80: C80 Chapter 80

C80 Chapter 80

ILANA

I rolled up the blanket covering half of my mother's body. Her feet kicked here and there during her sleep. She might be dreaming. One week had passed since the first time I found my mother here. Who brought her to this hospital and paid for the hospital charge was something I was trying to find out. The nurse just shared slight information regarding the person who came with my mother when she was taken to the hospital. He wanted the hospital to keep his identity. I could not force the hospital staff to leak the information. Dragging a stool nearer to the bed, I sat on the stool and rested my head next to my mother's hand. I snoozed for only a matter of hours.

The time on my wristwatch stuck at 5 in the morning when I opened my eyes. All night long, I slept in my seat. My mother was still paralyzed in her dream. But again I needed to fix the layer securing her body. I strode to the door, slowly unlocked it, and slipped out. Only silence I came across along the corridor. The patients were being trapped in their sleep. Not even one nurse I encountered outside.

Reaching the park, I stretched my arms wide while inhaling the fresh air. Only big two or three big trees, swarms of flowers or other plants, benches, and bushes shadowed by darkness accompanied me in this area. After doing warming up and exercise, I lounged at one of the benches.

A nurse came over when I was relaxing. That tall woman in white nurse attire notified me that my mother had been awake and looked for me. In a hurry, I trekked back to the room where my mother was in.

"Mom... Do you need something?" Heading directly toward my mother who was staying on her bed, I anticipated she might need help. She never searched me before even I was away. She seldom said my name every time we were together though everything got better lately. She was no longer distant.

"Yes. I want to see Reno."

"Mom..."

“You can fulfill my only request?"

"Not today. But, I surely bring him here."

In the middle of our talk, a nurse came in. She greeted my mother and checked on her. Before she came out, she said that the one who took my mother here was in the lobby at the moment. I sneaked out as soon as the nurse promised me to take care of my mother while I was seeing that person.

Someone, a man was standing by the counter with his back facing me. That thin and tall figure reminded me of someone I knew. My mind was still busy speculating when he turned around. He and I were surprised to see each other.

"Uncle...."

"Ilana! Is it you?" He inspected me in disbelief like I was a ghost or something. When I ducked a slight bow, he could not help but coming nearer and examined me again. "It's you. You're finally back. It's been so long not to see you. How is everything?" His body got thinner than it used to be. His gray hair affirmed that the time had shifted his physical appearance, he aged.

"Everything's good. How are you? How are your family, aunt, and Nina?"

"As you can see, I'm good. They are good too. Let's have some coffee and tell me everything."

We sauntered to the canteen. This place was full of people having breakfast. Uncle Ardi ordered food for our breakfast and a cup of coffee for himself. I did not drink coffee or tea, so I just had mineral water.

"Thank you for everything. How long has my mom been here?"

"Since a week after you were kidnapped. So, it had been ten years. She might have forgotten many things about you. The doctor said that it took time for her to get recovered." My uncle revealed. The doctor told me the same thing. "What occurred to you? Who kidnapped you? How could you be safe?" She bombarded me with many questions. "You have turned into a beautiful woman now. I am so grateful to meet you again after a long time."

"Will you believe if I tell you that it was my father who sold me to the mafia?"

"What? How could he do that to you?"

"He used me as compensation for all his debt. At that time I thought that my life would end. Yet, I didn't want to give up on the situation. I finally made it to escape. And a couple, Mr. Ujang and his wife saved me and they treated me like their own daughter. I worked and went to college. And now here I am." I faked the smile to camouflage the sadness I felt due to my mother's condition. "Last year I visited Mrs. Ali's house to search for my mom, I could not find you in your house. The neighbor said that you had moved. Where do you live now?"

"Yeah...I live in North Jakarta." He passed me his name card. "My company got bankrupt a few years ago. So, we had to sell the house to pay for the bank loan."

"I'm sorry to hear that. But, how can you afford my mother's hospital charge?"

"Don't worry. I have savings. Please don't tell your aunt about this."

"What? Does it mean aunt doesn't know anything about my mother's condition and you keep coming and affording her hospital charge?"

"What do you think she is going to do if she finds out?" My uncle was right. My aunt always thought that we were parasites. In any way, she would insist my uncle on stopping donating to my mother's treatment. "I have to go to work. Just contact me if you need anything."

"Thank you." I said before he vanished behind the canteen's door.

I was thinking about to go the department store to buy the groceries. But, the nearest one was like one hour from here. So, I implored a nurse to look after my mother while I was away. Ensuring that my mother had been with the nurse, I scooted toward the taxi.

The shopping center was a bit quiet when I entered. There were only some visitors I have viewed so far. It was not always bad going to this place at this hour, around ten. I headed to one store and proceeded to the food section. With a trolley I was pushing forward, I picked this product and put them into it. I did not realize someone walked toward me with his trolley as well. His trolley bumped mine.

"Ilana...sorry...," he muttered.1

"Sorry...."

"Are you alone?" His eyes veered around as if seeking something or someone.

"Whom do you think I am with?"

"Who else? It is your fiancé." I shrugged and let out of sigh.

"I'm not going to marry him. He and his family have canceled the marriage plan."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Reno, why are so long? I've been waiting for you in the parking...." A woman in blonde hair, I was very familiar with, appeared from Reno's back. "Ilana...," she jerked back.

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