Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
The branches of the trees by the road were shaking heavily, and the temperature dropped. This winter seemed especially cold.
Clark sat from noon till night, not knowing how he made it through. All he knew was that the two girls connected to him were in the ICU, their fates unknown.
Meanwhile, Crystal, lying on the hospital bed, suddenly called out, “Dad.”At first, Alger thought he had misheard, but when he looked up, he saw his daughter had indeed opened her eyes slightly. Tears welled up in his eyes instantly.
He quickly leaned in, “I’m here. Your mom and I are both here, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins too. Are you feeling okay? Should I get the doctor to check on you?”
“Yes, yes, I’ll get the doctor.” Celeste quickly rang the nurse’s bell, and the nurse went to get Mirabella.
Looking at her daughter’s battered body, Celeste felt a mix of heartache and relief, “You’re finally awake, you scared me. It’s okay now, it’s okay.”
“Mom. Crystal’s voice was still weak, but she managed to put on a small smile, “Don’t cry.”
Celeste didn’t want to cry in front of her daughter, but when she heard these words, her tears flowed freely.
Her daughter was badly injured, yet she was the one comforting her.
“Mom, I want to go home.”
Upon hearing this, Alger and Celeste were stunned!
Was this what they call “the last rally”?
It was reminiscent of the time when Alger’s Uncle Jerry was gravely ill. One day, when he was on the brink of death, he suddenly became lucid and asked to be taken home. His family quickly fulfilled his wish, and after one last look at the home where he had lived for so many years, he peacefully closed his eyes.
The older generation often said that those about to die have one final request: “I want to go home.”
“No, sweetheart, we’re not going home. You’re not well yet. We need to stay here for your treatment.
Once you’re better, we will take you home.” Celeste held her darling daughter’s hand, tears streaming down her face. The thought of losing her daughter was too terrifying to bear.
“Dad, Morn.” Crystal tried to grasp her parents’ hands, but she was so weak. Her voice was barely above a whisper, each word an evident struggle.
“In this life, I’m so proud to be your daughter”
Hearing these words, Alger and Celeste broke down in tears.
“After I’m gone, don’t cry. Don’t be sad.”
It was as if Crystal was leaving her last words, painstakingly uttering each word of advice.
“Live your lives well. I’ll just be in a different form watching over you from heaven, being with you.”
“Silly girl, what are you talking about? You’re going to live, perhaps even live longer than us; Celeste sobbed, “Stop talking about such morbid things. Are you thirsty? Let me get you a glass of water.””Mom, let me finish.” Crystal seemed to be failing, pausing for a while before continuing, “Don’t blame Clark or Carol. Promise me, don’t harm them.”
Shaking her head, Celeste cried uncontrollably, “No, no, don’t say any more.”
“Promise me.” Crystal was struggling to breathe, but she insisted on getting a response, “Promise me!”
Seeing his daughter in such agony, Alger was heartbroken, “Okay, I promise, as long as.”
Before he could finish, the door suddenly burst open. Clark, upon hearing that Crystal had woken up, was the first one to rush over.
He was even faster than the doctors.
“Crystal.” Clark stood there, weighed down by guilt.
Tears filled Crystal’s eyes. She tried to muster a smile, but her strength was quickly leaving her. She could barely make out Clark’s face.
All she knew was that the man who had rushed in was Clark. He sounded anxious and worried.
She forced a smile and with her last bit of strength, managed to utter three words, “Be happy.”
Tears streamed down Clark’s face.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The monitor flatlined.
The medical team ushered them out. Alger and Celeste were inconsolable.
After updating Carol on the situation, Mirabella rushed back to join the resuscitation efforts.Kenneth and Louisa’s eyes were filled with tears.
Mirabella’s movements finally came to a halt, and the actions of all the doctors in the room followed suit.
All the medical equipment indicated that the patient had completely lost vital signs. There was no hope left.
Mirabella glanced at the clock on the wall, and solemnly announced, “Time of death, December 28, 7:23
p.m.”
The doctors and nurses in the operating room all bowed their heads in silence, bidding the patient their final farewell in this manner.
Scenes from the past kept replaying in Mirabella’s mind.
“Mirabella, I heard you just moved back home. How are you settling in?”
“I heard you used to live in Summerfield too. It’s been ages since I last visited. Shall we go for a shopping spree sometime?”
“Let’s go to the Cave Diner!”
“Do you mind if I chat with you on WhatsApp?”
Crystal’s voice and laughter were still lingering in her mind.
Tears welled up in Mirabella’s eyes as she pulled the tubes out of the girl an the bed, covered her with a white sheet, and said in a hoarse voice, “Take her out.”
The movements of all the doctors and nurses were silent, but the unseen sadness was overwhelming.When the door opened, Celeste saw her daughter covered with a white sheet. She was hit with a wave of grief, tears streaming down her face.
Alger couldn’t believe his eyes until the gurney was pushed in front of him. He trembled as he slowly lifted the sheet.
The girl’s face was pale, lying peacefully on the gurney, motionless.
Alger’s hand trembled as he placed his finger under his daughter’s nose. There was no breath. He moved his hand to her neck. There was no pulse.
One moment she was talking to him, the next she was gone.
“Crystal!” Alger broke down, throwing himself onto the sheet, crying his heart out.
“How could you just leave us like this? How could you bear to abandon your parents? How is your mother going to live without you?” Celeste clung to her daughter’s body, crying uncontrollably.
Kenneth and Louisa were heartbroken. They couldn’t believe that such a lively, bright, and intelligent girl was suddenly gone. Their tears flowed uncontrollably.
Clark, standing to the side, had red-rimmed eyes. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
In his mind, he kept seeing Crystal’s brilliant smile and hearing her cheerful voice.
“Clark, what have you been up to lately?”
“Lunderstand a girl’s mind better. Next time you guys go out, take me with you. I promise to make your sister happy.”
“Your mom bought me lots of beautiful clothes, I’m so happy.””Clark, did I say something wrong to upset you? I’m sorry”
Clark’s shoulders shook as he looked at the girl lying on the gurney. He remembered the cold morning when she came to see him with breakfast.
“know Carol is in your heart, and I know you’ll never like anyone else in this lifetime. I’m just clinging to the hope that I could maybe change your mind. I do like you. I used the excuse of being ‘bros’ to get close to you.
Now that you two are back together, I sincerely wish you happiness. Even though I can’t be your girlfriend, and I can’t get over you quickly. Just knowing that she’s back and your smile will be even brighter than before, that alone satisfies me.”
“Clark, as long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter who you’re dating, even if it’s not me. Although, it does hurt a little”
Clark felt as if his world had come crashing down.
“This is the breakfast I made for you. If it receives your approval, then I feel their purpose has been served.”
“These clothes and dresses were given to me by your aunt last night. Given my status, it’s not appropriate for me to return them in person. Could you please pass them on and thank her for her kindness?”
“I’ve recorded some of the likes and dislikes of your uncle and aunt in this notebook, along with some of their favorite hangout spots. I’ve arranged for VIP memberships for them, and I’ve noted down the passwords and security questions for these cards.”
“Now that you have a girlfriend, unless it’s a group activity, I won’t show up in case there might be any misunderstandings. Take care of yourself and don’t forget to look after your girlfriend. I’m off now. Be happy!”
Clark slid down the wall, his hand over his eyes, his shoulders shaking violently. He was inconsolable.
“Baby girl, what am I supposed to do? The rest of my life is still so long, how am I supposed to live?”
Celeste wept bitterly, her heart filled with indescribable pain. “How could you let me bury my own child?
You promised me, said you’d take me to Oakridge City after you finished your work. How could you lie to me? Get up, get up, my girl.”
“Open your eyes, and I’ll give you anything you want, Alger sobbed uncontrollably. “Crystal, my lovely girl, can you hear me? If you wake up, I’ll do anything you ask of me. Please, wake up. I’ve never begged you for anything before, just this once. Wake up and look at me, okay?”“You can’t leave us like this.” Celeste cried uncontrollably.
Seeing the couple in such a state, the nurse wheeling the gurney looked at Mirabella with a difficult expression.