Chapter 41: chapter 41

A bouquet.A mix of Roses and Daisies.Liam has wrapped them in transparent plastic so they won't get exposed to my skin. An Allergy or curse. I don't understand sometimes. I feel Liam's hand on my shoulder. I turn to look at him and he gives me a nod, telling me to go on.I kneel before our parents' marker, brushing my fingers against the cool stone surface and tracing their names.Tears well up in my eyes."I miss you both so much" I whisper, placing the bouquet. "And I'm sorry, it took me so long to come here," Liam pats my back trying to assure me. "I'm ok," I tell him with a smile.Liam nods and smiles back at me."I know... you're the strongest", he says but then I burst into tears. Their memories won't stop flooding my head. I'm reminded of all those beautiful days when I was their happiest daughter. I'm reminded of the undying love they had given me. I will forever be indebted to them.Liam hugs me."It's ok, Elora" With a final glance at the gravestones, we walk out of the cemetery.Once we are in the car, Liam offers me a tissue."Do you want to eat something?" He asks, starting the car."Ice Cream," I tell him.He turns the car and starts driving toward the town. I look out of the window, my own blurry reflection gawking back at me. So I fog the glass with my breath.Liam stops the car somewhere."Stay here," he tells me before unbuckling his seat belt and getting out of the car.I unlock my phone and stare at the home screen. The display is a picture of Rodas and Me that we had taken back on the island. I tap on the messages even though I know there are none from Rodas. However, Jeremy has texted me. "When you get back home, let's catch up!" I smile. I've not seen him since I get back from the Island but I guess Rodas has already told him that I remembered. Can't wait to meet and chat with him.I put the device down when Liam comes back with an ice cream. "Here you go," "Thank You," I say.He wears his seatbelt again."Anything more you want?" He asks.I shake my head."Take me back to home," Liam pauses for a moment as if he didn't understand what I said."Rodas's home" I repeated.He forces out a laugh and starts driving."But you're welcome you know, if you want to come back to the actual home" he says.I look at the half-eaten ice cream in my hand. I don't like Vanilla. He forgot about it."Rodas's home is my actual home right now," words sleep out of my lips and then seconds later I realise I must have sounded so rude. When I look at Liam, he has a guilty smile playing on his slips."I understand," he mumbles.I decide not to say anything again and look out of the window to avoid conversation.Liam doesn't get out of the car when we reach Rodas's home. I go to his window."You're not coming?" I ask and he shakes his head."I have a patient to look at, I'm heading back to the hospital" I stand back and wave my hand to him."Drive safely" He waves back and drives away. Guess, my words really hit him.When I turn around, I see Jeremy in the garden. Sitting in the chair with his head thrown back and eyes close. I walk to him."Jeremy!" He flinches at my sudden voice but then when he realises it's me, he squeals like a little child and stands to hug me."Aww... I missed you so much!" He exclaims, looking at me with his hands still on my shoulder. "I missed you too, Bestie" I chuckle hugging him again.I sit beside him, still holding hands."I'm so glad, your memories are back!" He says. "But are you ok?" I nod and his concerned face flashes into a beautiful smile.He sits comfortably, folding his legs. "I was scared you would never remember me again" I laugh, shaking our hands together."How can I forget you?" "But really Elora... I'm so glad you're back. There are so many things bottled up inside me. I didn't have anyone to share with," Jeremy indeed looks exhausted, now that I look at his frame I think he even lost weight. "I'm all ears... You can tell me whatever you want Jeremy!" "That's why I'm so-""Jeremy!" A voice interrupts Jeremy.We both look toward the direction of the voice and it's Pavel."What is it?" Jeremy asks but Pavel hesitates to say anything. He looks at me with sorry eyes. So, I assume he cannot say in front of me, whatever it is."You guys talk... Text me when you're free Jeremy" Jeremy smiles and nods."I'm sorry, Mam!" Pavel apologizes."It's ok," I tell him and make my way into the home. I plop into the living room couch. I'm alone again. I wonder what they are up to. I check the phone. Still no messages.Should I text him? I thought but I quickly discard the idea of it. I might disturb him. Minutes later, I couldn't stop the urge to text Rodas. "I miss you :(" I type and send it. He may not check it though. He must be really busy. I'm debating in my head whether to delete the message or not when Z walks in. He slightly smiles at me."I'm glad you gain your memories back," he says."Have you seen Jeremy?" Then he asks almost immediately."Yeah! He was in the garden," I tell him."Thank you!" He says before walking away. I don't know why but he seems different than usual. The sudden vibration of my phone gains my attention and a smile flashes across my face once I see the message on my phone screen."Be back in two hours, Love you:)"