Go Ahead Mami Breathe Again Novels & Stories

“I'm eight-four today. I'm eight-four, I'm eighty-four, I'm eighty-four today.” We clapped in rhythm and waved our hands toward the celebrant. “May God bless you now...May God bless you now...May God bless you now– May God bless you now!” “Hip! Hip! Hip!!” Alec clamored. “Hooray!!” the rest of chorused. First, Mama V pulled the kids into her arms, then walked into her best friend's arm, before migrating to the rest us. Only a week earlier, she had returned from a successful business trip to Singapore

What mayhem have I created? "W-Why?" I could barely let the word out. It felt like my breath was stuck within. "Because of me," Makaria said and quickly grabbed my shoulder once she noticed my face going pale. "Breath lady. You have just started this journey. There is worse to come." Makaria massaged my back and I wheezed. I was trying but I couldn't breathe. Upon seeing me struggling Makaria pressed her two fingers on my back and the breath flowed in my lungs like a puke that leaves the mouth of a drunk.

Her breath fogged in front of her. “Mama.” Her head snapped up. That voice. That same small voice — her child’s voice — echoed through the space, not in the air but in her. Her throat closed. “Baby—” “Mama,” the voice repeated, relieved. Baylee’s heart broke open in her chest. “Hi, little light,” she whispered, voice tearing. “Hi, love. Hi. I’m here, I’m here, you’re okay, I’m here.” Warmth answered from inside her, a steady pulse in perfect rhythm with her own heart. It washed through her like soft sunlight through cupped hands.

I need direction. Shine your light in my path and make me feel whole again. Amen. When I reopen my eyes again, I feel a sense of easy breathing and the first real smile takes over my face. We rise to our feet and right then, I give her a hug, thanking her. "Don't worry dear, everything will be okay." I nod, pulling back. "How do you feel now?" "A little light and really calm I guess." "Now that's a start." Someone knocks on the door before they poke their head inside. "Can you ladies come down now. I cant resist your grandmother's carrot cake anylonger." Grandpa says, giving us puppy dog eyes.

I demand in a soft tone. Her eyes focus on my face, and she blinks rapidly to come back to the here and now. Her eyes roam over my face before she sucks in a deep breath as if she hadn’t been breathing till I brought her back out of whatever headspace she had been in. “Breathe, baby. Breathe and calm down. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” I breathe out. “Blake,” she whispers in a broken voice. I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. She fists my shirt in her hands and leans her forehead against my chest.

“And what makes you think everything turns out for the worse?” “The pirates.” “But nothing bad had transpired yet and the pirates have been gone for so long. What makes you think they’re coming back?” Mother strangles for air as her tears travel down to her cheeks. I sit uneasily in front of my mother but Habi Superior tells to keep my calm so mother could go back to the present. She tries to pat my mother’s hair to calm her down. She softly tells, “When I breathe in, you breathe as softly and gently as you can. And when I breathe out, gradually release the air filling your lungs.”

“Thank you. Will I still see you again?” He shrugged. “I would probably bother other people and see if they will listen,” He looked at me. “Close your eyes, my child. You have to go back. Just remember, when you feel like everything is blinding, just look at the sky.” I nodded, smiled at him, and then closed my eyes. ---

I roared, gripping his jaw with a vice-like hold. He hissed in pain, nodding his head vigorously, his eyes wide with terror. My hands were shaking, my pulse racing with a furious energy. I released his jaw, and he backed away from me, panting heavily. “Baby,” Mom’s soothing voice broke through my rage. “Mom, I want her. NOW,” I said, taking heavy, ragged breaths, trying to calm myself. “Hey, it’s okay. Breathe. Deep and slow breaths,” she said softly, her gentle hands rubbing my back in a calming rhythm.

“Everything is fine.” I didn’t even realize I wasn’t breathing until he pointed it out. “Lisa, baby,” he murmurs, his tone filled with gentle reassurance. “You need to stay with me. Just listen to my voice, okay? Breathe. Breathe for me.” He takes a deep breath, demonstrating for me, and I find myself mirroring his movements. Slowly but surely, my breathing steadies. The tightness in my chest loosens, and I can finally inhale deeply on my own.

He lowered me onto the couch gently, as though I were porcelain already cracked. “Lean back,” he murmured softly. “Elena, breathe.” Breathe. What a useless word. What a cruel request. How does a mother breathe when her babies are missing? My lips trembled as I struggled to steady my breaths. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t force the air into my lungs without feeling like it was slicing me apart. “I, I can’t do this,” I whispered, shaking my head, trembling from the inside out. “I can’t… I can’t just sit here. I can’t just wait. Elijah, Darian, I can’t, ”