#WritcoStoryPrompt16
She held on to the fragile branch with a death's grip as the roaring water threatened to drag her away.
She gasped, the bubbling swirls entering her mouth. There was no hope left...She struggled, and was trying to escape before the water could endeavour her. But she didn't paddle her legs, eventhough she knew she could.
And then she let herself drown, like a fallen leaf, sinking to the bottom of the lake. Everything seemed numb, motionless, as her body felt no more a burden. She was setting herself free.
She saw the sunlight, getting faded away.. and welcomed the darkness with both of her arms. ....

And then... the image turned plain white. She heard vague voices, calling out her name.

"Carol? Sweetie? Have you completely lost your mind? What's wrong with you? Is this the only way you think can fix that mess? How could you...?"

"Mom?" puzzled, I said.

It was her, on her skin. It was good to see her again on her skin. But still her face was vague, as of a painting or something.

" How...? I mean... uh... where am I now?

" Yeah. Mom. and what the hell you were thinking carol, going upto such an extent? You didn't even think about Jess. And what about David?"

I pinched her to see if it's real.

" Ouch. Iam in full flesh. Mind your paws girl!"

It was bewildering. My Mom. I lost her years ago. And now she's standing, frowning, right in front of me.
I hugged her, tightly, like i would never let go of her.

" i missed you sweetie"

"I missed you too mommie. Now i would never let you go, no matter what happens."
She wiped my tears and held me tight. Squeezing my arms, gazing at me tenderly, she couldn't utter a word. We both knew, words couldn't explain how we felt.

"My girl."

"I'm sorry mom. I just gave up."

And i burst into tears. That was the moment, i couldn't realise the ache of my heart. All i felt was tears and tears and tears, streaming down my cheeks.

"It's okay honey. Now that you're in my arms, its okay."

It was big sigh of relief. This could be heaven. I was still in her arms and she softly brushed my hair with her warm fingers.

"Sweetie?"

"Mom"?

"What you did was wrong. Your time has not arrived yet. Go back and fix it."

I looked at her. Her smile, agonizing.

"No. I'm safe here, right in your arms. No one can snatch you away from me. I want to be here, with you. I belong here."

"Oh sweetie. Mommie loves you too. and always will. But this isn't the place for you. You belong with David and your angel, Jess."

"But.."

She didn't let me finish it.

"... It's okay. iam fine here. It's my destiny. But yours? You have still got the time baby. Just dont stop to paddle. Mommie doesn't want her baby to give up easily."

"But i will never see you again. How can I...?"

"IAM ALWAYS THERE. I WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU."

It was really hard.

She smiled.

Fading.

It seemed blurry and again i heard the indistinct chattering.

Sooner, my pale hands touched the grass.

I could see my legs being dragged out of the lake. It was hurting.

I felt the wet lips, mouth to mouth resuscitation and my chest being pressed for several times.

" Carol? Honey? We have found you baby. it's going to be okay. Just breathe. Please. Oh God. Please baby. Breathe for our Jess. We need you."

I have never seen such a depth of fear and sadness in David's eyes before. Deep down, i apologised to him and to my beautiful jess, more than a million times.


Finally, i wanted to close my eyes.



Three years later.



Sunshine gleaming through the window, summer breeze playing with my floral curtains. Eyes still sleepy, it was 7 a. m.

David is sleeping like a baby, right next to me. I lowered down our blanket just a little, little enough to feel his bare skin. His back shoulder, inked with a rising phoenix and the words, "Still I Rise".
I ran my fingers on it, kissed with devotion and snuggled him with the warmth of the morning radiance.

© ArtEcstatic