The Bad Boy Has A Soft Spot

Chapter 32 Darn these onions!

Roselia's POV

-Friday-

7:35 p.m.

I had no intention of paying attention to class these past few days. In fact, I couldn't even think of anything else other than nana's well-being. I couldn't keep track of how much I've eaten these past few days, or better yet, how less. Thinking about food was selfish when my nana was injected with a feeding tube that supplied her with daily needs. Taking care of myself was none at all appropriate when my nana was holding on for dear life.

"Can you take the night shift, today, Sel?" Dani asked over her shoulder as she packed her bags. I was sitting down on the couch on the opposite side of nana's bed, watching her shallow breaths and monitoring her electrocardiogram. An inflatable bed was positioned on the corner of the cold white room. Pillows and blankets were neatly organized on the couch I sat on. Dani took care of nana for these two nights and freshened up during the day for work. I skipped a few classes and took the bus to the hospital to make sure nana wasn't alone for a long period of time. I would watch her unmoving body for a few hours during the day until Dani returned from work to take the night shift.

"Of course." I have her a weak smile as she pulled her bag over the shoulder.

"I just need a good night's rest for one night." She returned my smile. She didn't need a reason to go back to her home. I'll gladly sleep in the hospital all year long as long as nana recovered.

"Bye." I watched as she waved at me and left the room. With a sigh, I stood up to my feet and walked over to nana's bedside. Her wrinkled face sagged even further. The skin stuck to her bones, indicating that she hadn't had enough nutrition. It hurt me to see tubes inserted through her nostrils and mouth but I wanted to remain strong. Because I was positive she could hear me.

I cradled her cold hand in mine as I took a seat beside her. "Hey, Nana." I smiled and breathed. "I know you're still in there."

A long silence plagued the room as I thought of my next words. "I miss you. I miss your bacon and eggs in the morning. I miss it so much that I don't want anything else for breakfast." I carried her cold hands to my warm cheeks, making sure I didn't tremble under her touch. "Exams are in two weeks and I still couldn't focus. I imagine you would already be yelling at me to study at this time."

A chuckle escaped my lips as I pushed back the tears welling in my eyes and disguised it as a cough. "Dani's doing well at work, I think. She never says otherwise. She's probably going to get a raise soon."

I paused and thought of other topics. "I'll be getting my lasik surgery tomorrow. I don't think Dani would come with me. I'm scared it will hurt but I'm more scared of what happens when I wake up." I adjusted my glasses deeper into my nose and looked up to the ceiling.

"Truth is," Tears welled up in my eyes once more. "I don't want these stupid glasses. I don't want lasik. I don't want to see this world if it meant you would not be in it." A shake sounded through my voice. I bit my lip and tasted iron. "Don't leave me." I held on tighter to her motionless hand. "Don't leave us like how mom and dad did. I hate them for leaving me so soon! Don't make me hate you too."

Her fingers twitched under me. My eyes widened in shock and a burst of joy surged through my veins. "Nana?"

Within a moment, her arms twitched, too. The beats on the electrocardiogram went louder, indicating her strengthening heartbeats but hope vanished in me as it became more disorderly. Her body was twitching violently on the bed and the vitals on the monitors were loud and agonizing.

"No! Nana!" I shouted at the top of my lungs just as a group of medical professionals stormed into the room. My grip on her hand tightened as they pulled the bed away from me.