At first, thinking of what was just infront of me, I thought that I was dreaming or something. Atleast, there should be an explanation for this, right?
The last time I checked, I left the house with just Jessica sleeping in Nancy's room. Before I came in, Jessica told me that she was in her own house already. Wait, was she part of this plan and she didn't tell me about it? What kind of a stupid surprise is this? I don't want surprises and there is need for one, not this kind of a surprise, damn it!
This isn't my plan at all. I wasn't expecting Alex back home till two days time. I felt the world and the ground on which I stood crumbling underneath me.
What would I explain to Alex if he asks me about the kids, oh damn it, I am not ready for this, no not this time.
Why did mother come into this now? I thought in deep regrets. Why did she do this to me? Does she want to destroy my marriage for me? What if, what if she told him about the issue already. I mean, why would he be back from his trip so soon if he wasn't aware yet.
There was no way Mom could easily convince him to come back home except she has spilled the beans already. My heart skipped triple times as that idea came to my head. I was doomed, to the last. I felt my heart chatter to the point of no repair. I could feel the tears from my eyes dropping and sliding down my cheeks, to the side of my lips.
I looked at Alex, then at my mother. I was speechless, I had nothing to say to any of them, not a response, not an answer and not an excuse either.
I turned around and backed them, I didn't want them to see the tears in my eyes and maybe start questioning me. I felt a bit dizzy when I turned around, so I had to hold the door so tight, so I won't loose grip and fall to the ground.
Doctor Kenny was right when he asked me to go home and rest for some time. But, how could I have the audacity to do that, when the only children I have in this life are missing.
I am in a very big dilemma and the earlier I find out how to cross this bridge before I get swallowed up by the storm in the river, the better it will be for me or else, I am done for.
"Baby girl, are you okay? My Mom said, running forward to help me stand erect.
I took her hands off me and replied, "yeah yeah, I am okay, you can see. I am fine." I answered her bluntly. Still angry with her for coming in between me and my marriage.
Just then, I looked up and saw Alex just behind me. His face looked so sad, but then as though he tried to hide it. I felt this sharp pain pierce through my heart and I clutched my chest so hard.
"Darling, are you okay? He asked, holding my left arm with so much care.
I felt so emotional right then. I looked up at him, tears still in my eyes. But I used the back of my palm to wipe it off. I was about answering him, then my Mom spoke up immediately.
"Alex, she is just coming from the hospital as I mentioned earlier. She fainted and was rushed to the hospital by her friend Jessica. I am sure you know her. Well right now, I think she needs to rest." Mother finalised.
As she said earlier. Now, this meant two things. The first one is, It's either she only told him about my illness. Of course, that wasn't a lie a bit. That can bring Alex home immediately from any part of the country and with immediate effect. That was nice, that is if she told him just that. Atleast, I wouldn't have to give so much explanation on why the kids were missing and Mom will be around to handle the situation.
The second is, she might have told him everything, but because I am I'll, he can not scold me or ask me about anything yet. Perhaps, till the time is ripe for judgement time. I thought deeply.
"Yes mother, I will take her to the room and makes sure she has enough rest." Alex answered her, still not taking his eyes off me."
I felt uneasy as he gazed down at me. I felt he could see through me or something. I felt so insecure and kinda exposed. I wondered what was going on in that mind of his, what was he thinking?
"Alright Alex. In that case, I will prepare something for us to eat then. I will check the kitchen, find out what's available and can be easy to make. Your food will be up when I am done."
"Mom, you don't have to go through so much stress. I will only have to order for something, soup or stew, whatever you feel like and it will be brought to our doorstep." Alex answered proudly.
"Shut up. At this point in time, when I am in the house, I am not crippled or blind or maimed and you think I will allow that? Such nonsense. Please, you guys should go upstairs while I prepare something delicious" she said smiling. Then remembered that we are in a kind of mourning state, then she corrected herself immediately. "I mean, something good."
"Okay okay Mom. That's fine. I was only trying to make the work less stressful for you. But, if you decide to go ahead and uhm, cook. Well then, I cannot stop you."
"Good, now you two go upstairs and sort yourselves out. I will inform you when lunch is ready."
All these while, I wasn't saying anything. The thoughts that clouded my mind wouldn't let me say a word. I was worried, I was anxious, I was nervous, I was sick and depressed.
Alex led me to the room gently and I let him without any obstruction. I mean, when the energy in me was decreasing as time past by. It was more comforting to be held in his arms again after a while. But still, the more I thought about how I will explain the reason our kids were missing was still bothering me with all force.
If there was a way I could go extinct till they were found, I would gladly do that.
When we got to the front of the room, he opened the door and led me in.
I removed his hands from mine and stepped some distance away from him.
"Babe, Sweetheart. Is anything wrong?
"No no nothing, nothing is wrong." I said immediately and with assurance.
"Darling, I know you might not be in the mood to talk now. Yeah, that is understandable. But, your Mom told me what happened and..."
"She did what? I asked, much more a frightful exclamation than a rhetorical question.
"Yes babe. She told me about you fainting and being rushed to the hospital and then," he paused and looked at me.
Oh my gosh! This shouldn't be what I am thinking, this shouldn't be oh my goodness. I cried in my heart.
He continued, "she told me about the kids as well and that is the reason I came earlier than expected. I know you.."
He was about saying something, then I felt this sharp pain in my heart again and this dizziness, so I involuntarily clutched my chest again and gasped for breathe.
He ran over to where I was standing and held me close to himself.
"Sweetheart, are you okay? What is wrong with you? He asked jittering.
I started sobbing, but tried to control myself. "I don't know babe. Everything just happened so fast. I don't know why I am sick, I don't know why the children are missing." I said, then I remembered that Jessica said it's selfish if I keep mentioning just the kids and not the driver and our housekeeper, Nancy. "and Nancy and the driver, I don't know why they are missing." I cried.
"Sweetheart, calm down alright. But, did you just say Nancy? And the driver? He asked, shocked by the revelation.
I nodded and kept on sobbing. He held me so close to him and tapped me slowly in a way to comfort me. I held him tight, maybe I could find solace there.
"It's gonna be fine my love, okay. But just get well soonest please. We will find them, wherever they are, we will find them. But, I want you to be strong for me, alright. I want you to be fine and bubbling so we can find them together." He said, then missed me on my forehead.
I nodded to what he said, but I really couldn't say a word, as it felt very heavy for me to. I tried as much as I could to stop crying, which was not a small task for me. Still under his broad embrace.
We stayed in that position for over half an hour, without talking but Alex trying to calm me down. I was becoming better. I was glad he didn't get mad at me and get angry.
I knew he was annoyed, of course which good father wouldn't be unhappy that his children are missing. But then, he didn't put the blame on me or loose his temper. He just acted like it was fine and it gave me some sort of peace and understanding that no matter what, we will find them.
Now, I started to wonder what was actually wrong with me. This has been going on for about over a week now. Thanks to a stubborn me, I haven't gotten my test results yet, that was so pathetic.
Perhaps, I need to treat myself from a sickness that has been lingering in my body. But, come to think of it, the symptoms is just too opaque. I guess I will have to go Google that up later on, just as I wait for my test results to be ready.
After a while, when everything was a bit calmer, compared to the previous time, Alex suggested we go refreshen up while we wait for my mom to get our lunch for us as she instructed.
"Darling, do you think you can make it to the bathroom? Or you still feel tired or fainty?
"I could try. I mean, I won't shower in the bed to will I?
"Yep, but if that might cause more issues for you, maybe I could just clean you up myself or something?
"No darling. That wouldn't be necessary. I will bathe in the bathroom and I will be fine." I answered in certainty.
"But babe, you almost fell twice since you returned home. I won't be happy with myself if I let that happen to you again out of carelessness." He countered.
"But darling, I can take care of myself. It's just that, the situation around me now is making things more complicated, that is why."
"I think I know what to do. Just sit down here and don't try standing up, okay. I will be back soon. Don't try to get anything and don't do anything, okay. I will be right back." He said.
He got up from the bed where we were sitting, then he went into the bathroom. I had no idea what he was up to and was tempted to go check. But, his words kept ringing in my ear, "Don't do anything." So, I stayed on the bed and waited till whenever he comes back to the bedroom.
He came back to the room in no time. And he smiled at me. That, was kinda suspicious.
"Sweetheart, what is it? Why are you smiling? I asked him curiously.
"I guess you will find out so soon. Come on."
He helped me to stand up to my feet. Then, he got my towel and helped me to undress. I tied the towel around my body. He helped me as I walked to the bathroom.
When I got there, I noticed that the bathtub was filled and he had prepared it for me to have my bath in it without stress.
"Oh my gosh, Alex. I didn't think of this in time. Thank you so much my love. What will I have done without you baby."
"You know I love you so much and will do anything I can to make you happy, right?
"Yes darling. I know you will and I love you more as well. I really do love you." I answered, though emotionally.
I felt I was Inlove again. I really loved Alex so much and I would do anything just to make sure nothing comes in between me and him in this marriage. I will fight to the end to make sure I destabilize whatever will try to stop our love or make it go sour. I looked at him and I saw myself shedding tears, sweet tears though.
"You don't have to cry about that Sweetheart, you don't have to okay. Would you want me to bathe you myself, huh? He said, smiling mischievously.
I smiled back at him. "Well, what do you think? I can do that myself anyway. You are making me look like a sickly child. I don't want to start feeling sick or something, it could make things worse." I complained to him.
I dropped the towel and climbed into the bathtub and sat down in it. I noticed that he made the water very soapy, so there was no need me using more soap to bath. I took my sponge and started washing myself. I looked up and saw that he was still standing there, staring at me.
"Darling, do you think that I could disappear or what? Because I wonder why you are standing there."
"Perhaps, I am really scared that something can come and take you away from me, so I am not taking any chances whatsoever."
I knew that was a joke anyway. "Why don't you come and join me. You really need to bathe as well, or don't you?
"That is a very great idea. Atleast, I can watch you till you are done and nothing can take you away." He replied, giggling with joy.
Before I could say Jack, Alex was already undressing and throwing his clothes on the floor. It was funny. I realized that just these few days that he was away, I missed him a lot. I couldn't do much without him.
Few seconds later, he was in the bathtub with me. We took turns to bath each other. When we were done, we started playing with the water as if we were kids. The next minute after we were done, we started making love to eachother.