Self Love • Christopher Velez •

chapter 40; i won't let go

Chapter 40 - I Won't Let Go

"I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer," I told my mother as we ate lunch together. I had told Christopher about everything that happened in secondary school yesterday and we talked for a while in my room before he left to get home. 

"It's okay mija, I know you have work. I'm just glad you can stay longer than you did when you were in school," she said as she reached over to hold my hand. 

"I'm sorry I didn't spend a lot of time with you," I apologised when I realised that I did not spend a lot of time with my family. What a great daughter I am. 

"It's okay, I'm just glad you could come home," she said with a smile. 

Once we were done with our lunch, we walked around the mall. Since today was my last day in Ecuador, my mother had decided to take the day off to spend with me before my flight at 10pm. 

"I see you're still wearing your necklace," my mother said and I nodded. Since he gave it to me, I had not taken it off.

"Did Andrea give it to you?" she asked and I shook my head. My mother knew that I would not buy something with my name for myself so she had assumed it was from Andrea. 

"Uh, Christopher gave it to me," I replied. 

"Christopher?" she repeated as she turned to look at me. 

"Uh, yeah. For Christmas," I said and she nodded. We continued walking around the mall and window shopping. This was the second time I had gone shopping with my mother in this trip home. 

It was honestly fun and it made me think about when I was in secondary school. My mother had asked me if I wanted to go shopping with her multiple times during secondary school but I had rejected the offer. I didn't like leaving the house and prefered to stay cooped up in my room. And when I was in tertiary, I did not have a lot of time when I came home. I could not be home for very long, usually only staying for two to three days and when I was home, I had homework. 

"Thanks for taking the day off, mami," I said as we walked around. 

"You're welcome. It's already your last day," she said and I nodded. We continued walking around the mall, walking into shops and trying on a few clothes but only buying one or two. 

***

"Did you forget anything?" Zac asked me and I shook my head. My mother and I had just reached home but it was already time for me to leave. I went up to my room to check if I had left anything. When I got down, everyone was already there. 

I went to my aunt first, hugging her before going to my grandmother and hugging her. Once I hugged the two of them, I walked to my father. 

"Adios, papa," I said and he smiled at me. 

"Adios Daniella, cuídate," he said and hugged me. 

"You too. I'll come home soon," I said. He nodded and kissed my forehead. I walked over to my mother and hugged her. 

"Adios mama," I said.

"Adios mija, come home soon, okay?" she said and I nodded. 

"Definitely."

After hugging her and saying goodbye to the rest of my family, Zac and I walked out to his car. He would be driving Christopher and I to the airport. In a while, Christopher came out and got into the backseat. I turned to smile at him and got one in return. 

"Stay safe in Miami," Zac said as we neared the airport. 

"I will."

"Don't get into any trouble."