They say heroes and heroines exist as characters in movies with capes and masks, but this woman — fragile, with an oxygen mask covering her nose and mouth, her life seemingly slipping away from their grasp— was their true heroine.
The doctors on duty had all said the same thing. “She will be fine. Just wait a little more.”
And they had been waiting. For days, taking turns, eyes fixed on her chest as it rose and fell, with shallow breaths. The beeping sound of the monitor filled the room when their mouths couldn't form a word, and the irrefutable smell of antiseptics and artificial fragrance contained in soaps and cleaners was a constant reminder of the world they were trapped in.
Father said he was on his way. He'd said that for the umpteenth time already. Was Father ever back from his multiple business trips?
Eli took in a slow breath, a deep prayer rooted in his mind as he exhaled. His eyes found his younger sister's — they were becoming misty again. He took her soft palm in his, squeezed it gently and whispered.
“Diane, she will be alright.”
As Diane forced a nod, a tear escaped her tear gland. Eli knew it was time she left the ward. She needed to be anywhere apart from the trapped world they were in. And so he had to find a means.
“Why not go home and freshen up?”
Diane opened her mouth but Eli wasn't done.
“We need to eat. Please, if you can make something for us.”
He dipped his hand into his trouser pocket and fished out the house key. “Here. And please, use my debit card.”
Diane, unable to protest, gathered her distorted self and shuffled out of the ward.
For as long as Eli could remember, his mother, Mrs Eunice, had been there. He was nine when his immediate elder sister died from a ghastly motor accident. Seven months pregnant then, Mrs Eunice went into labour from the shock. She had a stillbirth, losing the twins the family had long been hoping for.
Their Father, Mr Ben, suddenly appeared from his ‘business trip’ after two days, taking over from their aunt who had left her family to care for their mother.
For weeks, Mrs Eunice remained in the hospital, fighting for her life while battling with the piercing reality before her.
Again, Mr Ben received a call and, within a few hours, announced to the family that he had to catch up with a flight. Although Eli was only nine, he could still remember his mother's words that day as she sobbed in pain and tears.
“Ben, I forgive you.” Her eyes shut tightly as more tears bathed her face. Mr Ben's tear-stained eyes bore different emotions. Deep down, one could tell he was helpless too.
Mrs Eunice found her voice again; this time, her voice was thick and cracked. “From the depth of my heart and with the pain in my heart... I forgive you.”
The weight of her words hung in the air as Mr Ben slipped his feet into his palm slippers. He headed for the door, not sparing another glance at the pale woman on the bed or the boy seated beside her.
The door creaked open and following a low thud behind him, they knew he would be gone for a long time.
Ever since, it had been one business trip after another. The only reminder of their father was the showers of allowances and gifts constantly poured in. Christmas and holiday packages were no exception. However, he himself was rarely home.
Mrs Eunice became everything — from standing in for him at school meetings to becoming their tutor at home. When the pressure of adolescence started to press in, she stepped in, pulling them away from strange unfamiliar paths. If she wasn't pleading with them today, then she was instilling discipline the next. Other times, they'd find her on her knees, crying silently in prayer to God. Those days were almost unbearable for her.
Now, Eli was twenty-three and responsible — a man who had promised to be there for his mother and nineteen-year-old sister.
If only... if only this heart disease would let their mother be. She had been sick but didn't say a word, until the day she collapsed in the kitchen.
One week passed, same expression, same doctor's report. The oxygen mask had been removed after the doctors confirmed she could breathe on her own, leaving only the IV lines, yet there was little or no improvement.
But on a fateful evening, she blinked. Then her eyes slowly opened. She stared blankly at the room. When her eyes found a familiar masculine figure, she whispered, “So... son.”
Eli and Diane, lost in their world, snapped up immediately. They rushed to her. Eli dropped to his knees in tears... tears of gratitude. Diane sat beside their mother, hands trembling, praying and crying at the same time.
No matter what had happened or what would happen, it was them against the world.
Image Source: CHATGPT
