Chasing After My Wife

The next day, as she planned, she left the house to find were Lyla was buried. It was Dr. Alison who processed everything for the cremation and chose the columbarium to keep her remains. She gave the address to Jillyanna when she asked for it this morning.     

Top was driving the car for her while Jackie sat at the front seat. Jillyanna was sitting at the backseat with Riley and Valkyrie on each side of her. They were heavily armed as if they were going for a war. It was a good thing that there wasn't any checkpoint. In any case, even if there is, they can get away with it with Valkyrie's identity. She didn't really know whether to roll her eyes with their overprotectiveness or laugh at their silliness. It's not like Ryden would come back from hell and haunt her again.     

The columbarium wasn't very far from the city and it wasn't crowded as well, making it easier for her to locate the place where Lyla's remains lie. When she arrived at the third floor, she immediately found her. Jillyanna placed the flowers that she specially picked from her garden. She prayed for her to rest in peace and promised to visit her again sometime.     

"I will visit your family later. I still don't know if I should tell them the truth of your life. Would you like them to know?" Jillyanna questioned. "I'll just figure it out myself. Anyway, your heart is residing within me so, I will just follow your heart."     

She talked for a while as if someone was really listening to her. After half an hour she left to visit her family who moved to a different city during her scandal. She wasn't sure about the reason why they moved but she wanted to fulfill her three last wishes.     

"Are you planning to tell them about her?" Riley asked since it wasn't a secret to them as to who donated Jillyanna's heart.     

"I don't know. It will depend on her family's response and situation."     

"I am really adamant with this visit." Jackie expressed her opinion in this matter.     

"Me, too." Riley added.     

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me. Aren't you here to protect me?"     

Jackie and Riley just released a deep sigh since Jillyanna already made her mind. They could only do their best to protect her if the need arises. After almost two hours of driving, their group finally found the village where Lyla's family moved. There wasn't a wide road for a car to pass so, Top was left alone to guard their vehicle while the four of them traveled the rest of the way by foot.     

Though it was considered part of the city, the place was rather a mountainous area and most of the residence were farmers. The asked several people in the area but the weren't quite familiar of Lyla's family. When they asked if anyone moved a couple of months ago, they led her to the same direction. Which means to say, other than her family, no one moved in this suburb place in the last couple of months.     

In one of the small hills, a house stood firm and beautiful. It was made of bricks and it had an overlooking view of the whole village. It wasn't very big but it was enough for a family of three since Lyla was gone. Around the house were different kinds of flowers and vegetables. A woman was currently removing weeds around her egg plants.     

"Excuse me? Is this where Lyla's parents live?" Jillyanna asked while looking at the lady.     

"Yes. I am her mother. May I know what do you need her for?" The woman removed her gloves and opened the small wooden gate. "Please come inside."     

"Thank you." Jillyanna came in together with Valkyrie and the twins. "Are you living alone?"     

"Ah? No. No, I am not. My husband and my son went to the city to buy some groceries. Come and have a seat." She gestured for them to sit on the couch. The house was very simple and neat. There was a kitchen, a living room and three bedrooms. Jillyanna guessed that they made a room for Lyla, waiting for her to come back. She felt a pang of guilt deep inside her heart when the thought crossed her mind. "Do you want water, juice or tea?" The lady asked with a warm smile.     

"Water's fine." Jillyanna responded.     

The lady went to the kitchen and not long after, she came back with four glasses of water. "May I know how I can help you?" she questioned them their purpose of visit.     

"Ma'am, when was the last time that you have seen your daughter?" Jillyanna questioned her back. The lady was stunned with this question and she had a bad feeling about it.     

"Lyla, came back two years ago during Christmas. She stayed for almost two months with us in our old home before going back to study. She said that she was currently on break that time but it made me wonder why she had a different break compared to the other students."     

"Did you ever tried to ask her why?"     

"I didn't but I secretly went to the city and looked for her. I found out that she already stopped studying and started working as a waitress." The lady broke into tears as she continued to speak. "I was ashamed for being incapable of sending her to school that she had to stop and start working. I was so ashamed that I didn't dare myself to confront her."     

"Does your husband know?"     

"No, he doesn't. I don't want to anger him since he's got a heart disease. I am afraid that he would have a heart attack. My daughter suffered a lot because of us and if I tell him, he might commit a suicide. I am afraid to let him know."     

"Did you know anything aside from that?"     

"No. After quite sometimes, she stopped calling us but she would always send us money to help us. I made excused to her father to make sure that he won't find out. We told him that Lyla was studying and working at the same time which was why she had not graduated yet."     

"These past months, did you ever try to contact her?" Riley asked the woman cause she seemed to feel that Lyla wasn't really important to them. It felt like the were just using her to have a better life. They didn't even try to find her and ask how she was doing and she was right. The lady shook her head to say 'no'.     

Jillyanna stared at the woman and smiled. "Your daughter is a good friend of mine. Do you want to see her?"     

"Ha? Ah no. I'm afraid she'd be ashamed to see a mother like me. I don't want to show myself in front of her. We will just wait for her to come home."     

"Your daughter is not coming back." Jillyanna told the woman directly, leaving her speechless.