Chapter 65
***Jack***
Days turned into weeks and yet I heard nothing from Larissa. Worse still, I saw no traces of her. She didn't come home nor did she show up at work which was weird and I was scared.
Had she run away?
Kassy said the last time they had seen was the last time I also heard from her and that she had stated that she was waiting for me. Where could she have gone? I couldn't sleep properly. If something had happened to Lissa I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Her number was still on voicemail and I didn't want to go as far as publishing or announcing her as missing to the world yet because of her position. It would be really upsetting if she was around or needed a break to herself and I announced her as missing.
The absence of communication was what made me unsettled. She would have reached out but she didn't. Or was she kidnapped? Or did she just want to be? For how long? I thought about reaching out to private investigators or mutual friends but then they'd figure out she was missing. I was shit scared and helpless. Her sudden disappearance didn't sit well with me because we had spoken earlier and she had left a voicemail for me. That was unlike Larissa. To just go ghost when she had work.
I had immersed myself in Lissa’s world, attending to her patients and doing her professional obligations as I prayed for her return. It was the only thing I could do and I had to do it well. She loved her patients and didn't joke with her work so I had to be committed to that. The hospital staff were apprehensive and kept talking about how they missed their colleague and friend and it hurt that I couldn't tell them the same. I had to give them multiple excuses and kept promising her return. Some went as far as asking if she was pregnant and needed a break.
The gravity of the condition fucked with my emotions. All I wanted was for Larissa to return. If she had left because I spoke about the kids then I would never interfere. She was their mother. Whatever she chose and how she chose to do it, I would never question. I just wanted her back. I had covered up for her so much I was out of lies. I couldn't tell anyone how I was feeling.
Regrets and worry were the only emotions I was experiencing. It was all my fault. If only I had gone for her earlier that day, we wouldn't be in such a mess. How did I manage to forget? I had tried every means I knew of but it was all futile. Now I was left with one.
***
“Dadddddd, good to see you,” Daniella cried in excitement as she ran to hug me.
“Hi daddy,” the boys said as they hugged me.
With joy in my heart, I embraced them and hugged them tightly. It felt good to be with the triplets again. How I missed them.
Diana pulled back and peeked behind me. Then she met my eyes, “Dad, where's mom? She didn't come with you today?”
The question hit me in the chest and I wallowed in sorrow as I searched for an answer. I had come to see the kids. If Larissa had taken them they wouldn't be here. And they had asked after her which meant she never came.
Ignoring the question I beamed at them, “Wow. Diana you've grown a foot tall, that's far ahead of the boys.”
“Dad,” Dave sulked as he eyed his sister, “That doesn't mean she can beat me up. I'm stronger.”
“Wanna fight?” Diana challenged, ready to pounce on her brother like a cat but I held them back.
“You both– You three shouldn't fight. Remember what I always told you boys, don't ever hit a woman. Ever. And you Diana, don't challenge boys. You're a girl,” I said softly.
“Daniella is such a crybaby,” Daniel teased as we occupied our table, “She wants her mother every time.”
I smiled and ruffled Daniel’s hair, “She’s my princess, not a crybaby. Don't you miss your mother too?”
“Dad, I'm a big boy now,” He said as he smoothened his rough hair.
“He calls for her in his sleep,” Dave whispered and rolled his eyes and we all burst out laughing.
“Okay darlings, your visiting period is only for a short while and I have a shift at the hospital so I wouldn't be spending much time with you guys today.”
Dave stared up at me with curious eyes, “Dad?”
“Yes son?”
“Have you been losing sleep? You've got eyebags and that's rare,” he muttered.
“Don’t be a dummy. People get them as a result of stress,” Diana pointed out.
“I'm not daft, I know–”
“Quiet down kids,” I hushed, “Diana is right. I've been so stressed lately and having shifts that's why I have them.”
“And mom? Is she having a shift too? Is that why she didn't come? She's never missed any of our visiting hours,” Diana started.
Fear clawed at my heart. How was I going to explain to the kids that I hadn't heard from their mother for about three weeks now? How would I tell them the cause of my eye bags were a result of sleep?
“Mom travelled for a surgery that's why she couldn't make it,” I lied, “but she got gifts for you all.”
“I guess Santa came early,” Dave said as he eyed the gifts on the table, “But these are a lot of gifts. Thank you dad.”
They all thanked me and I watched them open some of their gifts. They insisted on opening the rest in their rooms. I spoke with them and they kept talking about how much they wanted to come home and how they didn't like the school but there was nothing I could do about it. Their mother wanted them there. Academically they thrived and I was really proud of them, except the boys kept getting into one issue or the other with fellow boys at their school. I so badly wanted to take them home, maybe then Larissa would show up. The kids missed her and they didn't hide it. They insisted on talking to her on the phone but I refused saying she wouldn't be with her phone and I'll send their regards.
After the whole fun, it was time to go. It hurt to leave them but I had to. After advising them and hugging them, I said goodbye.
“Dad, please we don't want to come back to this school after break,” Dave pleaded.
I hugged them tightly, “I and your mother would talk about that. For now focus on your studies and also stay out of trouble, okay. Get good grades and maybe who knows, you might leave this school.”
They all cheered up and said goodbye. That's when it occurred to me the reason why I was here.
“Dave, Daniel, Diana? When was the last time you saw your mother or spoke to her on the phone?”
The triplets shared a confused look that made my chest tighten, then Diana spoke up, “A month ago daddy.”
“And that was the last time you guys came together. We've not seen or heard from her since then,” Daniel pointed out.
I laughed nervously and patted their shoulders, “You’re right. Alright kids, be good.”
“Dad?” Diana called, halting my footsteps.
I whirled around to face her, “yes pumpkin?”
She went poker-faced, “Is something wrong with mom?”