Just Lost The Last Hope

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Chapter Twenty-One

Brandon POV:

When I arrived at the hospital it at that moment it really sunk into me that how difficult it is to enter inside with the steady feet without focusing on the rushing memories of my horrible experience from my granddad's last days in hospital that still haunts me.

Eric was quite calm, even calmer than me despite his age. I was on the other hand dreading from going inside.

Elena, Eric and I made our way inside the hospital. The tears were flowing from Elena's eyes while Eric was holding her hand and rubbing her back to provide her comfort.

The smell of the hospital hit my nose making me want to puke, but keeping the calm face I walked to the reception.

"Hi, I got a call from here that my parents Chase Edward and Hailey Edward are here". I told them trying to keep my voice steady.

"Yes. Let me check in which room they're placed in". The woman said checking on the computer then she turned to me.

"Your mother is in room number 309 on 3rd floor while your dad is still in the surgery room 2 on 3rd floor". She said.

"Thanks". I said.

"No problem". She said staring at crying Elena with sad smile.

Taking elevator we made our way up to the third floor and searched for the room number 309. Finding the number we entered inside the room to see my mom lying on the bed with her eyes closed.

Eric made his way to the bed where mom was lying stagnant. Elena and Eric were beside her in minutes. I was frozen at the spot staring at twins crying and holding mom's hand, begging her to wake up.

The nurse that I didn't notice earlier standing in the room walked to the twins and patted their back. She told them to be quiet because mom needs to sleep to get better.

I took the step forward and made my way to my mother's bed to see her face pale like she has lost much blood. Her naturally pink lips looked dry and chapped, split from the bottom. She has a bandage on her head and there was a small spot of blood at the right side.

"How is my Mom? ". I asked the nurse.

"She's fine. She got hit on her head and fell unconsciousness. We had examined her injuries there's nothing fatal, but she have a broken arm which will take around four weeks to heal". The nurse told me.

My mother was alive and that's all what mattered at that time. My parents mean so much to me and I cannot even think about living without them.

"When will she wake up?" I asked her brushing my knuckles on my mother's cheek.

"She'll wake up soon. Then we'll run more tests to make sure everything is good". She told me.

"What about my dad? Do you know how he is?" I asked her concerned.

"Your dad is in surgery room. The pieces of broken windshield were lodged inside his chest when he was brought here. They were not deep and didn't damage any vital organ but surgery was necessary to remove them. You'll have to talk to his doctor for details". She said and picked the tray from the table.

"Are you the only adult?" She asked me with mix of curiosity and pity.

"No, I have elder brother. He will be here soon". I said while my eyes were still glued on my mom's face.

"Okay. I'll inform the doctor that you're here". The nurse said leaving the room.

I nodded my head and kissed my mother cheek.

Pulling out my cellphone from my pocket I send the quick message to Noah telling him in which hospital mom and dad are admitted.

Then I went to the see my dad. We I reached there, the nurses were rolling the stretcher. There was my dad lying on it, unconscious. He has a bandage wrapped on his chest covering the injuries. My dad's face looked white like a sheet making me worried. His eyes were shut tightly and lips were parted little indicating that he is breathing. He has a small scratch on his left eyebrow and his hands were covered in blue and purple bruise .

With the shaking hands I took my dad's hand in mine and light graced my thumb on his knuckles to not to hurt him yet feel his skin.

Seeing me looking at my dad hand the doctor decided to informed me.

"The surgery went successful; we've stitched the deep cuts. The bruise will heal with the time. Now we're shifting him in the room". The doctor told me.

"Can you please shift my dad on the room near 309? My mom is in 309" I made a request.

"Yeah, I'll see what I can do". The doctor replied.

"What relation do you have with the patient?" The doctor asked me.

"I'm his son". I said.

"Your dad need blood transfusion. Are you okay with donating your blood to your dad if your blood group is same as his?" The doctor asked me.

"I'm okay with anything if it get my dad healthy like before". I replied looking at the doctor.

After that the doctor told the nurse to prepare me for blood transfusion. She took a sample of my blood and tested it then came back to ask me few questions about my health. When she was satisfied that I'm the perfect donor she started the process of blood transfusion.

When the process was complete the nurse started to wheel my dad's stretcher in different direction to the room he was supposed to go, that made me worried.

"Where are you taking him?" I asked her.

"I'm taking him for a CAT scan then he'll be transferred into a room". The nurse said.

I went back to check on my mom and twins. They asked me where I was making me tell them that I went to see dad. When dad was shifted in the room left to mom's room I took twins to see Dad. Again Elena started crying after seeing dad and I had to tell her that if she won't stop crying the doctor will throw us out for disturbing dad that made her stop from crying. The twins stayed an hour with dad and taking the advantage of that time, I decided to inform my mother side grandparents about the accident.

After three hours, Noah appeared in the mom's room, dressed in jeans and plain black t-shirt, twins ran to him and hugged him. He hugged them back and kissed their heads, murmuring something in their ears which calmed them instantly.

He made his way to mom's bed. I literally saw him ready to break down but for the sake of twins, he kept the faceed of tranquility. The tears that started to shone in his eyes was the only giveaway how hurt he's at the moment. Leaning down he placed a soft kiss on mom's cheek and placed his large hand above her small hand griping it and showering it with kisses.

Noah and mom have a different type of relationship, they're not only mother and son, they're more like best friends. He always understands her better than me or twins, almost like dad understands mom. He never needs to ask her how she's feeling, he'll always know when she's sad, happy or angry.

I know mom loves Noah like she loves us but there's always this glint of exultant and pride in her eyes whenever she sees him like she's proud of him for being him.

Noah love's mom a lot, he would disagree with anyone on anything but when mom says something he'll do it without hesitation.

Sometimes, I have noticed the sadness on my dad's face when he stared at mom and Noah.

My dad was kind of my first best friend, he would hide my secrets from mom and always tease me. I always go to dad if I need advice for anything in my life.

And I'm sure Noah loves dad as much as he loves mom but it's like he has better understanding with mom while I have better bonding with my dad.

"Brandon, where is dad?". He asked me snapping me out of my trance.

"He is in the room that is on the left side of mom's room". Nodding he went to see him.

I stayed with mom and twins to provide Noah some alone time with dad.

After half an hour Noah returned his eyes were puffy and slightly red instantly I knew he had cried while he was in dad's room.

"I met the doctor and he said they'll get better soon". Noah said glancing at Mom.

"I know they'll get better soon". I said.

I asked him, "Where's your luggage?"

"I came straight here. I don't have anything except my phone and tickets with me". He replied sarcastically.

Then taking a long sigh he dropped on the couch where Eric and Elena were sleeping soundly. Eric was still holding Elena's hand to provide her comfort on his own way.

"How are you Brandon? I know how tough this is for you to stay here". Noah said looking at me.

Averting my eyes, I told him, "I'm alright".

"You don't look alright to me". He said making me nervous. I was not alright. I wanted to run out of this hospital far away and never come back. But I wanted to stay with my parents too and didn't want leave them alone in this condition.

"I don't care about myself right now". I murmured avoiding the talk.

After a few minutes of silence Noah said, "The doctor said that only one person can stay here tonight".

"I'm staying here then; you can go home and take twins with you. You need rest". Noah said resting his head on the couch.

"You must be tired after your flight you should go home and relax. I'll stay here". I said.

"Brandon, who's the elder one here?". He asked me with raised eyebrows.

"You are". I replied.

"Then listen to me and go home. Make sure you all eat dinner. Come back tomorrow morning with the change of clothes for me". Noah said.

He glared at me when he realized I'm going to protest and that shut me up instantly. After all he's my elder brother and apparently I've to listen to him.

"Okay". I said to him.

"Now go". He said.

"Are you sure?" I asked him again hoping that maybe now he'll change his mind.

The only response that I received was another intense glare.

"Elena, Eric let's go". I said catching their attention.

"We don't want to leave mom and dad here ". Both said getting up from the position of half lying half sitting on the couch.

"We'll come back in the morning tomorrow". I told them.

"No". They said in unison making me sigh and close my eyes for a moment. I didn't had much energy to lecture them.

Noticing my state Noah volunteered to explain them.

"Elena, Eric I'm here with mom and dad. Look they're sleeping right now, when they'll wake up I'll call you then you can come and meet them".

"Promise" Elena asked him showing his pinky finger which he knew too well why.

"Promise" He said lacing his pinky finger with her and kissing her cheek.

"Now go with Brandon". He told her.

"Here's some cash". I said slapping some cash on his hand. "I've taken care of hospital bills". I informed him so he won't get worried about it.

"Wow! I'm proud; you've really acted like me today". He said with the twitch of his lips.

"Ha-ha Noah you're not funny". I said dryly.

"But let me tell you I'm glad to have a brother like you. You really have taken care of everything like an adult". He said patting my back.

My eyes were becoming misty at his words. I was controlling myself from bursting into tears from the time I entered in this hospital.

"Bye. See you in the morning". With that said I left the hospital with twins trailing behind me.

On the way back to home I picked some Chinese food from the very famous restaurant near the house. When we arrived at the house I told them to get freshen up. After fifteen minutes they came back and took the seat on the stools around kitchen counter where I have already set the plates and food for them to eat.

They ate very little, so I had forced them to eat by sitting with them and eating. I had no appetite and it was so difficult to swallow anything.

After the most timorous dinner I ever had in my life, I took twins to their room. When they were done brushing their teeth I tugged them inside their beds then went to my room and decided to take a shower.

I stepped in the shower, when the water hit my head and started running down from my face to my body I couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my eyes. They kept coming after one another, mixing with the water and draining.

The shower lasted for fifteen minutes but tears didn't stop flowing make my eyes blurry and making a task of finding suitable clothes for night difficult. Deciding to change into my old basketball shorts and a t-shirt I went to bed.

I was just lying awake, feeling detached and finding imposed to sleep. My bedroom door opened then Elena and Eric entered in my room.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them tired.

"We couldn't sleep". Elena said with her voice grouchy from crying.

Sighing I called them both on the bed "Come here".

They jumped on my bed and Elena decided to sleep on the right side of the bed. Eric and I sat on the bed lost in our own world. After few minutes, we both fell asleep.

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Madeline POV:

I came out of the building after giving my CV and interview; they politely told me that they'll call me if I'll get the job. I'm not even expecting them to give me job but I might get lucky and get the job.

But one question kept nagging in my mind and that's about my studies.

I'm expecting some acceptances letter from few colleges that I've applied; I'm waiting for any college to give me full scholarship because of my good GPA. But I've gotten offers of half scholarship and I would've gladly taken them if the situation was different.

Right now my priority is to find a place to live and a job because if somehow I even got the full scholarship I'll need money to fly there and get settle which is out of question if I don't have sufficient amount of money.

I took the bus back to home and arrived at house around eight o'clock. When I reached outside the house my eyes landed on the mail box which was open. I ran inside the house to find my aunt sitting at the couch drinking alcohol again.

"Did you receive any mail?". I asked my aunt at which she pulled out a letter.

When I opened the letter I was shocked to see that it was a letter from NYU, and they were offering me full scholarship which is a dream come true.

I felt the tears burning in my eyes realizing that I've no money to go there. Without saying anything I ran upstairs with the letter clutched in my hands tightly, throwing myself on the bed I cried. The tears kept flowing and loud sob emerges from my mouth. To hide my voice I nestled my face in the pillow.

I thought I have a great opportunity in hand but don't have money to accomplish what I want.

Can I throw my future away like this?

If my parents were alive today, they would never let me go through all this pain and tears.

The new series of tears started pour from my eyes when I recalled my dead parents.

I wish my parents would come back in my life, magically.

With these thoughts swirling around my mind I fell asleep.

When next morning I woke up the letter was still lying on my bed. I looked at with the longing in my eyes I really want to study NYU. Then leisurely my eyes roamed around my room and landed on Brandon picture hanging on the wall.

He haven't called or talked to me in two days, he must be really angry on me otherwise he wouldn't keep grudges this long. But I should tell him what's happening in my life, he would surely help me with my problem. So with that thought I pulled out my phone which is surprisingly not broken as I've slept with it inside my jeans pocket.

I dialed his number and heard the operator saying

The number you're dialing is switch off. Please try again later......

Getting up with the disappointment blooming inside my chest I made my way to washroom. After getting done with morning business I looked at myself in mirror, my red puffy eyes were the clear indication how I have spent my night. Sighing I went back to my room and pulled out my simple blue jeans and white tee. Changing into them I decided to go down and get something to eat.

When I went downstairs my aunt was sitting on the couch and talking on the cellphone.

She glanced at me and ended the call.

"Good morning Madeline". My aunt said with the smile on the face.

I kept my face placate and didn't waste my breath on replying her because seriously for me there's nothing good in today's morning but for her we can say otherwise.

Ignoring my not so friendly attitude she continued "I just want to tell you that we need to leave this house before seven pm because the new owners of our house will be arriving tonight".

My heart dropped in my stomach and I lost whatever appetite I had before coming downstairs.

Making a decision that I need to meet Brandon right now I left the house without informing my dear humble aunt.

I walked to Brandon house and ring the bell few times but no one came out. I waited there for fifteen minutes in the hope that at least Elena would come out and talk to me but no one came out at my hundreds of knocks on the door. I realize that the house is empty which is weird unless they've gone on vacation to meet their relatives.

After my futile attempt of talking to Brandon I walked back to my house with the sulking face. I straight went to my room and picked up my cell phone to call Brandon again. But I heard the operator blabbering rubbish.

With the sinking heart I tried on his mom's number in the hope to know something but got no response.

I felt completely and utterly lost like I have just lost the last hope.

With the heavy heart I started to pack my things, knowing inside that I won't be able to take them with me yet because I've nowhere to go except some cheap motel.

I've hardly $100 in my savings. I've forgotten to take back that few dollars from Delia that I had saved for my favorite books. Now after knowing how much I need that money she would not go to give them back even if ask her to.

I didn't realize how the time went by in packing my stuff because when I caught the sight of the wall clock I realized that it's already past six.

Taking my hand carry I sauntered downstairs where my aunt and Delia was already waiting for the cab to come to take them airport.

"Can I please place some of my stuff in the store room; I'll pick them up after few days". I asked my aunt Emma.

She handed me a key of store room and I went back to my room to pick my boxes and put them in a store room.

It took me fifteen minutes in putting all my stuff down in the store room and locking it.

"Thanks. I guess it's a goodbye then". I said handing back the store room keys.

"Goodbye". She said with the calm composer.

"So can I have a number of your new place so you know I'll contact you when I want to pick my stuff" I said with the difficulty at the end part because however she treated me she's still the only family I know.

"Here's the number of my house in Columbia". She said handing me a piece of paper.

"Um bye" I said.

"Bye". She said with small awkward smile.

I left the house staring at it with the longing eyes.

When Brandon and I were kids, we played in this very house; after Milly's first breakup she stayed here with me crying her eyes out on douche bag of a boyfriend. I still remember the time Milly, Brandon and I had sleepovers here and combine study sessions. This house holds bunch of memories of my life, every single moment I spend her played in my mind like a video tape. Leaving this house is more difficult than I thought at first.

Sighing and rearranging my duffle bag on my shoulder I started dragging my hand carry in the

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