9 Keep your promises

Cream-painted walls, white ceiling, eye-catchy plants were the things that welcomed us upon our arrival. There were two windows, a table, and chairs as well. It was spacious enough for a little girl, yet it was the best environment for her fast recovery and healing.

"She's waiting for you," the doctor said with a smile on her face. "She's a strong girl and that's the reason why she's alive!"

Her eyes filled with happiness and contentment. As a doctor, it was probably one of the greatest achievements of her life and she must be proud of herself for everything she has done for my sister.

She gently tapped my shoulders and she said, "She's lucky enough."

"My pleasure. Thanks to you and to everyone who did everything to save her. It means a lot to me, to be honest." I looked up at her tantalizing emerald eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled sweetly.

There was one thing that I'd wished for and I thanked the creator every time he granted what my heart needed.

"However, Andrea must stay for three days for further check-ups. Don't worry, it's only mandatory monitoring that we must do to every patient."

"I do understand," I replied shortly. "I know she's in a better place and good hands."

Finally, the pain and burden within my chest had vanished. It has been a long fight for me–for Andrea. But until this moment, there wasn't any update regarding the truck's driver who accidentally hit my sister.

I loathed him. I despised him for being irresponsible. But it wasn't the right time to be angry, to set aside the victory that we both achieved.

"Huh," I sighed, bit the bottom of my lip as I caught a quick glimpse of her.

"Come closer. She'll be fine because she's a brave girl just like you!" Andrea's doctor told me.

She was right. I had no other option but to be brave in front of her, always. I'd wanted to be the best sister, mother, and father to her. And I would do everything for her own sake—even if I had to sacrifice myself, my pride, and my dignity.

A short smile plastered on my lips bowed my head afterward. The spacious, cold room became too warm when my system was heated up by an invisible sensation between me and Lisandro.

Through my peripheral vision, I knew he has been watching my face as I spoke to the doctor. I didn't know that he liked doing it even we were not alone in an isolated room.

It was quite uncomfortable and it made my knees weak. Before anything would happen, I quickly opened my mouth as I said, "Can you please give us some moment?"

I was talking to him. I wanted him to go out with the doctor, yet he crossed his arms and walked to the window nonchalantly.

"Yes, sure! Just call me when you need something." The doctor said.

But she was not the one who was supposed to leave. It was Lisandro. It should be him.

Embarrassingly, I shook my head and followed her. I couldn't believe he acted like a child in front of a professional woman. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't talking to you!" I tried to explain.

She laughed, covered her mouth quickly. I was so embarrassed. I was so disgusted with how his actions. If only I could hit his head earlier, I should have done it too.

"I know. But it seems like he doesn't want to go out for a moment!" she said and the smile on her face remained. "He felt something special to you, but you should wait for his confession. Always be ready, Andy," she added that confused my thought and my feelings.

I knew she was a doctor. She knew what her patients needed, like me.

Instead of being shocked, I bowed my head in disbelief. She has a point either. "I will." I confidently replied and held my head high like a newborn bird.

Right then, I walked back closer to Andrea's bed. She was sleeping peacefully. Her hands moved gracefully as it brought me up to ecstasy.

My hands shook abnormally as well as my knees. I opened my mouth, called her name as soft as I could.

"Andrea," I murmured.

No words could describe how I felt as I watched the precious girl before my eyes. I've imagined that this time would come, that my face would be filled with tears of joy, but now, my tears seemed afraid to show themselves.

"Big sister will be right here waiting for your fast recovery," I said as I held back my emotions.

I missed her so much. I missed her sweet laughter, her smile, the fragrance of her hair, everything. I missed everything about my sister.

I thought I would lose the only family that left with me. It was unimaginable thought for me and if that thing happened, I don't know what to do anymore.

"Wake up now."

"Wake up, brave princess."

I talked on my own, wishing that she would open her eyes and utter a single word. Andrea suffered too much pain because of that accident. And it would be probably too hard to question her experiences.

As gentle as it was, I slowly reached for her right hand as I was seated on the white chair just beside the hospital bed. I'd felt the same warmth like I used to feel back then. The smoothness of her palm remained and her long, perfect fingers looked fine and great.

Her adorable face didn't change a bit and I was happy to witness it. In hopes that she would be conscious because of my presence, I caressed her hand like I was caressing an angry dog's head.

"Please, wake up now. You'd promise that we will both find the man who did this to you, right? You promised me that you will be fine, Andrea!"

I failed.

I had failed to hold back my feelings–the anger that slowly ate my flesh and sanity.

My body suddenly collapsed as I leaned down my head to her chest. Silently, I listened to the calm sound that came from her heart and gulped countless times.

"Keep your promises, so that I could fly high up again," I whispered as I felt dizzy and my eyes seemed too heavy.