Her Misfortune

“What a nice day to only fly for almost 8 hours. Isn't it a waste?”  my co worker said as we walk in the airport lobby with our luggage as we need to board the plane back to Manhattan where my lives are where at. “I don’t really care about what you are talking. I just wanted to board quickly so we could go up and we could land early and so I could return home early.” I said with a little annoyance in my voice. “You are right. Home is the best specially if I’m like you who have two handsome angels waiting for me.” She said sighing and smiling, I could fee the enviousness in her voice. That’s right, I have two handsome angels waiting for me back home I left them 4 days ago with my mother, but before I tell you anything else, let me introduce myself first and the thing will just follow accordingly. My name is Ellice Jane Monte, but everyone calls me by the nick name my cousins gave me, so ever since I tell people that I prefer EJay, and it’s the name I always use whenever I introduce myself. I don’t really like my name as it sounds so princess like, if not like some heiress which I have never been. I work as a flight attendant as you now realize why I need to board the plane with my co-worker. This work has started when I liked and dreamed of travelling and ended up taking up the path that would lead into something near of travelling. I hate talking too much so I didn’t take the tourist guide and settled myself of being a flight attendant where I could travel places, but don’t have to talk that much unless I needed. I started working just a year ago, as some circumstances happened that did not let me do it, aside from living with my mother who brought me up alone and needed to support her since I graduated. I just feel sorry because I could not do it as I got pregnant right after my graduation. That was the most unfortunate thing for me, but my mom said, ‘you did that, you chose to. The kids have no fault at here.’ And that really hit me hard. I stood up on my feet and thankfully, they grew up healthy. And that is the end of my introduction. “It is been a year since I started working, but I still can't get used to it yet leaving them with my mom.” I said going back to the reality. “It is normal isn't it? You are a cat that got separated from her kittens. Kittens that are so handsome I would not mind waiting for them to grow and reach the legal age to date. And when that time comes, I am counting on you my future mother-in-law.” She said jokingly. I wanted to smack her head hard if only we are not in the public escalator of the airport. I can't blame her as they are really good looking that sometimes I want to hate them, they look just like exactly like their father, and having two same versions of him every night beside me, but I always try my best to thank him for everything he had done, he have given me two beautiful angels who loves me more than anything in this world which is I already can feel by the way they cling to me whenever I am home. “A tigress to be exact. A tiger mother with two fighting cubs.” I said rolling my eyes. “Why is that?” she asked me curiously as we now walk up to our post as the personnel to check the boarding passes. “They are pretty strong willed and brave. They always stare at all the man we encounter in the streets.” I said sighing as I remember last time when I took them out and there is a man who is kind enough to notice them, he sat down so their gaze is on the same line with his but the next thing happened shocked me. They glared at him and shake his hand away when he tried to touch them. I had to apologize to that man, and I scold them, although I could barely call that scolding, I still did, and their reaction is something I would have never expected. They rolled their eyes looking away to me. I was stunned, speechless. I feel like I suddenly don’t know what to do. “Waaahhhh…...” she suddenly yelled that I almost dropped myself to the floor as I slipped in shock. “They are so cute.” She added. I look at her confused until she finally said “They do not want any man near you. Isn't that like they only want you to all to their selves.” As she added. I could not help to look at her, to stare at her and process what she just said just now. I would not mind if I would have never got a chance to marry someone, I am already contented with them and they are just a handful kids. And even if their own dad came back, I would never accept him. I smiled to her as I tell her “you are right, maybe my time to be the queen will arrive with two princes beside me.” As the announce of our post as ready to board. “You will be, no doubt.” She simply said that I smiled as we start our work as people started to line up. I smiled to her until I received someone’s boarding pass and put it in my hand. “Good morning Mr. Gabriel Smith. Welcome aboard said greeting the owner of the boarding pass as I read the name from the boarding pass he just pass and tear it as required and look at him as I hand him back the remaining piece of his boarding pass. I gulp, forgot to breath suddenly by the sight I am seeing right now. I feel that my veins went dry as I stared at the man standing in front of me. I scanned his whole features, from his raven hair to his face where perfect things are perfectly put. His eyebrows that arched in shape perfectly, his big black as charcoal eyes, his small pointed nose and slightly pouted lips and his jaw that are sharp enough it could cut you. his long neck where a bulging Adams apple is located and finally getting down to his wide shoulders that I could already say that he is physically fit. “Thank you.” he said as I did not notice I was about to hand him his boarding pass but stopped midway as my scanning is going through, he took it from me adding “Are you ok Ms. Monte?” that brought me back fully. At the same time, my coworker came near me and asks me as well. “Is something wrong Jay?”  Lis said. “I am fine.” I whisper to her. “I am so sorry sir, I am fine, thank you for worries. Here is your boarding pass, welcome aboard.” I said turning to the man and handed to him his boarding pass and tell him he is good to go and someone will direct him towards his seat. He nods and walk away; I threw one look back to his back that is slowly fading from my sight as he went in. “Think about that later.” I said to myself and face the next person. Everyone is in and we had to go in to assists some people needed help to their seats and luggage. And there I see him once again. He looks up to me with a smile that I returned with the same smile as I head towards the person who called me. The flight went well for almost eight hours, I am so tired and really can’t wait to go home and hug my little devils, thinking how they have been acting these days while in the flight, I decided to call them that. I smiled while thinking as to how cute it is and they are to suit each other. I quickly change to my normal clothes, jeans and maroon long-sleeved with ruffles in front and a pair of black ballerina shoes. I went out quickly as well as I really want to get home soon. Arriving at the waiting spot for a cab that I knew will take a while. Airports are busy all the time, twenty-four, seven days a week twelve months a year. I keep sighing as I stood here in line waiting for my turn when suddenly a black Audi stopped in front of me. “Good evening Ms. Monte. I did not know I will be seeing you this soon.” The man said once the window car rolled down and a face of someone familiar since I just saw him a while ago. “Mr. Gabriel, right? I did not think so too. Take care on your way home or wherever you are to.” I said returning his greeting. “It is still a long way before your turn, if you’d like I can accompany you.” He said after taking a look at the long line of passengers waiting. “Its fine. I can still wait.” I said smiling and turning down the offer from someone I don’t know really. “I insist. Or if you are that uncomfortable, even till the nearest bus stop only.” He said. “What persistent guy. Does he think I am some easy girl who would go with him willingly? Although I was, but I have learned my lessons.” I said under my breath. “Its really fi...” I said when suddenly my phone rings. I signalled him for a minute and answer it right away seeing the caller's name. “Hello mom? Is something wrong?” I said and what I heard next is the most terrifying thing for me. “I am still at the airport and waiting for a cab. Just call for an ambulance for now and I will head straight to the hospital.” I said agitatedly The twins are having high fever. And they kept calling my name. Its the first time it has happened. In the past even if they have fever, it never been that high enough to keep them on bed. I look at the line as I hung up the phone and hold it tightly while counting all the people that are waiting with their luggage and I got scared reaching the number that I know is near to forever.  I want to cry I could die here in worry. “Is something wrong?” the voice said that when I turned, I see the Audi that have not left yet. He looks at me with wonder. “Mr. Smith, I thought you have left but thank lord you did not.” I said still indecisive if I should or should not. “You told me to wait so here I am. Is everything all right?” he asked me once again. “I am sorry but I will accept your favor. Would you mind accompanying me? But instead to a bus stop, a hospital?” I finally ask him determinedly. “No problem. Get in.” He said and opens the car door. I did not think twice. I hop in and close the door. “Which hospital to?” he asks, I told him the name of the hospital and he told his driver to drive towards it in full speed. “Is everything OK? Would you mind telling me?” he said as he hands me a bottle of water that I took with my shaking hand that I only notice now. I took a deep breath, drink the water after thanking him before I said “My children are both having high fever.” I was so worried that I did not think carefully what I just said. I do not hide the fact that I am a mother of a pair of 4 years old boys, but I really do not say it with someone I do not really know so well. “You are a mother already?” he asks with a trace of shock in his voice. I smiled with a little bit of shyness before I replied. “Twins, four years old boys.” I said. He stared at me for a moment, looking directly into my eyes. I look back at him waiting for his critics but I did not hear anything, instead a small smile appeared on his face. I am used to people asking me of either why I work in this field with young kids waiting for me all the time or why I have kids that young when I am only twenty-four years old. “So, where is their father? I am sorry, it is just that I heard you said mom.” He said to my surprise. “He does not exist in our lives and I would never let him exist.” I said with my voice became stern without knowing. He did not say anymore aside from sorry. I did not know what to do as I feel ashamed for whatever it is that I just nod to him before I look out of the window. After a few minutes of quiet journey, we have arrived in front of the hospital and I told him that he could drop me here before handing him my calling card and say “Call me and I will return the favor.” And hop out of the car. He opens his side's door while saying to his driver “Go to the parking lot and wait me there.” And closes it. I am surprise and stun as he walks towards me near the hospital door. “Let’s go.” He said as he opens it and motioning me to get in. I look at him for a few moments before letting out a big sigh and runs in towards the information desk to ask directions which the nurse gladly gave me and I start running following her directions. I can hear footsteps behind me, I am not really sure whom footsteps are it or if Mr. Smith is still following me. After a few turns, I finally arrived where I sees my mom sitting in one of the waiting chairs with a worried face. I run faster towards her and called out to her “Mom!” to which she look towards my direction and we meet in between. “What happened? Where are they? What did the doctor say?” I said as I bombarded her with questions. “They went out with Nick last night, it was unusually cold with the windy weather last night, I guess they have sweat much and gets dried with the cold wind.” She said. “I told you not to let them out specially at night.” I said, I am not blaming my mother exactly, and I know nobody would have known that it would lead to this. “Nick insisted. You know how much he loves them and misses them with his busy sche....dule.” she said. She stutter at the same time I hear a footstep close enough and know that someone is standing behind me as she turned her gaze. “I will kill Nick.” I said furiously not minding the questioning look that my mother is giving me right now. I open my phone and dialled Nick's number as I walk away from my mom and to, I guess is Mr. Smith. “Where the hell are you?” I said as the ringing stops from the other end of phone. “Preparing for tomorrow. Why?” Nick said. “We are at the hospital because of you. The twins caught a high fever and cold!” I said as I scold him. He keeps saying sorry and ask me what he should do or what he can do. I just told him to wait for my next call since I still do not know if we could go home tonight or needs to stay for the night. After hanging up the phone, i walk back to them. “Poor Nick.” Mom said as my face still did not change from being furious. “Have you eaten mom? Why do not go and maybe you could bring something for the m&m?” I said as I see the wall clock with the small hand on eight. I hear a chuckle that made me turn towards Mr. Smith and give him an asking look. “Sorry, I just could not help from hearing m&m to which I guess are your sons.” He said in between his chuckles. “It is cute right? I call them that since their names are Michael and Mark. They are my m&m.” I said smiling proudly but soon turns into frown as he did not chuckle this time, instead he burst out laughing. “Sorry, I just cannot take it. It is like you are calling your favorite chocolate.” He said that made my cheeks go hot in shy. It is true that I love m&m chocolates. I ate that a lot when I was still pregnant making me think about of all things started with M and names that I ended up choosing their names. My mom giggling like a teen ager makes me shy even more. I pushed her away telling her to go to eat. I remained with Mr. Smith as we still wait for the doctor to inform us of the twin's condition  I hear him clearing his throat before saying “I thought their father does not exist in your lives, but why is there a guy named Nick?” it surprised me for a moment and made me smile next. “Nick is not their father; he is their only uncle. My only cousin. He is a seaman that loves them so he always do whatever he wants with them specially when I am not around.” I said explaining it to him. He nods a couple of times that made me think of those dog stuff toy like in cars that bounces their heads into the car's movements. I almost let out a laugh but I bit my lip in time and successfully suppressed it. “Excuse me, are you the parents of mimi’s m&m?” a voice came from my back that when I turned I see a guy in white lab coat. “Just parent, the mimi of m&m.” I said extending my hand a bit ashamed for the m&m. “Oh, Mrs. Monte? I am Dr. Destesco. Albert Tedesco.” He said smiling as he shakes my hand back looking at me then at the man behind me. “Miss. Just miss, not married.” I said without hesitation. He looks at me with his gaze fix on me. I look back at him, I mean I take a good look at him. Scanning his brown hair that is in military cut, his sword like eye brows that are perfectly in shape, even better than mine. His ocean blue eyes, his small pointed nose to his pink lips until to his sharp jaws. “I am sorry.” He suddenly said that cut me from my scanning moment. “It is fine. So how are my boys?” I said finally remembering why I needed to talk to this man. “They are fine. They are growing strong. Its just a simple cold. After a bag of drip you can take them home with these medicines.” He said smiling and handing me a piece of paper containing the list of medicines. “Then can I see them already?” I said as I could not wait any longer, holding the piece of paper. “That is right. They said that their fairy mimi is coming back today from her flying. You can see them now. You are a great mom.” He said smiling charmingly to me that made me feel hot with my cheeks. “Thank you.” I simply said back. “Now I know why they call you like that. I thought it was because they are hallucinating but I was wrong.” He said that made my cheeks go hotter. “Thank you.” I once again said the same thing, but now with a low voice. He chuckles a bit before he said “It is a pleasure meeting you Ms. Monte. I should go now. I just nod to him before running towards my babies. I see them next to each other asleep as soon as I open the door. But I might have woken them up when I opened the door as they quickly opened their eyes. “Nana, is mimi with you?” Mark said. “It's mimi Mark.” I said running towards in between their beds. “Mimi!” they both exclaimed and tears rolls down my cheeks. “I miss you my m&m!” I exclaimed back givinf kisses to both of them. “Mimi, we are sorry.” They said and now we are a crying family. “We will not go out at night again just don’t cry.” Michael said in between his sobs as he holds my hand that are both on their cheeks. Mark sits up and leans closer to me to wipe my tears with his little thumb. I hold his hand and kisses it, he copied me and landed a kiss on the back of my hand. “I miss you my babies.” I said in a low voice as I try to stop myself from crying. I know they will cry much more if they see me crying which is bad for them. They need to calm down. “We miss you more mimi.” They said harmony. I could not help but to smile. “Thank you, Lord, for doubling my happiness. I promise I will be a better mother, so please let them recover fast so I could start right away.”  I prayed as I look at them and listening to their vague babbling. Meanwhile A man came to stop infant of the open door that gave him the chance to witness everything with a vague look at them. “They are her life. They love her more than anything else. They never even ask for something she could never afford. She is blessed with two intelligent kids that brings happiness to her hard life.” A voice of a woman said.