Chapter 5 A Ray Of Hope

A Ray Of Hope

The Hospital Ward felt more quiet and lonelier than the first time she woke up from a coma. Then, she felt being trapped in her own sleep was a nightmare she desperately wanted to escape from. But now being awake knowing she had nothing left to look forward to felt even worse.

"I...am...Isabella...Sanchez...an orphan". She murmured, her voice devoid of emotions

A soft knock on the door echoed through the quiet room interrupting her thoughts. But instead of answering, she lay back down, pulling the blanket over head.

"Still pretending to be asleep, huh?". Nurse Daisy smiled, setting the room service tray beside her bed. "Alright, get up now, it's time to eat".

"Am not hungry". She said, rolling to the other side of her bed.

"Oh come on, you've been lying in bed all day long without eating or taking your medication. Keep this up and you just might be spending another six months in the hospital". Nurse Daisy said, gently pulling down the blanket.

"What's the use of getting better?. My life is already a mess and there's nothing anyone can do to change that".

"It's okay to lose your appetite for a while. But keeping yourself locked up won't change anything. You need to get out of this room and start living again".

"And how do you suggest I don't do that?. I mean I can't even walk".

"Well, whoever said anything about doing it on your own?". Nurse Daisy smiled, nodding towards the wheelchair positioned in the corner of the room.

"No...I still don't like this idea". She said, her brows furrowed in concern.

"You don't have to worry about anything. Just relax and leave everything else to me". Nurse Daisy assured her.

"But I-". She tried to protest

"Trust me, we'll have a good time," Nurse Daisy said with a warm smile.

"I really hope I don't regret this." She sighed, her shoulder falling back in defeat.

Nurse Daisy carefully guided the wheelchair down the long, straight corridor, lined with ward rooms on either side.

The beeping of monitors, the noise of oxygen tanks, and the murmured conversations of nurses and doctors. Along with sick and injured patients looking miserable and helpless made her feel uneasy.

"Nurse". She called "Why do all the patients look so.... sad and miserable?

"Unfortunately, many of our patients are dealing with serious illnesses and injuries. Some have been here for a long time and it's just been tough on them. As for visitors, some patients don't have family or friends nearby and the ones who do, they stopped caring at some point".

"That's sad. Don't they get lonely?". Isabella asked.

"Of course they do, but there's only so much we can do for them."Nurse Daisy replied "You know what, you're one of the few lucky patients we have here".

"Am I?". Isabella raised a brow.

"Of course". She said "You've always had your aunt to take care of you. During the time you were stuck in a coma, she'd always make sure to drop by everyday even when everybody had lost hope you'd ever wake up".

"Really? I had no idea she did that."

"Yea, she'd talk to you, hold your hand, and just be there for you every single day. Just between us two, I think the other patients might actually be jealous of you". Nurse Daisy said, her lips curled into a smile.

"Well I guess there's still some things left to be grateful for even though I've lost everything". Isabella said, tears welling up her eyes.

"Alright, alright....I didn't bring you out here to make you even more sad".

"Sorry". She whispered, forcing a weak smile. "I just can't help it".

"I think you need a change of scenery, somewhere calm and peaceful to take all this sadness away and I have just the place in mind".

Few Minutes Later

Nurse Daisy finally came to a stop at a small, quiet garden at the back of the hospital. The garden's pathway was surrounded by colourful flowers, lush greenery and comfortable-looking benches. A few patients and visitors strolled along the path, enjoying the view.

"Oh my goodness". Isabella said, beaming with joy "This is so beautiful ".

"Well this little garden was designed for our patients so they can relax, unwind and forget their troubles". Nurse Daisy explained.

"I never thought something so beautiful would be able to grow in a place filled with so much sadness". Isabella said, a smile spread across her face

"Well Isabella dear, sometimes all we need is a little reminder of how beautiful the world is".

Isabella's face lit up with joy as soon as her eyes locked on Miranda's warm smile. "Aunt Miranda! You're here?".

"I was worried sick when I couldn't find you in your room". Miranda sighed in relief "Luckily the nurses told me you were out her getting some fresh air".

"Please, sit". Isabella said, gently ushering Miranda towards the bench next to her wheelchair.

"I should get back to my rounds. I'll leave you two to catch up". Nurse Daisy said, gently patting Isabella on the shoulder before heading back to the building.

"Aunt Miranda". Isabella called, her eyes fixed on a happy family trying to cheer up their frail child.

"Yes sweetie". Miranda replied.

"My parents..." Isabella's voice trailed off. "What were they like?".

Mirandas eyes drifted off for a moment before she spoke.

"Your mother Almira, she had a very kind soul". Miranda began. "Before she met your father, she worked as a librarian in a public bookstore down town.

"A bookstore?". Isabella asked and Miranda nodded.

"It wasn't a high paying job, but your mother threw her heart into it". Miranda said "She always had this serious look on her face whenever she picked up a book. And I guess that's why it was so easy for Mateo to fall in love with her, the very first time he saw her".

Isabella's eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Did Almira... I mean my mom... also fall in love with him at first sight".

"Well, that not really how it happened". Miranda replied "You see, on the day Mateo finally summoned enough courage to confess his true feelings to her, she was too engrossed in her work that she didn't notice him. And when she finally did, she was startled to see someone standing behind her that she knocked over the display book on his head".

"That's hilarious". Isabella laughed.

"It was indeed." Miranda chuckled "I remember my sister offering to take him to the hospital to get his head checked but instead he asked out for a cup of coffee at the cafe where he worked".

"And then what happened". Isabella asked

"From then on, Mateo never missed a day at the library just to see her and Almira would always drop by the cafe to have a drink and chat with him."

"That's so sweet". She giggled, suddenly leaning back on her chair. "It...it's too bad I can't remember anything anymore".

Miranda gently held onto her hands "I know that losing your memory isn't easy for you. But I am sure that there are some things you also wouldn't want to remember."

"Wait". Isabella said "What does that even mean?".

"It mean Isabella, not everyone was happy about your parents engagement, just like your grandma and my mother". Miranda continued "They didn't approve of my sister's decision to marry your father because to them, he wasn't wealthy or influential family and so, he just wasn't good enough to be her husband". Miranda replied

"So, what? did my parents actually elope together or something?"

"They did what had to be done, even at the cost of losing their own family". Miranda explained "And then not long after they got married they had you, Isabella".

Isabella's eyes welled up with tears as she suddenly realized that her parents had become nothing more than memories.... memories she'd never experience again.

"They're really not coming back, are they?". She asked, her voice trembling.

"No sweetie, they're not", Miranda said gently wrapping her arms around her in a warm hug. "But it doesn't mean you're alone, I'll always be here for you".