Ex-wife, Please Come Back

Sara's sadness had been allayed a bit. She knew misfortunes never came singly. She had a lot to face in life. However, she told herself Jacob was by her side.

As long as he gave her company, she could bravely face anything.

Filled with gratitude, she clasped her fingers with his and said, "Thank you, Jacob. Our journey has been an odd one. I hated you once but I love you with all my heart now. And now, I am sure I will love you till my last breath."

Her sincere words made him tremble. In a few words, she had given the summary of their past.

All this time, she had hidden her true feelings in her heart. But for once, she felt compelled to say it out loud.

Carlos turned and gazed at Sara with his sad eyes. It was an indication for her to meet him outside.

Sara quickly left but Jacob remained in the ward. Mournfully, he watched his mother-in-law. As he gazed at her, he couldn't help but wonder if she knew everything that was going around.

Sara and Carlos were out of the ward. They continued to walk towards the stairs of the hospital corridor. Melancholy floated in the air. They were both suffering from grief.

"Tell me, Dad. What is it?" Sara asked, clutching the balustrade. She couldn't take this suspense any longer. The smell of the disinfectant wafted in the air. It was mixed with other smells. The air around was pungent.

Even in grief, she managed to look calm. Her hands were trembling but she willed herself to control her emotions.

"Sara, I wanted to tell you about your mother's condition. It wouldn't be right to keep you in the dark. I couldn't bring myself to say it. And on top of that, you have been busy with work. I love to delude myself into believing everything will be fine. However, the doctor spoke to me yesterday. He has tried his best but there is nothing he can do. Once the cancer cells spread, she won't be here for very long."

Carlos, like Sara, looked unnaturally serene. Perhaps he wished to look strong before his daughter.

"I know, Dad. I have always been looking forward to my mother's recovery but there is a voice inside my head that tells me I shouldn't get my hopes too high. Moreover, I have seen Michael's condition. The fact he chose euthanasia is a testimony to how dreadful it must have been to live a life of sickness. Death can come to any person. It can happen in a blink of an eye. So father, I am prepared for the worst. You need not worry about me," she assured him.

Once she was done speaking, she held onto the guardrail so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

would do the same. No matter what difficulty was awaiting them, she was determined to help her father get

woman I have ever loved. All that makes the present situation even harder to bear. When we were together, I often felt she deserved someone so much better than me. That's the reason I let her go without a fight. I thought

old days. He seemed older than his age at the moment.

something, he went on, "At first, I wasn't happy with your decision to be with Jacob. But now I have begun to realize I was wrong. Who you spend your life with is your business. I have no right to tell you what to

he willed himself to remain calm. The

to get up early and stay up late in the hospital, he seemed happier than ever. Carlos could never get tired of being with his wife. He lived for her and wouldn't mind giving her his life.

this must be for you. Jacob and I will look

said with

she going to..." Sara faltered in her

that we should be prepared." Carlos had to muster up a lot of courage to utter

always knew, hearing it from

the day. I know there is no hope, Dad. I know it all. If you want to cry,

the situation." After saying that, Carlos turned around. His beloved was dangling between life

was determined to make the best out of the little time they had. During her youth, she had decided to leave him. He still wasn't angry at her. Instead, he was more than happy to be her companion during the last stage

second taking care of her. Her

position to talk. This was one of the biggest punishments she had to endure due

very lonely. She felt abandoned and

her degenerate. The cancer cells couldn't be seen by the naked eyes but her condition was testimony to how much it had spread. The clock was ticking and

last day, Tasha finally woke

this was the scene Sara would often replay in her

this memory of her mother's momentary recovery. Tasha even managed to sit upright and eat a little. Sara had asked Winnie to prepare a bowl of chicken soup.

and Carlos, persuading them to have a little. However, they shook their heads. Neither Sara nor Carlos had

face. Her

she seemed to be in high spirits. He wouldn't waste these last moments searching for a doctor. Hence he remained in