Terrified

Chapter 9: Moments of Truth - Part 1 (Part 1 of 3)

It's always hard to speak the truth, especially when it affects what they've build and potentially destroy what they've gained. Though telling the truth is the right thing to do in order not break someone else's trust, for some it's never easy and it's terrifying especially when they know its aftermath. Nevertheless, once a truth is exposed and known, no one knows how it's going to affect or move a relationship. It's risky, but saying the truth and hurt someone is better than lying to comfort someone.

The morning is chilling despite the sun shining up high the clear sky of the countryside. The weather is best for a relaxing day but the villagers choose to work in the farms, at the nearby sea to fish and others at the village's market to sell. Everyone's in their own daily routines and this is one of the things that Fatima misses the most in the countryside, peaceful and stress-free as she's out helping her mother and relatives from the work.

Left inside their humble home is Heart whose consciousness just came back after a long night of sleep. Compared to the yesterday she felt weak and fragile, she woke up feeling lighter and better as she found herself on a comfortable single bed inside an unfamiliar room. She welcomed her morning looking up the ceiling filled with 'glow-in-the-dark' stickers of stars. And without moving from the bed as she's wrapped in a blue blanket, she roamed her eyes around and found a boy standing by the opened door.

"Ah! You're awake!" The little boy shouted and before Heart could even open her mouth to talk to him, he dashes away and continues on screaming the news, "Ate Fatima! Heart is awake!"

Not long Heart heard heavy footsteps approaching and just then Fatima appeared panting by the door, "Finally! We're so worried for you!"

"W-what happened...?" Heart slowly sat up the bed and that's when she noted more of the room, not so expansive and just enough for one person to occupy for a good night sleep with small spaces to move around on.

Fatima however pushes Heart back to lay down as she checks her head and severely warns, "Don't get up yet. You still have slight fever. You're not fully recovered yet. Please take some more rest. Dad is currently preparing breakfast so you don't have to move too much."

Heart massaged her temples and recollects everything that happened to her. She remembers herself driving a long way here in the countryside with Fatima. She was feeling bad and worsened when she arrived. The last thing that her mind flashed back to is when she formally greeted Fatima's parents and right there she collapsed hard on the ground. Though her consciousness that time was fading, she was sure she heard Fatima crying and she was hugged tight until she completely know nothing anymore.

As all these memories joined in her head, Heart gasps loud at the realization, "Wait! Does that mean I spent the entire Christmas day sleeping and getting sick?"

"Sadly yes. But what do you expect? You were heavily sick and we called the village's doctor to check on you here. You're given proper medications already and there's nothing to worry much anymore. You only need a complete bed rest then so you'll be able to join us and see more of the countryside for the next days." Fatima explained and got Heart wrapped in a blanket once again, treating her like a baby who is helpless to do anything on her own though she actually can.

Heart soon calmed down in the bed as Fatima takes care of her, from replacing her water and getting her temperature with the tool. It's disappointing how her Christmas was wasted because of her fever but it's satisfying to know she wasn't left alone by Fatima, and it could be more delightful if only she can remember how Fatima must have taken care of her the entire night and didn't leave her side. She wanted to say thank you but knowing Fatima, she would only return a counter, "It's okay. It doesn't matter." Or "Don't mind."

Instead she asks, "Hey, where am I then?"

"This is our house. It isn't that huge but I can tell you it's a very comfortable place. Right now you're in my room and that's my bed you slept on." Fatima said while she busily organizes the mess around, including Heart's bags she never got to arrange as she's sick and the used wet towels on the bedside table.