The Model Next Door

The Model Next Door: 4

The grip on my bag grew tighter as I entered gate number 10 where the flight to Bahrain was waiting for its passengers. People were happily entering the flight. I could feel tears pricking at my eyes every now and then. But I had to swallow them back. I cannot cry, I thought as I fixed the seat belt.

As the plane took off, I looked at the airport, that seemed to move far and far away and the city lights looked so beautiful in the dark night but the more the plane rose, the smaller the city lights looked , realising my parents had just left me the exact same way.

I buried my face into my hands and allowed the tears to fall. I stifled the sobs but could not take it anymore. As soon as the seat belt light went off, I jumped from my seat and ran to the bathroom. I stared at myself into the mirror and started crying so hard, it felt like my heart was going to explode out of pain.

Crying didn't make me feel any better. It made me feel worse. But I could not cry anymore, it would just attract attention. I washed my face but that didn't help one bit with my red eyes. I got out and went back to my seat. I felt all the drowsiness rush to my head once my body relaxed against the seat. And soon I fell asleep.

"Excuse me, miss.....miss—"

I felt my heavily lids slowly open and my eyes slowly adjust to the face in front of me. An air hostess was leaning over me with a warm smile plastered to her face. She was just doing her job, I thought, as I sat up straight and looked out of the window. My eyes nearly popped out. The flight had already landed, and I quickly looked around to find that I was the only passenger in the flight. I hurriedly stood up, took my bag and walked out. There was nothing for me to take from the belt. I hadn't bothered to pack anything. Why would I?

I walked out of the airport and hailed for a cab. I got in and looked in the review mirror where the cab driver was expectantly waiting for the address.

I took a deep breath and said, "American mission hospital."

The trip to the hospital was not a pleasant one. All the time I had been thinking about Ashton. The caller as far as I remember hadn't mentioned Ashton's name even once.

I held my bag tighter and prayed that he would be okay, or he should be okay...because I could not bear to lose him too.

I shut my thoughts out as the hospital came in view. I could feel my heart hammering against my ribcage. I paid the driver and got out, nearly tripping over a stone. I kicked it aside and made my way to the entrance. The doors slid open as I neared and I quickly entered. I stopped by the reception desk and asked the lady sitting behind.

"I'm here to see the body of my parents Mr. and Mrs. Windsor. And I would like to know about my brother...Ashton Windsor..." I felt a lump in my throat while talking but I swallowed back the tears.

She noticed how pale my face had become and quickly entered the names into the computer. She looked up through her rimmed glasses and said, "You may see your parents in the morgue but first you have to meet Doctor Stephan and he'll explain everything. You'll find him in room number 508 on the fifth floor."

I blinked and allowed the tears to fall. They felt like they were ripping through my flesh. I quickly wiped it with the back of my hand and murmured a thank you.

I walked towards the elevator, pressed the button and waited. After a minute or two the lift opened and out came several people. I entered and pressed 5 while the others pressed which ever floor they wanted to go to. Soon the lift stopped on the fifth floor and I got out. At the entrance to the rooms was another desk and behind it sat a nurse and a flirty warden.