See you at the end of the world.

Submitted into Contest #100 in response to: Write about a character preparing a meal for somebody else.... view prompt

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Coming of Age Sad Suspense

Tw: Suicide attempt, Self harm,Pills

*Grandma Bel's Pov* 

Sitting on my wooden chair, eating the meals my granddaughter Ellie cooked for me, was the best way of waiting for the day. My sickness came two years ago since then I can see how she puts a fake smile. Every time I look in her eyes, a big wave of sadness fills the empty room. She tries hard to look happy, but I know she is not. Her parents left her to me ten year ago ,because they couldn't afford having a kid. 

''Grandma, look what I prepared for you. It is your favorite.''- she said with a flickering voice.  

She putted the plate on the mini table in my bed. After my last collapsing, I could not walk or sit. Her voice felt empty, full of regret and worry. I did not have much time left... All I wanted was for her to relax and be happy. 

  Weeks went as the harsh and cold winter came. Els cooked me pork chops with mushroom sauce. The sauce like it was from heaven, creamy, fresh, and rich on flavor, the meat was soft and warm. I ate. Went to sleep. The window was half opened, and I was thinking about my long life. For all the years I couldn't have the chance to follow my dream. I wanted to have a coffee, where everyone can read books and just relax. My body felt cold, my pulse was getting lower within every second. My eyes were closed, all I could hear someone saying something, but it was quite.

See you at the end of the world,honey. I saw her beautiful face one last time, she was crying.... 

 *Ellie's Pov* 

Two years ago, the doctors told us that grandma Bel' is really sick. My fifteen years old self started work so I could help with the bills for the pills and the other things. My love for cooking started back then, I was good, and I conditioned with practicing so I can have my own restaurant one day. My grades went down because I was too busy with grandma... As the times passed, I couldn't sleep, my tears were breaking from my eyes every time I saw her. Her skin was getting paler, her blue eyes became grey, the flowers in the garden were dead. Most of the rooms were half empty. After her last collapsing, her conditions got worse.  

  ''I wanted to talk to you, because...the tests did not show anything good.''- the doctor told me. 

  ''What do you mean by that?'' 

  ''She has two months or even one." 

In the moment he said this my soul left, tears were falling. I couldn't say a word. Grabbed my jacket and bag and went to my grandma's room. Her eyes were like stars. She herself was my sun, my light, my hope.  

  It was December 11th. I cooked her pork chops with mushroom sauce. We talked a little. After that I opened a little the window and kissed her forehead. The moment I went to my room I started crying. Her hair was white, and her lips were sour. She couldn't really talk. Hour later I went to her room, she was not there anymore. Just a body. Nothing else. Cold air. Darkness. I fell on the ground. The lines on my hands absorbed all the tears. 

 Bel's funeral came. I do not know what happened to me. My mental health was bad, I failed my finals and the school year. I had to repeat the year and like this my nineteen years of living were. The doctors gave me anti-depressants and other drugs. My life became worse after I started with them.  

Day by day. Pill after pill. I was a living body, with a dead soul in it. Most of the times I was somewhere else, not in this reality, somewhere where everything I desire was real. I wanted to disappear, to end it all. I did not have much money, most of them went for the pills and the college I was in. I do not know how I got there maybe because I looked helpless. The only place I felt good was where my grandma was. 

  *Haru's Pov* 

Two weeks ago, my brother died in a car crash. He was the only person who could understand me. The ten years difference we had was nothing. Our mother left when I was five years old, and our father took care for us. Soon after that he started drinking, he abused me and when I was fifteen my brother took me to live with him. He had a daughter and a wife since last year. But now the little girl will not see him, and he will not see her growing up.  

I hate showing emotions, but this time I couldn't stop myself.  

 One day I was on heading to his grave, when I saw this girl. She was sitting next to the grave next to my brother's, she was with blue jeans, vans, grey hoodie, and her black hair was on a messy bun. 

 ''I am sorry for your lose""- I said. Then she turn to me with a face of someone struggling, her green eyes looked tired.  

 ''I am sorry for yours. I have not seen you around. Must be hard for you"- she said with this sweet but sad voice. 

 ''My brother...he died two weeks ago'' 

''My grandma she died three years ago" 

 ''You come here often?" 

  ''Yes. Anyways I have to go." 

  ''I am Haru" 

  ''Day? Beautiful name. I am Ellie. Nice to meet you!" -then she walked out. 

From her voice I knew that something was off. I could see the scars on her heart and body

 *Ellie's Pov* 

I went to her grave again, it was warm outside, it smelled nice and like the beautiful spring. Her favorite season. I took the bus and put my headphones with music on a full volume.  

I sat next to the grave, looking at her black-white photo. I putted new, fresh flowers. Her favorites. 

 ''Happy birthday'' - and I lighted the candle. 

I was sitting and I was listening to the nature.  

  ''I am sorry for your lose"- Deep voice I kind of could feel something comforting in this man's voice, also he had accent. I turned and in front of me a tall, Asian boy with black hair, black hoodie, and cargo pants with converse. He looked sweet and nice. His name was Haru.

I remember my neighbor where my mom lived was had the same name. He gave me food five times. I wonder what happened to him, since he was the only person who knew about my abusive and alcoholic mother.  

I walked home. Took my pills and just went to sleep, since this was the only escape from living. 

Me and Haru started to meet often and with the time passing we become close. He was the only person who understands me. He became my only friend, many people looked at me down because of my conditions. 

 Two years went by, I had to meet up with my mother. She was in prison for robbing a food shop. This day was one of the worst days. My mental health become worse. I had the worst depression episode, so I had to take stronger pills. 

  *Haru's Pov* 

The past weeks I saw Ellie's pills, those were new ones. Something was off, the feeling become even harder when she randomly called me at 2:06 a.m. When I picked, I just heard a little "help". I rushed to her place. When I opened the door, she was laying down. 

  ''ELLIE'' 

  "Haru....I ...I can't...move." 

  ''What did you do" 

  "I had...I couldn't sleep. I had a panic attack. So...I... I. Please help me"- she was crying. I got her in my car. Before that I saw her pills and a cup of water. 

  The next day when she woke up. 

  ''I am sorry. I had a panic attack, so I drank my pills, but I it was my third dose for the day, and I think I had more than two." 

 "Hey, it's fine. Look let's live together. I want to be there for you. I know that I cannot help you, I do not really know how you feel. But I do not want to lose you, you are the only person...who I will... Please.'' 

 ''Let's live together."  

*Ellie's Pov* 

After I graduated, I started working in a restaurant. It was great. Me and Haru started dating after a while. I did not need the drugs that much. I overdosed with them three times. After the last time year ago. When I tried to end it all. I saw Bell, she told me to keep living so I can achieve the dreams and be happy. She told me that she is watching me and is proud of me.  

A long journey. I changed my life and found a true happiness. 

Me thirty-one years old, I have family, mine and my grandma's dream came true.  

  It was a normal day, I was coming back from work. I was on the big road, driving, vibing, when this car crashed in me. My legs were stuck. My eyes couldn't open. Everything around me was in noises, sirens. Someone took me off the car. 

''Hello. Do you know what day we are?" 

Someone said this and opened my eyes. It was cold. My head was floating...I opened my eyes. A bridge, the sky was full of stars. It was a day, the air was fresh. Someone was holding my hand. 

"Let's go to eat some lunch"- grandma? I turned it was her. An angel, my sun, my hope. She was smiling. ''It's been a while, honey'' 

 ''Where are we?" 

"We are where everything ends. End of the world. Here you have everything you want." 

******************** 

She smiled and started cooking pasta for her grandchild. Ellie was free from all the sadness. She was happier there. 

July 02, 2021 14:34

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RBE | Illustrated Short Stories | 2024-06

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