PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 52: Day One Post-OP

Megan hobbled closer, her eyes welling up with tears. Seeing her sister awake and talking again filled her with an overwhelming sense of relief.

She stopped by the bed, looking down at Maya with a mix of worry and joy. "You...you're awake. You had me so scared, Maya."
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Maya's heart ached at the sight of her younger sister in distress. She knew she had worried everyone, Megan included.

Reaching out a hand, she gave Megan's arm an affectionate squeeze, her touch gentle and reassuring. "I...I'm sorry, Megan. I didn't mean to scare you like that."

Megan let out a tremulous sigh, letting some of her worry and tension release. She was so relieved to see Maya conscious and responsive.

She shook her head, her eyes never leaving her sister's face. "It's okay, Maya. I just...I was so worried I was going to lose you."

Maya's heart clenched at her sister's words, a surge of guilt passing through her. She reached out to hug Megan the best she could in her weakened state, pulling her close.

She spoke softly, her voice thick with emotion, "You're not going to lose me, Megan. I'm right here, I swear. I'm not going anywhere."

Megan wrapped her arms as much as she could around her older sister, holding her tight. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but they were tears of relief and joy, not sorrow.

She nodded against Maya's shoulder, her voice shaky, "I...I know. I know you're here. I just...I'm just so glad you're okay."

Maya held her sister close, her own eyes welling up with emotion. She couldn't imagine the fear Megan had experienced while she was unconscious.

She spoke into Megan's hair, her voice soothing, "I'm okay, kiddo. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

She gently pulled back after a moment, looking Megan in the eyes. Her smile was tired but sincere. "Besides, I owe you a lot of quality sister time for making you worry so much."

Megan let out a half-laugh, half-sob, her emotions still raw. She wiped her tears away and smiled at her sister. "Yeah, you do."

She looked maya up and down, her eyes scanning the various machinery and tubes connected to Maya. "When can you get out of here?"

Maya followed her sister's gaze, grimacing slightly as she looked at the array of medical equipment surrounding her.

She spoke, her voice laced with a hint of frustration, "Soon, I hope. Doctor said I have to stay for a few days, 'just to be safe'. As if I could do much with all this."

She gestured vaguely at the tubes and machines.

Megan nodded, understanding the frustration that laced Maya's voice. She knew her sister disliked being dependent and vulnerable.

She spoke gently, trying to reassure her, "Hey, it's just for your own good, Maya. You need to rest and heal."

Maya chuckled dryly, her expression conveying her obvious disagreement. "Rest and heal? That sounds so...boring."

She knew Megan was right, of course. But the idea of being stuck in a hospital bed for days sounded like an unbearable prison sentence.

Megan smiled slightly, knowing Maya too well. She could imagine how hard it must be for her to be so vulnerable and restricted.

She responded lightly, "Well, you can always watch bad tv, scroll on your phone, or bother your girlfriend. That should keep you occupied, right?"

Maya let out a genuine laugh, her eyes flickering with light. "Oh wow, I get to watch bad TV and annoy my girlfriend. I must be a lucky girl."