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1052 Words
At the hospital, I was surrounded by the sterile beeps and whispers in the room. I lay in a hospital bed, tubes and wires connected to my arms, my head wrapped in bandages. An old nurse came to check my vitals, “I’m so sorry about your family” she said sympathetically
As I cried weakly, my gaze drifted to the corner of the room, where a police officer stood, taking notes. He caught my eye and stepped forward. “Miss Mara Smith, I'm Detective James. I'm so sorry about your family.”
I tried to open my mouth and speak but my voice cracked.
The detective pulled up a chair. “I think I should come later, I see you are not in good shape to talk right now.” Just as he was talking, the old nurse stepped in. “The doctor says she's stable, but we need to monitor her.” She said politely
The detective nodded and stood up to leave.
She came to my side. “Sit up Mara, you need to take your medicine now.” She instructed. I sat up on the bed and took the medicines from her.
I lowered myself down crying like a baby who wants to be in her mother’s arms.
“Mara, you have visitors,” the old nurse said, tapping my shoulder. I immediately lifted my head to see who my visitors were.
It was my uncle, accompanied by my aunt. The memory of the way he looked at me at the accident scene flashed back. The satisfied look and the darkened eyes. I froze for a few seconds.
My aunt, Miss Juliet Smith, quickly rushed to my side and held my hand gently. “Oh no! Poor girl! She exclaimed
“This is so sad, I flew back this morning as soon as I heard the news,” my uncle, Adam Smith said his voice low and soothing
My aunt hugged me slightly “We are so relieved you are okay, we are here for you, sweetie” she whispered
I forced a weak smile, nodding along.
“Ok, we’ll leave you to rest now,” Uncle said grinning slightly as he patted me on the back.
The moment they left, the mask dropped, and my smile faded. Confusion was written all over my face.
I replayed my uncle’s reaction at the accident scene in my head again and also what he said a few minutes ago. He said he came back this morning after hearing the news but I saw him yesterday at the scene.
“Had I really seen what I thought I saw?” I said to myself. The more I thought about it, the more unsure I became. Just then, my fiancé, Alex, walked in, carrying a basket of fruit and a flower bouquet.
“Hey, how are you doing?” He asked softly, setting the basket and the bouquet on the stand beside my bed.
“I’m okay baby,” I said
“Mara, I’m so sorry all these things happened to you”. He said, his voice cracking, he wrapped me in a comforting hug, “I’m here for you, okay?
My eyes were filled with tears as I buried my face in his chest.
“Baby, I don’t know how…” I tried to speak but the word was caught up in my throat.
“Shhh, you don’t have to, just focus on recovery right now ok” Alex said stroking my hair.
***
The day of the funeral came, I wore my funeral dress and held onto my family portrait. My eyes were dry despite the grief that threatened to overwhelm me. I led the way as other extended family members followed me quietly, all wearing black. Thier whispers and murmurs weaving like a somber melody. Some looked at me with pity, some with disgusted eyes.
As I stood by the graves, receiving condolences, I overheard some conversations
“Poor girl, she is too young for this. She’s just 25”
“Handle the estate, she can’t even handle herself”
Alex came by and held my hand softly.
“You will be fine, Honey, I’m here, always” he whispered
“Hun” I hummed, eyes fixed on nothing.
When the funeral service was over, everyone went home.
Alex drove me to my parents' house. We stepped into the eerie quiet of the house. I wandered the living room, my eyes drawn to the wall lined with family photos. I stopped in front of a picture of us taken just a few months ago. Me, Mom, Dad, Jasmine, Kelvin. Everyone was smiling.
Alex came behind me and wrapped around me, “You okay” he whispered
I stared at the photo, feeling nothing but numbness
“Yeah” I whispered back, my voice hollow
He turned me around, his eyes searching mine. “You don’t have to be okay, not right now,”
I leaned on him for a while, sobbing gently.
“I ordered food for us, you need to eat something” Alex said calmly.
“I’m not hungry, Alex, I don’t want anything ” I said firmly shaking my head
“Honey, I know and I understand but you need to eat something”
I did not respond, I was too weak to.
When the food arrived, Alex coaxed me to eat
“Just a little bite” he persuaded
I reluctantly took a bite, Alex fed me, and tried to make me eat more.
As we ate, tears fell from my eyes, I broke down “ I… I miss them, Alex” I said trying to hold myself back
“I know, Baby, I’m here, let it out” Alex said rubbing my back gently
I cried my whole life out, Alex held me tightly, letting my grief spill out. Eventually, I calmed down, exhausted.
Alex helped me to bed, tucked me in, and sat beside me “Get some rest, okay?”.
I nodded and shut my eyes weakly.
The following morning, I was woken up by a call from my father’s lawyer. “Miss Mara Smith, your father left instructions. You’re required to appear in the morning.”
“Ok sir” I said, feeling a flicker of something like anxiety.
- Writer
