Isabella

The trees swayed gently with the calming wind. The rustling sound of the leaves was a piece of enchanting music that I wanted to listen to for a long time but unfortunately, I had to leave.

"Izzy!" Sean called me out. I looked over at him and gave him a nod of acknowledgment before looking back at the leaves. For a moment I just stared at them before moving my feet towards Sean who was waiting for me near the car. He had loaded all my luggage into the trunk and got inside the car taking the control of the steering. "Buckle up!" He said while leaning over and rounding the seatbelt around me.

"You really don't have to drop me. I can take a cab." I said as Sean's new car purred to life. "Save the casualties, Izzy. Besides I have to test my new baby." He replied with a smirk referring to his car and moved his eyes to the road as we drove down the familiar road.

Sean had turned the radio on and the silence was now filled with pop music which was not calming but also not irritating. The car continues to move and I looked out of the window, watching the concrete buildings and trees along with human beings pass by us.

"We are just a few miles down, are you sure?" Sean asked me. I looked over at him for a moment, thinking over his words. He had already asked me this question numerous times. Sean was afraid to leave me unprotected. "I'm sure," I replied. "Besides you have me memorize your number and I have you on speed dial." 

The rest of the ride was us making small talks that drowned the music. The small talk lightened both our moods, especially mine but as we moved closer to the house, the small talk had no longer the calming effect on us. Sean was back with his worried frown and me with my wrecked nerves. It seemed like within the next seconds our car was parked in front of the house.

We sat inside the car in silence for a moment. I didn't like it. I didn't like the feeling of parting with my best friend again. Especially like this when he was so worried about me. My eyes looked over at his face which was scrunched up, his dark eyes staring at the windshield but his mind was running with million thoughts. I felt guilty but also happy seeing that there was someone who cared for me this deep.

"Sean!" I finally called and kept my hand over his shoulder which made them slump and he sighed heavily. "I have a bad feeling about this Izzy." He mumbled. "I'll really be fine. You are just twenty minutes away from me." I said in an attempt to assure him but his silence said to me that I was not doing a good job. "Sean, look at me." I said and pushed his shoulder back while moving his face to look at me. "I'll really be fine." Looking in his concerned eyes I tried to soothe him with the determination in my voice. "Any sign of danger or any sign of his presence and I will contact you immediately," I added. Sean sighed again and nodded reluctantly.

We both got out of the car and I stood in front of the gate looking at the beautiful house in front of me. I could never get used to the idea that this is the house where I'll be living now. Sean came back with my luggage and together we went inside the gate.

"Ella!" Stephanie was the one to greet me this time on the door. I smiled in reply and entered the house with Sean. "This is Sean, my friend." I introduced the two and we went towards the couch to sit while the woman who I met earlier went to get us some tea and snacks. Sean being the police officer and concerned friend he was, started asking Stephanie some questions.

"How many people stay in this house?" He asked with an unwelcoming look. Stephanie gave me a glance before answering his questions, "Just me. Sometimes my son comes for a visit."

"Is your son married?" At this point I was avoiding looking over at their faces to hide my cheeks burning from embarrassment. "No, he's engaged." Sean bobbed his head up and down as if preparing for his next question. "What's your son's name?" But before Stephanie could answer our tea arrived.

"This is Gia, you can ask her for anything you need help with," Stephanie said. I looked at Gia with a smile who returned it cheerfully. "Ella told me you have two kids," Sean spoke after a sip of the warm tea. "Yes, a son and a daughter. My daughter is in England for her studies and my husband is along with her. She is majoring in Business Management and her name is Sheila. Any more questions, Sean?" Stephanie asked with a raised brow as she picked up the teacup. I couldn't help but laugh at Sean's flustered face.

"I know you are worried about your friend's safety Sean but I assure you, Ella, is quite safe in this house and even if something happens I'll make sure to call you." Stephanie added. Sean nodded and handed Stephanie his card. "No wonder," Stephanie mumbled under her breath reading the printed words on the thick white paper. "I'll get going now. I'll see you soon." Sean said while standing up. I too stood up and walked Sean to the door

"Be safe," Sean said as he embraced me in his arms. "I will," I mumbled against his chest. He placed a small kiss on top of my head before pulling away. He gave me a last smile before leaving the house and got into his car. I watched as his car disappeared from my sight and sighed out loud.

At that moment a familiar sense of loneliness consumed me. Being with Sean for the past few days I felt safe and after a long time I felt free but now again I have to walk around looking over my shoulder and maintaining my distance from people.

I walked back inside the house and found Stephanie on the same spot we left her in. "Gia took your suitcase to your room." She said when she noticed my presence. The sky blue color book in her hand was rested back on the coffee table as she stood up. "Come I'll show you your room," Stephanie said removing her rectangular spectacles with a thick brown frame and placed on top of the book.

"Actually we planned on renting out the room on the first floor but seeing your condition I shifted you to our guestroom down. The room is similar so no worries." The woman said while leading me towards the staircase that I saw her descend down the last time. A frown of confusion made it on my face when she walked behind the staircase to reveal a door that is perfectly hidden behind.

"Here!" Stephanie said while pushing the dark painted door open revealing a small but spacious room decorated in minimalist style. The contrast of beige, white and brown gave off cozy feeling. "It's beautiful!" I exclaimed looking at it and smiled at Stephanie.

"I'm glad you loved it! Get some rest, I'll let you know when dinner is served." She said and left me alone to look around. I immediately found my favorite spot which was opposite my bed where there was a big window which gave a view of the backyard and beside that window there was a corner where an armchair was placed beside a small bookshelf that was filled with books. I stood in front of the shelf and traced the spine of the books immediately making me smile.

I moved from there towards my suitcase that was placed on the bed and quickly unpacked. I kept the little clothing that I have in the wardrobe and kept the suitcase on the last shelf. I went over to check the bathroom and it too had an amazing interior. I washed up and changed into cotton pants and a t-shirt as the sun set down the horizon. A few moments later Gia called me for dinner and I had my first dinner at my new house with Stephanie.

*

It was a fine morning with the sky filled with milk-white clouds, the warm sunlight falling inside my new room through the window from which I gazed out at the backyard sipping on my coffee and listening to the chirping of birds. They were loud. It was the most peaceful morning I have had in a long time. Finishing the last sip of my coffee I moved away from the window and picked up my bag laying on the bed as I walked out of my room.

"Good morning!" I was greeted by Stephanie who descended down the stairs. "Good morning!" I greeted back with a smile. "Are you going somewhere?" She asked as together we walked towards the kitchen. "Yes, I have to look for some jobs," I answered by waving the newspaper in my hand that had circled over some advertisements that were looking for employees. "Did you have breakfast?" Stephanie asked after a nod of acknowledgment from me to my previous answer. "No!" The answer was voiced by Gia who was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. I gave her a glare to which she just shrugged.

"Why didn't you have breakfast?" Stephanie asked in confusion. "I am not hungry," I replied. Keeping my coffee mug in the sink I went over to rest my butt on the chair beside Stephanie on the dining table. Knowing Stephanie she would've forced me to take a seat so like a good girl, I sat before she uttered a word. "Even if you are not hungry you must have something. Don't forget you are of two lives now." She said to which I nodded with a smile.

It kind of felt strange to me. My life at the moment. Although it has been unpredictable since as long as I can remember, I could never predict me sitting in such a big house that I would call mine, well partially and having an elderly figure beside me who would be a support. Above all the most unpredictable thing is the beautiful being taking a home in my womb.

"Why are you smiling?" Stephanie asked me bringing me back from my thoughts. "Just how unpredictable my life is." I replied. Even though I'm a reserved person sometimes I just can't help myself and share my thoughts. "Everyone's life is unpredictable." She answered with a chuckle.

"Certainly is, but I never imagined being here, sitting in such a big house and being surrounded by good people like you, having a baby." my hand instinctively went over my belly, a gesture I do unconsciously which is always accompanied by a fond smile. "I never thought I would be a mother." I added as my eyes shifted from my belly towards Stephanie. "I was trying not to think about this now but honestly I'm scared. I don't know what kind of a mother I would be! I don't know anything about being a mom." I said. "I don't know how a mother behaves? What are her duties? How to be with a child? What if I do some mistake? What if my child questions my decision? What if they feel I don't love them?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing in fear with every growing question.

"Ella!" Stephanie called. Her hand taking mine. Her touch was so warm, it instantly made me relax. "There is no guidelines on being a mother. It's a feeling, everything comes as an instinct." Stephanie said. "The moment you have a child in your arms, your heart just fills up with so much love that you never thought your heart was cable of holding. You want to do everything you can to just see that human happy. Every mother has her own way of nurturing a child but there is not a single mother in this world that doesn't love her child and every child knows that." Stephanie said. Her eyes were glazed, it was like she wasn't talking to me but soon her eyes returned to my face and her lips were curled up again in a fond smile. "You'll be a great mother." She added. I nodded in reply and pulled my hand closer to me when Gia came with food.

"Since you are not hungry have this." Gia said and placed a bowl of mixed fruit in front of me. "Take this along with you." She added pushing a lunchbox towards me. I gave her a nod and started eating my breakfast. "Do you have a doctor?" Stephanie asked me. "No!" I replied. "After I get a job I will find a doctor." I added. Finishing my breakfast I left to go find myself a source of income.

***

Hey guys!

I know I took a break again but I was busy with my admission process. It's not completely done yet but I have few days of rest. I'll try to write more during this time and keep on updating.

I hope you guys liked this chapter. I know it's going slow but it will be worth it.

Above is the picture of Ella's room

Thankyou for reading and don't forget to vote if you like the chapter!

Love,
Aastha.