CHAPTER 35: Moving On

CLAIRE’s P.O.V.

Our plane landed ten minutes earlier than expected. Alexa and I breathed the fresh air, coming from the wide airport. Dad smiled at us as one of the flight attendants help him with his wheel chair.

“I’m so excited to see grandma, Claire! I can’t wait to spend some time with her!” Alexa jumped up and down out of excitement.

“We are going to see her sooner or later, so please, keep calm.”

She just laughed at me before clinging her hand on my arm. We walked towards the airport building, for our grandma was surely waiting for us there.

“Grandma!” Alexa ran towards her as soon as she came into our sight.

“Alexa! Finally, I met you. You’re making me remember Clara, your Mom.”

“Really? Mom look like me?”

My heart melted as I thought that Alexa haven’t had the chance to see our Mom personally. She died giving birth to her because of some complications. Luckily, Alexa survived.

“Grandma,” I greeted her with a hug.

“Oh, Claire! I forgot how beautiful you are! Look how tall you’ve got over the years.”

We all laughed at her response. Dad kiss grandma’s hand before greeting her.

“It’s been a while, Mom.”

“Yeah. I missed my grandchildren. And you, also. I apologize for not contacting you as soon as I find out about your illness, son.”

“That’s okay, Mom. Though I’m a bit sad that we left Clara there.”

“That’s alright. My daughter will surely be happy seeing you here with me.”

We all nodded in agreement before pulling our luggage. We still have to let our bags be checked in the security area before we could go home.

“Let’s go. I know you’re all very tired. I prepared some foods for you at home. I cooked your favorite carbonara, Claire.”

My stomach instantly growls as soon as I heard the name of my favorite food. Mom used to prepare that for me. Dad didn’t know that much about cooking so I haven’t had any of that since the day that Mom died. Gladly, grandma knows how to cook it and she was the one who teach our Mom to prepare my favorite food.

“I knew it! You’re hungry!”

We all laughed as we made our way inside the airport’s building. After they check all of our stuff, they finally let us go. We drove all the way to grandma’s house, laughing at her corny jokes while eating some cookies through the entire trip.

Finally, after about an hour of trip, we reached our new home. It was a small mansion, not too large but huge enough for all of us.

”I already reserved and clean your rooms! I hope you enjoy living with me,” grandma smiled at us.

“Of course, grandma!”

Alexa help Dad get inside of the house while grandma and I help each other to carry our luggage.

“Are you okay, Claire?” she suddenly asked me.

“Uhm... Y-yeah.”

“You looked bothered since the first time that I saw you earlier.”

I thought she didn’t notice. But she did. I can’t believe that even after now, Darren was still bothering my mind. We are miles away from each other and it seems like I left my heart to him.

“Sorry, grandma. It’s just that... So many things happened before we came here... Things that... I don’t know...”

“Your Dad told me about it. Is this about that guy?”

“M-maybe. But it’s not just that... Work, friends... Everything. I’ll miss those memories.”

That’s when I remembered that I didn’t even told Elijah or any of my other co-workers about this. I just vanished without any warning like a bubble, well, except for Darren cause he knows I was leaving. But I didn’t tell him where. It seems like he’s not interested anymore so what’s the point, right?

“Don’t be sad, Claire. One day you’ll realized that maybe this decision of yours is for the best. You’re finally home. This will be your chance to have a new life and a new beginnings.”

I smile before hugging her very tight. How I missed my grandma so much. I’m just a little girl when we last visited here. Ever since that day, I never saw her again.

“Grandma, Claire! Come on, I’m hungry!” Alexa bossily shouted making us laugh.

“Come on, Claire. Let’s get inside. I bet your little sister is very hungry now.”

I just nodded at her. We entered into the house, surprised that even though grandma live here alone, the place is undeniably clean.

“I’ll prepare the carbonara,” she stated before letting me sit on the chair.

Alexa happily seated besides me and our Dad is looking very glad at us at the opposite side of the table. Grandma brought the pasta, and as soon as I inhaled its scent, there comes the weird feeling again. I almost puke as I felt nausea. I ran into the kitchen sink, covering my mouth using my hand.

“Are you okay, Claire?” grandma asked, worried.

“Maybe... I’m just tired. Can I take a rest first?” I asked them.

They all nodded in agreement. I could see the disappointment in grandma’s eyes as I cannot taste the food that she’d prepared for me.

I slowly climbed up the stairs while carrying my luggage. I opened one of the rooms and the first one was Alexa’s. I could see it in the colors. My room was on the opposite end of the hallway, far from the stairs.

As I enter inside, I felt instantly at home. This is the way how Mom’s arranged our bedroom before. So vibrant yet so soft for my eyes. I lay down in my bed, feeling tired. I don’t know why, maybe because of the long trip. I unconsciously touched my belly for apparently no reason. That’s when I felt something weird again. What the heck is happening to me?

Hours, days, and weeks, had passed. It’s been a month since we arrived here. It’s been a month since I left Darren and our whole life in the Philippines. I choose to be here, but I can’t help but to think if I made the right decision.

Tears started to fall down from my eyes as I realized one thing. A thing that I kept on ignoring since then. A thing that will change everything. I force to kick it out of my system, but every time that I remember about it, I breakdown and confusion starts to eat me alive.

I wiped my tears away. Nope. It can’t be. Darren and Kate were probably married right now, and I don’t have any rights to be back there and take him away again from my old best friend.

I walk towards my cabinet, grabbing all my stuffs to take a quick shower. As I opened it, I saw tons of unused pads, only making me remember again about my problem. I haven’t got my period since we arrived here... Since that night that I surrendered myself to Darren.

My mind keeps telling me what’s the best conclusion to my doubts, but I couldn’t accept it. I couldn’t accept the fact that whatever it is that Darren and I did before, brought a life to another human being. I cannot... I can’t think about it.

As I get out of my room, I directly go straight down to the stairs. Alexa was playing some cards with grandma and Dad while I try my best to cover my bump. Trying to ignore it’s existence wasn’t that easy as I thought.

“Claire, come and join us!” grandma told me as soon as my feet finally left the stairs.

“Later, grandma. I’ll just take a shower.”

“Okay!”

I was about to open the bathroom door when I felt dizzy, loosing my balance at the same time. After a few moments, I just felt my back laying on the cold ground, my eyes slowly closing.

“Are you okay?” That’s the last thing I heard from my little sister before my sight completely shut down and everything went black.

As I opened them again, I realized that I was already in a different place. I could see the clean and white ceiling above me and I can also hear the loud beeping sound of a machine. That’s when I knew that I was in a hospital.

“Grandma?” I asked out of nowhere.

There, I saw her standing next to a lady wearing a white suit. I bet that she’s a doctor here. Grandma’s face was stunned, yet it looks so worried when she saw my condition.

“What’s the matter?” I curiously asked.

“Hi, Ms. Braganza. I’m Dr. Valdez. I’m here to help you. You collapsed an hour ago and your family brought you here. After we conducted a few test, we found out something. I have some news for you...”

My heartbeat instantly raced as I heard those words. I expected this to happen, though I wasn’t still ready to confirm it. I cannot... I just can’t do this right now.

“Please don’t be shocked, Claire... It’s not good for you and for your...” Grandma trailed off.

“W-what?”

The doctor looked at me before taking a deep breath. After that, she smiled at my direction.

“You are six weeks pregnant, Ms. Braganza. Congratulations,” she stated.

And there goes the confirmation I needed. A news that will surely brought changes into my life. I thought I already escaped from his love. But I didn’t. He gave me this child to make me remember everything about us. The pain. The love. Now I know that I can never move on from that part of my life.