A year later
It has been a year since I left the Sterling household. The first few weeks were hard, I wanted to badly return to Asher and maybe hear his side of the story but I reminded myself of why I had left. When I left the house I went to Grandma's place. She wasn't surprised for she had seen the news herself, she told me that she was right behind me and any decision I took. I was planning to stay with Eloise to figure things out but grandma had other plans.
"You were young when Asher and you decided to get married, you didn't get to chase your dreams or even work. I never really questioned you but I had been prepapring something for you," She said as she held my hand in hers tightly.
"I realised that you loved cooking and baking, so I did my research and found you one of the best culinary schools in the world," she said to me. I was shocked, I didn't know what to say to her. I remember crying my heart out to her that night, she listened patiently, and warmingly and after the crying she gave me all the details and everything she had prepared, she said an assistant she had hired me would help me with everything and that it would remain anonymous if I didn't want anyone finding out. I didn't.
Saying goodbye to her was the hardest, in a few days I had to leave the country but she assured me I could visit whenever I wanted but I had to focus on myself and my dreams. So I spent the year learning, training and mastering skills to pursue my dream professionally. Grandma got sick, I would fly back to visit her as much as I could since she hushed my idea of pausing my learning to come and take care of her. Everytime I visited my assistant who by the way was Rosy made sure I did not bump into anyoe of the family members, especially Asher. I had just graduated from culinary school, I was happy to be returning home and finally show grandma my achievement and take care of her, as I was packing my stuff Rosy informed that Grandma wanted me home sooner than I had planned.
"You won't be joining us for the celebratory graduation party?" Chloe asked as she saw me dragging my bags out of my room. "Unfortunately ,No. There is an emergency back at home," I said, my heart was beating fast, I was scared. "I am so going to miss you," she said, "But I will be back for the internship," I said, Chloe sensed my mood and just gave me a hug and waved me bye as I entered the taxi.
When I landed, Rosy was there to pick me up. "Congragulations Zaliyah," she said handing me a bouquet, "Thank you Rosy, How is she?" I asked. "Well…"
"It's time?" I asked, my heart leaping, it felt like I wasn't breathing right, like my heart was skipping some beats. "Yes," Rosy said without turning to face me. When we got to the hospital, I could see that there were Sterling cars, Asher could be in there but today I wasn't going to run. Grandma needed me, "Are you okay with going in now?" Rosy asked, I nodded, words failing me. I walked intot the hospital and made my way to her room, I stood by the door, guards standing outside and when I peeped in I could see Asher right by grandma's side. He looked like he was crying, which made me fear going in. But my eyes met grandma's weak eyes and her smile made me tear while I stood outside, I pushed the door and made my way in. I walked up to her and gave her a tight hug.
"Ah, my very own chef, " she said in a low voice, that seemed strained. "Technically I am a cook, " I said to her as I refused to let go. "Zaliyah," Asher said, his voice more of a whisper than anything. "Hey Asher," I said finally letting go. "I am so glad I got to see the face of a Zaliyah who chased her dreams, I see the spark in your eyes," Grandma said as her warm weak hand caressed my cheeks, "It's all because of you. Thank you so much for being the mother and grandmother I never had, It's too soon," I said.
"It's the right time dear," she said.
"Isn't there something they can do, please don't leave. I still need you," I cried.
"You don't, I have done my part. Both for you and Asher," she said holding Asher's hand and mine.
"I love you and remember what I said," she said giving us the stringest smiled she could master. After she said that the machines started beeping unusually signalling the slipping of her life. Panick ran into me and I started gently hitting her cheeks hoping she would fight a little bit more, that she would open her eyes but none of that happened. The nurses and doctor entered the room and I don't remember much besides arguing and fighting but what I do remember is standing outside the room , wrapped in Asher's arms as I sobbed. He just caressed my back as I wailed, he didn't say a word he just hugged me and let me cry myself to sleep while standing.
When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar dark room, I looked around and remembered what had happened earlier on. I sat up straight and realised I was In Asher's room. I switched on the side lamp and I was alone. Asher was not in here, I don't know why I thought he would, I made my way out of the room, I needed to find Rosy but it seemed like I was home alone. As I made my way down the steps I came across Asher, he was a mess, his hair was a mess, his tie was crooked and loosened, his shirt untucked, he looked like his world had collapsed. It had, so had mine too.
"You are awake, how are you feeling?" he asked, " I don't know," I said.
We looked at each other none saying anything to the other. "How are you?" I asked him finally. "I..I don't know too," he said and he looked down, I saw a tear drop and before I could process what was happening my arms were wrapped around him, we sat on the steps with him, his face buryed in the crook of my neck, his tears soaking my collarbone. I wrapped my arms around him tightly around him, pulling him closer against my chest as he finally let go. In that moment we were intimate in a way I never thought we would be, we were two people who had just lost the person who meant the world to us and we knew we would need each other more than we had thought.
As he wrapped his arms around my waist and squeezed me, I was glad I had come back now and that I was here for him, that he needed me as much as I needed him now, I was glad that our hearts were in sync for we felt the same pain, even if he didn't love me I knew that this moment was one way to show that love is different and he loved me because Grandma loved me and I loved grandma.
"Don't ever leave me again, I thought I had lost everyone I loved the most," he said in the crook of my neck. Lost everyone he loved? What did he mean by that, maybe it was the grief that was making him say such stuff. He raised his face, his tear stained eyes looked into my eyes and they said so much more than I could understand but as I kept staring at him, I didn't realise that our faces were pulling closer to each other and our lips met. We kissed for the second time, this was soft, fragile, but very deep. It felt like both of us were sayng something to the other that the other couldn't understand. Oh Asher, I still loved you so much and you just don't realise what these kisses do to me