Chapter 18If it wasn’t for Troy’s generous help, Sophia would have had to compromise a whole day cleaning the bedrooms painstakingly. Probably take a leave or two from work in the middle of the week, because staying at an apartment with a piece of land unclean isn’t the most hygienic thing ever. And even though Sophia was never a cleanliness freak, like her mother, she still was knowledgeable about the importance of hygiene.On Wednesday eve, Troy and Sophia agreed on beginning with the cleaning and dusting of the bedrooms. Although both had a very likely wearisome day, they agreed on it. Troy’s assistance was a big help to Sophia as there was a possibility that she could hurt herself more than she already was. ‘’You do the floor and bed, I’ll do the walls,’’ Troy directed.‘’Ay, ay, captain,’’ Sophia mumbled receiving a snort from Troy who just shook his head, smiling.Sophia took an upright boom whilst she gave Troy a bucket of water mixed with soap, and a cloth to scrub the walls
Chapter 19‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. Sophia felt like tattooing the phase on her forehead. After constant life obstacles, she felt the peace that started to submerge with amity and content. She praised her newfound confidence and self-dependence with pride.Also, what would be better than your fiancé who you don’t love, calls the wedding off?‘’What?’’ Sophia gasped. She stared into space as she rose her head from the cloud of pillows. Her messy, morning hair falling on the side of her face which she didn’t care to adjust.‘’Yes!’’ Lana screeched from the receiver and Sophia had to pull her phone away from her ear at the loud shouting voice. ‘’I do not know what went wrong between you two. Sophia, he dumped you. This is shameful. What’s wrong with you?’’Sophia, still in shock, sat upright, ‘’ Mom, to begin with, it was him who called it off. Not me. I’m not ashamed of anything,’’‘’You need to have a clean slate, Sophia! What went so wrong that he had to break up w
CHAPTER 20This was not how she pictured to spend her first few moments with her new boyfriend.‘’I come bearing gifts,’’ Shouted Troy from the kitchen and Sophia smiled to herself. She pressed her face deeper into the cloud of pillows. Every time she opened her eyes, she felt her eyelids getting heavier. It didn’t matter if she had already had a five hours nap. Troy came back into Sophia’s room and sighed. It looked like she had fallen back asleep. He put the bowl of the yummy steaming tomato soup on the side table and sat beside Sophia’s head. He looked at her closed eyes with eyelashes brushing against her cheek.Adorable.‘’You gotta get up,’’ He ran his fingers into her scalp. His lips twitched when she smiled in response to his touch.‘’Help me,’’ She breathed out.Troy put his hand behind her neck and the other on her back. He helped her sit upright. He then pulled the blanket up until it fell on her waist. Troy moved and sat in front of her instead.‘’You don’t have to do th
Chapter 21‘’She’s unconscious, but okay,’’‘’Alright,’’Lana released a long breath and nodded at her step-daughter. She contemplated and revised the plan in her head. Just go inside, see her daughter, talk to her sleeping little girl and leave before she wakes. Doesn’t sound testing. She thought.‘’I’ll see her. Make sure no one comes inside,’’ Lana commanded and rubbed her sweaty hands which was in a fist, over her loose jeans.‘’Sure,’’ Pearl nodded and gestured with her hands towards the door where Sophia was lying unconscious.It was the post Tonsillectomy surgery. Sophia was still unconscious and was taking her sweet time to wake up. Lana’s plan was to stick with her ego and still see her daughter without her knowing.Upon seeing Sophia like that, an oxygen mask covering her face, wires sticking from here and there, Lana couldn’t help but tear up. She made her way towards Sophia and sat beside her stomach on the bed. She glanced at the heart monitor once, which presented Sophia
CHAPTER 22Almost immediately, Sophia was told to rest in her new bedroom in Miles’ house where she would be staying temporarily. It was as big as her former house with her parents. Miles escorted her to her room and leaned against the doorframe. After making sure that he’d made her tasks clear; i.e. to shower, change and go to sleep, he left her alone.Sophia spent a good twenty minutes devouring herself and her body in the fountain of hot water. She changed into a funny yellow top with a print of a Pokémon on it and lazy black leggings. She blow-dried her hair until they were only slightly damp and finally, with a loud sigh, dropped herself on the bed and blindly covered herself with the thick comforter. Miles’ house was modest, and so were the bedrooms. Although her room at her father’s was nice, this one took the extra point. The bright curtain and the unique shade of seafoam green walls radiated comfort. The furniture like the wardrobe was inbuilt to the wall making the room see
CHAPTER 23There was a halt. The halt of time. It was as if time had stopped when the two women put their eyes on one another. Nothing moved. Not a muscle, nor a leaf. Every particle in and around the room stopped, only to have a look at the sudden commotion. The world paused to look at the two woman. Sophia and her mother. Their eyes clashed like two meteoroids that blew into a million pieces. The clash gave rise to several kinds of emotions in Sophia’s heart. For an instance, joy. Oh, how at ease she felt at seeing her mother after so long! She felt a momentary relief considering selfishly that Lana cared and that’s why she’s here. But, then rage appeared in Sophia’s mien. She was neglected, ignored, brainwashed, and left to feel unloved. Intentionally or not. It all started with Lana and ended with her too. Lastly, confusion. Why now? There were numerous opportunities when Lana could make an appearance, when Sophia needed her presence. If not then, why now?Sophia was as stiff as a
CHAPTER 24Despite the fact that Sophia had skipped death, her eyes remained serene and she radiated comfort as she remained on the hospital bed, immobile. Her face was flushed and lids were sealed which felt like forever to others. Her lips sometimes parted leaving small and soft groans, sometimes moans. Meaning she was slowly waking up.Troy’s breathing hitched when Sophia again groaned softly but this time, also tilted her head to the side lightly where he sat.‘’S-Soph?’’ Troy whispered and tried to reach out for her hand.Burt another hand collapsed on his lightly, making him raise his eyes.‘’Let her wake up on her own,’’ Miles suggested, in a surprisingly calm voice.Troy nodded and took his hand away. Both men were back to residing in silence as they sat there in the eerily quiet room where the only sound was Sophia’s shallow breathing against the oxygen mask.Another moment of awkward silence passed by and Troy couldn’t stand it anymore. He shifted on his butt uncomfortably o
CHAPTER 25Unwinding chills of excitement hid behind her face of nervousness at the thought of returning to work. The leave felt longer than a month even though it wasn’t and she felt the need to visit the office. The thought of seeing her friends, her cubicle, even her annoying neighbouring colleague made her jump in excitement. But then the thought of her apartment crossed her mind and she felt sad, the comfort it radiated flashing before her eyes. She simply had gotten used to calling that place her home and staying away from the same made her feel blue. But she knew Miles’ overprotectiveness wouldn’t let her be yet. The stay at her brother’s was indeed relaxing and healed her properly. She even received a green signal from her doctors for continuing with her routine. Although, because of her recent medical conditions, they had suggested for Sophia to take it slow and be cautious about stress, which was like salt on a burning wound for her sibling’s worry. Though, Brinda had manage