Rise

Chapter 2

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The silhouette of hope left for my mother gradually departed from us. I could not bare to look at it leave, as it would provoke the shameful water- tears, they call it- to exit my eyes like the furious sea roaring to the dark, emotionless sky during a storm. While the sky was emotionless, it still cared and stretched over us, shielding us from any danger to come. Just like how the fading of the shadow halted rapidly when a voice called for it, asking it to continue giving hope to the hopeless.

"What did you just say?" 

The owner of the shadow spun around in confusion, looking quite annoyed but relieved at the same time. Maybe the silhouette didn't have the desire to leave after all. Maybe it was only carrying out its job.

"I said..." the shaking voice repeated, only slightly stronger this time. "Give them the medicine, I'll pay for it."

My head slowly turned to look at the brave soul, the light shining brightly in my blank eyes. At once i felt my vision become blurry with liquid. Was this what they called, tears of joy? Was this how happiness felt?

The darkness surrendered to the light. A comforting face smiled at me as she handed over the bag of medicine, softly whispering in my ear as she did so.

"Take care of your mother. I'll come back to check up tomorrow, so dont worry okay?"

Filled with emotions, i was unable to utter a word of gratitude to the angel which enlightened my present with relief, resulting in me nodding in obedience instead. However, a sudden thought of confusion broke my comfort. I did not have the ability to read. I did not know when to give mother the medicine.

"Umm...." 

The room froze as if only my question could make time continue. But as I opened my mouth to ask, a sudden pain shot up my arm as i recalled the events with my father from earlier. Sparkling splints of transparent glass were digging into my skin, like sharp, jagged diamonds. Multiple trickles of fresh, red blood united and flowed down my pale arm. A red river.

Attempting to distract myself from the pointless agony, i wished to resume the conversation only to see the world as a dizzy blur of colour followed by a sudden darkness which swallowed me up for, what it felt like, an eternity...

As my vision gradually became clearer, a worried face peared down at my own, calming down to see the windows of my soul open. How long was i out for? Were my siblings asleep? Did my baby sister drink her milk?

Most of all... Did my mother take her pills?

Questions swam around in my mind, swimming in a pool of emptiness. I got the urge to move, but the angel demanded for me to not move a single muscle. I tried to communicate, but as soon as I opened my mouth to speak again, i lost my words. My cheeks flared with embarrassment. Was this what they called, shyness? 

"Um.."

The angel turned to look at me, looking with eyes of eagerness, as if she wanted me to reach out to her through my words. I couldn't allow this 'shyness' to get in the way. It brought shame to my image. But even as i tried, my mind was completely blank. Where were the words i stored up in myself? Where were they when i needed them the most? All of a sudden, the irritated emotions betrayed me and escaped from me, in the form of shameful water. They left me, just like my caring Father's spirit did a year ago.

Gracefully, the angel enveloped her light around me in a gentle hug, enabling me to cry even harder. All those years I tormented myself with these thoughts, not allowing even a single tear to fall in case my family mistook me for a weak person. But this doctor taught me that it was ok to let my feelings out, that it would reduce the burden that slowed me down.

It took a few moments to gather myself together, as the angel released her soft grip and wiped away her own shimmering tears.

"Everything is alright. Your mother has taken the medicine and is sleeping and your siblings are also asleep."

A warm voice answered all the unasked questions that bothered me the most, understanding my position in the family.

"My...baby sister?" I barely managed to sutter, my cheeks growing warmer and warmer by the minute.

"Yes, you're baby sister is ok too, we've given her milk and now she is soundly sleeping."

The look of reassurance filled me with serenity as the want to continue speaking became more and more tempting.

"Thank you very much. I apologise for all the trouble!" A voice belonging to me poured out all of my emotions into a glass and served it to my hope. A look of surprise crossed her face, but immediately became a genuine smile.

"It's okay, there's no need to apologise. I'm happy that I can be here for you," she returned in a smooth, soft voice. Softer than a dove's feather falling gently from the tranquil sky above.

"Is there a way in which i can return the favour?" My voice grew stronger as i spoke. This was the first conversation i had ever had with someone other than my family members.

"Yes, there is."

I closed my eyes, praying that the price would be affordable for me. Praying that she takes some pity on us. As i prepared myself for her payment request, her hand reached over and rested on top of my head. Bravely, i looked at her in the eye.

"I want you to rise..."

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

H.R here, I'm sorry for the long chapter...just got a bit carried away haha. I hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to vote if you did! Thank you for your support.

- H.R, out （＾ω＾）