THE ART OF LETTING GO

Chapter 8

"Come on, Mani, please stop crying," Ilani gently comforted her sister, squeezing her hands reassuringly as a nurse carefully trimmed a section of Imani's hair.

Imani sobbed softly, gazing at her reflection in the hand mirror. "I'll look so ugly."

The nurse tried to soothe the young girl's fears. "Oh, honey, we're only cutting off a small section of your hair. It'll grow back once your wound heals. You won't be bald or anything," she reassured as she offered a comforting squeeze on Imani's shoulders. "And don't forget, you can never be anything less than beautiful; a bit of missing hair won't change that."

Theresa watched the scene with teary eyes, feeling powerless. Imani had already signed the consent form.

Ilani cast a sad glance at her sister. "We'll get through this together. You'll be fine, and afterward, we can watch our curly hair grow back together, maybe even straighten it to see how long it's gotten."

Imani's shoulders quivered as she cried. "I'm just so scared, sis. What if something goes wrong? What if I don't make it? I don't want to leave you. I love you so much, Lani. So much. I don't want to die."

Ilani interrupted her sister's fears. "Who said anything about dying? You're going to fight through this for both of us. It's Ilani and Imani, remember?" She pouted, locking eyes with her sister as if seeking confirmation.

Imani's heart warmed at those familiar words, 'Ilani and Imani forever.' She mustered a weak smile and slowly nodded. "Right. Ilani and Imani forever."

Ilani ignored the nurse's scissors as she embraced her sister tightly. She was scared, too, terrified that Imani might not leave the operating theater, but she had to remain strong. Their father was the hospital's best neurosurgeon, and she believed he wouldn't allow anything to happen to Imani.

*****

LJ was busy preparing for the craniotomy, receiving instructions from Dr. Anthony when two nurses wheeled Imani into the room. As he turned with a tray of medical equipment, he saw 'Ilani.' The tray slipped from his hands, and his eyes widened, drawing the attention of the other doctors and nurses in the room. "What the..." he muttered before regaining his composure. "I'm so sorry. I... uhh..."

"Dr. Jovanni, are you alright? Are you sure you can be here?" Anthony questioned sternly. LJ nodded, still in disbelief. "Fetch new scissors and needles and clean up that mess," He ordered.

LJ nodded, still in a daze. Was that why she was always in a bad mood? Because she had a brain tumor and was undergoing surgery? Why hadn't she told him? Did she think he would judge her? Also, she was his senior doctor's daughter. And her hair... a portion of her beautiful hair was missing. These thoughts raced through his mind as he gathered fresh equipment for the surgery. He watched as the nurses moved 'Ilani' to the operating table and began preparations. Approaching her, he managed to say, "Hey."

Imani furrowed her brows. Who was this guy, and why had he reacted that way upon seeing her? Was she already so ugly that she scared the doctors? Her heart sank, and she averted her gaze from the handsome doctor's face.

LJ cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for my reaction earlier. It was unprofessional of me. I didn't expect to see you here. Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have judged you," he whispered.

Imani didn't understand what he was saying, so she kept looking away.

"Dr. Mason, please proceed with the anesthesia," Anthony instructed the anesthesiologist in the room. "Dr. Jovanni, check her vitals."

LJ's hands trembled. He had never imagined encountering the girl he couldn't get out of his mind in the operating theater. Numerous thoughts raced through his mind as he monitored her vitals, attempting to make eye contact, but she avoided his gaze until her eyes shut. The surgery, lasting four hours, was successful, and while everyone celebrated its success, LJ couldn't shake off his shock.