LOVING YOU “Promise to always love me, Chris, no matter what.” Selena cupped the face of the only man that made her heart beat faster. They had been dating for two years now. Although Selena’s father did not approve of them dating because he hates Chris, still Selena, would not give in to her father. She snuck out to meet Chris whenever she could escape from home. Their meeting point was Chris’s mother's almost rundown one-bedroom apartment. They weren’t poor but they had to plan each dollar they spent. His mother treated her like a family member and this pleased Selena a lot, she hated being put on a high pedestal because of her family wealth. The young couple was inseparable, except for her father everyone else loved their union. Mr. Harry Delacriox fought dirty, he tried to arrest Chris on different occasions but failed, neighbours vouched for Chris, defended him against Selena’s fathers’ bullying, encouraged his unique love for Selena. Everyone believed they would end up getting married and fill their home with children, love, and warmth. Then tragedy struck, Chris’s mother became unwell and they thought it was just the flu, nothing serious. Then diagnosis came in. “My kidneys have failed and I must undergo dialysis.” Chris looked dumbstruck by what he just heard. “When is the first treatment starting.” “I must come on Thursday morning.” walking towards her fridge she took a bottle of water and gulped down. “But?” Chris asked Laughing, his mum came to him and playfully ruffled his dreads. “I won’t be going” “Why? You are unbelievable, mother.” “You need the money more for your college. I have enjoyed and already in my prime, I can't snatch your future away from you.” Chris kicked his baseball hard and sent it flying, crashing the glassware on the table. “Would your dying make my future any better.” he stomped out of the house in anger. “What do I do Lord, help me. I feel so alone.” hugging herself she wept.” ****************** A few hours later ****************** “Mum, wake up. You will catch a cold.” Chris shook his mum slowly Disoriented, she looked at her son, “I must have slept off while cleaning.” Chris knew this wasn’t true because the glasses he broke in anger were still scattered on the floor and from the way his mum was curled up on the ground, he knew she had been crying. But he didn't say anything but helped her to the yellow faded couch in the living room. Looking at her son with eyes filled with sorrow she held his hands and kissed them lightly. “Please forgive me.” Understanding flooded Chris’s features even at twenty he had seen things beyond his age, life hadn’t been fair to him and he had had his fair share of bad luck. But he vowed that this time around he would win against fate no matter what he had to give up. “We will get through this together mum.” hugging his mum he wondered what the future held for them and what bitter pills he would have to swallow. His phone rang breaking him from the reverie he was in “I can’t come to the cafe, my mother is unwell. He listened to the voice on the other end for a while before cutting off the call. “Who was on the call with you.” his mum asked weakly “Selena, she is coming over.” “That girl is a keeper, I hope both of you get all the happiness you deserve.” Chris remained silent. If he had learned anything from the past, it was how unpredictable life was. ************** By the time Selena arrived at Chris's mother's home, his mother was already in bed and it was getting dark. “I was expecting you, earlier. I was worried something might have happened to you.” Chris held her glad she was here finally. He needed someone to talk to, someone that wouldn’t judge him. Kissing him on the lips, Selena dropped the groceries she bought on her way, on the kitchen counter before replying. “I stopped at the mall to get some groceries. How is your mum doing.” Selena said, glancing over the room. “She has gone to bed, she was too tired and couldn’t wait for you to get here.” “I’m sorry, I should have got here earlier.” “It’s not your fault, stop apologizing and come over here.” His tone of voice was so sultry, that Selena blushed. She obeyed him and went straight into his arms. They both fitted perfectly. “I love you Selena” He bent over and kissed her passionately, they had decided to stay celibate till they were sure. But the intensity of his kiss marveled Selena. She broke the kiss and looked him straight in the eyes, the passion that burned in his eyes sent electric waves around her body.