My phone ringing woke me from my sleep. I rolled over and picked it up to see my mom was calling me. I slid my finger across the screen to answer then sat up. "Hey," I said, my voice hoarse from a mix of just waking up and last nights activities. "Hey Onika." Her voice was shaky and I could tell she was either crying or had been recently. "What's wrong?" I asked.
"Your dad...he-he's in the hospital." I sat up and walked out of the room so I wouldn't wake Rihmeek. "What happened? Is he okay?" I asked. I heard a couple sniffles and then she cleared her throat, "He had a brain aneurysm that ruptured. It's a waiting game right now but the doctors aren't sure he is going to make it." I was confused for two different reasons, one he was fine the other day, and two, why did this news upset me? After all he has done I'm still worried about him. "Can you come here? I need you here with me Nicki. I'm scared."
I scratched my scalp and then rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "I'll see what I can do." I said, followed by a sigh. "I can pay for the plane tickets, baby, if it'll be too much. I just want you here with me." I shook my head like she could see me. "I'll figure it out and let you know when I'm on my way." I told her. I heard her sigh in what sounded like relief, "Okay. I love you." She said. I told her that I loved her too then ended the call. I sat on the couch for a few minutes thinking about what I should do.
My dad and I haven't been on good terms for majority of my life but the thought of loosing him still upsets me. Hearing my mother so down and out took a toll on me, whether I wanted to admit it or not. I've claimed to hate them for so long that I had forgot how much I actually love them.
Guilt clawed at my gut as I realized all the hurtful things I have said to him and how I may not have a chance to apologize.
Deciding not to sit and drive myself crazy I went back upstairs to Rihmeek. I opened the door to find him awake, propped up against the headboard. Even in these circumstances I still took note of how good he looked.
"Why are you up so early?" He asked. I shook my head as my response because I wasn't ready to talk about it right this minute.
I crawled onto the bed then placed my body on top of his. He wrapped his arms around me then I felt my body relax.
"What happened?" His voice was much softer and he sounded concerned. "My mom called." My words were muffled due to my face being pressed against his chest, but they were audible nonetheless. "Said my dad's in the hospital."
I felt him take a deep breath and he held it for a few seconds before exhaling. "What happened?" He asked, as he started to trace his fingers along my back. "A brain aneurysm."
He held me tighter then pressed a kiss against the top of my head. I know he doesn't like my father not even the least bit so I appreciate his moral support. We fell into a comfortable silence as I laid wrapped in his arms.
"Go get dressed and pack you a bag I'll worry about getting stuff for Rich and I." He said.
"What do you mean?" I leaned up so I could look him in the face and he smiled, "We'll go to Philly so we can be with your family."
I couldn't believe him. I wasn't even going to ask him because I would have never expected him to willingly want to go see my family.
"Are-Are you sure?" I asked, still confused.
"Yes, baby. I still respect the man and wouldn't wish any bad on him." I shook my head, "How can you respect him? He ain't did shit for you."
He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear before rubbing my cheek, "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have you, so, really he gave me all I could ask for." My eyes welled up with tears and I covered my mouth to muffle my sob.
He chuckled before leaning up to kiss my forehead. "Go get ready so we can get there."
-
We walked into the airport hand-in-hand, and Rihmeek held Rich. We checked in, went through security, then waited to board the plane. The more I thought about the situation the more nervous I became.
"Calm down baby, there's nothing you can do right now so don't worry about it." He said before placing a hand on my knee.
Hearing those words was like deja vu, and I could swear we've been in this same situation before
-
I rushed into the hospital as fast as my little feet could carry me. I looked around for Rihmeek in a panic. I just got off the phone with him a few minutes ago so I know he hasn't left. I was still looking around when I heard my name called. I turned around and Rihmeek was standing in a hallway.
I think my feet took off before my body caught up. I was in his arms in no time.
"What happened?" I asked. What he told me on the phone was very vague.
"Dad ripped some people off so they came through looking for what they paid for and ended up stabbing him when they didn't get it." The look of disappointment, anger, and sadness I seen in his eyes was enough to break my heart. I cradled his head in my hands and silently prayed God would heal him and his dad too. Lord knows the pain he has been through because of this man, this only adding to it. "I just wish he'd quit with the shit."
I nodded my head in understandingly then softly kissed his lips. "I know you do, baby."
He looked off and I could tell his thoughts weren't here. Clearly he was worried, even a little stressed. "Hopefully this will open his eyes." I said, hoping to make him feel better.
He shook his head then shrugged his shoulders. "Man, I'm so sick of this shit." He said and I swear I watched his eyes fill with tears but he turned before I could really see.
"Tell em' I'm done and that I mean it but shit goes down and I'm the first person he calls, and guess what, here I am." His voice was quiet but I could hear him clearly. "I love him and I hate it." He admitted and my heart hurt for him. "I believe deep down he loves you too, Rihmeek. He's just too much of a coward to admit it. You are the person he calls so that has to mean something."
We eventually found two seats in the waiting room and sat there for awhile in silence. I understood why he was so quiet and I wish I was like him and knew what to say to make the situation better. I noticed he was bouncing his leg so I placed my hand on his knee and smiled at him.
"You can't do anything right now so don't worry about it so much." I said.
He looked at me and smiled before kissing the side of my head, "thank you for being here, means a lot."
-
I laughed at the irony before I leaned over and kissed his temple. "Thanks for being here, means a lot." I said. He laughed too before wrapping an arm around my neck.
"I was just thinking about that." He said. I leaned my head against his chest, "I love you."
He squeezed me a little tighter before placing a kiss against the top of my head.
"I love you."
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Please ignore any errors 😘
