Chapter 4 - Memories (3) (1/2)

Ted and Malcolm brought April back to the US. Malcolm wanted to pay every hospital bills that April will undergo from now on, Ted didn't blame his friend yet Malcolm insisted.

He hired the very best Doctors to help April back to her old self. If not, at least to a much better state. When Annie was her poor daughter, she cried so hard. Yet after that, she pulled herself up and took care of April. Ted supported his wife and daughter on the side.

April still didn't like to be touched or it'll trigger her trauma. She didn't speak nor ate much. She mostly stared at the window or the ceiling. It pained everyone who visits her. The Lewis, The Smiths and even her relatives.

April was loved and missed. Not even the doctors know if April will return back to herself. The drugs on her body had a very long sided effects that destroyed most of her body, There's also the trauma she received from being r.a.p.ed and losing her baby. Who knew how many times was she r.a.p.ed? Who can tell what her reaction was, when she found out that she was pregnant of her rapist's child? How much pain did she endured she had her miscarriage? This was all unknown to them. Only April can say all these and yet April didn't speak. Not even when she is screaming.

One day, Colm finally had the courage to visit April. The doctor wanted to see if it'll bring a reaction on April, when she saw Colm. Since everyone that visited her so far, didn't bring any reactions from her.

It took a while before they convinced Colm to visit. He was guilty for putting her into this state, he was embarrassed to face her. Yet at the same time, he wanted to make it up for her. Even just a little bit.

When Colm entered the room, April was by the window. Staring blankly outside. April's room contained no harmful objects, afraid that she will kill herself. They also had security cameras installed, to monitor her behaviors.

”April?” Colm called out when he was at an arms length behind her.

April turned around, a handsome boy was standing there. April looked at him from head to toe. He looked alright and well at that. April's mouth started to curl a little bit. She was struggling to smile.

”I'm glad you're alright.” She murmured very softly and then she lost her vision. April had fainted.

Colm rushed to her side, he had caught her before she fell down. The people who were observing them came rushing inside the room. They didn't hear what April had said, but they saw that she said something. Ted helped Colm and carried his daughter back to the bed. When he looked back to Colm, Malcolm, Jenny and his wife Annie was beside him. They were all waiting for Colm to say something. Even the doctors and nurses were waiting as well.

Colm looked at April and a tear fell his eyes. His mouth was slowly trembling.

”Son, can you tell us what April said? We couldn't hear it properly over the monitor.” Malcolm broke the ice. It was important for them to know. It was the first time that they have seen April spoke. It was indeed a step for her, to get back to her old self. Colm was now crying.

”She said.. *sobs* She said.. I'm glad you're alright..” He hugged his father.

Everyone was froze. Some where confused, some understood. Annie and Jenny were crying along with Colm. After a while, Colm broke away from his father and faced the Lewis.

”Uncle, Auntie.. I'm so sorry. I could've come earlier, but I was afraid. Afraid that it'll trigger the bad memories that we endured together. I'm so sorry.. *sniffs* I now understand that she keeps looking at the window or the ceiling because she was waiting for me. She must've been worried how I was, after we parted. I'm so sorry.” Colm grovelled in the floor.

No one replied to him. Everyone had a clear picture now, it was a very sad picture. They didn't know that this little girl have a very big heart. Too bad it all happened to her. Too bad that she have lost a lot from this.

”Uncle, Auntie. I promised to be with April for the rest of my life. Please let me do this for her. I owe her at least this much.” Colm vowed in front of his parents and hers. He wanted to marry her, He wanted to save her from herself. This promise made Colm changed his life. He actually kept this promise in his mind everyday, as he struggled from his weakness to become his strength.

The Lewis didn't say anything towards Colm's decision, neither did the Smiths. Time went fast as April went from institution to institution. Countless medicines and therapies. The Smith's shouldered all expenses despite the Lewis' refusal. Colm on the other hand, went to study in Europe. To further his knowledge, as well as to become April's future.

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”Come on son, It's time to go. Say goodbye to your grandparents.” April helped Sky cleaned up after breakfast.