Ruby
I was at home. It'd been three weeks since that hospital incident.
She blocked me.
Confused me.
I dunno why she told me to forget her, like she never even existed.
And me? I'm just here—madly in love.
She left, and with her… she took my smile.
I've gotten colder.
Worse.
It's just me and my thoughts now.
Until my mom came and sat beside me.
"You're lost... in love?"
"No," I replied, eyes blank. "Just thinking… how someone like me could fall for someone."
She sighed and looked at me, "Look at me, my lion."
I turned.
"Ruby… I don't know how long I have left," she said quietly. "The coughing—it's worse. There's blood now. I wanted to tell you everything before I go."
"Mom—"
"Don't interrupt me. Just listen."
I shut my mouth and listen to my mom that's the first time ever in my life I was listening to her.
"You know why I made you this way? Because I love you. I do, baby. But if I loved you openly, this world would've eaten you alive.
You were born a girl. And that means to society? You're a puppet. For men. For expectations.
Just like me."
She paused, her voice trembling.
"I fell for someone once… back in uni. Handsome. Smart. Famous. I was young. Blind in love.
My mother—your grandmother—warned me. 'Don't fall too easily,' she said. 'It could destroy you.'
But I didn't listen."
I blinked. My mom never talked about her past before.
"And then?" I whispered. "What happened?"
She chuckled—painfully.
"The consequences? Ruby… I got pregnant. No marriage. He ran. Said he couldn't take responsibility.
When I went home… my mom slapped me.
Of course she did. Her only daughter, now a disgrace.
They blamed me.
Because I was a girl.
They said I seduced him. That I ruined our name.
Because in this world, being a girl is enough reason to be guilty."
I was silent. Just listening.
"I fell down the stairs. I miscarried.
Your father? He was best friends with that boy.
He found out what happened and came back. He wasn't there he was at abroad that time.
He said, 'I'll marry her.'
And he did. He stood up for me.
He also apologized on the behalf of his friend.
But the cost?
My own family said, 'If you marry her… forget we ever existed.'
I haven't seen them since."
I also don't know if they're alive or not.
I felt my chest tighten.
"I raised you the way I wish someone had raised me, Ruby. Not fragile. Not soft. Not a girl who needs saving.
I raised you like stone.
So no one could ever break you the way they broke me."
She looked at me, her eyes watery.
"I know I stole your childhood.
I know I made you heartless.
But that was my love, Ruby.
That was protection."
You know when you born i already told your dad I'm not gonna raise another me she's different I'll make her different I'll raise her different different from society rules different from this shes a girl she should be one different from that puppet.
Tears filled my eyes. I hugged her tightly.
Ruby if your grandma comes to my funeral be respectful let her know you're my daughter and tried to get in contact with your family. After all she's my mother and your Grandma.
She sigh lightly and after a long pause she speaks.
"You're in love with Aveline," she said softly. "Promise me… you'll protect her.
Never leave her.
No matter what.
Stand beside her. Be her shield. Never treat her like the rest.
She's not 'someone.'
She's your heart."
I nodded, choking on my tears.
"Marry her, Ruby.
No matter what.
Make her your wife. That's my only wish before I go."
I was shaking, "Mom…"
"And after I'm gone," she continued, "I… I'll watch over your wife"
You are in love with Aveline promise me ruby "you'll protect her never leave her no matter what" you'll stay with her, stand beside her, always protect her, never ever treat her like you treat everyone". She's different for you
"Aveline is your heart protecting her was your responsibility"
She smiled.
"Ruby… even in death, I want her to be your wife.
I'm sorry for everything, Ruby.
But be like your father when it comes to love."
She brushed my hair gently.
"You have his heart.
And you got my art.
Make a portrait of me tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded.
"Your mother once loved art too… but society never let me chase it.
You will.
And don't ever stop Aveline from chasing her dreams either.
Support her. Believe in her.
Let her fly, Ruby—just be the wind under her wings."
"I promise, Mom."
She smiled again.
"You don't need healing, Ruby.
You need Aveline."
Don't repeat myself, ruby create your story different don't you dare to ended up not now she needs you.
"Don't let her go.
Don't repeat my mistake.
Chase her.
Catch her.
Keep her."