In the depth of a dream, my mom stood towards me, her movements graceful and fluid as she stared at me. The light was warm and inviting, casting a golden hue across her features, making her look almost ethereal, her expression was one of warmth and care, eyes sparkling with love and understanding.
"My darling, you are so important to me and the world. I know you will do great things, you are strong, smart, and beautiful. Remember beauty isn't about having a pretty face, it is about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart, and a pretty soul."
"Mom, I don't understand what you are saying."
"Jasmine, I love you and will always be by your side, never forget that."
Mom! Mom!! Mom!!!!
"J! Doctor she is awake,"
"Mom! J relax please it is Bela".
"Bela, where is my mom? I was speaking with her, where is she?"
"Hey J, can you relax and stop moving please, you have been unconscious for 5 days and you broke a few bones so moving will make the condition worse. I have some tough news but you need to promise you won't freak out and be calm about it otherwise I am saying nothing."
"What is it, Bela?"
"Your mom died in the accident, and I am sorry to tell you this. Know that I'm here for…"
"But wait, Bela, I just saw my mom"
"No you didn't J, how can you see your mom when you were unconscious the whole time? She couldn't make it to the hospital. She died on the spot of the accident, I am sorry. Please know I'm here for you, we can talk about anything you want or just be together.
With tears falling down my face, I choked on my breath and felt suffocated.
"Doctor! Doctor!! My friend can't breathe"
The world felt empty, all I could think of was escaping that emptiness. I was scared and confused knowing very well it would be difficult without my mom especially when my dad is not always available.
"Bela, did my dad come around while I was unconscious?"
"No, he didn't."
"And where is Crystal?"
"She said she was busy at home."
"Okay then, it is all good. Thank you for being here with me."
"J you know you are not alone. I've got you girl" she said with a smile.
I was discharged from the hospital in a few days and had to continue my final year with all the distress and discomfort from friends and teachers. Everyone started pointing hands at me saying "I heard she killed her mom". I felt miserable, skipped class, and went home.
Bela noticed I skipped class and called in the evening.
I told her everything that happened, and like always, she supported me and helped me smile, assuring me the next day would be better. I was walking with Bela when I saw Crystal walking with William. I shouted her name, Crystal!
"Maybe she can't hear you J, let's approach them and say hi."
So Bela and I approached them to say hi,
"Hey Crystal, I thought we were besties; so how come you never called or visited when I was in the hospital and didn't you hear what happened to my mom? I thought you were my best friend."
"Oh yes, I did, that you killed her."
"Crystal! How can you say that to J?"
"So Bela don't you feel tired of being under her shadows? She is just using you to feel comforted. After this year, she will go to a prestigious college, what about you Bela? Do you even have the funds for college at all?"
"Crystal, J cared for us so how can you say all this knowing that she is a little depressed from the loss of her mom from the accident?"
"Bela, J didn't lose her mom, she killed her mom due to speeding and I can't have a friend who killed her mom. So I am moving on, you can tag along if you like, or stay and enjoy slavery."
I was speechless and said to Bela, let's go home. I was surprised William stood beside her as she said all those words to my face and didn't say a word to support me.
"William, why are you quiet? Won't you support J? She has been your girlfriend since 11th grade."
"I won't date a murderer."
My heart was shuttered and being so confused I asked Bela, where I went wrong.
"Was I a bad friend? Was I a bad girlfriend? I did everything to please William so how can he say this to my face, I even went the extra mile and gave him my body so Bela please tell me, where exactly did I go wrong?"
"They don't deserve your love J. You are the best person I have ever met and I know the kind of person you are so don't mind their foolish words, they are just jealous of you."
Crystal hissed at me saying "Jealous; why should I be jealous of a murderer and someone whose father gives no concern to?"
I couldn't take her hush words and insult anymore so out of anger and without thinking I smacked her on the face with all the strength I've got. Bela realized that things were going sideways immediately she held my hands and drugged me out.
I was devastated by the words Crystal said that my dad didn't care about me so I waited for my dad that night to ask why he was absent when I was in the hospital and was always busy to have time for me but like always he didn't come home that night.
I felt bad for hitting Crystal that day even though she acted like a "bitch" so after school Bela and I decided to apologize for hitting but I didn't know my actions could take her to the hospital. We were told she was taken to the hospital after the accident yesterday.
Now the guilt increased, is this another murder I said to myself. I hurried to the hospital, speaking to the nurse at the front desk I asked where Crystal Menz was being treated and she replied the VIP ward.
It sounded surprising because Crystal didn't have the finances to afford the VIP ward, anyway, that was not my concern so I went to the 12th floor and knocked at her door. There was no answer so I slowly opened the door thinking she was sleeping with the intention of not waking her up.
I opened the door slowly but I saw a man who looked like my dad from behind, I said to myself maybe it was her dad because there was no way my dad would be at a hospital in my mate's ward. I felt it was a good opportunity to apologize to both of them so I approached them.
Their conversations sounded flirty therefore I hesitated but there was no greater shock than what I saw.
"Dad!!!"