandon said, raising an eyebrow. "Is everything okay? You seem a bit off today." "What were you thinking standing up here for so long? Brandon asked, his worry growing. "Nothing; I was just lost in thought," I admitted, avoiding eye contact. "Well, there must be something in your mind that kept you so occupied that you didn't notice Liam entering the room," he said as he raised his left eyebrow in question. I shifted uncomfortably in my
The sun goes down as the moon takes its place. Stars scattered in the sky cover it as it twinkles like a diamond in the sky. The night comes alive with a symphony of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves. The gentle breeze carries a sense of tranquility, inviting us to gaze up at the celestial beauty above. Lying on the bed, looking at the sky by the window, and watching as the stars twinkle and shine, the view is always fascinating to the young minds of the children, as they continuously stare at it silently. Their imaginations soar as they wonder about the vastness of the universe and the possibility of other worlds beyond our own. The night sky becomes a canvas for their dreams and aspirations, inspiring them to reach for the stars in their own lives. "Mama," Liam calls, watching the sky with fascination. "Why can we only see stars at night and not in the morning? With Liam’s age, his curiosity is growing too, and his mind is full of questions, always looking at me to answer hi
Where the hell is Brandon? It's ten in the morning, and he is nowhere to be found. I want to shout the words in frustration, but I can’t, at least not in front of the kids. I glanced at my watch again, growing increasingly impatient. Brandon's absence is causing me to worry, as he's never been this late before. I quickly brainstorm possible reasons for his delay, hoping that he's simply caught in traffic or facing a minor inconvenience. I can’t remember how many times I have tried calling, but he hasn’t replied once. As I anxiously tap my foot, I consider the possibility that his phone might be dead or that he accidentally left it at home. The knot in my stomach tightens as I wonder if something more serious could be preventing him from answering. I tried one more time just in case he picked up, but groaned in frustration when he ignored the call. I decided to send him a text message instead, hoping that he'd at least respond to that. As I type out my concern and hit send, a sinking
“Good morning, Jane. I heard someone greeting me the moment I stepped out of the house. “Good morning, Mrs. Samuel,” I replied with a smile on my face. She is one of my neighbors, whose house is right next to mine. “So... how are you?” “I’m fine,” I said with a smile. “I made some cookies. Why don't you come later and have some for Liam? She said brightly. “I would love to,” I replied, making my way towards Brandon’s house. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel are such a lovely couple in their eighties. Their story is filled with many ups and downs, but yet they are happy together. Looking at them made me think of Jared. He was everything—my boyfriend, my love, my first kiss, my prom partner, everything. In every step of my life, he was there for me, supporting me and standing by my side. We also have our ups and downs, but in the end, we lost our love in the battle of life. And he is nowhere but in my memories. I sighed, shaking my head. I can't change the past, and thoughts of happily ever af
Brandon spent the entire day sleeping. At lunchtime, I went to ask him for lunch, but he was fast asleep, so I left him alone, not disturbing his sleep. Later in the afternoon, I decided to check on Brandon again, hoping he would be awake by then. However, to my surprise, he was still sound asleep, completely oblivious to the passing time. It was almost dinnertime, and I was preparing some food when I heard a knock on the front door. I opened the door, coming face-to-face with Brandon standing in the doorway. His eyes focused down on the ground as he brushed his hand over his hair. I could see that he looked a bit disheveled and tired as if he had just woken up. "Jane," he said softly, his voice filled with remorse. I move aside from the door, giving him space to enter the house. "Come in." As Brandon stepped inside, I noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes. He seemed hesitant, as if unsure of what to say next. Curiosity gnawed at me, but I held back from bombarding him with questio