Allora

She is Gone

My father left for New York after dinner saying he had some emergency. He left two men here to accompany me to New York the day after tomorrow. He wanted to take me with him today, but I had many loved ones here I had to see before my departure.

The men spend the night in their car even though my uncle invited them inside. They were in civil dress, but still looked intimidating. Before leaving, dad introduced them to me. Johann ( Yohann ) and Antony, looked to be in their late twenties. I have to admit they are both quite handsome and have the bad men aura around them which will definitely swoon the ladies.

I had to see Daniella first thing in the morning. I don't know what I'm supposed to tell her. I cannot share news of the mafia since it will put her in danger. I need to figure out something and the possibility of not seeing her again after tomorrow brings pain to me. But it's for her safety.

Next Morning

I woke up early next morning and left for Danny's house. I had covered the gift that I wanted to give them yesterday night. I grabbed it and started walking. It's only a five minute walk. I didn't call her yesterday, nor did I receive any text from her. On the way, I went over many scenarios that could happen when I break the news to her.

On reaching there, I released a huge breath and rang the bell and waited for the door to open.

The door was opened by her mother, Maria. Mama Maria looked like she was crying, but still she tried to fake a smile for my sake.

"Allora, my darling" she embraced me and took me inside. The air inside was filled with some sort of tension.

On entering the living room, I saw papa Robert and Danny's brother Derek sitting on the couch. Both of them look sad.

"What is wrong? Why does everyone look sad here?"

On hearing my voice, both of them looked in my direction. Like mama Maria, both of them gave me a smile that didn't quite reach their eyes. The three of them looked at one another. I had enough of this.

"Where is Daniella?''

At this Maria burst out crying.

" She is gone Lorrie" Derek said with a strain, no doubt it was him trying to control his tears.

I went near Maria and hugged her. My eyes filled with tears for my best friend when I remembered what happened last time when she returned from her trip after six months of MIA. She never told me what exactly happened. She was acting like her usual self, trying to fool me. It was when she removed her jacket which she used to always wear that few months I saw the reality of the situation. I waited for her to tell me the truth when she felt comfortable. But she never did. The fact that I myself was trying to get over something horrible didn't help much. I should've tried harder. Maybe that way she would've opened up to me. Am I a bad friend for not knowing everything in her life? She knows pretty much everything about me excluding what happened that time she went MIA.

I led Maria to the nearest couch and sat down with her. " When did she leave? '' I asked Derek.

"She left this morning at 5AM''

So the whole bicycle trip was bullshit. It was like trying to make me happy before she left. Little did she knew that I was also leaving this place, maybe forever. Tears streamed down my face. " Do you know where she went this time? ''

Silence followed my question. I felt a sense of de ja vu. I asked the same question last time this happened and received silence as the answer.

I felt anger and sadness. I know they won't tell me about her whereabouts. I stood up from my seat after wiping away my tears and prepared for what I really came here for. I went upstairs and pushed the door to the room where two of the most important people in my life slept peacefully without knowing what was happening around them. I went near the crib and gently touched the soft skin, trying my best not to wake them up. Remiel and Uriel, my two angels. Leaving Daniella meant leaving these two. How can I leave these two without Daniella to look after them? How could she leave them? Maybe she is gone for a week or two. I'm sure she wont be able to live peacefully without seeing these two. So she will come soon. But deep down, for some reason, I know the truth is different.

I leaned inside the crib and gently kissed my boys. Two weeks ago they turned two. It was an amazing memory for me, filled with love and happiness. I wanted them to wake up and look at me with those beautiful eyes and bless me with their smile. But they will sense her absence and I don't want to witness those tears. It's gonna crush me.

I left the room after looking at the sleeping twins one last time and went downstairs. The Santino's haven't moved from the place they sat before I went upstairs. I went to stand before them in the living room to break the news I had with me.

"I'm leaving Texas". At this, the somber look left everyone's faces.

"What do you mean cara?" papa Robert opened his mouth for the first time since I came here today.

"I'm leaving the place for some reason I cannot tell you."

"Where are you going Lorrie? and what about Texas University?'' Derek looks agitated while asking this.

"I don't think you all have the right to know where I go. Anyway just know that I will be safe." I know I sounded a bit harsh. But this is the only way of letting them not get into danger by making them know about my whereabouts. I'm still angry at them for not telling me about her.

" Are Lucy and Abeo going with you?" Robert asked.

"No, it's just me."

Robert stood up and came near me. He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me in a hug. "You know me and Maria always see you like our own right? and it will be like that until our last breath''

I nodded. Suddenly, I remembered the gift I had placed in the corner of the living room. I grabbed it and gave it to papa.

"What is it cara?, is it one of your works?" papa asked. Mama Maria and Derek stood up from their seats to take a look.

"Open it'' I told him with a small smile.

Papa uncovered the wrap and held the painting . The look on each and everyone's faces was so worthy of the time I spent on it.

I had planned on this when I got to know it was papa's sixtieth birthday this year. I started working on it two months ago. I know how much family means to this man, so nothing else came to my mind other than gifting this man a portrait of his family.

"Do you like it papa?'' I asked him even though I know he did from the tear streaming down his face. He looked at me with so many emotions that it felt so intense. Derek hugged me and kissed me on my forehead. He had tears in his eyes too.

'' where did you get the picture to paint this?'' he asked, smiling through his tears.

"Remember the bbq my uncle threw last April? " At that, all of their eyes lit up. It was a beautiful Sunday for our loved ones.

" I remember Clement carrying around a camera that day. He took it?'' Derek asked, looking at the painting with adoration which melted my heart. That is the most honor an artist can get. The satisfaction cannot be expressed in words.

" No I did. I was testing out my camera lady skills with Clement's camera. I saw you guys so happily standing under the willow and I couldn't stop myself from taking a picture.''

Mama came and hugged me and gently patted my head. " Cara, your skills are no joke. I know you know that . But whatever happens don't let it go. '' I nodded my head with a gentle smile. This would've been perfect if she had been here. That single thought made a sudden painful dip in my chest.

Papa wasted no time in hanging my painting in the living room.

The flowing branch of willow makes a top frame for this beautiful family who are laughing at a joke probably Derek might've said. Papa and mama have Uriel and Remiel in their arms with Derek and Danielle standing on each side, oblivious to me taking their picture.

I hugged them each one last time and looked upstairs for a minute. As if understanding my concern, mama came near me ''Don't worry miha, they are safe with us." I nodded my head and headed out with an unsettling heart which ached for my friend.