By morning, Natalie woke up as on any normal day. The woman now lives in a rented house that is suitable for habitation, unlike when she was still in high school who lived in a makeshift rented house. Natalie doesn't live alone but with her older brother, Dave Johnson, the only family left from the war five years ago.
Natalie is getting ready to do what she always does, which is visiting Dimas who is being treated at the hospital. Natalie also has to check Dave's feet regularly at the doctor because Dave's legs are paralyzed after a hit-and-run two years ago.
It was really an ordinary day, Natalie had often done that routine in the last five years. However, for some reason, Natalie's chest was pounding fast today, as if she was impatient and waiting for something. Natalie didn't even know what made her so excited.
"Nata, are you okay?" Dave came from the direction of the room with his hand moving the wheelchair. Dave's gaze scanned Natalie's face, which was filled with burning passion. A blush even filled Natalie's face, anyone who saw it would think that Natalie was burning with a burning passion.
Natalie rubbed her own hot face. She turned her head back and found Dave already at the dining table. "It's okay, Brother. I just feel that today something good will happen."
Dave raised an eyebrow, said no further and just nodded his head. "I'm glad to see you so happy today."
Natalie smiled a little. "Thank you, Brother!"
"Mn." Dave replied with a mumble.
It might be strange to see the interaction between the siblings, which looked peaceful, as if there had never been a dispute before. Yet years ago, Natalie hated Dave to the bone. But now they live under the same roof and depend on each other.
It has been a long time since the misunderstanding that caused hatred has been resolved. So, Natalie wanted to take care of Dave, who was seriously injured after the war was over. Natalie is grateful that she still has one family left for the kindness of Dira.
Natalie placed a plate of rice and side dishes on the dining table. Only two servings were provided because only the two of them lived in the rented house. Natalie pushed the plate unreachable for Dave, who was in front of her.
"Brother, we are going to the hospital after this."
Dave's hand movement that was about to put a spoon filled with rice into his mouth suddenly stopped. Dave's appetite disappeared instantly when Natalie was about to talk about Dimas who never woke up from his coma.
Dave felt that Natalie had been hoping for a miracle for Dimas all this time. It has been five years since Dimas has been in a coma. Natalie kept hoping that Dimas would one day wake up. Dave couldn't tell Natalie to give up so bluntly. That's because he's one of the people who took part in making Dimas fall into a coma and make his younger sister act like a child who depends on a miracle that will happen someday.
Dave felt both sorry and sad to see how desperate Natalie was every time she had hope. Natalie never even missed visiting Dimas every day. Visiting Dimas so often that Dave felt that Natalie would go crazy if she was kept stuck in a false hope that had little chance of coming true.
Dave put the spoon onto the plate in a careful motion. He took a deep breath to calm all the emotions that were bubbling up in his chest. "Natalie, can't we don't go to the hospital today? I don't have a check-up scheduled anyway."
Dave pretended as if Natalie was going to the hospital because he remembered that today was his check-up schedule. But, Dave remembers that today he has no schedule at all.
Natalie stopped eating and stared blankly at Dave. "Brother, stop fooling around. I won't forget that today there is no scheduled check-up. But, you must know that every day I will go to the hospital to visit Dimas!"
Natalie got up with her hand carrying the plate with the remaining rice on it. Natalie didn't seem to want to continue with her breakfast and rushed to the hospital immediately. Natalie glanced at Dave before disappearing into the room. "So, Brother, stop trying to persuade me not to visit him! Remember, it all started with whose fault it was!"
Dave fell silent without being able to protest anymore. Natalie's words pierced his heart so hard that Dave couldn't speak. Dave lowered his head with his shoulders drooping weakly. "I'm pissing him off again."
Natalie rested her chin looking out the taxi window. Next to Natalie, Dave sat quietly without saying a word. It was so quiet that the taxi driver felt the atmosphere in the car was so strange.
"Miss, we've arrived." The driver's voice telling her that Natalie had arrived at her destination, namely the hospital, woke Natalie from her daydream.
Natalie blinked a few times and looked outside. Sure enough, they had arrived in front of the hospital. Natalie immediately got out of the taxi and turned around to help Dave into the wheelchair. Dave's legs are completely paralyzed, whether it's temporary or permanent, it still makes it difficult for Dave to move.
Natalie pushed the wheelchair after Dave had sat down. Not too heavy, as Dave has lost a few pounds in recent years. Dave glanced at Natalie to see what expression his little sister was making.
Very calm as usual, as if nothing big had happened. Even though, Dave knew that Natalie was always filled with despair when she visited Dimas. Hesitating, Dave spoke up. "Nata, I'm sorry for what I said this morning."
The wheelchair movement suddenly stopped. Silence engulfed them, with many people passing by around them. Natalie took a deep breath. "Forget it. After all, I'm a person who expects too much."
"I do not mean..."
"Enough! I want to avoid talking about that anymore!" Natalie pushed the wheelchair back into the hospital lobby. Because she had often come to the hospital, Natalie knew very well where Dimas's room was. The doctor also memorized Natalie as the lover of a man who had been in a coma for 5 years.
"Natalie here definitely wants to visit Dimas again, huh?" A female doctor who is about 30 years old and over greets Natalie. Incidentally, the doctor in charge of treating Dave all this time.
Natalie smiled politely as she stopped the wheelchair. "Yes, Doc. It looks like the doctor is busy, doesn't it hinder the doctor's work?"
The female doctor tapped Natalie's shoulder in a joking tone. "Aiyaa... No matter how busy my job is, there's no way I won't be able to greet you even for a moment. After all, I have a patient here. I'd like to ask you some questions about his condition."
The doctor's gaze shifted to Dave, then crouched right in front of the man's feet. The doctor's fingers poked Dave's leg and looked up to see Dave's reaction. "Oh, how did you feel just now?"
Dave shook his head. "I don't feel anything."
The doctor just nodded and stood up tidying the white coat he was wearing. "Don't be so sad. Treatment is still going on. There's a chance you'll be able to walk normally."
Dave didn't respond like 'I was expecting that.' or 'Thanks, Doc.' Apparently, Dave had not expected anything from his already paralyzed legs. According to Dave, if it can't be used, he just needs to get used to his paralysis. Being too dependent on medication is like holding on to the last rope in his life. It will only suffocate himself.
The doctor grimaced at Dave's cold reaction. Both brother and sister, they both make people don't know what to say if they have an expressionless face. "Okay, then I have to go because I still have a schedule with another patient."
The doctor walked away together with Natalie, who immediately approached the door of the room where Dimas had been lying for years. "Dimas, I'm coming..."
Before Natalie had time to finish her sentence, she was startled by someone sitting on her knees, holding her head. A moan escaped his deathly pale lips, leaving a hoarse voice from the throat that had been dry for a long time.
It was a normal day for Natalie to visit the hospital, at the same time, in the same room. However, one thing has changed today. The change was so sudden that Natalie couldn't believe that the person in front of her was the person who had been lying in a hospital bed for 5 years.
Natalie covered her mouth. Her whole body was shaking violently from shock, joy, and sadness to see the miracle that happened right in front of her eyes. "D-Dimas... you finally woke up..."