Mommy's Little Girl-Chp7

CHAPTER 7: MOURNING

A frantic cry came out of the nursery room. Paulo and Arlene quickly rushed towards the room. They saw Isabella wailing and crying her eyes out, Baby Angela held close to her chest. Paulo came to her aid.

“What is it, honey? What happened to Angela?”

“She’s…She’s dead! Our baby is dead! Oh God, Paulo, our little daughter is dead!!” Isabella wailed. Paulo was horrified. He took Angela and felt for hr pulse. He tried to resuscitate her but in vain; she had died way too long to be brought back to life again. Arlene stood there staring innocently at her parents.

“What going on, Mama? What’s the matter, Paulo? Is there something wrong with Baby Angela?”

The Santonios didn’t answer her, but Isabella came over to her and reached out for her, hugging her close. Arlene hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her Mama’s body on her. She felt so comforted and relieved to have her Mama in her arms again. Isabella then let her go abruptly and ran into her room, sobbing.

“What is wrong with Mama, Paulo?” Arlene asked.

“She’s…She’s upset, sweetie,” Paulo laid his hands on Arlene’s shoulders. “I have to tell you this, Arlene. Angela…Angela is…is dead. She’s dead. She just…died in her sleep.”

“Oh no. No, no, no, it can’t be!” Arlene shook her head, her face full of denial.

“Yes, Arlene. Angela is gone now. You…Can you hold Angela for a moment while I call the doctor, OK?”

Arlene nodded as she took Angela in her arms. Kitty hugged Arlene’s arms tight as she sat down with the cold body of the baby in her arms.

“Oh no. Arlene, is she really dead? Is she really gone?” Kitty asked sadly.

“Yes, Kitty. She’s dead,” Arlene replied coldly as she rocked the baby to and fro as if rocking her to sleep, as if she was still alive. She lowered her voice when she added, “Good and dead.”

Kitty failed to notice the cold tone on her voice, just as he failed to notice the cold smile on her face.

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Isabella lay on her bed all day, her eyes swollen with all the crying. Many friends and relatives came to wish their condolences to the Santonios but Isabella was deaf to their words. She was so devastated that she didn’t even attend the burial ceremony of their Baby Angela.

During the funeral tea party, Arlene didn’t mind helping Paulo with the hosting of guests. Everyone said their condolences to Paulo and added more on Arlene. She was dressed by Paulo in an elegant black for this occasion, and Arlene made Kitty join in the funeral by tying a black bow tie on his neck. Most of the attention was on her now.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Arlene.”

“You must be devastated. You only had Angela for a while and you didn’t even get to be her sister.”

“There is always another time.”

“Yes. Your Mama is still young. You’ll get another chance.”

“Silly woman! Nothing can be her lovely baby sister’s substitute!”

“I’m so sorry for you, Arlene.”

Arlene remained silent throughout the whole tea party, showing how sad she was. She slowly went away from the crowd and slipped upstairs. She and Kitty moved slowly towards Isabella’s room and, as expected, saw her on the bed staring into space. Arlene tiptoed to her bed and crawled up the bed towards her dearest Mama.

“Mama? Mama, are you OK?”

Isabella didn’t reply. She continued to stare at nothingness. It was expected.

“Mama, it’s alright. I’m still here with you. I’ll be with you always,” Arlene said as she brought Isabella’s arm around her shoulder. Arlene snuggled herself into Isabella and caressed her cheek. Isabella didn’t as much as flinch at her touch.

“I love you, Mama. I will always love you. I will always be your little girl.”

Tears began to flow out of Isabella’s eyes as she began to hug Arlene tight. And finally, after all the baby’s incident and her death, Arlene finally smiled sweetly as her aquamarine eyes began to sparkle innocently again.

She finally had her place as her Mama’s little girl in Isabella’s heart once more.