As the night creeped in, I realized dinner was waiting for me at home. I picked up my bag and the bouquet of flowers meant for my mother, before leaving the room. Eric insisted on staying until she fell asleep so I let him.
"I'll come by again, mum."
My mother was dumbfounded when she heard I called her like how I used to. Without a single glance, I could tell she was happy, really happy. Well, that was also why I felt like doing it.
Alice had already arrived when I went to the lobby. As we were on our way home, I glanced at the scenery outside of the window. I was never allowed to be out at night so it was a rare chance for me to see the street lights gleaming in the dark.
My sister was awaiting my arrival at the dining table when I entered the house. I could hear a grumbling sound from her stomach but the maids told me she insisted on waiting for me.
"You could have eaten first."
I sneaked a glance at my exhausted sister who worked hard for the whole day. I knew she wouldn't eat before me no matter the circumstances, so I quickly placed my stuff in my room.
"The flowers… I guess that could wait."
I closed the door behind me and headed to the dining room.
"Should I warm up the food, Miss?" The maid who welcomed me to the dining room asked.
"No, it's okay. It's fine as it is, thank you."
I declined the offer and the maid bowed as she left the dining room. My sister dozed off while sitting so I had to wake her up. Well, I can't blame her. It's already late after all.
I sat on the chair beside her. The utensils were already readied at the side of the plate. It was a peaceful dinner, without my sister's teasing or whatsoever. Well, not until my sister's phone rang.
"Hello? … Yes, Andrea speaking. … Yes… What?!"
My sister's hands were fidgeting as the call ended. She squatted down while covering her mouth, trying to hold back the tears that were almost bursting out.
Without further ado, I took my phone from my room and called for Alice. My sister didn't mention a thing about the call she received earlier but I already figured what it was about, judging from her reaction.
I dragged her to the car despite her resistance and told Alice, "To the hospital."
While we were on the way, I knew my sister was holding back her tears all the time because so did I. Nothing would come out of us weeping since time wouldn't turn back to how it was.
"Madam is in critical condition. This way, please!"
The receptionist recognized my face immediately when we arrived since I've been there earlier in the afternoon. She led us to our mother's room, only to find her coughing seriously, like really bad.
Seeing the nurses trying to calm her condition while one of them went to get the doctor, I started panicking. Thoughts about me being left all alone ran through my mind and before I knew, my sister was consoling me as I sobbed.
"We're very sorry but please leave the room while treatment is in process."
Alice, my sister and I sat at the waiting area when the doctor arrived to treat our mother.
"Miss, please calm down. The lady will be fine, I'm sure."
"That's right, Amanda. M-mother will not le-leave u-us j-just l-l-like that..." My sister could no longer hold back her tears as she spoke.
Mother was put into an emergency ward. We were given choices either to stay or return home but I chose the formal. After all, I wouldn't be able to fall asleep anyway after knowing about her condition was not getting better.
Alice sent my sister home first because her eyes were so tired from all that crying earlier. I took a deep breath before walking to the window to see my mother laying there helplessly when a sudden warmth touched my head.
I looked up to see the person and was surprised to see Eric.
"What are you doing here?"
"Word reached my mother and she was so worried she sent me here to check up on your mother."
He layered his coat over my head and turned his head away.
"Y-you, wanna go outside for a while?" Eric stuttered while avoiding eye contact with me.
What is it? Is there something on my face?
Without waiting for my response, I was brought out to the lobby. It was near midnight so there weren't anyone there.
"Why...?"
Eric paused before speaking again, "Well, I thought you wouldn't want your mother to see your crying face so… Eh? What?!"
I didn't know tears were streaming down my face until he told me. Before I knew it, I broke down in tears, kneeling on the floor. Although there was yet to have news about my mother passing away, I still felt like she would leave all so suddenly like dad, leaving me behind again.
Eric helped me up to a bench nearby and stayed with me til my tears dried up.
"Are you done?" He reached out his hand to me, whose eyes were still swollen.
I took his hand and went to wash my face before the nurse called. Eric accompanied me to my mother's side, while the doctor talked to me.
Seems like my mother's illness neither worsened or improved, so she had to stay in the hospital for another period of time. It was an illness with no cure and they did not want to admit that fact so the doctor said he will look into it before confirming anything.
I nodded in response to what he said and the nurse told me to take a rest back at home before I become the next one to pass out.
Alice came to pick me up when I called, and she was really worried when she saw my puffy eyes. On the other hand, Eric's driver arrived sometime ago so he needn't need to wait.
"Then, see you at school." said Eric when I got into the car.
I waved and Alice drove me home. My sister was already sound asleep while mumbling something in her dreams.
I took a shower before heading to bed.
"Good night, sweet dreams, Miss," the maid turned off my room lights as I was too tired to move a muscle after laying on my bed.
"Good night to you too."