ET2: Through The Storm

Chapter 21

Crystal Dwight's POV

A boy and girl's laughter echoed to my hearing. The girl in white dress was happily sitting on a swing as the boy swung it for her. They are happy together, their giggles are saying so.

Then suddenly, everything went into turmoil, the surrounding was on wire. The two were separated because the boy was taken by someone yet the girl was left alone, crying for her parents, begging for help.

That dream again.

I went to the hospital to do my duty. When I passed by the hospital's garden, I overlooked Ryle from the other side, struggling as he talked to the patient. From a distance, I could see that she was deliberately chasing him away. Many of the nurses were looking but did not dare to join him on what he was doing.

"Ryle?" I called when I got nearer.

"Dwight?"

"Oh. What's the matter with her?" I asked.

He sighed. "She needs to go back inside. She has medicine to take. I am afraid that her condition will worsen if she doesn't follow me now."

"Have you talked to her?"

"I did. But I got nothing. Hindi siya umiimik," he replied, dismayed. "She's been like this since I got here. Some of the nurses already gave up on persuading her."

"Can I talk to her?"

He rubbed his forehead with frustration. "Sure," he stated. "Akin na ang shoulder bag mo," he said when he saw me don't know where to put my bag since the patient was in her wheelchair and there were no more available seats around our area.

I slowly ambled forward, light steps at a time. I bent down when I got closer. "Ma'am," I tried to get her attention but she didn't move a bit, like she heard nothing at all. When I observed her action, she continuously rubbed her thumb, more like she was anxious about something. Later, I saw a small piece of paper on her hand, there was something written on Mandarin. Then, I've got an idea that she is a Chinese citizen or she was related to them.

"Ayi?" I tried again.

I felt joy when she slowly tilted her head towards me. When I looked up, I saw Ryle couldn't help but smile.

"Ayi," I muttered again, slowly patting her hand. "Nǐn xūyào yīgè péngyǒu ma?"

( Nǐn xūyào yīgè péngyǒu ma - do you need a friend? )

Her expression softened as she laid her eyes on me. Her stares were so sad. My heart aches for her. I wonder what happened to her. Why is she in this kind of situation? It seemed like she was in deep pain.

"Xiǎojiě," she tried to speak, low, struggling tone.

( Xiǎojiě - miss )

"Shì de, āyí. Nǐn kěyǐ jiào wǒ Xiǎo Lǐ," I stated. This time, introducing myself as Xiaoli would be more convincing.

( Shì de, āyí. Nǐn kěyǐ jiào wǒ Xiǎo Lǐ - Yes, auntie. You can call me Xiao Li. )

I was startled when she began to tear up. "Zěnmeliǎo, āyí?" I asked, worried.

( Zěnmeliǎo - what's the matter )

"Xiao Li. . . " she uttered, slowly touching my cheeks, then I saw a tear escape her weary eyes.

I paused and lifted my head. "Naiintindihan niya ang tagalog, 'di ba?" I asked him and he quickly responded with a nod.

I held her hand, wanting to express that by these small gestures, she is not alone in this vast world as she faced her own battle.