"She's gonna be fine," Patrick said. Stretching forth his hands from the driver's seat to hold Matilda's hands at the other side of the car. But instead of a word Matilda noded with heavy eyes and breathed in so deep. She looked at him and rubbed his hands gently. Within a few minutes since Patrick picked her up she looked pale.
Patrick knew she didn't believe it, he didn't believe his words either, but one of them has to stay strong for the other. And as the eldest amongst them he took it upon himself. Although it was hard for him. It always has been. On several occasions has tried to hide his emotions, even on days he felt like crying. And again he squeezed her hands tightly trying to hold back the tears building up in his eyes too.
Matilda winced in pain and shook free her hands. She let her head rest on the side window as she gradually took in the fresh air brushing through her face. She felt free for a moment but at the same time heavy at heart.
Patrick had earlier in the day got a call from home asking that they return home. It sounded so urgent. He inquired to know what was wrong and he was told that their mother who had been ill for a period of time now requested their presence. He wasted no time as he left his dormitory and drove down to Matilda's school to pick her up and in a few minutes they were on their way home. They both schooled in different schools but in the same town.
They had earlier in the year lost their father to a plane crash two years back and ever since the loss of their father had left their mum in a deplorable state. She couldn't stand the loss of her husband. She tried all she could to make sure she was strong for her kids but as the year went by she became more vulnerable to the void in her heart. Patrick on the other hand was a teenager when he started playing the role of a father to his family. And so far he had done so well and had tried all he could to hold the family together up till these days. But as he tried it felt like he wasn't doing anything at all.
The rest of the drive home was a quiet one for them. Apart from when he had stopped by at the gas station to fill up his tank. He got to a junction and turned to the left. After a few minutes' drive he turned to a house on the left with a huge gate. He honked and the gate was opened to reveal a gigantic white building at the other side of the gate. They were home. His father was a really wealthy man and just a look at their house proved all these. He didn't care to greet the gatekeeper as he always does; he was more concerned about what happened to their mother. Speeding into the compound, his heart pounded so fast.
Their house looked deserted apart from the gardener and their nanny standing at the door waiting for them. He quickly parked at the walkway and helped his sister get out of the car. Holding her arms, they gently walked through the door into the house. Ready for whatever god or bad was waiting for inside. They got in and were welcomed by their nanny Mrs Vans, who now had turned out to be their second mother. She offered them a glass of water but they refused, requesting to see their mother immediately. But as he repeatedly made you walk by to the stairs he was blocked by Mrs Vans.
"You have to rest first," Mrs Vans said.
"We can rest later. How is she? Let's see her." Patrick replied.
He gently shoved her aside and made for the stairs straight to his mother's room. Still holding Matilda's hands when Mrs Vans called out to him.
"Patrick ! ,"
"He turned and looked at her.
"I'm so sorry. The doctors tried but she has gone to a better place" with a teary voice she continued. "She left you a note" stretching out her hands to reveal a white envelope completely sealed.
Patrick quickly grabbed the envelope from her. He looked at his sister who was already at the point of breaking down, he held her hands tightly and fondled with opening the envelope.
"If you're reading this then it means I'm in a better place. I'll always love you both" the note read.
