A Lie So Beautiful

32. Aunt Pene

Jace point of view.

Right now, Iam driving in pretty much full speed towards the hospital. I mean, Cane has called me which means something serious must have happen. If not he would have never called. He is the type to always do it on his own, as long as its possible.

Iam a bit worried now, aunt Pene (Cane's and Claire's mom) had been sick for a while now. And it has been getting worse and worse each day. Actually Cane and his family don't live here, they are here just for Aunt Pene's treatment.

The last time Cane come here and met Mia, he actually was here to meet the doctor. I guess it work out well with the doctor, considering they move here after a few days. Oh, they do have a house here from before, its not like they entirely shift. Its just staying for a while type of thing.

On this note, I have reach the hospital. I quickly run up to the receptionist and ask their whereabouts. After I knew where they were, I run to the ward they are in. And as soon as I reach there I can feel the gloomy and the saddened mood of the place right away.

Cane was standing in the side leaning against the wall, while Claire was there sitting in the waiting chairs with her heads down. It was outside an emergency room which means treatment is going on in there.

I quickly go up to Cane to know what was going on.

Jace: How is she? Did something happen? Or is she hurt again?

When I say hurt, it usually when she faint she often hurt herself or worse scene scenario is when she starts forgetting almost everything and wont even remember what can hurt her like fire and touch it.

Cane: She just suddenly faint, I dont know what happen or how or why she faint. She just did.

He is looking stressed out, and I can completely understand why. Its his mother in there.

Jace: Any word from the doctor?

As I said that he just shake his head in a no.

Cane: Its been about half and hour since mom was brought in and the door is closed since.

Jace: Everything will be alright man, all we can do now is pray and try to stay strong.

As I said that he gave me a forced smile and a nod while closing his eye and sighing.

Cane: Iam sorry for calling you suddenly, its just that Mike is not here in the moment and I was worried of leaving Claire alone if something comes up.

I feel suffocated and dissapointed every time I hear such thing. They are my family but they dont considered me as one anymore.

Jace: Come on, have our relation become that foreign that we have to explain to each other and apologise when we need help in such times?

And I look up at him but I wish I hadn't. The emotions I saw in his eye shows me clearly that we indeed have grown so much apart now. The look of dissapointment, anger, hurt but mostly lost and confusion can be seen in his eye making me look down immediately.

Cane: Is it not?

Just as he said that the doctor come out, which Iam so thankful for. Cause I know for a fact that, I would never have been able to answer his question. I myself don't even know anymore, how will I tell him otherwise.

Doctor: This are the medicines needed, if you could please hurry and get it.

And he hand over a list.

Cane: How is she?

Doctor: Nothing to worry about for now. She is not in any danger or anything like that. You go get the medicine and after an injection you can meet the patient as well.

And with that the doctor went back inside while both me and Cane sigh in relieve.

Cane: Let me go get this, please be here for the time being.

As he said that, I just nod my head. After which he ran away down the stairs.

I look up at Claire and saw her still sitting in the same place, with her head cast down. She look sickly and tired, it must have been hard for her.

She look so scared right now, her eye or even her whole composure screamed fear. And I kinda know why, as for Claire Aunt Pene was everything.

She was her gaurdian angel who came in the form of a mother. Claire always says that if there was no mom there will be no her.

She was so grateful to her and love her with everything she could offer. She was like a god to her, she was someone who pull her out of a slum, saving her from all her misery and suffering. And while doing so even offering her an opportunity to be happy.

Since we were young we can see their love blossoming, they were more like best friends when we see how they act but they share a deep mother and daughter bond when we look at how they love.

They had an outstandingly beautiful relationship.

But then Aunt Pene suddenly get sick and even start forgetting who Claire was. It was heartbreaking even for us to watch, what must she feel to experience it herself. Knowing all this, in my eyes Claire look strong to have hold out this long.

But now, her eye look hollow. Blank of any joyous emotion, I saw nothing but a black paint of fear and insecurity.

But as much as I understand her and want to console her, I still was trying my best not to go over to her.

Cause I know, to her I will just be another source to bring her pain let alone comfort.

But that plan was completely thrown out the window as soon as I saw a tear drop, dropping down her now paled and hollow cheeks. Looking at that pain she ommits,I couldn't stay still anymore so without even thinking, I went up to her and kneel in front of where she is sitting and quickly wipe her tears. As I wipe her tears she was shocked for a bit but very quickly regain her composure again.

Jace: You okay?

As soon as that word come out of my mouth, I wanna kill myself. What kind of a dumb question is that? She is in the hospital crying while her mom is in the emergency room. and I ask her if she is okay. What a fool, obviously she is not okay.

I was about to speak up again considering I ask the dumbest question and she just look confused with no answer. But before I can she speak up she ask.

Claire: Where is Cane?

Jace: He just went out to buy some medicine.

As I said that she just gave me a nod, did she not notice what the doctor says earlier?

Jace: The doctor says there is no danger for now, dont worry too much.

As soon as I said that relief wash over her small face. I should have said that one first, what a fool. She give me another nod as if to say okay.

And as I look at her closer now, I can clearly see how tired she is. The once bright hue of her lips now looks dull, the blush in her cheecks seems to be in hibernation, afraid of the cold in the paleness of her skin.

But most prominently her eye seems to have lost its life, the image if lifelessness in her eye shook me in fear. And all I could wish for at that time was hope that I could have offer her just a hug. Even if its just for a second, I want to give her a comforting hug and a word of consolation that everything will be alright.

But neither my arm nor my mouth move according to how I would have want them to. So we just stare at each other in complete stillness.

But after a while of just staring, both of us in our own world, I saw her panicking. Restlessness was clearly seen in her eye, it was as if she just realise that Iam there. As soon as she look at me in a panicked expression, I was quickly taken aback. I was about to ask what was wrong but she quickly stand up and excuse herself to use the bathroom.

And there I realise what was wrong, I was there, me the one who hurt her the most. How did I even figure that I could comfort her.

As I look at her hurried footstep going away further from me. I wonder to myself, how did we come to this.

We were so happy that, it was hard to believe even staying in one room suffocates us now.

We are even scared of giving one hug to each other out of comfort in such a hard time.

The irony was funny to me, we once considered ourself to be the closest anyone could ever get with someone but now, even strangers will be happier to see each other than us.

While I was on my own thought Cane comes back and gave the medicine he brought to some nurse there. After which he comes up to me and look at my awkward sitting position in a questioning manner but not give any comment.

Cane: Claire?

Jace: Bathroom.

As I said that he just nod his head and sit down while closing his eye and leaning back. He seems more relaxed now than before, what a relief. With that I also get up and sit down in the chair.

Like this ten to fifteen minute pass again, but no sign of Claire, making me worried. I guess Cane feels the same cause he was trying the call her the next second. But as he was doing that the doctor came out so he ask me to go ask the doctor while he send a quick text.

Jace: How is she now?

Doctor: She is alright but just for now, as you have already know, her tumor is in the head and is growing rapidly so fainting like this is from the repression of the tumor.

Cane: Any other thing we need to know of?

Oh yes he has already come up since the doctor start speaking.

Doctor: It will just get worse if its left behind, so naturally I'll suggest surgery although it will be quite risky. But I have yet to go over all the medical charts and condition so I cant give you the exact information yet.

Cane: Okay.

As he said that the doctor went away while a nurse come up and tell us that aunt is moved to a general ward now and we can enter. So we followed her.

Actually it was found at the start of the sickness that the risk of a surgery is too high and is mostly unsafe due to many of her medical condition. So the doctor suggest it to be the last option but it look like the last option is really the only one left.

Cane don't seem even affected anymore by what the doctor said, but I know better than that.

Jace: What did the doctor you were here for said?

Cane: The same thing as usual, her surgery is a risky one. The possibility of positive outcome is less than even 5%.

He look so tired. I mean first Claire and now this, he had been practically living in the hospital these days.

Jace: I know we are not the same as before, but please if you need anything. Anything at all, don't hesitate to ask.

As I said that he just give a chuckle as if Iam joking but I understand him. After all I did leave when he need me the most, when he need me more than anything.

His sister laying in her death bed suffering god knows what and at that time his best friend who is more like a brother and even the fiance of his sister walk away with just the reason that, he could not do it as it is too hard for him. What a coward.

But it scared me more that even if I was given a second chance now, I will still chose the same route. I would have hurt everyone again if I was given a chance to save Claire again. Even if Iam hated or ridiculed, I will find a way to be okay with it like Iam doing now. So what, if I lose them now, what matter is they still have each other and that's worth much more than my pain.

But whats really unfair and scary is that someone else who is completely free and innocent of all this mess, has to suffer for us to be happy. If I could ever complain about anything at all, I would not have complain about all the sufferings we are going through now but for the ways given to us to solve this misery.

As we were sitting there silently, both just ignoring that both of us are here, Claire come back.

Claire: How is she?

Cane: Just as usual.

As he said that her face fall again, usual here means no way out yet for them.

Seeing her face falling Cane quickly come up to her and hug her.

Cane: Everything will be alright, it has to be alright. Remember mom is a fighter, she won't just give up easily.

As he said that, she nod her head while snuggling up to him more and more. And there I thought, selfishly; all my wrongdoing seems to be worth it looking at them. They still have each other to hug and comfort each other in such a hard time and that to me was relief in itself. But I realise Iam not a part of this anymore so I was about to leave but just then Cane's phone rang so he went out to receive it.

Leaving me alone with Claire again, she seems so uncomfortable just being with me. So I quickly go and lean down in the bed while clutching aunt's hand and whispering.

Jace: Hey Aunt Pene, get well soon. You cannot be sleeping like this, our promise is about to be finished now. You have to get up and see it clearly. Please get well soon.

With that I kiss her for head and was leaving. As I was about to open the door, the door burst open and in come an excited Cane.

Cane: The doctor called, he said he have find the doctor who will be able to conduct the surgery.

As he said that all of our faces light up. And Claire go and quickly hug Cane in happiness. While I say a small prayer of thanks.

Cane: Anyway, he said I can meet him by today so I have to go now. He is apparently staying in Dima, so It will probably take a while for me to go and come back and might come only by tommorow morning so.

Jace: I'll stay here with aunt and Claire, don't worry and take your time.

As I said that he quickly said a small thank you and warn Claire to stay safe and went away.

Actually its already past 8pm by now so its pretty late and considering Dima is about three hour journey from here. He will take a while.

Actually we have to spend the night in the hospital. Aunt Pene is alright now and is just sleeping due to all the medication but we don't wanna disturb her sleep and she need plenty and plenty of rest and more over for precaution we decide to stay the night.

But all of this does not change the fact that Claire was clearly uncomfortable being with me so I excuse myself and went outside.

I go to the canteen and take some food with me and went up again.

As I enter the room I saw Claire just sitting there looking at particularly nothing.

Jace: Here have some food.

As I said that she broke out of her trance and look up at me and the food I had. It was a packed meal.

Claire: Leave it, I have no appetite. And Jace you can go now, I can take care here. Cane is just overly worried, dont listen to him.

I was about to go out again as I get a call from Mia as well but hearing her saying that I sit down and open the meal for her and keep it at the table just besides it. I decide to call Mia back later.

Jace: Eat, you will just worried your overly worried brother more.

Even then she just sit there doing nothing and just staring.

Jace: Come on, your mom and Cane will be more worried again if you get sick now, you don't want Cane to worry more do you?

And finally she eat or rather just gobble down the food in a jiffy making me sigh to myself but at least she ate and that's enough for me.

With that I was about to go out again but just when I was step out, I heard Claire.

Claire: Jace, its sad that you are no longer the people that worry about me. But that time has passed, so go away. Don't just show up like this again, its none of your business anymore.

I feel my heart skipped a beat not in excitement but this time in agony. Its funny how my families matter is none of my business anymore. I know I brought it to myself but to hear it still hurts.

Jace: Iam here for Cane and nothing else.

With that I went out, the whole night I was outside checking on them from time to time. After around midnight Claire fall asleep as well. After that I also feel asleep just sitting there for a while.

In the morning Cane came back pretty quickly and seeing as they were going back I also went back home. But I completely forgot to call back to Mia, she must have been worried.