A Handsome Devil.

I picked up her call.

"Hello, Mom-"

"Oh, my handsome devil, Mama wants to see you right now."

"Haha...! I'll be there in 10 minutes."

"Waiting...My boy!"

I hung up the phone and took the car to visit her. In this vast world, there were two souls I cherished more than my life itself. Sarah Talbot, my beloved, and Elizabeth Segar, my dear mother.

After my graduation, my father presented me with a mansion in Oakland, a supposed asset for the rest of my days. But my mother opposed this idea, for she loved me with a depth that surpassed even my father's.

Sarah and I would visit her often. But now, since her departure from this world, my mother couldn't bring herself to see Sarah's final resting place. The pain of accepting that Sarah was gone forever was too much for her fragile heart to bear. And so, she remained distant, unable to come to phrases with the harsh truth that had shattered our lives. I understood that some wounds never truly heal, and some loves never truly fade.

After arriving home, she was at the doorway as expected. I walked closer and embraced her tightly. That hug was something I needed today. We stepped to the living room while picking each other up with whines.

"Are you crying, mom?"

"What, why- No. It was from the sorrowful happiness of seeing you.

Do you have any idea about the last time you stayed here?"

"But you visited me there often."

"But-"

I hugged her again. I couldn't restrain my tears this time. They are too tempting on this day. Especially on this day. Tears poured as I could no longer be in this world without her. 

After releasing each other, she noticed me with those welled eyes.

"Oh, my poor thing. I don't know. I don't know how to keep you moving from this nightmare. I just... can't bear this pain of seeing you like this forever-"

"Mom, it's okay, it's okay...I'm okay. See, I'm okay."

"Have you eaten?"

"No, I'm so hungry that I can precisely swallow everything in this room...

Fete me something."

She smiled with her teary eyes. She arranged my favourite scrambled eggs with nopalitos.

"Mom, I forgot to ask you. Why Jamies is here to see you."

"Jamie...!"

"Yes, he called me this morning saying he is here to see you."

"He called you.!"

"Yes, why."

"Ah...! Its nothing. He wants to clear some paperwork here. So he ought me to go with him."

"Are you sure...do you need me to go rather."

"Why, he is also my son...right? Don't bother dear...!"

"Okay!"

After finishing the food, I left her.... straight to my house. Today, I usually take off from appointments and conferences from the office unless it's necessary. I rarely pick up calls or go out. But I got a message from Jeff, to call him. He had never done this on this day. So I intend to call him.

Feeling a sense of curiosity, I picked up my phone and dialled Jeff's number. As the phone rang. After a few rings, Jeff finally answered.

"Eric...!"

"You wanted me to call?"

Jeff's voice sounded slightly rushed as he replied,

"Yeah, sorry for bothering you on...this day, but there's something important I need to discuss with you. Can we meet up?"

I hesitated for a moment. But something in Jeff's tone told me that...

this was more than just a casual catch-up.

"Sure," I replied, "where do you want to meet?"

We agreed to meet at our favourite coffee shop in town, a place that held many memories of laughter and deep conversations. As I drove there, my mind raced with possibilities of what Jeff might want to discuss. Was it work-related? Personal? I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

Arriving at the coffee shop, I spotted Jeff sitting at our usual table near the window. He looked slightly agitated, his brows furrowed and his hands fidgeting with his coffee cup. I approached him.

"What's going on? You seemed pretty urgent on the phone."

Jeff took a deep breath and began to speak.

"Eric, I don't know if that was true or if it was a prank call, that was pulled off this morning. But I've been with you... from the day we met at that Uni.

And from that day, I'm aware...of everything that happened in your life.

About your dad, Sarah...!"

He paused.

"Jeff, What is it?"

"That sound...I'm pretty sure it was...Sarah. I swear...It was Sarah!"

I couldn't believe my ears. My eyes are true. What Jeff told me...! Sarah, she called him...am I dreaming? My heart was aching like I was going to die...I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

My hands trembled uncontrollably as if they had forgotten how to be still.

The tears welled up in my eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to blink, afraid that this nightmare would vanish if I did. 

"Eric, I don't know. If it is still true. But I'm pretty sure that it was her sound. She only said, Jeff---Eric---and the call ended."

"Jeff...Je..ff. Number...Text me the number."

He texted me the number...But I was in shock after seeing...

She called me! She had called me 24 times....! Oh god!!!!

"What, why are you staring at the pho?-"

He grabbed my phone and inspected it.

"She reached me at 10.30... She phoned you at 9 o'clock this morning. Oh! Eric...! Something is suspicious. Now, it's clear she contacted you but you didn't pick up and she called me. She always does this... We need to check Eric. If she is Sarah..."

Yes, It was Sarah...!

"She tried me to call foremost. She reached me.

My Sarah...!

Why didn't I decide to pick up this call?

Why...?"

I yelled at Jeff...

"Relax...!Eric, Relax.."

My Sarah is Alive....! She is alive.