Chapter 2 Heretofore

I woke up with a heavy feeling; my head throbbed in pain. Fucking hangover. I won't drink again, I promise.

I tried to move but felt the utmost pain down on my p-wait. Why would I even feel pain down there? I immediately looked at my body. There, I realized that I was naked.

W-what, w-what the f-freaking fuck?!

I roamed my eyes, trying to remember where the hell I was. And I have no freaking idea where I was. This is not my room. This is not my house. I don't have this kind of luxury.

I'm trying my best to stand up, even if I'm about to cry with this deep pain. What the hell? I'm not a virgin anymore. That wasn't even a question!

But what caught my attention was when something suddenly moved beside me, and I tilted my head to know what it was, and in my horror, I saw a naked man lying and sleeping beside me in the same bed that I had woken up.

He opened his eyes, and his ocean-blue eyes welcomed me; I thought he would freak out just like me, but he did not! He yawned and smiled!

"Hi there, wife." He then hugged me, "Did you sleep well?"

One month before

I swear to God, when I come home

I'm gonna hold you so close

I swear to God, when I come home

I'll never let go

Door of the church was now widely opened when I started to sing. The bride stepped in. her white ball gown long sleeve lace wedding dress with beading Broach touch the floorings of the church.

Like a river, I flow

To the ocean I know

You pull me close

Guiding me home

She's smiling so happy, she looks very happy with her teary eyes, trying hard not to shed. She started to walk, with her parents on her both sides. They are carefully assisting their daughter walking down the aisle.

And I need you to know

That we're falling so fast

We're falling like the stars

Falling in love

The groom is waiting for her at the end of the aisle. The guests were all smiling, some are excited, some are teary-eyed. Some are already crying. Most of them are taking pictures of the once in a lifetime experience of their loved ones.

And I'm not scared to say those words,

With you, I'm safe

We're falling like the stars

We're falling in love

My voice is echoing through the whole church. The theme was so magical, so surreal. Different flowers were everywhere. Some are rare, and I've got the chance to see it today, some are usual flowers that used primarily used for events like this.

I swear to God, I can see

Four kids and no sleep

We'll have one on each knee

You and me, hmm

Roses, baroque, tulips, and many other flowers. Entourage were wearing mint green gowns with different cuts on the upper part, their partners were also wearing the same color of three-piece suit, the maid of honor was wearing the same color with a different cut, the best man was wearing the same shade of three-piece suit.

And when they've grown up

You're still the girl in the club

When I held your hair up

'Cause you had too much

It's not a simple wedding, this wedding was a talk of the town. The groom is a politician who actually able to help hundreds of street people who can't even afford to eat every day, he helped them to get back on their feet, and the bride is a famous actress, and known on its kind hearted heart, and has a soft spot for orphan kids.

And I need you to know

That we're falling so fast

We're falling like the stars

Falling in love

When they told me to sing for their wedding, I immediately chose this song. Not everyone is aware that they are best friends, they are actually childhood sweethearts and best friends. They grew up together. Their mothers were best buds, so are they.

And I'm not scared to say those words,

With you, I'm safe

We're falling like the stars

Falling in love

I'm happy for them. I hope they would live together until they parted from this world. They didn't let the people around them affect how they see each other. How I envy them, they don't have a big responsibility as I am.

I swear to God, every day

He won't take you away

'Cause without you, babe

I lose my way

When I finished the song, the ceremony started, everyone took their seats, and so am I. I looked at my antique wrist watch, I hurriedly went to the wedding coordinator.

"Hi, Aunt Lily," I greeted her; she stood up and smiled; she was sitting at the side part of the church. "Uhm, I'm sorry, but I must go; I have to take care of my siblings, and it's time for my mom's meds."

"Oh, yes, yes, go on. I'll send the payment to your bank account; expect it in two to three days." She said, so I nodded and smiled at her. "Oh, wait." She said and grabbed her purse, and handed me two five hundred bills, "Here. Get your mom something to eat while going to the hospital." I nod and smile.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

"No worries, thank you for that song, it was beautiful, and Ana was looking for you. Go give her a call." She said.

I smiled before bidding my goodbye; I fished my phone and dialed my best friend; it didn't take long before she managed to answer it, "I told you, damn it! Put that aside, you dumb!" I chuckled when I heard her shouting in the other line.

"Hey, Ana," I spoke

"Huh? Who's Calli ---" I bet she held the cell phone away from his ear to know who she was talking to, "Omg! I'm sorry, Eli! Omg, how are you?"

"I'm great; thanks to you, I got another job." I said, "Your mom told me you're asking for me? Why?"

"Oh, yes, yes. Do you want to go on a vacation with me? Come on, Eli! It's been years since we last had a vacation." Here we go again. "We can go on an exclusive Island! That would be fun!"

"Your invitation sounds so tempting to me, Ana." I heard her sigh, "But you know my responsibility right now, but I'll think about it,"

"I understand; I'm sorry. That was a selfish invitation, Eli." I can feel the sadness in her voice, "Anyway, just let me know if you need help."

"I know, you're always helping me. I promise to pay you back." I'm embarrassed whenever she asks me to go with her, yet I can't grant her wish.

"What the fudge? Eww! The dramas!" I suddenly laughed when I heard her say that.

"Whatever, I might ask you for a job favor again; I'm sorry."

"Duh! I told you! I can even give you a job! I can even triple your salary, so you won't have to think every day." She's right. She offered me a job with her, but I don't think I can accept that.

"I think it will be unfair to everyone else." I can't accept money if I earned it that way.

"What the fuck? Unfair? Eli, you graduated with the highest honor; what's unfair if I offer you a job that could meet the salary you need? You're pretty, brainy, and competitive. I'm not just hiring you because you are my best friend; I'm hiring you because you have potential. You are a gem, and I found you."

"I know, and thank you for that. Expect me one of these days; I'll drop by." I said; I heard a giggle.

"You can drop by every day!" she said, which made me laugh.

I bid my goodbye; and decided to drop by a famous pancake house, Mom wants to eat this one, but I can't make it to buy it; I'm too busy.

I placed my order and waited for a while; I roamed around. It looks like a café; it has a mini library to the extreme side; customers enjoy the ambiance while reading, drinking coffee, or eating pancakes.

It gives me a relaxing ambiance. I salute the owner, who thinks that this one is possible. I'd rather hang out here than go to the bar for a reader like me. Oh well.

"For Miss Elina?" I came back from my reverie when I heard someone call my name. I stood up and mumbled my thanks before exiting the pancake house.

I booked a taxi and asked the driver to drive me to the hospital, where my mom was admitted. Anastasia, or Ana, has been my best friend since we were kids; she's a very vulnerable yet bubbly child. At age ten, she already knew what she wanted to do with her life. So, when we entered College, she pursued the course that would lead her to her future career.

While at the age of eighteen, I have to work for my family. My Dad died when I was sixteen, Jane, my younger sister, and Dan, my youngest brother, were both young at that time, and they couldn't grasp what was happening then.

Mom was working for us at that time, and she could still afford it when I continued studying and sent my siblings to a private school; we could still eat three to four times a day; we thought it was Dad's death that would be the most painful and hardest part of our lives.

Not until my mom fell into this illness five years ago. She has this rare disease that cannot walk and digest her food, constricting her heart and lungs. By now, her life was dependent on the machines, giving her air to breathe, she needed an operation, but that wasn't a hundred percent successful operation since it's a rare one. Doctors haven't found any profound way or procedure to eradicate it.

But we will need millions to go with that operation. I wanted to save my mom, I can't live without her, and I have two other siblings who need her. I will do everything to save up.

Ana's mom, Aunt Lily, witnessed how I strived hard and managed to provide for them; she helped me a lot too. She said that she owes me that Ana enjoyed her teen years and was safe. I don't let Ana ruin her studies. I'm the lump in her throat. I'm not a pushover. I didn't let her skip one class; I'mI scolded her every time something or someone was getting out of her way.

We graduated with Latin honors, we made it together, and throughout the process, both our moms supported us; after my mom got hospitalized, the first thing they offered me was money. But I want to earn that money. My Dad taught me that money must be earned out of sweat, not just because you opened your hand and waited for someone to drop their coins to you.

"We're here." Said the taxi driver; I nodded, gave him some cash, and got off to his taxi; I'mI practiced my smile while walking. I need to stay focused and calm. I'm all they have; they are relying on me. I can't show them any kind of weakness.

"ER! ER!"

I heard one of the staff nurses shout, and two ran toward the hallway. This was their routine. I bet they are tired but have to do it anyway. Since it is their oath to serve people, that's their calling.

I was about to arrive at Mom's room when I realized something. The nurses and doctors rush off to a very oddly familiar room.

"Room 506! Almost flat line!"

I felt like something was stuck in my throat; my legs were numb. I couldn't move or breathe with the excessive force of my heartbeat when I realized what was happening.

Why are they rushing?

It was Mom.

Mom's room.