The last chapter
Michelle's Perspective
I slowly opened my eyes. Where am I? The room was cold, almost sterile walls painted in white that made the place feel like a hospital. I turned my head gently to the right and saw my mother sleeping beside me. Relief and exhaustion washed over me. I tried to sit up, but my body was weak, trembling with fatigue.
"Mom?" I whispered, struggling to wake her. Thankfully, her sleep wasn't deep, and she stirred immediately, eyes fluttering open.
Her eyes widened in shock the moment she saw me sitting up. "Michelle! Thank God, doc! Oh my child!" She hugged me tightly, tears streaming down her face. Then, without hesitation, she hurriedly called for the doctor who was tending to me.
The doctor came rushing in and immediately began examining me. "You've been in a coma for five years," he explained gravely. "Much has changed… your home, your family."
My heart pounded with desperation. "Where is Dad? I want to see him!"
My mother's face fell. "He's in prison, honey. He was arrested."
Her words hit me like a thunderclap. It all made sense now the silence from Carl during those last days… the terrible truth that Dad was responsible for what happened to him. Dad had hidden Carl away instead of taking him to the hospital because he was afraid of going to jail himself.
My mother's voice trembled as she recounted the past. "That day, Dad came home and… well…"
Flashback - From The Mother's Perspective
After Michelle left for the contest, I was tidying up the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
"Carl! Open the gate!" I called out.
Carl came running, but something was wrong. He was silent, and his face was pale. Suddenly, I heard him gasp, and when I turned around, I saw him collapsing, blood dripping from his neck.
I rushed to him, trying to hold him, but he was struggling to breathe. "What happened?" I asked frantically.
"Vincent… he attacked me with a broken bottle," Carl managed to say with great effort.
I laid Carl down gently and told him to stay quiet for a while. I peeked outside and saw Vincent standing there.
"What did you do?!" I screamed at him.
Before I could react further, Vincent punched me hard in the chest and slammed me to the floor, knocking me unconscious.
When I woke up, Carl was motionless, and Vincent was cleaning him up but it was too late. Carl was gone. My son was gone.
End of Flashback
My mother whispered that Dad had been using drugs and alcohol, and it was because of his state that he committed such a terrible act. He threatened my mother not to speak a word or else he would kill her. I couldn't believe it. Dad, who was so kind to me and Carl… how could he become a killer?
That's why Carl became a dream traveler the soul wandering and visiting my dreams, perhaps to say goodbye. The one who sacrificed his life so that I could survive Gabby's dream. He had surrendered himself to the light.
Carl was so kind. I couldn't help but admire my brother's courage and love.
"Let's get ready. We're going to visit Carl's grave," I told my mother, forcing a smile despite the pain in my chest.
After changing, we went straight to the cemetery.
"Carl? I miss you so much," I whispered, tears threatening to fall. "There's so much I haven't told you. Did you know someone loved me more than anything? It's sad we never got to be together… Where are you now, Carl? Are you with him? Please tell him I love him so much. I won't forget him."
I wiped my tears, trying to be strong for Carl, for Chris, for myself.
"Mom, can you wait in the car? I need a moment alone," I asked.
She nodded and left.
I walked quietly to Chris's grave the only person I truly loved.
"Hi, my love," I said softly, placing flowers on the tombstone. "I'll visit you here always. We're leaving now, but I'll come back. Goodbye, my love."
Sometimes, love is cruel and painful, but it's impossible to stop loving. Maybe this isn't our time, Christian. Maybe in another life, we will finally be together. I don't regret knowing you.
Just then, voices reached my ears whispers from behind me.
"Hi," a familiar voice said.
I turned to see Ma'am Emelia, the wife of our school owner and mother of Tris.
"Hello, Ma'am?" I greeted nervously.
She smiled kindly. "Have we met before?"
"I… I used to study at your school," I answered, unsure of where this was going.
She looked toward the grave of her son. "You must know my son, Tris. Actually, that's not his real name. His real name is Christian Cruz."
My heart stopped. The world tilted. I couldn't stop the tears that welled up and spilled down my cheeks.
We were so close so near each other yet I had never seen or held him. How wrong my words had been. I told my self that I was not interested in Tris...
I hoped to catch a glimpse of him at the school event held for his return. I hoped he wouldn't force himself to sleep just to see me. Fate was cruel indeed.
"Why? What's wrong? Do you know him?"
I wiped my tears and nodded. I smiled faintly and excused myself.
Returning to Carl's grave, I wept again.
"Carl, why? Why couldn't I meet him? Why couldn't I be with him?"
Sobbing, I felt a cold breeze wrap around me like an embrace from behind, touching my neck gently.
I couldn't help but think of Christian again. My heart felt lighter as the wind seemed to hug me. I wiped my tears, careful not to be seen by my mother.
Soon, she returned, and we sat quietly beside Carl's grave, sharing memories of happier times.
"Shall we go home now? It's getting dark."
I nodded, tidying Carl's grave for the last time.
"Wait, Mom. I have something to do first," I smiled.
She smiled and left.
I walked to Chris's grave the only man I truly loved.
"Hi, my love," I whispered, placing a fresh bouquet of flowers. "I'll visit you here always. We're leaving now, but I'll come back. Goodbye, my love."
Sometimes, love is cruel and painful, but we cannot stop ourselves from loving. Maybe this isn't our time, Christian. Maybe in our next life, we will be together. I don't regret knowing you.