#LOVE_OVER_BLOOD_2
©Sir Zach
EPISODE 84
”Mom, when are you coming back?” It was Miracle in facetime. Cherry and Rio was beside her.
” I’m flying back tonight sweetheart.” She smiled.
”How about daddy? Won’t he come with you?”
” Unfortunately, daddy needs to stay here for a few months. But don’t worry cause he promise to call us everyday.” She explained.
Earlier, Miracle jump in joy when she heard that her mom and dad had finally gotten back so she ask her mama Cherry to call Aisha.
As soon as they have finished their conversation, Aisha packed her things while waiting for Ethan to come and fetch her. After a few more minutes, she heard a knock on the door. But she doesn’t need to open it since the man got his own key at her room.
” You ready?” She heard the man asked when he came in.
” Yeah.” She replied.” I’m good, let’s go?” She smiled.
” Sure.”
After a few more minutes, they had reach the airport and Aisha bid farewell to her man.
” I love you.” The man ki-ssed her before letting her go.
” You take care, okay.” She voiced with a smile. ” bye.”
******
” Is everything ready?” Cherry asked Jane.
” I guess, but the special guess isn’t here yet.” The young lady uttered.
The Mikasa family invited everyone since they had planned to conduct a suprise welcome party for Aisha so they had decorated the mansion.
In an hour, Aisha will be arriving so everything must be set.
“Okay, I’ll just notify Rio.” ~~Cherry
******
”Dad!” Aisha rush to meet Rio as soon as she saw him waiting outside the airport.
” Where are the others?”she asked. She was actually pertaining to Cherry and Mira.
” Ah, they are at the house busy preparing for your room.”
” Eh? Why don’t they just ask some of the staffs to do it instead?”
” Your mom wants to decorate it herself that’s why. You should know how she wants to redeem the lost times.” Rio uttered.
Aisha slightly smile. ” It’s no one’s fault. Maybe all the things that had happen to me was already engraved in the hands of fate. So why should we blame anyone about it.”
” I’m glad that you are thinking that way, Aisha.” Rio force a smile as well. ”Let’s grab a coffee for the meantime.” Rio took the woman’s luggage and place it at the back seat. Then as soon as they both situated, Rio drove off.
” I haven’t notice uncle Archie since you were in Estrella City. How is he?” Aisha inquired when she remembered the old man. ” You were inseparable back then.” She lightly chuckled.
” Ah, Archie?” The man beamed. ” He is currently governing the organization.”
” Oh that’s nice. So how is the organization now?” She probed. ”How are the elders?’
”Quite good…But I haven’t visited the North since… that time.” He was pertaining to the day when they lost her.
There was a sudden silence between them. Ah yeah, what happen back then? Where is Rio and what was he doing that time? She had already heard about what Silver did to her mother back then… the misunderstandings had been clarified but Aisha suddenly thought of what had really happened three years ago.
Then a tear suddenly dropped from Aisha’s eyes.
” I really don’t want to think about it if possible, but I have wondered… where were you that time? What are you doing? Have you been looking for me? When you didn’t find my body didn’t it cross your mind that I might be alive somewhere? Or maybe… you have already forgotten about me… because the love of your life resurfaced. Did you know that there were times that I have lost hope when I was trying to survive that island…” Rio suddenly pulled the car over when he heard her daughter.
” I am not his priority anymore…he had found her. So why should he care about this adoptive stubborn woman who only gives him headaches. I have thought such things as these. And many times, I have felt the need to get away from you.” She cried.
” But I thought about all your goodness, your sacrifices, your care… all the things you did for me before. Why don’t I repay your kindness even just once. So I stayed in the Island just to expose Silver’s illegal works in hopes that I may do one good thing for you… just so you could be with your beloved.” Then she chuckled frantically while wiping her eyes, trying to force-stop her tears.
” Isn’t it funny that I got jealous over my own mom for my dad’s attention?” She laughed at herself.
” I’m sorry, maybe I was just used to having you beside me, watching over me, no matter where I was.” She was looking outside the window.
Meanwhile, Rio’s heart is in seering pain as he hears her daughter’s words. It pains him to know her doubts, her questions , her struggles. He teared up as well.
Indeed, he adopted her because he saw his mom in her. But it had never occured to him that she might be his real daughter since he never had with anyone before except Cherry. But Aisha became a real deal to him. He became his light, his joy… his pride. He had known her for such a long time and even if she is secretive, he still have ways to know what she’s been keeping. She also became his friend and somehow, a guide. A lot of things changed within the organization with her help.
But even if she is not his flesh and blood, his love will never change.
Though eh must admit that he slightly disregarded her when he found out about Cherry. his mindsetting had change… he couldn’t concentrate on Aisha anymore. But he didn’t abandon her.
” I’m sorry… I’m very sorry!” Rio sobs. He must admit that he had given up on her while Ethan didn’t. Of all people, he should be the one who did everything to find her… but then… that time…
” I’m very sorry Aisha… It’s not that I couldn’t do anything before, but…” he couldn’t find the right words to say.
” I’m very sorry….” he was desperate.
Aisha cried too while looking at the sobbing man who was clenching the steering wheel.
” It’s okay dad… I’m fine… just fine.” She faked a smile. ”I won’t blame you for choosing to save her over me. That’s love, right?” Her eyes became blurr because of her tears.
”I’m sorry…forgive me… for giving up easily!”
” It’s not your fault dad, it was my selfish thoughts…”
” Aisha…”
” I’m okay dad…” she smiled at him. ” I’m just happy that everyone seems to be happy now.”
However, Rio is not convince that she’s okay. She still have some heartaches within her. She definitely have more.
Aisha smiled mockingly. Looks like a lot of things had change between them. They both love tea’s before but now they are having a coffee.
” Looks like a lot had change as well, huh.” She sip her hot coffee.
” But I am still your dad after all.” Rio casually replied.
” Yeah… you’re right.” Aisha averted her gaze to the people inside the cafe.
” Aisha….” Rio lowered his head.
” Ehm?” She stared at him.
” I know you have lots of questions… a lot of how’s and why’s… doubts, qualms and what not. I know your hurting…and I really want to say sorry. I know apologizing is not enough but I —-”
” Dad.” Aisha interrupted. ”I’m okay.” She smiled.
” I know your not.”
” Then I guess you are really my father after all.” She chuckled. ”While It’s true that I still have some reservations within me but I’ll get throu-ghit as days pa-sses by. I had just recovered from my amnesia, but I know I will be able to overcome this feeling of indifference in me.”
” I’m sorry.” ~~ Rio
”Maybe I am just adjusting from all the changes in my life. My memories came back in a blow, so I am still learning to cope up with everyone again since a lot of things seems to have change than what it used to be.” ~~~Aisha
” I understand..”
” But don’t get me wrong dad, I don’t have anything against you nor mom… just give me more time to adjust.”
Rio leered. Of course he understands what she means but his hoping that someday, Aisha will be able to forgive the past…
” But I wonder, why didn’t you go back to the North? Your life… your house… your people are all there.” Aisha inquired.
Rio’s eyes suddenly looked outside the window as if he remembered something.
” I was trying to forget that kind of life since that day.” He softly muttered. ”What’s the use of continuing it if I can’t even protect the people I treasure.”
” Dad…” Aisha mumbled.
” I think it’s doing more harm than good so I tried to let it go but Archie stopped me. There are a lot of people who depends on the organization for safety and protection. So I told Archie to look after it for the meantime.”.
” But he’s right dad. The North is depending on you to keep the peace.
” I know. But I want to spend the remaining time I have with my family.” Then he stared at the woman intently. ” I realized that life is too short and we do not know what tomorrow holds for us. So might as well spend time with what really matters.”
” Family.” Aisha smiled.
” Your right. So let’s make the most out of it.” He beamed. ” You deserve to have your own happiness as well.”
” I am now, dad.” She smiled. ” And thank you.”
Rio smiled at her then glanced at his wristwatch. Are they done preparing already? Guess he needs to call his wife.
” I’ll just go to the wash room.” He stood up when his daughter nodded.
” Is everyone ready?” He inquired when Cherry answered the call.
”Almost. Give us ten more minutes.” He can sense the urgency on the woman’s voice. Then once again, he look at his watch.
” Oh okay. Just shoot me a message once your done.”
” Copy!” Then the woman hung up. Guess Rio needs to distract her for ten more minutes.
” Let’s go?” Aisha inquired as soon as Rio came back. She had just drink the last sip on her mug and she doesn’t want to waste her dad’s time.
” Yeah, but let’s drop by at the mall first since Mira asked me to buy some stuffs.” He reasoned since he doesn’t have any other reason in mind. Anyway, he wanted to buy some books for the child so he took the chance.
” What is it?” She creased her brow. Seems like they are pampering her so much. ” I hope you’re not spoiling your grand daughter, dad.” She snorted.
Rio chuckled. Well, Cherry is but he himself can’t help but agree. The child is so sweet and is totally smart.
” Dad… that laugh…” she scowled.
” Don’t worry… she’s a smart kid.” He nonchalantly response.
” Yeah, your right. That’s why sometimes I worry about her.”
” we will guide her, don’t worry about that.” Rio ured his daughter.
As soon as they reach the mall, Rio went straight to the book sto-re and took some books— science books? Physiology? Anatomy? Aisha raised her brow.
”Dad, do you want to be a doctor?” She sarcastically asked. ” What are you going to do with those science books?”
” Who knows, right?” The man laughed.
” Tsk!” She snorted.
After a few more minutes of strolling the mall, the two decided to go home.
Aisha had fun with her dad. It was like the old times, when she was a little kid. Rio used to buy icecream as they walk around the mall doing window shopping. They are not fun of buying lots of stuffs even if they like them. They only buy necessary things.
But they prefer to taste all kinds of food that was new to them. And that’s what the two did.
A father and daughter bonding time— just like before.
Satisfaction was written all over their faces as they drives home. They kept telling stories about their experiences while at the mall.
” Ha-ha! But you lost with that basketball game!” Aisha yelped when she recalled how Rio confidently challenged her.
”Shhhh.. don’t ever tell it to your mom, okay?” The man begged.
” Uhm… let’s see.” Then she laughed.
” Should I trust that face?” Rio growled.
Aisha is still mocking the man when they have reached the house already.
”Go in. I’ll be there in a minute.” Rio motioned her.
” Okay.” She smiled before walking to the door. Hmmm… looks like Rio and Cherry wanted to live as normal people since she cannot see any men plastered outside the house.
She twisted the knob and enter the house. But she cannot see anyone inside. So she went directly to the living room. It’s too dark. Where is the light switch? Is no one around? Where is Miracle? Did she sleep already? She have lots of questions in mind.
She was about to step and find the light switch when the lights instantly turned on.
” Surprise!” She heard people shouted in unison with party pop-ups.
” Eh?” She looked at the happy faces that was present.
” Everyone?” She yelped. ” Why are you all here?”
” Isn’t it obvious?” Caleb replied. ” It’s a welcome party for you!”
” Eh?” She raised her brow. She can’t believe these people to go beyond lengths for her.
”Mommy!” She heard a tiny little voice running towards her.
” Miracle!” She knelt to meet the child’s eyes. ”Did you miss me?”
”No, mommy!” The little lad was smiling innocently.
”Eh?” She didn’t miss her at all?!
” I love it here mommy! Mama, papa and everyone… they are all nice.” She felt a bit of guilt when she heard the little kid. But she is happy to see her glowing for the first time.
” Welcome back Aisha…” Cherry came forward to embrace her.
Aisha smiled and whispered. ” Thank you mom and everyone.” She stood up to face the people.
Caleb, hunter, Sophie, Lisa with her baby, Jane, Archie, Cherry, Stacy, Johnny and the kids.. they are all here!
” Then what are we waiting for? Let the party begin!” Hunter yelled then he press something on his phone and a party music started.
Then the maids came out holding trays of food.
They were eating… singing songs… reminiscing some funny moments in the past… catching up…playing some children games and the like. Laughters filled the whole house.
Then after a few more minutes, Caleb stood up and asked for everyone’s attention.
” Looks like everyone is enjoying, but I need your attention.” Caleb is standing in front of everyone. ” We have another surprise for you, Aisha.” Then the house went dim instantly and a video is projected on the wall.
Aisha grasped in shock. Eli! She yelped. Ah, her baby boy… how she misses him so much! Then he started to play.
He is playing a heartmelting piece using a piano. Then after playing, someone came forward to asked him.
” That’s an original piece you wrote right? Can you tell everyone what inspires you?” It looks like the lady host likes the kid.
Eli smiled a little then sag after when he thought of something— or should he say someone.
” My inspiration when I composed this piece? Well, it’s a woman who is very dear to me. The first woman who taught me what love is…the first woman who loved me unconditionally even if I am not her flesh and blood. She became my mom… a great mom to be exact. But then… she… she…” Eli couldn’t finish what he wants to say since tears started to flow from his eyes.
Aisha, along with the others were speechless as well, but Aisha teared up among them all. The pain… the grief… she can feel it within her.
” Eli…” she could only muttered.
But she was dumbfounded when she heard someone playing the piano, live! Then She looked around to confirm her guess. Eli! She instantly stood up and was trying to control herself from running to embrace the concentrated kid.
He was playing beautifully! And the music is refreshing in the ear.
Then as soon as he was done playing. He took the boquet of flower on top of the piano and walk slowly towards the sobbing woman. He smiled.
” Eli…!” The woman run to embrace the child. ” I’m sorry! I’m sorry for all these years.”
Eli started to cry as well. He could feel the sincerity in her heart.
” Mom! I’m glad your back.” He was breaking as he hug the woman back. They stayed like that for how many minutes before they broke away.
” I miss you so much!” The woman ki-ssed his forehead. Then Eli handed him the flowers before pulling her in the center aisle. To the woman’s surprise, some dancers appeared and surrounded her while dancing with the beat.
What is this? Is this a part of the welcome party? She’s confuse. Then after the dance number, another video cli-p was played. A collection of her and Ethan’s picture! But wait… what?! Who took a picture while she was sleeping at Ethan’s shoulder… drooling!
” Aisha… I have asked you before but I want to ask you again. Will you marry me?” She read it on the video cli-p. ” turn around” it was on the last slide.
Then she spun around and was surprise to see Ethan on his knees holding a beautiful wedding ring.
” Aisha, let’s get marry.” He beamed.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 85
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