1 The First Encounter

After getting a phone call from the hospital about my mom, I immediately rushed out towards the hospital. Along the way, I was feeling restless and anxious. I can't wait to get there quickly.

After half an hour, I arrived at the hospital. I straight away going to my mom's room. Once I get there, I saw some doctors waiting for me. One of the doctors coming toward me and speak to me.

''Are you her daughter, Ara Arianna?''

I slowly nod my head and said, ''Yes. I am.'' I tried holding my tears.

''The situation is, your mother's condition getting worse and we need to put her in the ICU ward first. We need to do more observation on her.''

''Is that really serious? Can she get well?''

''We can't say anything from now, but maybe she needs to do some operation in her brain tumor has become worse.''

I just in silent to listen to what the doctor said to me. I didn't know how I should react to it. I just speechless and I was very sad to hear about my mom's condition.

''I know how you feel, but you need to be more prepared. We will try our best to save your mother.''

''Thank you, doctors.''

After a done talk with the doctors, I go to see my mom. She just sleeps and laying down on the bed. I coming closer to her and take a seat beside her. I was sad to look at her condition right now.

I slowly rubbing her hair gently. Then I touch her cheek softly. I wish I can replace her now and she can live at ease.

I slowly whispered at her, '' Mom...I'm sorry...you have to be strong and fight this disease. I will be waiting for you here and I promise to always listen to you and I miss how you always nagging at me before...'' I was in shed tears after said all of that.

Then, a few nurses come inside the room and ready to take my mother to the ICU wards. I just see them doing their move and take my mom out from there. I follow them from the back.

After a few minutes, we reached the ICU ward. But, I can't go inside and only wait from the outside.

''Miss Ara, as you know, we don't let patient caregivers going in because there should be a nurse to look over her there. We will let you know if there something happens.'' The nurse said.

''Oh, okay. I know. Just inform me immediately if anything happens to her.''

''Don't worry, Miss Ara. We will call you.''

''Thank you, nurse.''

After I feel assured of my mom's condition, I decided to go back. But, before that, I have to meet my senior in high school before and he also one of my friends, that is William. He is a Doctor of Psychology at this hospital. Luckily, I have a friend who works in the same place as my mom's treatment places.

We promise before to meet at the playground outside the hospital. I just go and waiting for him there. Actually, I have two of my best friend. The other one is Rachel. She works as a model and right now she still abroad. I have a few friends but this two-person is the only one who closer to me.

Even William older than two years from us still can naturally be a friend to me and Rachael. The three of us have many differences but we always understand each other and always be there if we got a problem. I was happy to know they finally got their own job and live with joy in their life.

As I pensively sitting there, suddenly William coming from the back and startled me.

''Ara!'' He yells near my ears.

''Will! You!'' I right away hit his shoulder.

''Ouch! It hurt.''

''You serve it!''

''I don't know your hitting still the same as before. It really makes me scared.'' He laughed.

''Oh really? It's my strong weapon to hit some bad guy.'' I give a little chuckle.

''Okay, okay! You win as always.''

Both of us take a seat and look into each other. He stares at me for a while.

''Why you look at me like that?''

''Nothing, I just want to look at my friend's face after 3 years we didn't meet with each other.''

''Did I look more beautiful?'' I give him a grim smile.

''Yes, you look more beautiful right now but I think you missing something like always before.''

''What is that? Did I look shorter? Did my face have a wrinkle??''

''Your sweet smile...''

I just surprised to hear what he said like that and I quickly give him my genuine smile. I can't show him my sadness and my messy life. ''I still have my smile, look at me carefully.''

''Ara...I know you sad about your mom and we all know she already sick from a long time ago. I know you really struggling with your own life. But, don't you know that I and Rachael were still here with you.''

''I'm okay, Will. I admit that I tired with all of this but for my mom's sake...I have to be strong. I don't want to give up and I must show her that her daughter is stronger than she thinks.''

''It's okay to show to all people there you are strong but, if you want, you can show me all your weakness and all your frustrated. I will help you and the more important is I always beside you to support whatever you want to do.''

''Thank you, Will. I appreciate it. Luckily I still have you and Rachael with my side. I actually don't want to bother you with my problems.''

''No, Ara. I will at more ease if I help you settle whatever problem you have. But, I will do anything for you if that near my range.''

''Don't worry, I will not ask you more than that.''

''So, how your plan now and how did your mom condition? Did she need something or with her settlement treatment? I can help with that.''

I make a deep sigh and said, '' Her condition suddenly becomes worse and she needs to do an operation tomorrow because her brain tumor was separated into other places in her body.''

''I'm sorry to hear that. But, don't worry, we will pray that everything will be good. I believe the doctors will do their best.''

''I pray for that also. I just scared if anything bad happens to her and I can't accept it all. I'm not ready to lose her.'' Suddenly my tears fell down.

''Ara, we believe that God will always listen to our praying. Dont think anything that will affect your feelings okay?'' He rubbing her hair gently.

''It's okay, you can crying as you want right now. I will accompany you for a while here.''

William was sitting there beside Ara and just comfort her from crying. He actually knows how was her feeling right now but he just didn't know how to make her more comfortable from the sadness. The only thing he can do is just sitting there and listen to her crying.

''Will, I'm sorry. I can't hold my tears. I think I'm just wasting your time here to see I'm crying.''

''It's okay, I already used to see you and Rachael crying in front of me before. For more accuracy, I'm the place for your crying.''

I was burst into laughter after hearing that. I suddenly remember our memories a long time ago. It really a precious memory to us.

''I really thankful for that. But, I think if Rachael with us right now, she may be can't stop crying. And you the only one who can stop her.'' I said bluntly.

William just grins a smile and be silent for a while. He just thinking something about Rachael. Actually, in fact, Rachael has a feeling for William for a long time. Rachael was confessed her feeling to William when he comes to our graduation ceremony before.

I thought he may be still awkward with Rachael or he still confuses his heart toward Rachael. I just know he rejected her because we are friends. But, I think he must be just made that as an excuse.

''Emm...are you still didn't talk with Rachael after what happened before?''

''Huh? Umm, kind of. I think maybe both of us were busy so we don't have time to talk.''

''Oh yeah? But she always calls me at night and she also asks me about you. But, thank god I finally have time to meet you at the hospital here.''

''Err...will you tell her later about our meeting?''

''Of course, I will tell her. She always shares her stories with me about her doing there. She also said that many of the guys there want to pursue her. She asks me also to choose which one is suitable for her.'' I said that purposely to make him jealous. I just laughed inside.

''Did she really said that all to you? Did she already choose who she wants with?'' William suddenly asks with full of curiosity.

I just laughed to see him like that. ''If you want to know the truth, you can ask her this weekend. She will be coming this Saturday.''

''This Saturday? Really?''

''Yes! Why don't you take her to the airport?''

''Umm, I don't think I free at that time. I will at work this Saturday.''

''Oh, I see. okay. I will go get her alone.''

''Okay. Emm, I going to continue my work first. See you later.''

''Okay, sure. I'm sorry to take your time works.''

''Dont worry, it's okay. Ara, dont be sad anymore okay? Just smile...''

''Alright, I know. thank you, Will. Bye...''

''Bye, I going inside now.''

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After going back from the hospital, I going to the waterfront that night. I just walking there alone to make a calmness of my mind. Then, I stop by there and just standing there.

I can feel the softness of the wind of the breeze that night in my skin. I was stood near the waterfront and I look into the sky. There were several stars that appeared up in the sky.

After that, I slowly look around there, and instantly my eyes were fixed on the one man standing to my left not far from me. I don't know why but why my heart out of sudden was beating faster.

I was confused and I was in muse for a second. Then, I was realized, and at the same time, I was shocked by what I see just now. I am very sure that man's face changed into something weird.

I decided to look at his face once again and when I turn left again, he was near closer to me. This time I can clearly see his face. His face scary looks like a monster!

Later, after that happen, Ara was instantly fainted in that place after seeing his face. Luckily, the man can hold on to her body, and he swiftly carries Ara with him.

The man took her to somewhere that only he knows the place. Ara has deeply fainted and she didn't know what actually happens to her.