Chapter 1: Los Angeles, California
Rose Evans~
Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans.
My world came crashing down after being diagnosed with a rare condition. I tried being depressed, but it didn’t went well with my personality.
Hell, if am dying anyway; I’ll die living and not wasting it by sulking around.
So, here I am travelling all the way from Goa to my aunt’s place in LA.
Standing at the airport looking for my aunt Judy, to say I was horrified yet excited was an understatement.
“Rose,”
“Aunt Judy.”
I exclaimed happily and was pulled into an air blocking--tight--tight embrace.
“C-Can’t breathe.” I stuttered.
“Oh, just--hush....I missed you, my baby so so much,” She whimpered in sadness. “Let me hold you for a minute longer.”
I let out a sigh chuckling into her shoulder, “You’re exaggerating, my beautiful aunt.”
She pulled away from the heartwarming embrace as if she’d burn her hands on fire.
Did I look that hot?
“Don’t call me that.” She huffed out a breathe.
“But--you are my aunt. Aren’t you?” I pouted with fake confusion.
“That I am, but you calling me aunt just makes me feel old.” She whined, “I’m 24 for fucks sake.”
I tsked with a stern look on my face and stated, “No bad words out in public, Judy.”
“Yes, mother.”
We both made an eye contact and bursted out laughing.
“Come on, let’s take you home.” She said and beckoned me over to the parking lot.
I nodded and took one last look at the airport.
May be, there’s still time? I can still take a flight back home.
Or maybe, you should follow Judy. We are in LA for goodness sake, don’t you dare back out now. My conscience hissed at me for having cowardly thoughts.
I could be misinterpreting but may be---may be it just wants to get laid?
Sighing, I pushed the thoughts away and made my way to Judy’s car.
***
“Do you like it so far?” Judy questioned from the passenger seat of her Audi R8 V10 Spyder.
How do I know it?
Well, I have a thing for expensive rides.
Looking around the beach with a straight face; I answered thoughtfully, “Beautiful beach, much cleaner air, and shirtless hot guys.”
“I think, I’ll manage.” I smiled cheekily.
Judy laughed at my antics and commented how I’d never change.
“We’re here.”
She announced parking her car in front of a beautiful beach penthouse which had me gasping in bewilderment.
Of course, mentally that is.
I’d look like a fool; if I showed any surprise.
After all, Judy is a successful business woman; co-owner of Evan Enterprises.
“Like?” She smirked.
Even with a straight face, I have been eye-rapeing the house. I guess, Judy saw it before I could conceal it.
“Love.” I answered.
I whistled looking around my supposedly new room, according to Judy; it had the most beautiful view of the beach in the house.
I guess, it was suppose to make me feel happy. Instead, I was disappointed.
“Is it because you want to keep the dying happy?” I questioned lowly with my back turned on Judy.
My body tensed, along with my mood.
“No,” She answered in disbelief and horror. “This room was meant to be yours since the day I bought this house, Rose.”
Holding me from behind, she shakily added, “You’re not going anywhere--anytime soon, Rose. That is why, you were sent here. LA has wonderful doctors and surgeons to offer, you’ll be fine---we’ll be fine.”
I now understand that when something hurts you, it hurts the people around you most.
“I understand.”
When you leave this world, you leave with nothing. What hurts the people around you most; are the memories you’ve left behind.
It’s selfish. I know, but the dying doesn’t wants to be forgotten from the memories of the people they once loved.
