Chapter 1 Wait for the inevitable

I gently opened my eyes as the bright light coming in from the window blinded me, I squinted and turn away from the window, I looked over to my mother who was holding me next to her, I took in the environment where I was and it drew to me that I was still at the hospital and then...

"Dad," I muttered as I raised my head from my mother's shoulder immediately. "Where is dad?" I asked her since I couldn't find him on the bed he was lying on before I fell asleep, I had cried so much last night, and right now my eyes sting.

"The doctors took him for a second surgery." My mother squeezed my hand gently and I looked into her eyes searching for the pain I saw last night but it was not there anymore. "He will be fine after this surgery Ivana, he awoke from a coma before now."

My eyes dilated, was it when I was asleep? My father came out of the coma, this was good news then, I couldn't say a word, I just embraced my mother closely and she gently patted my hair.

My eyes flickered to the doorway and I noticed Mrs. Jane coming in with a parked meal bag, I was surprised she was still here, I thought she had left before now.

I pulled away from my mother gently and looked at the elegant woman who put down the meal she had got for us. "Mrs. Jane..."

"Save your strength dear," She told me softly before turning to my mother. "Rose, you and Ivana need to eat something, everything would be alright and you need strength." She told them while touching my mother's shoulder softly.

I didn't have any appetite, I just wanted to see my father and know he was really alright, but looking at my mother I knew I had to eat and also be strong for her and my father.

I looked at Mrs. Jane and she nods at me, I took the food and opened it, it was one of my mother's favorite meals, I looked up at Mrs. Jane, she must truly know my mother so well to bring this, this was a meal that my mother eat even when she has no appetite for a meal.

"Mom, you have to eat." I gave her a spoonful and after a bit of hesitation she ate the food and I joined her, my mother has only spoken a few words since last night I had arrived, she was a woman of few words, but this time she had only cried and called my name twice and my father's name three times, she had said most words to the doctors and I have no idea if she had said a word to Mrs Jane.

After eating the meal bought by Mrs Jane my mother seemed to regain her strength after eating, she looked up at Mrs Jane. "Jane, you have been here for this long, don't you have something to take care of in the city?"

I was also curious about this, while I was at the mansion. Mrs Jane had always been busy with work and was not at home often. I also waited for her response.

Mrs Jane sat next to my mother and shook her head slowly. "I can't leave you this way," She took my mother's hand and stared into her eyes. "I have to cancel my schedules today, you have to be strong for me to leave." She flashed my mother a smile.

"How about your son, won't he be worried?" My mother said and I was shocked, my eyes dilated and I pulled my hand away from my mother's hand as my lips parted.

Does my mother know about Robin? My mother knew all these while that Mrs Jane has a son and I have felt guilty all these while because I have not said anything about it, thinking I will have to come back if they know I was living with a boy while at Mrs Jane's mansion,

I was indeed stupid, Mrs Jane was my mother's friend so she must be aware of her son, now I realize why my mother had not asked me anything related to that.

"Ivana, is there something wrong?" My mother's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I noticed they were both staring at me. I must have drawn their attention to me when I quickly pulled my hand away from my mother's.

I shook my head. "It is nothing." I got up from the chair and turned to clear the plates. "Mom, Mrs Jane, you both can continue your discussion, I will take some air outside and be right back," I told them and they nod in response as I left the room.

I walked outside the garden of the hospital. I hated the smell of the hospital, this was the first time I had been at the hospital, because of my hatred for the hospital I had always been careful not to hurt myself. I looked around the garden, it was beautiful, pretty flowers everywhere, but what I felt was that these were all planted for people who had only a few days to live in order for them to see the beauty before they die.

I sat down on a bench and leaned back to it as I stared up at the sky. Birds were flying up in the sky, they looked so free and happy. I always stare at them whenever I am sad. It always makes me a bit relieved. I was relieved as it stands now, my father had woken up and not only that, he would be okay.

"What are you staring at?"

I heard a voice behind me and I turned instantly as my eyes dilated to see the man staring at me with a grin, his eyes bored into mine and for a moment I thought I was dreaming or imagining things right now, but the voice spoke more softly this time.

"What were you staring at? He tilts his head to his side and leans closer to me and I blink before quickly shutting my eyes while I wait for the inevitable.