Rooftop Summer | EN- Jake

4

Dinner at the household was always a pleasant affair. The table was set with care, the room bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, and the air filled with the aroma of home-cooked food. Tonight was no different. Hanna's mother had outdone herself with a spread of roasted chicken, fresh vegetables, and her famous garlic mashed potatoes. It was a meal meant to be enjoyed, a moment for the family to come together before their upcoming trip to Europe.

But Hanna could hardly touch her food. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty, the pain in her chest a constant reminder that she couldn't keep this to herself any longer. She had spent the entire day psyching herself up, telling herself that tonight, after dinner, she would finally tell her parents. She would make them listen, make them understand that something was wrong. But, the thought of breaking the news to her parents filled her with dread.

Her father sat at the head of the table, discussing some last-minute details of their upcoming trip to Europe with her mother, his voice filled with excitement. He was a tall man with a commanding presence, the kind of person who made decisions quickly and decisively, both in business and at home. Her mother, elegant and composed as always, was listening intently, nodding at the right moments and offering suggestions when needed. They made a perfect team, a well-oiled machine that had built a life of comfort and security for their family.

But tonight, as Hanna sat there, she felt more like an outsider than ever. The conversation between her parents was easy and familiar, their focus on the trip, on the future. It was a future that, until recently, Hanna had shared in their enthusiasm for. But now, the idea of travelling, of leaving everything familiar behind, filled her with a sense of dread she couldn't shake.

"So, Hanna," her father said, drawing her attention,
"Have you thought about what you want to do first when we get to Paris? Your mother has been planning a shopping spree, of course."

Her mother smiled, clearly eager for the trip.
"And you'll love it, darling. Paris in the summer is simply magical. We'll visit all the best boutiques, and then maybe we can do some sightseeing—what do you think?"

Hanna forced a smile, trying to match their enthusiasm.
"That sounds great, Mom, Dad. I'm really looking forward to it."

But the words felt hollow, and she could tell her mother noticed it. A small frown creased her mothers's forehead as she set down her fork.
"Hanna, you've been quiet all evening. Is everything alright?"

Hanna hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it. She had to tell them, had to explain what she has been going through. She couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine. But as she looked at her parents, at their eager, expectant faces, the words caught in her throat.

"I... I'm fine," she started, but the lie tasted bitter on her tongue. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to continue.
"Actually, there's something I need to talk to you both about."

Her parents exchanged quick glance, the kind that conveyed a thousand unspoken words. They were both attentive now, their conversation about the trip forgotten.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Her mother asked gently, her voice filled with concern.

Hanna took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she placed them in her lap.
"I've been having these... pains," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"In my chest. It started about a week ago, and it's been getting worse. It's really painful, and I... I think something might be wrong."

There. She had said it. The words hung in the air between the,, heavy with fear and uncertainty.

Her parents were silenced for a moment, processing what she had just told them. Then, her father cleared his throat, a frown creasing his brow.
"Pains in your chest? " he repeated, as if trying to make sense of the words.
"What kind of pains?"

Hanna tried to explain, but she could see the skepticism growing in her father's eyes.
" It's hard to describe. It's like this sharp, intense pain that comes out of nowhere. It doesn't last long, but it's really strong when it happens. I thought it was nothing at first, but it keeps happening, and it's getting worse."

Her mother reached across the table, placing a hand over Hanna's.
"Sweetheart, have you been under any stress lately? Sometimes, stress can cause physical symptoms, like chest pain."

Hanna shook her head, frustration beginning to bubble up inside her.
"No, it's not stress. I've never felt anything like this before. It's really bad, and I'm scared. I think I need to see a doctor."

Her father sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"Hanna, I'm sure it's nothing serious. You're young, and healthy... maybe you've just been overexerting yourself. Have you been working out more than usual?"

"No, Dad, it's not that," Hanna insisted, her voice raising slightly.
"I know my body, and I know something isn't right. Please, can we just go to the doctor and get it checked out?"

Her father exchanged another look with her mother, this time one that conveyed a mix of concern and dismissal.
"We're leaving for Europe in a few days, Hanna. I'm sure this is just something minor. Maybe you're just anxious about the trip. Once we get away, you'll probably feel better."

Hanna's heart sank. They weren't taking her seriously. They were rushing her off, convinced that it was nothing more than a case of pre-trip nerves or a bit overexertion. She wanted to scream, to make them understand that this was real, that she wasn't imagining things.

"Mom, Dad, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling.
"I'm really scared. Can't we just go to the doctor before we leave? Just to make sure?"

Her mother squeezed her hand gently, a soothing gesture that only made Hanna fell more desperate.
"Hanna, dear, I think your father's right. You've been under a lot of pressure with college and everything. This trip will be good for you. We'll get you checked out when we get back if you're still feeling this way, okay?"

Hanna wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come. Her parents have made up their minds, and she knew from experience that there was no changing them once they'd decided something. They meant well, she knew that, but their dismissal of her fears felt like a betrayal. They weren't listening. They didn't understand how scared she was.

"Okay," she said softly, the fight going out of her.
"Maybe you're right."

But even as she said the words, a cold knot of fear tightened in her chest. She didn't believe them. She knew something was wrong, and the fact that they were ignoring it only made the fear worse.

Dinner continued in a strained silence, the earlier lighthearted conversation forgotten. Hanna pushed her food around the plate, no longer hungry, her mind racing with thousand dark thoughts. She felt more alone than ever, isolated in her fear and uncertainty. Her parents were right there, but it felt as though they were a million miles away.

After dinner, Hanna excused herself and went upstairs to her room, her heart heavy with frustration and fear. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. She felt like crying, but the tears wouldn't come. Instead, she was left with a hollow, aching feeling in her chest that only seemed to grow stronger as the minutes ticked by.

She changed into her pyjamas and tried to distract herself by packing for the trip. Her suitcase lay open on the bed, half-filled with neatly folded clothes. But as she reached for another dress to pack, the pain struck again, sharper and more intense than ever before.

Hanna gasped, clutching her chest as the world around her began to spin. Her vision blurred, the room tilting dangerously as she tried to steady herself. The pain was overwhelming, like a vice tightening around her heart, squeezing the breath from her lungs. She staggered towards her bed, but before she could reach it, her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the floor.

The last thing she heard before everything went black was the sound of her mother's voice, calling out her name in panic.