Heartless( SAMPLE)

2

"Rose Brown,"

"She is in room number 506."

As soon as the receptionist answered, I found myself rushing towards the stairs as if my life depended on it. I didn't even look for an elevator in the rush. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally managed to get to the fifth floor. All sweaty and huffing.

A few big steps. I was standing right in front of 506. Just seconds ago, I was in a hurry to be here with mother but suddenly I found myself hesitating to go inside. I was afraid inside I would see something I wouldn't like.

I pressed my eyes together and took a long breath, trying to calm my nerves before grabbing the handle of the door and slightly pushing it open.

My heart broke seeing her so weak and fragile. Almost looking lifeless, she laid on the hospital bed, the bottom half covered with a blanket, as light as a sheet and a drainage tube was inserted into her left wrist that was hooked up to an IV line.

The last time I saw her was a year and a half ago. I hate to admit that I felt ashamed that I was so busy in my life that I forgot the woman who not only took me in when I was a disabled and an orphan, but did everything for me.

If I can stand on my feet today, it's because of her. She worked day and night to raise money for the surgery. She even took out a loan so that I could have a good life. What did I do for her?

Nothing...

At 21, I can barely feed myself, and my retirement-aged mother still works for her life.

A burning sensation took hold of my throat, overwhelmed with the feeling of crying. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tried not to cry and was also successful in holding the saltiness. I took tentative steps towards mother. But I wasn't able to hold the tears for longer as they surfaced my waterline anyway, followed by a loud sob that racked off me and my hand clasped over my mouth.

Tears rapidly spill out my eyes, soaking my slightly chubby cheeks. I was trying my best not to make any noise as mother is a very light sleeper, but I seemed to have lucked out, since she stirred in the sleep and seconds later she opened her eyes.

My already broken heart broke into another million pieces when I noticed the large under bags and her chapped lips made me more miserable than I already was feeling.

Her dull lifeless eyes brightened with happiness and the biggest possible smile adorned her lips at the sight of me, but it did not last long as the beautiful smile fell away and her features scrunched in worry as she caught tears in my eyes.

"Moon," her voice came out barely audible.

I couldn't let out a single sound because my throat was constricted by the crying.

A wrinkle appeared on mother's face as her face melted in further distress, seeing my condition. She gave a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain as she tried to sit straight on the bed.. I immediately moved forward and helped her sit on the bed. Once she looked comfortable, I sat on the tool next to the bed.

"Why are you crying?" She asked in an equally weak voice.

"Maybe because I got a call that my mother fainted and was taken to the hospital," I said in a voice laced with anger, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

She let out a soft short chuckle, shaking her head. God knows what she found funny in the situation.

"I'm fine,"

"So fine that you are in the hospital bed," My voice came out evidently louder than before.

If someone overhears our conversation, they may think that my tone was too harsh and I was angry with my mother, but in reality my anger was directed at one person and that was me.

"It's all my fault," I couldn't help myself from saying it and my tone had also dropped.

"It's not your fault Moo" Mother calls me Moo "I am getting old and I will get sick," She says in an attempt to reassure me, but I was too far away to understand. The guilt I felt was too much for me.

I was about to come up with my reply but the door swung open and the doctor came in.

*************.

The doctor came after asking a few basic questions, such as how my mother was feeling or if she was in pain. The mother's response was recorded in a notebook he had brought with him. He also checked her blood sugar and blood pressure and, thankfully, both were normal.

With curiosity and anxiety, I asked the doctor what was wrong with the mother, but the only answer he gave was that they could only tell her about the problem with the mother after all the reports were received. The good thing about all this was that the doctor reassured me that it was not something fatal, and most likely the mother passed out due to hard work and stress.

Obviously, I felt like crap after hearing this. Of course, how could my inner state go unnoticed by my mother? She tried her best to cheer me up. I am too forced to show happiness and not to give my mother anymore stress.

She told me to go back and come in the morning, but I refused to leave her side after what happened today. We went back and forth like that for some time and, obviously, I won. She refused to speak to me out of anger and even looked at me.

Stubborn woman....

Don't know how long she laid there with her mouth puffing in anger but when I looked at her she had fallen asleep. It happened almost two hours ago and now I am here all bored and lonely. Nothing to do.

A soft sigh escapes my lips, searching for anything interesting to divert my mind from the occupying thoughts. Even after peering at every inch of the room, nothing seemed to hold my interest for more than a few seconds.

The room resembled any typical hospital room. Neutral colored walls with rigid decorations, essential furniture and various equipment such as heart rate monitors.

Stretching my legs a little, I began to swing my legs restlessly. Sleep deprived, and I was also fatigued by the long shift. I started getting drowsy and sluggish at this point. My eyes flicker at the wall clock. It was almost midnight.

I know I can take the couch and have a good nap but I was frightened that something might happen to mother and I might not wake up when she needs me. Every time I think of sleeping, the worst senior would come to my mind.

I was lost in my thoughts, which were broken when I heard someone clearing his throat. I raised my gaze.