Aviva

5:

Nicole
I woke up to the sound of running water and a very unfamiliar but subtle voice.

"Hey? Hello? Are you okay? Miss? Miss?". The voice repeated over and over. I turned around and a yawn escaped from my lips. Wow, I slept well. I really needed that sleep.

"I'm okay thank you". I said with a smile.

"Good morning". The lady said. She looks jovial and from the looks of it we are about the same age.

"Good morning". I said as I walked towards the basin to wash my face. "Wow my face is red and swollen". I said to myself. I made every attempt to get rid of the red puff on my face to no avail.

"You can use makeup". The girl said. Oh wait, I can. I didn't think of that. "Oh true, thanks". I said about leaving when I remembered that I don't use makeup. "I don't use makeup". I said turning awkwardly to face her.

"It's okay, I have some in my purse". She said with a smile, her hazel eyes popping in the process. "Follow me". I followed behind her quietly to a small closet where she gave me a small purse.

"I don't know how to apply them either". I admitted truthfully. I've never used makeup before. I didn't use them because of Aviva. I felt that it will help her to embrace her true self and pale skin. It was a little sacrifice I had to render.

"Wow, anyways I can help you. What's your name by the way?"

"I'm Nicole". I said plainly

"Diane". She said as she accessed me. She is probably finding me weird. I mean I'm twenty two and I can't apply makeup.

"Don't worry. I'll apply it for you"

She sat me down and helped me with the makeup. As she applied the makeup, we did a little introduction and I got to know her better. Turns out we're relatives, I'm her Aunt and she only came to Houston because she was looking for Aviva's mother, she needed financial assistance but when she found out she died. She lost all hope. We even attend the same college and she is also an arts student  but she works part time in the hospital and run some other menial jobs to help her with her finances. She has the same birthmark everyone in the family has.

"Wait, you'll help me?". She asked

"Yes I will, we're cousins right. You were looking for my sister and you found me. I'm sure if Lora was alive she would have helped"

Further discussions led to me telling her the reason why I'm in the hospital and she insisted she wants to see Aviva.

"Ok if you must at least finish my makeup"

"Ok I'malmost done.  I work as a makeup artist too you know"

"Wow"

"Yeah I need a lot of jobs to survive in school"

"True, you must have a lot of skills.  I have a multi talented niece"

"Yeah you do and I am done". She said slowly as she packed the kits back into  the purse she took it from.  We headed out of the closet and went directly into Aviva's ward.

"What's happening?". Diane asked suddenly.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that". She said pointing forward. There were a lot of people around so I had to struggle to see what she was pointing at? It was Aviva's exact room. Several nurses were rushing in and out of the room. It was like there was an emergency or something. We ran towards the room and asked a nurse that was going out about what was going on.

"Her blood count is dropping rapidly". She said as she hurried out of sight. Hearing this it was my body shut down for a minute. Tears rolled down my cheek with style, slowly, carefully but with rage.

"Is this it? Is Aviva leaving me?". I asked turning to Diane.

"I honestly don't know". She said and I fell on the floor slowly. I don't even know what to feel. Should I feel sad that she's dying or feel happy that she could now be free? Is she going to die? Different questions were popping into my head one after the other. Questions that I have no answers to. At that point I didn't know what to do. Maybe the reason I am feeling like this is because I didn't get to see her at her last moment. I don't know how she felt, as she was or even the time. I don't think I can ever forget this or even forgive myself for it.

"It's okay, everything will be okay". Diane said as she pulled me into a warm hug. I needed that. It was weirdly comforting, it was like I found peace. I stopped crying after a while and hugged her tighter. Wow we bonded quickly.

"I think I ruined my makeup"

"No you didn't,  I know you are likely to cry so I used water proof but right now we could call it tear proof so you're safe"

"Thank you you'rea lifesaver"

Suddenly, a doctor came out of the room. "Where are her family members". She asked in an exhausted tone. I'm sorry Aviva caused her so much trouble.  I stood up to see her. "Well she's okay now"

"Oh my goodness, thank you". I said to the doctor in a sincerely grateful tone. "Diane let's go". I said signaling to Diane so she can come in with me. I'm so relieved.