The scent of candle lingered on Anne's nose as she passed the living room and did not mistakenly took a glance of the casket in the front. Her father caught a sight of her and beckoned Anne to come over. Not really thinking anything at the moment, she sat down next to her old man on the couch. Her eyes lingered on her father and realized how he was really devastated on the death of her mother. His eyes were in bloodshot and he looked really tired, definitely just like Anne at the moment.
"Anne," her father, Peter, talked. His eyes fixed on the picture of Anna, his wife, that he was holding at.
"Tomorrow you'll visit Ms. Sanchez's clinic, alright?"
Anne agreed silently as she nodded which her father didn't saw. Anne sighed as she stood up and leave the living room.
Leaving her father and a few acquaintances of her deceased mom, she went upstairs and made her way on her room.
As soon as she entered the room, she carefully closed the door behind her; afraid to make any disturbing noises.
Her gaze landed on her bed and she sat on its mattress with a melancholic expression written all over her face.
Then she remembered to call her friend as she had promised to tell her about her mom's situation.
Anne reached out for her phone on her bedside table and blankly dialed Ellie's number while fidgeting a stray of hair that had fallen on her face.
After a few rings, a gloomy voice welcomed Anne.
"How's Anna?" Ellie greeted as soon as she answered the call; her voice hinted she was worried. Seven hours had passed from the time Ellie and her had talked while Anne's mom was still alive — barely.
Anne paused for a moment and took a deep breath before she answered the question, "She's dead, Ellie." When the words escaped her mouth, she felt like it was very surreal. The state of her refused to believe it as her mind flashes the dreadful scene back there at the hospital.
Anne didn't even knew she was crying till the bittersweet taste of tears touched her mouth.
There was a long delay and Anne said nothing as she heard Ellie sobbing on the other line.
It was a melancholic moment till Ellie finally decided to break it by saying, "Don't worry, Anne. I'm sure Anna is in heaven now." she assured while choking in between her sobs.
Anne didn't know what to respond. If she can't blame the heaven then she must to be blame. If only she knew. If only she knew then she might not regret anything. Anne was just staring blankly in the space in her room and ended the call unintentionally.
She texted Ellie she'll be needing to take a rest and her friend sincerely understood. She put down her phone on the table and lay awake on her bed.
She knew she couldn't fall asleep just yet even though it had been three consecutive days she have only slept for an hour or two as she was watching her mom on the health facility Anna was, once, in.
Three days had passed since Anna was hospitalised. Anne and her family was having their dinner as usual when Anna started coughing. It was only mild. And Anna seemed well-conditioned. She remembered asking her mother back then, "Are you okay, mom?"
Anna only showed a sanguine expression, like nothing was wrong.
"Go on, dear. Don't mind me." Her mom ushered her to continue. But after a moment, her mom started coughing again. This time, the coughing was wild and deep. Peter halted and put down his eating utensils. And Anne looked at her father with a worried expression across her face.
Anna started rummaging her side of the table, the metals clanking. She reached out for her glass of water and hastily chugged it. Peter stood up and went to her wife's side, gently patting her back. Anna seemed to calmed down and Anne sighed in relief at the sight.
Anna nodded at Peter to continue and Peter reluctantly went back to his seat. But before he could make it, Anna started coughing again and this time she was feeling a bit dizzy. Fumbling, she reached for her glass of water. But she felt like she couldn't bring her hand to get a hold of the glass. Then Anna realized it that she was shaking.
Anne and Peter immediately rose from their seat in concern for Anna. But Anna finally got a hold of the water and instantly attempted to chugged it. But the moment the liquid touched her lips, she immediately felt queasy and throw up
All of Anna's strength seemed fading swiftly and she just unintentionally let the glass fell out from her grip. The glass shattered in pieces and Anne immediately grab a hold of a napkin to wipe the grease on her mom's face. The moment she bent down, she caught a sight of the thing that her mom had spewed. Fear rushed towards Anne — it was blood!
Anne looked up to her father, her old man stared at her mom, unmoving. She then escaped her trance when Anna made a sudden movement. That was when Anna's arm hang on the air lifelessly.
A moment later, they arrived at the hospital. The doctor assured them that Anna was going to be fine with his calm, soothing voice. However it is not what it seems to be happening. Anna's room was getting crowded — nurses and other healthcare workers were hectic. They were attaching tubes and wires on Anna's body, and on the left was a machine showing Anna's heart rate.
The doctor then ushered Anne and Peter to get out and settled on the waiting area, and the curtain then fell and the white cloth hide Anna and her miserable state.
Peter and Anne walked to the waiting area and sated there relentlessly. Anne state of mind wandered for a bit, and she became anxious. She slowed down her breaths to calm down.
"She's going to be fine."
Anne thought the doctor's words, settling her mind with the thought. She kinda knew she was fooling herself.