chapter 8. part 2

The day had risen, and it was somewhere 10 am. The ribbon-like rays were reaching all corners of the room. The air was warm, and visitors had started to come.

As Miraki landed near the ward door, "JUST TAKE OFF THE OXYGEN MASK DAMWIT!! WHAT A WASTE." she heard a loud shout which took her by surprise. Her body quivered for a second and goosebumps started to form all over her arms.

Hesitantly she took a step back and peeked at the door.

"There isn't just you and me here ma. It's a shared ward. Keep your voice low." woman in her late thirties passive-aggressively glared at the old woman who had shouted a few minutes prior.

"You are making others uncomfortable." she hissed.

"Uh, my foolish daughter. Be drowned in your little foolish world. I need a puff." with that said the woman left towards the balcony. She had a rather obese figure and prickly blue eyes.

Miraki, step by step entered the room as she looked at her left and right and then on the ground. She sat beside her grandmother, with reminisces and memories of the past. As the old woman from her neighbouring patient walked past her, Miraki swore she would rather look at dirt than her.

She was annoyed at how she could so easily ask to remove the oxygen mask. How could anyone be cruel to such an extent? The energy that women carried only distanced her thoughts from that woman even more.

Miraki caressed her granny's hands when she felt someone tapping her shoulders. It was the women who argued in the ward earlier. 'I she here to patch up?'

"Hello! You're new here!" the woman said. She spoke earnestly and had a very gentle tone. "Well yea. I just came here to meet my grandmother" she spoke awkwardly.

Interacting with unknown people and chattering with them, she never learned. Despite all her efforts, she got super shy and awkward.

"I see. Well, I am very sorry for earlier. You were taken aback by my mother."

"it's… it's ok" Miraki didn't what the beautiful lady to take responsibility for what the old woman should have done.

"Ok then," she took a sigh of relief before adding "You are such a sweet child." the woman patted her shoulders.

The woman had soft brunette curls that reached her collarbones. She had a pale face with big siren eyes. She was one of the most beautiful women miraki had seen.

"Are you here on a visit too?" Miraki decided to ask back. Being accompanied felt better to her than staying idle.

"Oh no. I am here looking after my son. Well, it seems you know no one here so let me tell you. So there, next to the door lie two beds for a pair of father and son. Next to them is where my son is. Then comes your granny and then a girl and well, the next bed… it is occupied only at night. The woman had been kind enough to share her knowledge.

In all truth, as she observed the room, it was cheaper and unkempt. The walls had cobwebs in the corners and unkept curtains. The walls paint was wearing off and there were more people admitted than she had expected.

"I see. I am sorry," she said even when she had no reason to be.

"I am sorry as well. After your granny and my son's accident were involved" her eyes cast down. "Well, what had happened if I may ask?" she asked.

"Well, Andrei was on his bike. But he crashed with your granny. It happened near a cliff so; they immediately fell into the forest. Hopefully, they were rescued instantly but… they are still in critical condition even after a week."

After a week? No, she felt mortified. How could her mother keep her these things for over a week? Immense guilt surfaced over her face. If only she had been reliable then maybe her mother would have shared things quicker.

The woman who kept her accompanied went back to check on her son as soon as her soo called mother came back. About an hour had passed but it seems that the peace won't last much longer.

" B@sterds like such, deserve to die!" the old woman barked in anger. This time she took matters into her hand and tried to take off the oxygen from her grandson.

"THIS IS NOT A PLAYHOUSE MOTHER! STOP IT" The daughter pulled her mother's hands away and swindled it. The people in the ward gawked at them yet the older women paid no heed and said "You are being such an ungrateful daughter just for this cursed child who took everything from you? For this foster child?"

The woman spits on the floor while no one utters a word. The old woman stomps her way out. Miraki had her head laid next to her granny's bed.

The entire argument in the room was annoying her, boiling her blood. After all, how could anyone be so superstitious? Is a child being cursed? Tsk.

It was then that her mother arrived. She heaved heavily. Anna Aims sat next to her daughter while her eyes were plastered on her mother. She knew goodbyes had to be bidden someday but… so soon? Her each breath and her each prayer were all hoping, wishing and praying for one single thing. A miracle.

"Mom, where were you?" Miraki asked in worry.

"Paying the bills" she answered casually yet, Miraki knew it was not as easy as she spoke. Ever since her granny had her liver operation, her health had only worsened. It had also increased their expenses and now with this much cost….

" I. I have a few of-"

"Save it for yourself. You have worked hard for us all these years." Anna aims took the palms of her daughter.

Her eyes were watery as she caressed Miraki's cheeks. She felt guilty. Her daughter had to work from a young age to look after all of them.

But now, her daughter's eyes held a different look. She was no longer a child; she was an adult. Her face defined that she understood everything.

"I will see if I can get an advance payment." she gave a tight-lipped smile.

The hours went by as they share about their lives. Anna asked her daughter about her work life. As her daughter spoke unfazed, sharing her tiniest memories and happy moments made her relieved. At least she hadn't lost her youth years to her job.

It was now 4 in the evening. She got a call. Miraki swiped green and spoke 'Hello?'

"Miss Miraki aims, to be back by tomorrow morning. You are needed on your station."

With the short notice from her work, the call got cut.