Sophie's heart has been doing well but so also is the malignant tumor fast developing.
It has covered the rear of her brain already and is now threatening to enter the mid section.

Her parents have been in and out of the hospital as was the case before the surgery and each time they would pray together in front of her crib as she slept. I no longer try to stop them any more or because I'm even beginning to doubt myself.

That evening when Tomi came over alone and she prayed for mom, I didn't think there was going to be any change as there was no change for my dad when I poured out my heart to him that day on the bridge while looking for help.
But even as much as I don't want to admit it, I felt a little better after she prayed; I wasn't as sad anymore as I was earlier.

In fact, I would say that it felt like she had already regained her consciousness, recovered and been discharged and sent home. I was just too happy for my own liking.

I divert my thoughts back to Sophie.
The Blakes had gone to almost every pediatric hospital they could think of before coming here to Kinder.
They wanted to make sure that their daughter was in the best of hands on the day of her birth. 
I feel awful letting them down as we are about one of the best in the area.
But still, they don't seem the least bit bothered that their daughter might die. I mean, yeah they can't really do anything about it but still, I shrug.
They never once lost their peace except for that first time when I broke the news to them and Mrs. Blake panicked but that was a bit understandable.
Yes, they knew before coming to Kinder that there was something seriously wrong with their daughter but they didn't know how much and I am not so surprised that she reacted that way.
What baffles me is that by then, they didn't know half of what was wrong with Sophie.
As the news got worse, they got even more collected; they never lost hope that their daughter would one day be okay.

As the case may be, we are waiting until the tumor eventually spreads round her brain and sadly kills her but the Blakes have forbidden us to speak of death around them or their daughter.
They keep insisting that she will be discharged as a normal child without any defects whatsoever.
At this point, we as the medical crew can do nothing much to convince them otherwise.

I shake my thoughts off Sophie and focus on the matter at hand; dinner.
Mom was discharged today and as you most probably know, she refused to have the surgery.
The hospital had no choice but to discharge her and hope she gets better.

Since it's her first night at home, I wanted to surprise her with a treat.
Mom is a lover of homemade foods while I, on the other hand do more of fast food,  not necessarily because I don't like her homemade food - she is probably the best cook in the world - but because I'm not much of a domestic person.
I never liked to cook, even in my much earlier days, and the nature of my work has made it such that even if I'd like to, I don't  have the time.

So, after returning from the hospital, I made her comfortable in the room downstairs different from her normal one upstairs, and told her I was getting dinner. She probably thought I was going to order something.
Once I got downstairs, I fished out one of her easiest recipes that I could find and decided to try it out.

How hard could it be?

It's almost twenty-five minutes later now and the sink which was clear in the beginning is now filled with things I don't even remember using. The kitchen table has flour all over the top and there's oil dripping down to the floor. The batter still isn't made yet and I just found out that I have absolutely no idea of what I'm doing.
I drop the whisk and slap my head in frustration, smearing my head with flour in the process. 

"Why can't I get it right?" I groan loudly but not enough for mom to hear.
I take a few steps back and scan the kitchen.

It's a horrible mess.

I can't do this, I need to get a maid sooner or later.

"What would I do, it's getting late and dinner isn't ready yet. My surprise will be ruined." I whine.

Just then, my phone starts buzzing in my pocket and I try to wipe out as much flour from my hands in order not to smear my phone as I take the call. I pull it out from my jeans and check the caller ID.

"Hey Brian." I smile sadly before clearing my throat in the bid not to sound too much the way I feel.

"What's up, you don't sound good?"

Busted.

I decide to just tell him. I mean it's not like I have a solution anyway.

"I'm in the middle of a nightmare." I sigh and massage my temple as I lean against the kitchen table feeling a headache build up.

"Sorry, I'm not following."

"I'm horrible at cooking." I say again not even bothering to check if what I'm saying makes sense.

"What?" I figure that's a rhetorical question because I'm sure he heard me the first time and so I continue.

"My mom was discharged today and...."

"Whoa really? That's great." He cuts in.

"Yeah, and I wanted to surprise her so I decided to make her dinner."

"Ookay?" He says in a kind of sing song tone urging me to go on.

"That, obviously was a very bad idea because if there's one thing I'm really bad at, it's cooking. Now the kitchen is a mess and I still haven't prepared dinner."

"Seriously?" He laughs and I frown, a bit annoyed that he's finding it funny.

"You think this is funny?" Peeved, I lean of the table and throw up my hand waiting for him to finish laughing and answer my question.
Finally after a few seconds, he seems ready to talk.

"Okay I'm sorry for laughing but in spite of myself, I found it very funny."

"Wow yeah, I did too! This is not funny Brian! Now I'm left with no other option but to order dinner and it'll ruin everything. Thank goodness I started early and she's still having her nap. If not, she would be starving right now." I raise my voice slightly, absolutely frustrated.
I know it's childish to dump my annoyance on him but I can't help it.

"I'm sorry for laughing okay? But tell you  what, I happen to be a very good cook. I could come over and help you out if you wish." My eyes widen. "Also, it'll give me an opportunity to meet your mom in person."

"Seriously, do you really mean that?"

"Yeah, why not? So what do you say?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!" I jump up and begin hopping around the kitchen in excitement.

"One yes was enough you know." He chuckles softly.

"I know but I'm really happy so yeah." I giggle.

"Okay, so how long till dinner time?" I glance at the pear shaped clock that's hanging on the wall.

"Approximately twenty." I shrug even though he can't see me.

"I think I can pull it off in time." At that, I smile and relax swaying slowly from side to side.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Tick tock says the time, gotta run. See you in less than 10 minutes." With that, he hangs up and I run my hands through my hair and lean on the kitchen table.

When Brian called me two days ago on the phone to tell me he was back in the states, I could barely keep myself from screaming in excitement.
Even though I've hardly known him for up to a month, I feel like I've known him my whole life and a week without him is suffocating.
What with work, mom, and Clave badgering me nonstop about something he calls a me-you-time. What does that even mean?
Anyway, I'm glad he's back even though I would never tell anyone that.
I hesitate to text him the address because he sent flowers directly to my house when mom was in the hospital and he also didn't ask for it before hanging up, therefore he must know.
Speaking of which, how on earth did he know where I live? I must ask him once he arrives.

                          ※※

True to his word, about seven minutes later, there is a loud honk coming from outside.

Whoa, his house must be really close.

I mean over the counter and spot him.

The kitchen is designed such that from the window you can see the streets directly, making you able to decipher whoever is trying to come in.

Brian's black car which I can make out as a Porsche rolls in to the garage and I scuttle to the sitting room.
A rapid knock sounds on the door just as I reach it and the moment I open it, a very familiar white collie pounces on me and I'm thrown off balance.

"Liliy!!" I scream and I crouch to hug her. She responds by covering my entire face with slobber. I giggle and finally she pulls away, her tail wagging nonstop and her tongue hanging out.
I use the end of my grey Jersey to wipe Lilly's saliva off my face still laughing.

"Oh Lilly, I missed you." I ruffle her ears and get a jolly woof in reply as I start laughing again, this time I'm joined by a masculine voice and I look up.
Until now, I was so engrossed with Lily that I didn't even notice him and now I do, I wish I had earlier.

He is wearing a loose navy green sweatshirt pulled up at his arms on top of black joggers on a pair of black Nike air maxs.
The green sweatshirt properly complimenting his eyes. His dark hair tousled, making me want to run my fingers through it.

Boy, he's good to look at.

"We have barely ten more minutes Maya."
His words snap me out of my daydream and my cheeks flush.
Embarrassed, I hastily look away and help myself up smoothening my hair that has become tousled because of Lily.

"Yeah y..you're right. The kitchen's this way." I stammer and turn away hastily not wanting him to see my cheeks that are probably now cherry red.
I lead the way and Brian falls in beside me while Lily tags behind.

"Jeez this is a mess." Brain exclaims once we enter the kitchen.

"Tell me about it; and here's what I was trying to make." I hold up the crumpled recipe to him and cross my hands over my chest while he examines it. 

"Well this shouldn't be hard." He looks down at me and shrugs. "Although it would take roughly fifteen minutes."

"That shouldn't hurt. I think we should start right away." With Lily at our heels, we set out to work.

All through the time, Brian barked out orders and I was all over the kitchen making sure that each one was met. Honestly, I never though I would ever see this side of him.
To say the least, I never knew the side even existed.
In just about a little over fifteen minutes, we are both standing and folding our hands, admiring our finished work.

All the hard work finally paid off.

I look up and find him already looking at me and I smile.

"Thanks, you're a life saver."

"You're welcome and I think you should go call your mom now." He grins showing off his perfect row of white teeth.

"Yeah." I pull back my hair and secure it in a loose ponytail with a random rubber band I have on my wrist. "Wait here, I'll be right back." I turn on my heels and sprint to the guest room where my mom is currently sleeping.

Once at the door, I proceed to knock and then hesitate thinking it isn't necessary. I then push it open softly and peer in first.

Was I surprised?

Instead of sleeping like I thought she was, her head is bent steadily over her Bible on her lap and she's muttering a few incoherent words, probably praying, (in tongues)
She obviously doesn't notice my presence because she is still yet to look up.

"Mom?" Her head snaps up in one swift motion, and slowly her countenance relaxes once she sees it's only me.

"How long have you been up?"

"M..maybe a......an ho..our." Her slurred speech jumbles the words up a little bit but not so much that I can't hear her.

"So you didn't sleep at all?" I ask utterly surprised.

"Y..yes, I w...wasn't feeling s....sl...eepy dear. I....is anything...thing wro...ong?"
I smile sadly seeing the much effort she's putting into speaking and sigh.

"It's okay mom, don't talk too much. I was just worried that you didn't get enough sleep that's all." I step in and shut the door behind me walking over to help her out of the bed and into her wheelchair.

"By the way, I made food." At that, she looks up at me, her eyes filled with wonder, I'm sure, at what she feels is a joke.

"R...really?"

"Yes mom and I brought someone over that I'd like you to meet." I smile.

"W...wow, th....is is g...great h..honey."

"Yeah, and I'm gonna have to cover your eyes now." I giggle and gently place one hand over her eye, earning a surprised "oh" from her while my other hand firmly grips the wheelchair.

I wheel her out of the room careful not to hit anything as I am basically wheeling her with one hand to the kitchen where Brian is currently putting something in the oven.

When he sees me, he quickly shuts the oven and pulls off the baking gloves straightening himself but not failing to put on his award winning smile that never ceases to make my stomach do flip flops.

I then take off my hand from mom's eyes and she gasps almost immediately. I walk over to where Brian is standing a few feet away from her and stand beside him, flashing him a giddy look before turning back to mom.

Her face holds a myriad of emotions that I can't begin to list, but each one of them depicts pure joy.
A lone tear against my will escapes my eye and trickles down till it lands on my Jersey.
I sniff and wipe my face with my sleeve and just then, a firm but warm hand holds my shoulder and squeezes it soothingly before stroking it gently.
I look up and met those green eyes I have somewhat grown familiar with.
These eyes that have always held nothing but pure and genuine concern for me since the first day I saw them.

"H..hello?" My head zapps away from Brian's face to my mom's who currently has a mischievous look plastered on it. I squint my eyes at her, knowing where this is going. She just ignores me and pretends she's still admiring dinner.

"M..maya d...dear, this is s...so beautiful and is t...that the p...person y...you w..wanted m...me t..to m...meet?" A fake look of surprise masking the former one.
I glare at her before turning to Brian and smiling.

"Yes mom and his name is Brian." He steps forward to shake her hand. "He's the guy I've been telling you about, the guy that got you those red roses."

"Oh m...my y..you are a f..fine y..young m...man m...my d...dear." Brian, the gentleman that he is, bends down and plants a light kiss on her hand before straightening himself again.

I slap my face and chuckle softly.

"D...did y...ou help my d...daughter do all this?"

"Mom!" I throw my hands up in the air in annoyance and the both of them burst into laughter.

"Yes, yes in fact I did ma'am." Brian turns and winks at me before turning back to my mom and laughing again.

"H...have d..dinner w..with us w..I'll you. T..there s...seems t...to be en...nough f..for three." Mom looks longingly at Brian after I settle her in and serve her portion.

"Thank you very much but...." I reach out to touch his arm slightly, stopping him midway.

"Stay. Please." I hold his gaze intently until he softens and agrees to eat with us not before pulling out a tray of cookies he baked for Lily using the remainder of our batter.

As I expect, mom absolutely enjoys dinner because like I just realized, Brian is an amazing cook.
Also, mom and Lily became fast friends that night and not so surprising because Lily is one of the friendliest dogs I know.

  ••••

"Okay where exactly do you live?" I smirk as we descend the stairs of my porch.

"SheepsheadBay actually."

"SheepsheadBay?" My mouth drops open and I stare at him.

"What?"

"How did you…what…where…how…" I stutter for the right words.

"You need to calm down, I don't know which one to answer first." He chuckles.

When I've finally regained my composure and aligned my thoughts, I take the questions one at a time.

"SheepsheadBay is not a ten minute drive from here?" I start.

"I know a good shortcut." He smirks.

"Why do you frequent Cobble hill so much if you live all the way at SheepsheadBay?"

"First of all, I work here and I also like the place."

"Oh that makes sense. I also wondered when you have me those flowers how you knew my address but then I remember you walked me home the first time we officially met so yeah figures." He shrugs and we walk in silence to where his car is parked.

"Thank you." I whisper and he stops and turns to look at me.

"For what?"

"Oh you know, the whole dinner thing."

"Like I said, any time Maya." He says with a sweet smile on his face.
I stand there just looking at him for a while and before I know what I'm doing, I'm rushing forward and I wrap my hands around his torso burying my face into his shirt.

I expect him to push me back or something but he doesn't, rather, he hugs me back.

For a few moments, we just stand there, outside in the freezing cold before he finally pulls away and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"You need sleep." He mutters.

"Don't you?" I reply sarcastically and let out a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, which means we both need sleep." He smiles wryly.

"Yeah you should probably get going."

"Call you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow." I nod and smile.

"So it's good night then."

"Yeah, bye." He flashes me another smile before entering his shiny black Porsche with Lily in the back and zooming off.

So yeah, this is it guys. I'm so excited. I love this chapter partly because I put a lot of work into it and it came out nicely. It's so far the longest I've written and I'm really proud of it.
Also, I think Maya and Brian are really cute 😍

Remember to vote and comment also share the Illuminant on your social media platforms.
Oh and one more thing, I really want to thank @pweediepatom for voting constantly on basically all chapters of the Illuminant so far. She also dropped the first comment. Thank you so much @pweediepatom. This chapter goes first to God almighty and then to you.

Thoughts on Maya and Brian, Tomi, Max, Clave, Maya's mom, Sam and any other of your favorite characters in the comments section.
Bye for now, until next time my lovely readers.

Chinwe_epistle ❤