It was after training
Cristiano's shirt still soaked
Body tired
Head spinning from drills and weight sessions
His phone rang
Number from Madeira
He answered fast
Voice sharp
Hello?
It was his sister
Her voice cracked before she said anything
It's mom
She collapsed
They took her to the hospital
Cristiano's chest tightened
Words blurred
Thoughts scattered
He tried to speak
Couldn't
Just clenched his jaw
Then asked
Is she awake?
She is now
But they said it was stress
Overwork
Maybe her heart
That night Cristiano didn't sleep
He sat in his room
Alone
Lights off
Jersey in his hands
He whispered duas
Prayers
Tears didn't fall
But his body felt heavier than ever
She worked her hands to the bone so he could chase this dream
And now she was breaking
Next morning he walked into Sir Alex's office
Didn't knock
Eyes dark
Voice quiet
I need to go see her
Please
Sir Alex nodded
Didn't say much
Just handed him a flight ticket
Go
But come back sharper
She'd want that
Madeira felt smaller now
He hadn't been back in months
But it still smelled like sweat and sea
He stepped into the hospital room
His mom smiled weakly
Tried to sit up
Cristiano grabbed her hand
Held it tight
Didn't speak
Just stayed there for hours
Head down
Eyes full
She whispered to him
Even if I fall
You don't stop running
Promise me
He nodded
Swallowed the storm in his throat
I promise
When he flew back to Manchester
He didn't cry
Didn't tell anyone
But that next match
He played like a man possessed
Two goals
One assist
No celebration
Only silence
Only fire