Dream Catcher

Part 2~ The Return

Abu~

When I left Rüya in her hospital bed, I felt nervous leaving her there at night, just in case she needed me, even though there were nurses on night duty. But mainly because she’s had lots of questions about her father lately. Her father, Tom, left Rüya and me when Rüya was first diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Neither of us know why he left, just that he didn’t even say goodbye.

When I arrived back at the hospital, Rüya had fallen asleep with a partly made dream catcher in her hands. I placed the dream catcher on her bedside table, pulled the cover over her and kissed her good night. I walked over to my makeshift bed (a chair) and fell asleep.

Early the next morning, when Rüya was still asleep, I was awoken by the sound of my phone.

1 New text message

From: Unknown

“Hm… Strange,” I said quietly, “I don’t usually get text messages from people I don’t know,” I opened the text message and read it quietly to myself, “Hi Abu, its Rüya’s dad, Tom. I got your number from your sister who said Rüya’s been sick lately and has been asking questions about me. Is there anything I could do?” I didn’t know how to reply. I thought it over for a while until I came to a conclusion. I replied, “I think it would mean a lot to Rüya if you came to see her before she passes away. Which I am told might be soon, sadly. Abu xx,” I then added Tom into my contacts just in case.

About an hour later, Rüya woke up. She sat up in her bed and started to gag, “Sweetie, are you okay?” I asked, concerned. She shook her head, “I’ll call for a nurse,” I pushed the ‘call a nurse’ button beside Rüya’s bed. The nurses came as quick as possible and I explained to them what was going on. They quickly walked over to Rüya but she blacked out.

Rüya~

When I awoke, I sat up but felt dizzy so I had to lie down again. There were nurses surrounding me, “Are you okay sweetie?” One of the nurses asked,

“A little dizzy,” I replied,

“You blacked out for about twenty minutes. We’ll just run a few tests just to be sure,”

“Sure,” I replied. Four out of the five nurses left and one just sat down on a chair near the door just to keep an eye on me. My mum ran over to me. Her face was white, “Mum, a-are you okay?” I asked mum, “Yes, I’ll be fine dear,” she replied in a soothing tone. The nurses returned with Doctor Heart, equipment for the tests and medicine to help me.

The doctors had finished with my tests about an hour later. I was resting in my bed when Doctor Heart came in to see me, “Hello Rüya,” Doctor Heart said,

“Hello Doctor Heart,” I replied,

“I have some not very good news,”

“Go ahead,” I told him,

“The cancers in both of your arms is spreading fast, even though we thought we had it under control. I’m afraid that your time to live has moved up to 1-4 months. I’m very sorry Rüya, we’ll try everything that we can,” Doctor Heart finished. And with that he walked out of the room.

Abu~

I was really excited when Tom said that he could come and see Rüya because her time to live had been shortened quite a bit. I was also very nervous because I hadn’t seen Tom in over eight years.

I picked Tom up from the address that he had texted me and we drove to the hospital, “I told Rüya that I was meeting a friend so she won’t expect me back so early. She definitely won’t be expecting you,” I told Tom,

“You can say that again,” Tom replied. He hasn’t changed with his funny jokes, “I thought it would be really awkward if I ever saw you again, but it’s just like old times, “I said,

“I agree,” Tom replied.

 Rüya~

I looked up as mum knocked on the open hospital door, “Mum? You’re back early,” I said surprised, “Yes. I have a surprise for you, “

“Really?” I asked as my face lit up. A man then stepped into the room, “Dad?” I questioned,

“Yep,” he replied,

“Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed. Dad came up and sat down on my bed, “Why are you here?” I asked, “Well, I heard you were pretty sick, so I asked your mum if there was anything I could do and here I am!” Dad replied.

“Okay Rüya, your Dad has to go now,” Mum said. Dad and I had been hanging out for over three hours in my hospital room, “Awww,” Dad and I sighed at the same time,

“Yes Tom, you have to be at work in 45 minutes!” Mum exclaimed. Dad and I hugged for one final time and he got off my bed, “Goodbye Pumpkin,” Dad said,

“Bye Daddy.”