Broken Promises

AFTER 4 YEARS***

MORGANTOWN, JENNY'S HOUSE

JENNY'S POV:

SEPTEMBER 2016. 1 AM, AT NIGHT.

'I have wondered what is life all these years... But seemed to have not yet found a good answer for it. Well, for me all my life is now all about Jonathan. The one and only who lived for me and for whom I have lived for all these years.' I thought and looked at my side. The beautiful view of my small kid was making me fascinated with each second.

My 4 years old son. His presence was the main reason for my existence, the proof of our love. The more I see him, the more I had the intention to live further. A smile curved at the corner of my lips as soon as my eyes wandered his tiny sleeping body. His angelic face and his small nose, making him look adorable and my heart rises at its peak. I caress his hair as my eyes kept looking at his cute pout which he make during his sleep. "Like father like son"- A low whimper escaped from my mouth.

I looked away from him as I walked slowly towards the study table of my room, without making much noise so that he won't be awake. I sat down as I grabbed the ink and pen and started writing another letter as usual.

Dear John,

How are you today? Are you taking care of yourself properly? Do you remember me? Do you know Jordan is 4 years old now?... He looks just like me, small and cute, but he makes pouts while sleeping. I wish you are here to witness him growing up. I miss you. We miss you, John.

Do you ever miss me? Do you not want to know about our son? Have you forgotten your promises? I wish to see you once before I leave. I didn't know that I won't be able to see you again after that night, if I would have known, I would have never let you go.

Always remember I have loved you since I have understood love.

Yours

Jenny"

I closed the letter into four halves as I took out the letterbox from the shelves and put it with other letters. Hope he would come back one day and read this. At least this will make him know that I had missed him.

I came back as I lay beside Jonathan. I kissed his forehead as I drift into sleep again.

NEXT MORNING:

I woke up from the sound of crying, as I quickly got up and looked at my side but found no one. Where is he? The question popped into my mind. I began to search for him in the house as I came outside of my room following the crying noise. I stopped when I finally saw him. He was sitting on Patricia's lap. I sighed in relief to know that he is okay.

The little boy was hugging her as he was not willing to let go of her to play with other kids. I smiled a little at his behavior. I walked towards them as I kept my hands on her shoulder.

Patricia turned over carefully while still holding Jonathan in her arms. She smiled as soon as she saw me. She said-" Jenny? When did you wake up? Are you hungry?"

I nodded my head in a no as I smiled a little with her questions. I said-" No, I am not hungry yet. Have Jonathan eaten anything?"

Patricia said-"Yes, he just had his breakfast..."

Jonathan looked at me as he smiled and said in his baby voice-" Jenny...? Will you play with me today?"

I smiled and was about to take him in my arms as Patricia said while looking at him-" No, baby, You know right, Jenny is not well. She needs to rest"

Jonathan looked at her with a sad pout as he slowly replied-" But... Mumma!!! You said yesterday she can play with me today...."

He looked down with teary eyes. My heart breaks into pieces while looking at his sad face. I took a deep breath as I replied with a smile-" Who said I can't play with my little Jonathan? I will play with you today..."

Patricia turned towards me with her concerned eyes as she said-" But Jenny..."

I gave her an assurance look before saying-" It's okay Patricia... I have very little time left.. let me play with him. I might not get the chance again" Tears escaped from my eyes as she quickly stood up and said-" jenny... Are you okay...?"

Jonathan forwarded his arms towards me as I quickly grabbed his little hands before pilling him into my arms. He looked at me with a frown as he said while wiping away my tears-" Is Jenny sad? ... Did anyone hurt Jenny? Jonathan will punish them."

I quickly pulled him in my embrace as I hide my tears while hugging him tightly. I was dying. Slowly and painfully. No one can save me. have not it been for Patricia, I didn't know what could have happened to Jonathan now. She took care of him like a mother. She cares for us, and I am boundlessly thankful to her by all means.

These 4 years she had been always by my side. taking care of me and my child. I will soon die, so I don't want Jonathan to go from the pain of losing someone as I had felt. I gave Patricia a big responsibility. The responsibility of my son. She as a guardian angel to us, gladly accepted as he become his mother from now. The innocent kid thought of her as his real mother and I was his best friend.

4 years have passed since I saw John after our first night. He never came back. He broke his promise forever. He didn't even know he has a son now. I wonder what will be his reaction when he finally meets his son? I have also prayed to see him once more before dying. I wonder how he has been all these years? Did he miss me as I did? Had he become more handsome than before?.... I smiled while thinking this when my smile dropped with the next thought. I am just scared will he be taking care of him and Jonathan after me? This thought had made me think many times. But then I found Patricia, and all of my doubts have been cleared to see, that she will take care of them after me.

I was relieved at least my son will not live the life of an orphan after my death. I believe John will return to us someday. Till then I must hold on. His parents had asked me to leave their house as they think I was the reason their son is away from home. I cannot go back to my parents so I managed a place near the town where I live with my son. Patricia was my neighbor and she helped me all these years. As soon as I found out that soon I will be dying, I had asked her to be the mother of my son. She had never denied it. She has given sacrifice of her all dreams as she picked up Jonathan in her arms, which since then, she never let him go.

I only can pray and write a letter every day for John, that if he comes back any day, he should know about his son at least. Hoping all these I was spending my last few days. I took Jonathan in my arms as Patricia said while smiling-" okay... you guys play... I will bring the breakfast there."

I nodded as I started playing with him, to which he responded with his angelic giggling voice, which was soothing my soul. After some time Patricia entered our room with plates in her hands. She put down the plates before me as she said-" Now, open your mouth. How many times do I need to tell you Jenny to take your food and medicines on time? Why don't you ever listen to me?"

She yelled a little at me with a worried face as I secretly chuckled at her behavior and keep looking at her. Sometimes, we found a warm heart in strangers. And without knowing, when the stranger had turned so much important to us, we just keep enjoying their presence. Patricia was just like that. The warmth we found within a stranger.

She looked at me with a confused face as she asked-" what? "

I said while taking the food from his hands into my mouth-" Mmmm... This food is tasty as always."

She looked at me blankly as she pout and said-" You always do this... Ignore my words... Do you ever think how much I am worried about you?"

I was about to reply to her when we turned back as someone called me-" Jenny..... Jonathan???? Where are you?"

I smiled immediately as soon as I heard the voice. It was none other than Brad. Soon a figure walked inside the room holding a few toys in his hands. Jonathan giggled as he saw Brad. he ran into his arms as I watched them with a smile. Brad put him in his arms as he asked-" How is my strong boy doing so far?"

He giggled cutely as he replied-" I am strong... I keep safe Mumma and Jenny!!!"

Brad kissed his cheeks as he give away the toys and walked towards me. He caress my head as he asked-" How is my little sister?"

I smiled as I replied-" I am good, Patricia has been taking care of us. How are mom and dad?"

He nodded as he replied-" They are good too. Jenny." His eyes became soft as he asked-" Come home Jenny... we all are waiting for you. Why are you doing this to us? Do you know how we always stay worried about you?"

I sighed as I replied while taking his hands in mine-" Brad, I must wait for him. I know he will return to me one day."

He jerked my hands slightly as she said in an angry tone-" Why are you so stubborn?"

I smiled as I replied-" remember. I am still your annoying sister... Jenny!!!"

He chuckled and he replied playfully-" Very annoying"

We were talking all about life when Patricia said-" I will bring some food". She left as I looked at Brad as I asked-" Brad?"

" Yes"... He replied with a little smile looking at me. I asked-" How is Junnie?"

His eyes turned into stone as his smile dropped. He looked away and answered in a serious tone-" Jenny, don't ask me the same question over and over again... She is my past. I intend not to trust the betrayals. I am now focusing on school."

I sighed as I looked down. I know he is just as stubborn as I am. I nodded slightly with a blank face and asked-" How is School now? Is everything the same as it was?"

Brad chuckled sadly as he replied-" Nothing is as same as before Jenny. Everything has changed now. School is good, working as it was before. Professor Dunston is becoming old, and soon to retire"

We were talking when Patricia entered with food as he put down the plates before him and asked-" Brad? Is everyone good at home?"

He nodded with a little smile as he replied-" Yes". He patted her head as he said-" I am lucky to get two sisters now."

Jonathan followed us as he said with a small little pout-" Nobody loves... Jonathan". We all looked at him with smiles as we forwarded our arms. He quickly came to us as a group hug.

We stayed in each other's embrace until we were interrupted by a voice-" Jenny....?"

I turned around and my eyes widened to see Queen Shawna!!!. She was standing outside the door as she was looking magnificent in her attire. I smiled as I replied-" Shawna? How have you been?"

She came inside and pulled me in a hug. We closed our eyes in happiness to see each other after many days. She is a queen now. But she was still the same Shawna I knew. The one who loved and cared for her friends. She visits me from time to time these years.

She sniffed a little as she replied-" I am good. I have missed you, Jenny. How are you now?"

I pulled out as I smiled at her before replying-" I am feeling a lot better these days. As long as you guys are with me, I feel happy."

She checked me out a little from head to toe to make sure I am okay. She turned to Patricia who was holding Jonathan in his arms as she asked-" How is my Mr. strong doing ?"

Jonathan smiled before replying with her little sentences-" I ...am good... how is the queen?"

She chuckled as she kissed his cheeks and replied-" Queen have missed you. my Mr. strong" She looked at Patricia as she asked-" How are you?"

She smiled and replied-" I am good, how are you, queen Shawna?"

Shawna replied while smiling a little-" Please, call me by Shawna. I am good. I just came to visit you guys..."

She stopped as soon as she saw Brad standing with a straight face. Her smile dropped a little as she still pulled out a smile again and asked-" Brad? How have you been? Is everything good in School these days?"

Brad replied with a cold tone-" Yes, queen Shawna..." He turned towards me as he said-" jenny... I have to go now... I will see you afterward"

He walked away as Shawna quickly followed him. She said-" Brad!!! Stop."

Brad sighed as he stopped outside the gate. Shawna walked towards him and asked-" Can we talk?"

Brad chuckled bitterly as he replied-" Queen, Shawna... If this is about some official matters, I shall meet you at the court..."

Shawna Frowned as she replied-"No... I want to talk to you as a friend..."

Brad cut her off by saying-" Friends? We have ended this relationship 4 years ago... Apart from the official matters, I don't want to waste my time. Now if you will excuse me, I have classes to attend. My students will be waiting...."

He left without looking back as Shawna looked at him with a sad face. I came to her and put my hands on he shoulder. She looked back and forced a smile. I said-" Soon, everything will be the same as before...."

She sadly chuckled as she replied-" Same as before?.... That will never happen Jenny!!!" She sighed as she asked-" Is there any information about John?" She asked with lots of hope in her eyes, as I looked down and nodded my head in a no, breaking her hope into pieces.

She said-" John will return.... and so will he... I am sure of it Jenny...."

I nodded as we talked for some time about random things and we bid goodbye to each other. She left as we came back. I picked up John's old picture as I looked at it and whispered-" I am waiting for you. Come back before I leave. Please don't break your promises".