Somewhere in the stars

The Change

When I woke up, my entire body was sore. I was still groggy when I tried to reach for the water bottle that was always on my bedside table when I realized I wasn't in my room. I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital room.

"What happened?" I mumbled. I don't remember much other than me and my family having fun in the car and singing and then...suddenly...a truck.

I let out a big gasp as I realized what had happened. "Oh my God, my family,” I began to cry uncontrollably.

The door was then opened and a doctor and a few nurses entered the room. "How are you feeling?" the doctor questioned.

I couldn't say anything. I was still processing what had happened. After a while I finally spoke. "What happened to my family? Everything went black all of a sudden, and I have no idea what happened next," I continue to ramble.

"Sir, we'll tell you what happened, but first please calm down; your body is still healing," the nurse stated. I then started to struggle and wanted to get out of bed to find my family.

The nurses then began to restrain me to prevent me from injuring myself or getting out of bed. How can I stay calm? My family is in danger, and I have no idea what has happened.

"I'm not going to be able to relax until you tell me what's going on!" I made it absolutely clear. When the doctor looked at me with sadness filling his eyes, I knew something was wrong.

"Your family was in a car accident. And, despite our best efforts, your father died on the spot," the doctor went on to explain what had happened, but I was too shocked to process everything he said.

It was as if the room began to spin. My father is dead? How? I can't believe how quickly the happiest day of my life turned into the most dreadful and unforgettable day of my life.

"Your mother, on the other hand, is in a coma, and we don't know when or if she will ever wake up," I can’t believe this.

Why is this happening to me? “What do you mean if she’ll ever wake up?” I questioned as I locked my gaze on him.

"Your mother suffered a severe traumatic head injury, and frankly, we're surprised she survived," I wanted to die right then and there because of what I had just heard. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I feel like I'm going to pass out. I then sat down slowly on the hospital bed. "I can't believe this." I mumbled. What happened to Reya? Oh my God, Reya! "How about my younger sister, doc? Is she okay?" I looked at him with a hopeful expression on my face.

"Fortunately, your sister survived with only an arm injury," I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that my sister was still alive.

I was then told that apparently a drunk truck driver slammed into our car, killing two people on the scene, one of whom was my father.

How can I go on living knowing that my mother is in a coma and my father is no longer alive? I'm not sure how I'm going to raise Reya.

As I continue to think about everything that just happened and what I intend to do about it. The door burst open, revealing a lawyer.

"Hello, I know you're still in recovery, and I'm sorry about your father and mother," He expressed his heartfelt condolences to me."Why are you here?" I was curious because I didn't know who he was.

"I'm your father's lawyer, I’m Rick Sawyer." he said, smiling. Why didn't Dad say he'd been meeting with a lawyer for a few months?

"Your father met with me to finalize his will and all of the properties he planned to leave to the three of you if something ever happened to him,"

I'm curious as to what father left the three of us. He was a wonderful father who worked tirelessly for us every day.

I can't help but cry from the thought that my father is gone. Mr. Sawyer then extended his handkerchief to me. I gave him a sad smile.

"Thank you," In response to my situation, he nodded sympathetically. He then opened his briefcase and took out a piece of paper, "Anyway, Mr. Rumi, to avoid wasting your time, I will now read your father's will,"

He took a look at the paper and began reading it aloud. "Dear Malena, Rumi, and Reya, I have saved up 200,000 dollars. It may not be enough, but I hope it will help the three of you for a while when I am not present. I love you three so much,"

Following the reading of the will, he took something from his pocket. "Here's my phone number in case you need assistance or have any questions,"

He smiled, then went to get his belongings and went on his way. After he left I began crying. I think I've never cried this hard. This might be the first. After crying for hours I finally fell asleep.

I've been confined in this hospital for three days. I was both physically and mentally healing. Everything fell apart so quickly.

I've been crying for the past few nights because I don't know what to do. But then I realized I still had Reya, and I needed to be strong for both of us.

After moping around for a while I finally got out of bed and went to Reya's room. I stared at my little sister lying in the hospital bed, a cask wrapped around her left arm.

I approached her and sat beside her bed. I gently stirred her. She then opened her eyes, sat up, and hugged me as if there was no tomorrow. I didn't realize I was crying my eyes out until it was too late.

We were both shaking from crying. "I promise I'll be there, and I'll look after you and protect you from now on," I signed to her.

She looked at me with hope in her sweet little face, knowing she could rely on me. I needed to be strong for both of us right now. Whatever happens.