9 Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER NINE: HER PERCEPTIONS 

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Nikki waited for her mother to wake up to have breakfast together. Maybe, in this way, her mother has an appetite to eat more.

When Lucy woke up, she wondered why Nikki had come back already.

"Why are you here now?" she asked Nikki with curiosity in her eyes. It made her wonder if her daughter had successfully sold the land.

"Mama, good morning!" Hugging her mother, Nikki ensures to greet the woman with glee.

"What happened to yesterday's meeting with the buyer?"

"Um, I don't think that person would care for the land, so I rejected him, Mama."

"Oh, he did something that angers you." Lucy guessed.

Nikki shook her head as she replied to her mother, "He looks dangerous to me, Mama."

"Oh. Next time, you should bring someone to accompany you, and it's not safe for you to meet strangers alone."

"Sister Maureen and brother Alvin were there, Mama! So, I didn't meet them alone."

"But you are traveling alone," Lucy emphasizes the words traveling alone. A flash of horrible, distant memories passed through her head.

Her mother sounded like she was still in junior high. But Nikki only laughs at it. But she understands why she worries like this and only fears something for herself.

She used to visit Remy Town during the summers. One time, she went to Hanford late in the evening, and no more trains were running. So she decided to take a bus to travel back to Mainland City. When she was walking toward the bus station, a group of teenagers harassed her. She was kind of traumatized by that experience. But it was already ten years ago.

She shook her head. Why did she remember the past? It's not the time to recall anything about it. It's not because she still has the fear; she has forgotten it already. So it's not worth remembering.

"Nikki... Are you okay?"

Her mother's voice brought Nikki back to her senses. Nodding, she replied. "Yes, Mama. I was just thinking of something else."

"Don't tire yourself too much, okay? Why don't you go home and take a rest? Where's Maria, by the way?"

"I told Aunt Maria to go home to get some rest. I will go home once she comes back, Mama."

"Okay. You need a long sleep, so go home tonight."

"Are my eyes full of bags now?" She widened her eyes while saying this and touched both cheeks.

Lucy let out a soft laugh at her daughter's cute reaction. "You are still beautiful and always will be."

"Mama? You say that because I am your daughter," she pouted, making her mother shake her shoulders.

Nikki was happy to see her mother laugh like this. Now, she looks forward to her complete healing after the surgery so her mother returns to being cheerful and lively.

"Let's have breakfast now, Mama."

"You haven't eaten yet? Where's your food?"

"Justin brought some noodles soup and fried rice with hard-boiled eggs."

"Oh. I miss that kid. Is he doing well in school?"

"Yes, Ma... I already told him to approach me if he has lessons he doesn't understand. But you know? He was good at Math and Science, so I have no worries."

"Hmm. That's good, then. I'm happy he did well at college."

Nikki smiled. Her mother often asks the people she knows from the shopping center. So she could tell how her mother wanted to return to her usual lifestyle—to work at her diner again and talk to every customer dining at the store.

While Nikki prepared their breakfast and Lucy lay on the bed, an idea came to her mind.

"You want to go outside today, Mama?"

"Can I?" asked Lucy with excitement.

"If you are feeling well, why don't we go out?"

"Oh, I love that!"

"Then, let's eat!"

After that, they stroll the Park Garden of Mainland Hospital.

Lucy talked with other patients who were also staying in the hospital for a long time.

The Chinese Magnolia trees look beautiful in her eyes. These tulip trees never fail to bloom each year, bringing delight to her troubled heart to see them. It made her remember her grandma. Now that she sees her mother smile often.

Later in the day, Maria arrives, and Nikki goes home. She takes a two-hour nap before she takes a shower.

On her way back, she stops by a supermarket to buy fruits to make fresh juice.

Arriving at the hospital, she got an idea of how to solve her financial matters. All she needs is to talk with Doctor Ben to consult something.

Taking the elevator toward the 10th floor, she notices Anna Lawrence and her husband, David Lawrence, walking toward her. She just came out of the elevator and was about to take the opposite hallway.

She waited for the couple to reach the elevator lobby. Nikki observes the couple, and they look too cute together.

Major David Lawrence carried their oldest child, and Miss Anna was pregnant with their second child.

It was apparent that they visited an OB today.

Suddenly, jealousy crawls inside her chest. It seemed her mother was right, and she must get married soon and celebrate life with her husband and future children.

However, could she even find a good man? They were now extinct in this world, and it's so rare to find one this time.

Anna notices her from a distance, now waving at her. "Nikki! Hi!"

"Hello, sister Anna, brother David. Hi, Margaret!" She greeted the couple and waved at the little girl, who smiled cutely in response.

"Where are you headed, by the way?" asked Anna.

"Um, I just want to consult something with Doctor Ben," Nikki replied to Anna.

"Oh, Ben is observing a surgery today. So, he was out in his office. Is it about Aunt Lucy? How was she, by the way?"

Nodding, she replied, "Yes, sister Anna. I want to talk to him regarding Mama's surgery. She is fine for now, as long as she doesn't have seizures. But Doctor Ben advises doing the surgery as soon as possible."

"Oh, we heard that she needed the blood transfusion, but she has a rare blood type," David adds to the conversation.

David is close to her father, so she treats them like brothers.

"Yes, brother David."

"Let me see. I'll try to ask my men if they knew someone with the same blood type as Aunt Lucy."

With this, she felt hope. "Thank you, brother David!"

"Small thing. If one of us has a blood type A negative, we are happy to donate anytime."

"Thanks for the thoughts, brother David. Oh, you guys are probably going home. I will better set an appointment to see Doctor Ben later today."

"Nikki, don't lose hope, okay? We will include Aunt Lucy in our prayers."

"Thank you so much, Sister Anna."

She watched the family heading to the lift when she remembered something.

"Brother David, wait. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure? What is it?"

"Hmm... I was just wondering if you know someone named Brandon Hale."

She observes how he will react, and David seems surprised. His expression shifts to being troubled.

"Why? Did something happen?" The guy asked Nikki.

"Um... I was selling my grandparent's property at Remy Town, and it happens that Mr. Brandon Hale is interested in buying it."

"Nikki, if you could... please avoid that man. Okay?"

That man is dangerous. She is right in her perceptions. Nikki mumbled inwardly. "Okay, brother David. I will remember that. Actually, I changed my mind, so I did not pursue making a deal with him."

"That's good! You made the right decision. Don't let him become your acquaintance, Nikki. It's better to stay away from him."

She nodded. "I will. Thank you for your time, brother David."

"No problem," said David.

After she bid goodbye to the family, Nikki sighed with relief. It gladdens her, and she meets Major David today, and she makes a query about Brandon Hale.

She cannot truly trust that man. For the others, it may seem somewhat crazy, but once she felt weird, she followed her perceptions.