To Cherish You Forever

Chapter 2

Right after my conversation with Jacob, I drove back home to my family. I am more enthusiastic to see my brother. Something is telling me that today is going to be a great day. I just felt it in my heart.

Flashback:

It has been three years since that accident happened but the memories are still fresh in my mind. Right after I got a phone call from my mom, I immediately took a taxi and headed to the airport. I was out of country at that time. I had to attend a conference in behalf of my boss. He had prior engagement that he could not cancel. So, I flew a week before that horrible accident. I tried very hard to erase that memory in my head but I couldn’t.

I still remember the first time I saw him in the hospital. They had to do an emergency surgery on him and then he was admitted to the intensive care unit.

I saw him from the glass panel when the nurse pulled it open for us. They only allow one family member at a time to enter inside his room. I saw mom touching his hand. She was crying quietly. However, her body was shaking and I could see how she swallowed all the pain inside her.

I was hugging my dad the whole time we where watching them. We didn’t speak to each other. Our eyes spoke volumes of the pain we shared as a family.

How can I move on? How can we move on as a family? That devastating accident is a reminder that we failed. My mom and dad had aged a lot since then. My grandmother is surprisingly the source of whatever strength left we have as a family. She keeps reminding us that we should be thankful every single day. That Alden survived the accident even if it left him half paralyzed and is suffering from amnesia. Surviving that horrible accident is a lot to be thankful for. Grandma has always been optimistic. That is what I truly admire from her. It took some time for my mom and dad to fully accept what happened to Alden.

Alden is my twin brother. We are fraternal twins. We grew up very close to each other. However, as we reached our teenage years, we started to grow apart. We went to different school. He excelled in sports and asked my parents if he could enrol in a school that would let him engage more into sports. Much to my mom’s dismay at the beginning, she relented at the end knowing that it could be a good opportunity for my brother.

As for me, I stayed in the same school from elementary and highschool. It was a decision I chose knowing that I would be more comfortable in a familiar environment. Since my brother started highschool, we barely saw each other. He started to have his own set of friends. He even brought them to the house many times. A part of me felt a little bit jealous. I thought we were close but looking at him, he was totally enjoying the company of his friends. Years went by, I learned to accept that he has his own life to live. I also have mine. I resolved to focus on my studies. I graduated ahead of him. He got delayed for a year due to his sports. He got a sports scholarship and was in a rugby team in college. When he finally graduated, everyone was there to see his graduation march. I was so proud seeing Alden with such a big smile. Gone was the jealousy and pain I harbored against him. That was just a phase in our lives that we drifted apart. I know our relationship will not be as close as before but for certain we care for each other.

Months after I graduated, I immediately started working in an advertising company. I had to move out of the house to get closer to my job. I was living alone in a small rented apartment. It was a new experience for me that I started to get used to.

Although I was a novice in the company, I was given a higher position than the other newbies. I spearheaded the digital marketing department. I had a great mentor who helped me in everything I had to know about handling my staff. I had to manage around 5 staff with me. Luckily, they were all easy to work with. All of them were also newbies like me. I found out that the company added a new department which was our department. They wanted to try and explore new opportunities with newbies like us.

On the other hand, I completely lost track of any news from my twin brother. Months before his accident, I heard from mom that he was seeing someone. I wasn’t sure though if they were together as a couple. I didn’t really pay attention to the woman he was seeing. I was already busy living my own life.

One day I got a phone call from mom. She seemed excited just hearing from her voice.

“Alya, are you free this coming weekend?” I was wondering why she asked.

“I have to finish some work on Saturday. I am free on Sunday. Mom, what is this all about?” I had really no idea what was going on. I tried to remember if there would be any special occasion in the coming weekend but there was none. No birthday celebrations. I couldn’t think of anything else.

“Alden just called a few minutes ago. He said that he is coming over the weekend and he is going to bring someone with him.” My right eyebrow went up. Mom sounded more excited when she mentioned “someone”.

“Really mom? Who is this someone? Probably his latest girlfriend?” I was being sarcastic. By the sound of it, looks like my brother found another girlfriend.

“She must be really special for him to bring her to the house and introduce to the family.” I simply said. I really didn’t know what to say or think. It is my brother’s personal life. I would be happy whomever he is with. I knew he had some girlfriends before but he never introduced any of them to us. This one must be really special to him.

“Just please come, Alya. Your dad has been looking for you. You barely visited us these past few months.” Her mom’s voice changed. She sounded sad and disappointed.

“I am very sorry, mom. I will make it up to you guys. I was really busy with my team trying to work closely with a big client.” I felt bad for not having the time to see my parents. Even grandma echoed the same sentiments.

“I will be there this Sunday, mom. Please tell dad I want to have his famous smoked salmon.” I smiled to myself. Just by mentioning dad’s smoked salmon, they knew that I would be there.

“Thank you, Alya. You just don’t know how much you and your brother made us so happy. The house has been very lonely and empty without you two.” My mom got emotional again. I knew she has been missing us so much. We are grown-ups now. We can’t help but live separate lives. We may be physically distant but we never fail to express our love for each other. That’s how our family is.

Sunday came, I’ve just parked my car outside our family house. I looked around the garage but I didn’t see my brother’s car. It was only my parents’ car inside. There was no car parked next to mine.

I rang the bell and the housemaid came. I brought nothing with me except my purse and a box of red velvet cake for everyone.

“Good morning, Ms Alya.” greeted the housemaid.

“Good morning.” I smiled at her. “Where is everyone? I didn’t see Alden’s car anywhere.” I had to ask her straightway.

“Ms. Alya, your parents are waiting inside.” I didn’t ask her any further. She couldn’t answer my questions anyway.

“Good morning, mom, dad.” I kissed them on the cheeks. I noticed that something was amissed. My mom looked worried although she’s trying hard to hide it by smiling the whole time.

“Mom, dad… I know something is wrong. Tell me. Where is Alden and his guest?” I had to ask at once. My parents were looking at each other strangely. Then, my dad had to break the silence.

“Well, your brother just called. He told us he was at the hospital. He rushed his girlfriend to the hospital last night. We couldn’t get hold of him until earlier.” My forehead wrinkled. I got curious as to what happened to his girlfriend.

“Is it something serious, dad? You and mom really look worried.” Dad took a deep sigh.

“Based from what your brother said, his girlfriend tried to hurt herself.” I got shocked, worried and more curious. Seems like Alden is in trouble.

“That’s really a shocking news dad. I hope Alden has nothing to do with it.” I haven’t had any chance to reconnect with him. We both got so busy. He just got a job and now a girlfriend who seemed to have emotional issues.

“Mom, do you have any idea who his girlfriend is? Have you met her?” Mom just shooked her head.

“He was supposed to introduce her to us today. I really don’t know what’s happening to your brother. Do you know that we told him many times to come back home and help with the family business? However, he kept refusing. I am not sure if his new girlfriend had something to do with his decision. I am so worried right now.” My mom looked so worried.

When my brother started doing his highschool and college somewhere, he became more distant from us. I am not sure if this is what it is when children become grown-ups. Now that I am living by myself, I think it is true.

“Do you think we should visit Alden in his place? I just want to know what’s going on with him.” It was mom talking to dad.

“You heard him, he said that we should wait for him to come. His girlfriend got issue with depression. Your brother didn’t inform us any further. I guess we will have to respect his decision.” It was dad talking to me and mom. I really don’t know what else to say. I came here to visit my family and get together with my twin brother. I am disappointed and worried for him as well.

That Sunday, I spent my time with my parents. Grandma came as well. Dad made my favorite. We did some movie marathon. It actually came out as a fun day although we missed Alden.

I went back to my place the next day. I almost got late from work. Monday is always a busy day for everyone at work. Thankfully, we finished our presentation that day and we got the approval of our big client. That should call for a celebration. However, I told my team we will just have the celebration on Saturday. They all agreed and we decided to go to a restobar.

That Monday night, I called my mom. I asked about how they are doing. Of course, I asked about Alden.

“Mom, any news from Alden? Are things fine with him and his girlfriend? I called him several times today but he never answered my calls nor at least drop me a message.” I complained. Here we are so worried about him and we couldn’t even get hold of him.

“Don’t worry, Alya. He called us in the morning. He got so busy. He went to work and after that he had to go see his girlfriend at the hospital again. He also talked to her family about her condition. And he told me, he got all your calls. He said he will call you when things are settled.” At least, I felt much better after that. I will just give him his time to fix his problem.

“Thanks mom. I felt relieved to hear that. I was worried and a bit upset at him earlier. Now, I completely understand him.” I heard mom inhaled, exhaled.

“Let’s just hope things are going to get better with your brother. Looks like he is serious with his girlfriend.” Mom said in a serious tone. I am not sure what she thinks of their relationship.

“Well, we should see her soon, mom. Maybe we could help her if she needs someone to talk to.” If she is depressed right now, she needs support from family. If my brother loves her that much, then we will support her all the way.

Before I went to sleep that night, I prayed for the safety and peace of mind for my brother and his girlfriend.