#Chapter 3# Love changed me

The door opens. Our mothers came in and met us close to each other, holding hands. We tried to quickly readjust ourselves, but it was too late. I could sense the happiness my mother was feeling deep down inside her. She knows I don't keep friends and has tried several times to get me friends to talk to. But my attitude towards them made them keep away from me. 

"I think we need to give you both space to talk." Asher's mother said, teasingly.

My mom nodded in affirmation. 

"No, it's fine. You both can stay. As you can see, we are not discussing anything important or private. Asher said, contrary to their suggestion. 

"No. It's been three days since you've seen each other. I feel you need a private mode to be together. " My mother replied to him. 

"Mom, there is nothing to discuss." Actually, our friendship started on the day the incident occurred. I don't know much about him. I said. 

That is precisely my point. That is why we are leaving this place for you two to get to know each other better. "My mom said," respondingly. 

She and Asher's mother left the room immediately after she made that statement.

"I think your mom is right," Asher said. 

We do not know each other too well. Thinking about my whole life makes me cry. It's pointless to say it out loud. I will go sick. What should I tell him? Where do I start from? What would his reaction be? 

"Did the school really catch fire?" I said, trying to change the subject of discussion. No it didn't. It was a false alarm. Don't worry. The person who raised the alarm has been handed over to the police, and he is the one paying for your hospital bills. " He replied. 

"Do you want to tell me about yourself?" He asked. 

Tears started to accumulate in my eyes. I tried to fight it back. But the more I tried, the more it dropped. I couldn't say it to his face because I didn't know what his reaction might be. I stood up from the bed and walked up to the window:

"I am a living death." As the day goes by, I get closer to my grave. I was born with coronary artery disease. I inherited it from my father; he inherited it from his father; his father inherited it from his grandmother. For every child that the family produces, there is a 99% possibility that the child is a CAD carrier. As the generation grows older, so does the pain and suffering caused by the illness. My grandmother died at age 84; my grandfather died at age 67; my father, at age 40. What is the assurance that I will live more than 40 years? My life is a waste. My illness is the cause of my attitude. Since I know my fate, why then live like a normal being? My illness deprived me of my beautiful things in life. My beauty is a waste. What is its usefulness when I can't flaunt it? I can't fall in love because I might get heartbroken and that will eventually lead me directly into my grave. My illness is worse to the extent that I can't watch suspense films. My father left me at age 8. He left me to carry my cross alone. ""Knowing fully well that I am in that condition because of him." I paused and turned around to look at him. He was already in tears also. I fell to the ground and wept uncontrollably. He walked toward me and sat close to me. He looked straight into my eyes and...

he kissed me. 

"Tough times don't last, but tough people last, like you do! Never give up when the going gets tough because life will reward you with a beautiful gift. All you need to do is have faith. The fact that your grandparents died at an early stage of their lives does not mean you will also do so. You can break that chain. There might not be a cure for your sickness. But there are protocols to maintain it. Follow those protocols strictly. Use your medications. One medicine that cures faster than drugs is staying positive all the time. You are a strong being. You have the drive. Go for it. Fight to survive! Fight to survive! I will always be with you - till death. I promise. " He said, softly, and kissed me again. 

A knock came from the door. We were both sure it was our mother. We both got up from the floor. I went to my bed, and he went to get the door. His mother and mine came in with food packages in their hands. 

"Tara, I bought you spaghetti and sauce." "You must be very hungry by now." My mum said to me

I didn't hear what she said. I was lost in thought so quickly. I had started to flash back to the time Asher kissed me. I was deep in thought when I started to smile, twisting my finger in my mouth. My mother noticed I didn't respond to her, so she turned back to look at me. She smiled and called to the attention of Asher's mom. She came to my back and tapped me. 

"Tara." What are you thinking about blushing?

I came back to life. 

"Nothing," I replied. 

"And you are smiling?" Did you even hear the question I asked you? "No." You were lost in thought. You are going to tell me what is making you smile. "

I smiled at her and she smiled back. Asher came in from the toilet. When he came back, his mother asked him: 

What did you say to Tara that made her smile? She was smiling and was so lost in thought that she did not hear her mother speak. Asher's eyes met mine, and we smiled at each other. 

My mother brought out the spaghetti and sauce and handed it over to me. Asher came to me and asked if he could feed me. I smiled and said yes. He collected the food and started to feed me. My mum and his mother watched us as he fed me. I had to accept the fact that I was in love. His lip brushed out my negative thoughts. He made me start thinking like a person without problems. I decided to fight for my life. What if I live long enough? I started to think positively. Even if I don't want to live, because of love, I will fight to stay.