TRUTH HURTS
Where am I? That was the first thing I asked myself when I opened my eyes. I was in this white place with a single window. I am certain that this is not my room. And I swear, this isn’t Kristoff’s.
I looked around and saw an IV line connected to me.
So I am at a hospital?
I looked to my right and saw a figure sleeping in the couch. Seems familiar but I can’t seem to remember.
“Ashanti?”
I flinched when I heard that voice.
Kristoff.
I immediately looked away as he began to walk towards me.
“You are awake! Thank God!” He beamed as he hugged me tightly. I can’t even breathe. But why is this feeling taking over me once again?
I don’t know but I just let him hold me like that. Damn. I must admit that I miss his touch. I miss him badly. But there is this fighting feeling that makes me want to go away.
Bianca, the forever issue between us.
He smiled as he pulled back and looked at me. “Don’t you know how much I am worried of you?” he asked me as he sat on the hospital bed. “I almost even peed in my pants!” He exaggeratedly exclaimed.
I smiled weakly. “Why am I in the hospital?” I asked him.
He looked at me, shocked. “You don’t remember?” he asked me.
I shook my head. Of course, I wouldn’t ask if I remember. All I know is that I am out in a club then someone shouted and told me to look out. Then everything was black.
My eyes widened. “Hunter Looney!” I exclaimed.
Kristoff looked at me, bewildered. “What?” he asked me.
I gave him a look. “Where is Hunter?” I asked him back. “I remember him calling me before I passed out,” I told him.
He just gave me a pointed look. “You are not fine yet. You sleep,” he told me as he tucked me back in the bed.
I gave him a confused look. Why did he suddenly turn serious when I asked about Hunter? Did something bad happen to him?
Is he hurt?
Wait. What the hell really happened to me? Was I hit by a car?
“Shan, don’t think. Sleep,” he ordered. “Your parents will come and visit you later,” he added.
I paused. Parents? So, my Dad is going to be here?
I sighed. How would I even face him? “Can they not come?” I asked him.
Kristoff looked at me with arms crossed. “You don’t want them to check on you?” he asked me.
I shut my mouth. I do but I don’t at the same time. What do I do with this kind of situation? I honestly miss my parents but I don’t want to see my Dad.
All of the pain in my heart will well up again.
“Can I see Hunter? Where is he?” I diverted the subject.
Kristoff gave me another pointed look. “Why are you so persistent on seeing Hunter? Do you like him?” he asked me.
I rolled my eyes. What the hell is that question all about?
“What?” I asked him in disbelief.
He gave me a look. “What? You keep on asking about him. Do you like him?” he asked me.
I scoffed. “Yes, right. Sure, Kristoff. I like Hunter,” I told him making him narrow his eyes on me. “In fact, I love him,” I told him sarcastically.
Why is he asking me things like this? He is doubting my feelings for him! I hate it! I hate it so much!
“Oh yeah? I love Bianca as well,” he told me as he went back to his seat.
Okay. That hurt. How could he tell me that he is in love with that girl? Even if that was sarcastic, I am so damn hurt. I have never imagined him telling me those words because I really hate that girl. I don’t want him saying a word about her—especially positive ones—even if it was a joke.
No. I don’t like it in any form.
“And by the way, she is coming by with your parents later,” he added.
My eyes widened. “What?!” I exclaimed. “Why?!” I asked frustrated.
Kristoff shrugged. “I think it is time for you accept everything, Ashanti,” he told me. “Maybe this is the time you face her and accept her as your half-sister,” he told me.
I scoffed at him, tears about to fall. Accept? Is that easy for me to do?
“I want to go home,” I said as I covered my whole body with the blanket, preventing him from seeing me cry again. Damn. Why are my tears falling now?
I suddenly had the urge to escape in this place.
“Ashanti.” I heard him.
“I want to rest. I want to go home. Don’t talk to me,” I told him as I held tightly on the blanket.
So, what do I do now? Minutes from now, I am going to meet her again.
Kristoff said it’s time for me to accept it. Accept that she is my sister. Accept that we share the same blood. But, don’t they think that’s too hard for me to do?
Don’t they realize how much stress that would give me? Bianca Lee, the supermodel and owner of the famous Jewel Shoppe, is my sister.
Who isn’t going to be threatened? Who isn’t going to be hurt? I am a girl. I am a woman. I am a wife. I am a daughter. And it hurts me to know that she is my sister in every way possible.
It hurts me too much! Every single cell in my body, every single tissue.
“Shan, your parents are here.” I felt Kristoff shake me a bit.
The blanket is still pulled up to my face. I have been this way for the past three hours.
I didn’t move—even an inch. I stayed still as I heard the door open and the footsteps approaching me. They are here.
I suddenly felt my heart clench when I heard my mom’s voice. “Ashanti?” she said as I felt her presence beside me now. “Talk to Mom, please?” she told me sweetly.
I sighed hard and slowly pulled the blanket down my face. Mom is definitely my weakness. She is the only one that I would listen to when I am mad or out of myself.
I think I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have pulled the blanket down because Mom was looking at me with sympathy and mercy and pity in her eyes. I know. I know that she feels sad about everything that happened.
She assisted me sat up in the bed. And that’s when my eyes met Bianca and Dad standing beside Kristoff, on the foot of the bed. I shut my eyes and sighed. I guess, I really have to face it.
Dad looked at me in the eyes. I looked down. I can’t really stare back at him because it would just make it hard for me.
“Ashanti, you almost got yourself into an accident.” Mom spoke. “Don’t you know how worried we are? It’s good that Kristoff called us and told us you are alright. You almost gave us a heart attack!” she ranted.
I looked at Kristoff.
“It’s good that Kristoff was there for you and he assured us that you are fine! Or else, we would have rushed here at four in the morning!” Dad added.
I sighed. “Kristoff wasn’t even there when the accident you are talking about happened,” I muttered.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
“But at least he was there to look out for you here in the hospital.” Mom retorted.
I smiled weakly. “I barely need someone to look out for me as well,” I said.
Kristoff gave me a pointed look. I know he is hurt by the way I am talking. It is like telling him that I don’t need him in my life.
It’s true. I don’t think I need him to be around me right now.
“Ashanti! How could you say that? Kristoff didn’t even have a wink of sleep. He even cancelled all his appointments today for you!” Dad yelled at me.
I looked at him. How could he say those things to me? Doesn’t he know he is the sole reason why I am like this? And that girl. That girl beside him is the culprit of this all.
I am pretty sure she is laughing out loud right now in her mind.
I sighed and looked away.
“Dad, it’s alright. I understand her. She hates me right now.” I heard Kristoff say.
I didn’t look at them because the tears are brimming around my eyes right now.
“No, Ashanti. You listen to me.” Dad spoke, sounding really annoyed and frustrated. “Why are you acting like you are a three-year-old girl who was stolen a filthy lollipop from?” he asked me. “Don’t you think it is time for you to mature and accept the reality?” He continued to rant. “If you are like this because I didn’t tell you about Bianca being your sister, then can’t you understand how hard it was for me as well? I am trying to find the right time to tell you because I know that it is hard for you accept it. I am sorry that you have to know it accidentally but hey, aren’t you acting a bit too much? You drank till dawn and almost got hit by a car! Don’t you think that is too immature for you to do?” He finished yelling.
I tried my best to hold all the tears back but it was no use. They fell and I couldn’t control them.
“Acting immaturely? Thanks, Dad. I didn’t expect you’ll be the person who would tell me that. I thought at least you would explain it to me nicely so I could understand. But no. Thanks, dad. I can feel the love,” I replied sarcastically.
All the respect in my system was gone. I don’t like where this thing is going.
Mom looked at me and held my hand. “Ashanti,” She called me. “I know it hurts but don’t you think it is something you need to start accepting now? Bianca is your Dad’s daughter as well and you should at least acknowledge her as your sister,” she told me gently.
I looked at her and shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I can do that eventually,” I replied. “I am hurt, Mom. I am seriously hurt.” I continued as the tears fell uncontrollably.
Mom hugged me tightly and caressed my hair. “Truth hurts, Ashanti. But it will set you free.” She told me.
Will it really set me free?