Inheritance

Chapter 2

"I promise. I'll be right back!" I completed the promise, then ran back into the house with the largest smile glued to my face. I couldn't wait to bring him the gift I had spent the entire week making.

I made my way to the guest bedroom, which was located a fair distance away from the commotion of the party. Underneath the large bed in the center of the room, I grabbed a small box I had secretly stashed there yesterday. Securing it in my hold, I hurriedly ran through the hallway and back towards the backyard where Austin remained waiting unexpectedly under the tree.

"Um, I made you this for your birthday." I confided, as I handed him the gift that he gently took from my hands.

"Wow, t-thank you Raya. C-can I open it right now?" He seemed so excited, that I simply nodded my head to appease him.

Undoing the bows tied neatly around the box, he removed the lid and confetti flew out. He pulled two beaded bracelets from the box that read, "Austin & Raya Forever ❤️." His eyes gradually began to tear, as he smiled the brightest smile I had ever witnessed on him.

"I-I love this Raya. T-thanks." He wrapped his scrawny arms around my shoulders and brought me in for a warm embrace. Pulling away, he handed me the matching bracelet. I immediately slipped it onto my wrist, smiling back at him.

"I p-promise to never t-take it off." He said shyly, continuing to treat the bracelet like a lost treasure.

"Raya, someone's here to see you! Can you come here for a second!" Mrs. Franks called from inside the house. Her voice sounded frantic, which startled me. I looked over at Austin who grabbed my thin arm and squeezed it.

"I'll b-be right here when you c-come back." He waved me off, as I hesitantly left our area.

Entering the house, I was almost immediately greeted by the fresh scent of baked pastries. Family friends chattered amongst themselves and offered me unusual smiles. Confused by their unanimously enthusiastic sentiments, I continued to make my way towards the kitchen where Mrs. Franks stood.

"Raya, this is Darrell. He's your um..well, uncle. Darrell has been looking for you for quite some time. Now that he's finally here, he wants to know whether you'd like to stay with him for a while. How does that sound?" Unsure of what to say in response, I stared blankly up at the middle-aged man dressed in an expensive suit.

"Wow, Sasharae. Aren't you a precious little thing? It's so great to meet you, I'm your mother's brother. I'm so happy that I've finally found you. You have lots of family looking forward to seeing you." He pulled me in for a hug, to which I initially stiffened at. After what felt like several minutes, I eventually allowed my body to loosen up in his hold. It wasn't long before I began to sniffle.

"Raya, dear. Please don't cry. I've already packed all of your things, so you don't have to worry about leaving anything behind." Mrs. Franks tried to comfort me, but at the sound of leaving, I immediately thought of the one person I could never leave behind.

"Wait, what about Austin? I don't want to leave him. I can't!" I began to back away from the unfamiliar man, realizing all too suddenly what his proposition meant for Austin and I's friendship. Losing him was something I refused to jeopardize.

"Mr. Franks is already outside telling him the news. You don't have to go with Darrell, but if you do, you can still say goodbye to Austin." Mrs. Franks offered, while pointing her finger towards the two large adjacent windows.

Through the parallel crystalline windows, I could make out the two contrasting figures of Austin and Mr. Franks. Austin was crying, as Mr. Franks attempted to console him. My face quickly fell with instant guilt at the unsettling sight. Instead of spending his birthday happy, Austin was now sad because he had been told that I was leaving him. No, that I was breaking our promise.

I didn't really have a choice, did I? 

On one hand, I couldn't fathom the thought of Austin thinking I had suddenly chosen to abandon him. It felt like I was committing the ultimate betrayal. However, I finally had an opportunity to learn about my family and go somewhere I was truly wanted.

Surely, if given the same opportunity, he'd take take the chance. Right?

"No, I don't want to say goodbye." I whispered, as Mrs. Franks' face dropped with confusion. 

I promised myself that I would come back and see Austin one last time. It was just too much to bare in the moment, and I couldn't imagine facing him after the commitment we had just made to one another. I needed time to think.

I convinced myself that this wasn't goodbye. I had always dreamt of what meeting my biological family would be like and now the feeling was so close that I could taste it. Touch it. Hold it. 

He'd understand why I left. At least, that's what I kept telling myself, as my Uncle Darrell held me in his arms.

But, I never did see Austin again. 

My uncle had already booked a one-way flight to New York the following morning and I couldn't put myself up to saying goodbye to Austin over the phone. Speaking to him meant that I'd have to confront my cowardly betrayal, guilt, and deep regret. All of which had been things I wasn't quite ready to face just yet.

Or ever.