Ephemeral Ecstasy

Chapter 7

The woman lying on the bed was as beautiful as the day. She struggled to open her eyes, pushing back the sharp rays of sunlight. As she awoke, the man beside her was already awake, and Carmelita no longer worried about him seeing her in the final moments, for she was going to change her appearance in the coming days, never to return to this form and style.

"Can I get your number?" said the man named "Maxx." Carmelita promptly gave him her contact information and left the place.

••

When Ankara opened her eyes, her face revealed not frustration due to her injuries but rather wonderment at why she hadn't passed away.

Ankara stealthily reached for her cellphone, trying not to make a sound that might wake her caregiver, but she made a mistake. As she felt Yedd's awareness, she knew he was already awake, so she stirred herself without raising her head, hearing Ankara speaking on the phone.

"Mom, are you coming here? I need clothes."

"Ankara, please. I'm busy; I have a meeting today with my new partners in the company."

"Dad?"

"Your Dad is swamped. He has a new case. What's wrong? This is my first meeting. I'll send a maid to you, I need to go to a Salon. Okay, bye!" Ankara was left speechless by her mother's rushed words, and all she could do was cry. Yedd felt a pang in his heart at the girl's predicament. Not even her father, the one who had hit her, bothered to visit her.

Ankara raised herself up and went to the terrace of her room. She gazed at her surroundings and the brilliant sun. She even contemplated whether she should jump and end it all. However, Ankara's sorrow deepened when she realized that she was only on the second floor.

Yedd noticed that Ankara was not in her bed, so he quickly got up. When he saw her standing on the terrace, he immediately went to her. Ankara noticed the footprints and asked, "When can I leave?"

Yedd sighed. "Tomorrow." Upon hearing the answer, Ankara promptly went back inside. The room was air-conditioned, had a TV, and a living area, and anyone else would have felt comfortable here as a patient, but not Ankara.

Yedd retrieved his phone from his pocket and made a call. "Bring the food to Room 32." After those words, he hung up the phone and returned it to his pocket. He had no intention of saying goodbye and headed towards the door, but Ankara quickly grabbed his hand. Yedd looked at her before shifting his gaze to the girl. "Why are you doing this?"

Ankara was left speechless by Yedd's response, shocked and angry. "Simply because I pity you!"

As Yedd exited the room, Ankara almost punched the door.

"Pity?"

"Dammit, I don't need his help!"

"PITY for that face of yours!"

These angry words were spoken by Ankara. She knew deep down that she didn't need help and would have been happier if she had passed away in the accident last night.

•••

Upon arriving home, Carmelita quickly changed her clothes. She needed to be there for the kids, especially since the students she taught were only in the first grade.

She wasn't disappointed while waiting for the children; she even found time to tidy up the classroom. She found joy in doing this because her fatigue disappeared every time she saw the children. She had grown attached to them. Before they went home, she read stories to the children and listened to their opinions on various matters. Children are honest with their words.

"Were you all happy with the ending, kids?"

"Yes, Teacher."

"According to the story, a family consists of a mother and a father. Love begins within the family. We should love our families because in the end, they are always there for us." You can see the smiles on the children's faces, except for one. The young boy's face shows his disagreement, so he raises his hand. "Teacher, I disagree... I don't have a mother and a father. My uncle takes care of me. Can't I consider him as my family?" Carmelita smiled at the boy's question. "Family is not just made up of a mother and a father. For example, here at school, we are a family because we help and love each other. Xian, you can consider him as your family because he takes care of you and is there for you. Love him, Xian, like a true child." Xian was delighted by the answer and ran to Carmelita to give her a hug.

"Everybody stand..." Carmelita's words were interrupted when one child raised their hand.

"Yes, Kett?"

"Teacher, the story said love begins within the family. But in my case, the opposite holds true like Xian, I have a mother, yet no love is formed with my father. They are always in conflict. In my view, love does not start within the family."

I don't think love starts within the family."

"Come here, Xian. Love begins within yourself. You're still studying despite everything because you love yourself. You don't want to end up like them, right?"

"Teacher is right... Group hug!" Everyone gathered and gave tight hugs.

At 4 pm, Carmelita arrived home. She was tired, but she needed to prepare herself again for 6 pm. Dressing up was easy for her because she maintained the same appearance as last night. Carmelita spent the remaining time calling Ankara, as she noticed she didn't attend today.

"Hello, Ankara. Are you sick? You didn't come to school today."

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry."

"Where are you now?"

"I'm at the hospital."

"WHAT! I'll come to see you."

"Come on, it's late. I'll be able to leave tomorrow."

"But..."

"I'm fine as always... Don't worry."

"Okay... Get well soon... BYE!"