Love Is Second Best — Chapter 37: GETTING STRONGER TOGETHER

he looked at the hopeful eyes of Elise Hope that's only looking in one direction. She couldn't help but to cry in front of her daughter because of her condition. Despite her being permanently blind, there she is. Still looking very beautiful and radiant. She's also smiling like everything that happened to her was just nothing. Looking at her in this situation is crushing her heart into pieces.

She donated her one eye to Carmella but she had a complication which resulted in her being permanently blind for as long as she lived. However, she had an incredible sense of positivity. She couldn't help but to pity her daughter and what future would await her.

"Mom?" Elise said that word again. It touched her heart so much. Being called 'mom' again after a decade of not seeing her is everything.

"Y-Yes, dear. I promise. I will love Carmella as much as I love you. Please rest well."

"I am already fine, mom. It is Carmella that I am very concerned about. She had a lot of broken glasses pierced all throughout her body. Is she doing fine?"

"Y-Yes...she's recovering, dear. But she hasn't awakened yet."

She saw Elise nodded.

"If you ask me, I don't want to stay in here. I feel like being in the hospital for the longest time now."

"Please be patient. It's for your own good, dear."

"Yes, mom."

"I am just thankful that this accident happened right after your graduation."

"Thank you for loving her mom. I promise, I will be a good daughter to you as well. I will dedicate my life studying just like what Carmella does for you to be happy."

Upon hearing it, Thelma couldn't help but burst out her tears. She realized how Elise Hope loved her sister so much. So she knew how she treated Carmella even if that's their top secret? She is slowly coming to her senses now. She realized that Elise Hope wanted to think about Carmella's bright future ahead of her. She could see her younger sister's potential in studying and everything in life. I guess that's also what made her decide for the both of them in a short period of time.

She stooped down to her level and scooped her face and kissed her cheeks. "No, my baby. Please don't ever think about that. I loved you just the way you are."

"Mom, I also want Carmella to let her feel that she's not left out. We are both your daughter. We should share equal love from you." Hearing it from Elise Hope, she hugged her right away. She could sense how Hope loved Carmella so much. Even before she knew that she’s her half sister, she loved her already like one. She’s more of a best friend to her. Of course she will do everything because it is the life of Carmella who was at stake at that time.

"I promise, baby. I will do it as you wish."

"You will really make me happy, mom. I love you so much."

"I love you too my sweetheart." She welled up in tears. How her heart crushed upon seeing the present situation of her beloved daughter.

"Thank you mom. I guess I couldn't ask for anything anymore." Elise Hope smiled without showing even a hint of remorse or regret to what she did. Thelma admired her kind of upbringing Leonard did to her. It suddenly came to her that she's not worthy to be her mom. She has a pure heart that she can't see in other people. Elise Hope is one of a kind. She could love someone more than herself. Thelma thought that it would be impossible.

However, her daughter just slapped this truth on her cheeks. This kind of love is existing indeed. This kind of love is unbelievably true. All through Elise Hope's selfless decision.

The thing that also amazed her was Elise Hope donated her eyes to Carmella even before she knew her as her long lost younger sister. She couldn't even fathom what kind of love is that for another person. If she will ask herself, she would definitely not succumb to that decision right away. Of course, she would think of herself once and for all. But she was suddenly ashamed of herself when her own blood...her own daughter did it without any hesitation coming from her.

It was a decision made out of love. It was an act out of everlasting bond and kindness to another person. She has never seen this selfless act of love before. She never saw it around her, even from herself. That’s why when Hope decided to save Carmella’s life, it has even come into her mind that she’s not a good mother to her. It’s because she’s too good to be her daughter.

"I may not be studious like Carmella but I will try my best to study more so that you will be proud of me."

"No, my love. Please don't say that. I love you just the way you are. Don't think of those things. From now on, I will be a good mother for you and Carmella, I promise." They hugged each other tight. Elise Hope was very happy. Although she's starting to accept that she will be blind forever, what she did produced positive results.

----

"Girl...how are you?" Kara walked towards Carmella with teary eyes. She is the one who couldn't believe that Carmella and Elise Hope got into that tragic accident.

"I'm fine," Carmella answered, not looking at her directly. Kara sighed as she sat beside her best friend.

"Please, don't blame yourself for what happened, okay? Nobody wanted that to happen."

"Kara, I've been very bad. How I wish I died on the spot that day," Kara hugged Carmella in a gentle way as soon as she heard those words from her. She caressed her hair as she pulled her closer to her. She could feel Carmella holding unto her like she's holding to her dear life.

"Please...don't ever say that dear. Just be thankful that you're still alive and well now."

"No. This is all crazy. Everyone is blaming me for what happened. Do you know the feeling of being alive and yet people are cursing you and blaming you for everything?"

"Nobody wanted to wish for that accident to happen. Let's move on, dear."

"Kara..."

She looked at her best friend's eyes. It looked dark and gloomy. It's as if all the hope was lost from it.

"Do you think I can face Elise Hope after everything?"

"Why not?"

"I don't think I can, Kara. I am guilty of it. I am guilty of getting her life from her."

"Why is your mom being so epic even at the last minute?" Kara couldn't help but murmur in front of Carmella.

"Imagine? It was supposed to be confidential. I knew every protocol of hospitals. The receiver shouldn't be supposed to know who his/her donor is. But your mom spilled the tea like a crybaby. I hate her so much." She added. Carmella looked at her and she covered her mouth with both of her hands right away.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself." She said, hiding her face from her sight. Carmella couldn't hate her mom, either. She knew she couldn't hate someone who moulded her to become the adult that she is right now.

"It hurts me the most because she's my sister, Kara. My long, lost sister."

Kara hugged her again, a little bit tighter this time. She wanted to assure her that she is willing to be with her for as long as she liked. It was their long vacation anyway. The accident was a little bit a blessing in disguise for they couldn't miss the opening of the class just in case they will be back to school once again.

"Be happy, then, Carmella."

"What do you mean?"

"I guess fate aligned everything to happen. There's always a purpose why everything happened between the two of you."

"Kara, I will always do my best to give everything my sister liked. I will help her in everything that I can, that's a promise."

"Why don't you tell her about it?" Kara said, touching both of her shoulders.

"I will not be good with words. I will always do everything I can to show her I care. I will be her shadow if I needed to. I will do my best to be a good sister for her this time."

"I know you will do your best, dear."

Kara took care of her from that time forward. She never failed to bring her fruits. Since Carmella didn't want to talk to someone, especially to her mom and Elise Hope, Kara visited her as often as usual.

"Here's your fruit and meal."

"Thank you, Kara! You're the best!" She received it with glee. She got the spoon and fork and dug into the bowl of rice and meat with stewed vegetables.

"When do you plan to talk to Elise Hope?" Kara asked all of a sudden.

"I will talk to my sister when it is the right timing."

"I wish you both happiness and I hope you will talk sooner." Kara answered as she munched with her best friend.

"By the way, do you want a surprise?" Kara raised both of her eyebrows up and down as if teasing her this time.

"Kara, I am not in the mood for jokes, okay?"

"No. You'll love this surprise. I promise." She said as she gently put her bowl and utensils on Carmella's bedside table. Carmella couldn't help but to smile because of Kara's enthusiasm.

"What is it?"

"You'll see." She giggled as she slowly opened the door. Carmella saw a familiar figure smiling standing tall in front of her, holding a bouquet of flowers.