REISS

24. The 49 cafe

I look around the boring room that my mom is staying in, in the hospital as I wait for her to come back from the restroom. I left my seat by the bed and walked upto the window. I gazed out of the window to see some patients in the hospital gowns taking a walk in the garden. Some in wheelchair, some holding hands with their loved ones. Honestly, while I  worked in the hospital there were many, many instances where I felt that no matter what you have in life, money or beauty or fame or shit but if you don't have good health then none of it mattered. Ironically, people take health for granted. Even fitness these days is only for the pleasure of eyes. And not really_  

The door clicked open and my mom walked out of the bathroom. She is growing thinner and paler by each passing day. She was looking nothing like she used too. My chest constricted in pain when I saw her like this. But I must stay strong. I can't be an emotional burden on her. Not when she was so resilient. She was losing her hair too. Lots of it. But what she isn't losing is her fighting spirit. If I'm strong, it's only because I was raised by someone stronger. She passed me a smile as she made her way to the bad. I scurried to her side to help her but she refused. See that's what I was talking about. She settled on the bed and I covered her lower half with a blanket. I picked up on apple from the basket of fruits beside her, when she spoke "No, not the apple. I want an orange." I smiled at her shaking my head.

She is a baby.

My baby.

I picked up the orange and peeled it. I handed her a slice of orange as I peeled more.

"I'm sorry you had to put all your savings for my treatment." She whispered. I shaked my head. "Please don't say that. You are all I have. And I wouldn't think twice to save you." Her eyes welled with tears, a single tear rolling down her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb as I cupped her face holding the orange in another hand. She blinked at me, and another tear rolling down from her other eye. Then she winked the right eye, and again blinked a few times. "Ah! It burns." She groaned. "Shit. I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't think before I-" I turned around grabbing the towel and striding towards the bathroom when I heard her giggle. I spun around not sure if I heard right. More tears streamed down her face but she had a genuine smile on her face. It wasn't that I'm-fine or I-will-be-fine smile. It was a very genuine smile. My lips curved into a smile as I saw her fully smile so warmly after so long. "What will I do without you?" She said in between her giggles. I ran upto her and practically jumped on her and mumbled against her, my voice cracking "And what would I do without you, Mom?"

She laughed off, her head falling back more. I felt relieved when I heard the sound of her laughter. My heart felt so...so relieved. "I love you." I mumbled, tears welling in my eyes."Yeah, yeah. Now go get me a wet towel. My eyes are still burning." I knew it was a lie. I knew she was crying but I wouldn't tell her that. I sighed as I let her go and went to bathroom. I came back and handed her the wet towel and she wiped her eyes with it and then rubbed it over her face too. "How will you arrange for the money for the rest of the three months?" 

I sighed as I held my hand for her to hand me back the towel. With all my savings and all of the money that Sky offered me, we could only make it to the first three months of her treatment. I don't know w-

My phone chimed and I excused myself and went to the window. I picked up the call after I saw it was from Dan. "Hello?"

"Lovi, where are you?" He asked.

"Er...I'm at the hospital... With mom." I replied rolling my eyes.

"Hey. Sky told me that you need money for the next 3 months of treatment."

Why is he always so damn straight to the point?

"Its fine. I will m—" 

"Don't you dare say that line. Or I swear I will jump through the phone and kill you." He warned me and I knew he meant every single word of it.