E R I C

As soon as we reached outside the ward, Ms.Embrey was in, she told me she wants to go to the restroom. She was nervous and delaying meeting her mother as long as she can.

I took her bag and allowed her to go, while I smilingly entered the ward.
Mom and Ms. Embrey were talking about something. Ms. Embrey was already in a hospital gown.

"Guess who is here?", I said loudly to grab their attention.

"Who Eric?"

In reply I showed mom the bag pack in my hand, and she grinned widely as soon as she got the clue.

"Erica is here!", She announced and I saw Ms. Embrey's eyes widening in disbelief which was more of amazement and happiness. And then a smile adorned on her otherwise sad features.

Just then, David burst inside the room, "Oh damnit! Erica is here..."

"I know."

"See I told you...!", She can't resist her only brother, and then sighed contentedly.

"She's here for Embrey, David!"

"Oh C'mon Jess, I went to convince her!", As they talked, I came out of the room leaving her bag there and went in the direction of restrooms.

The worst thing about Erica is she wouldn't tell unless I force things out of her.
And seeing her troubled, sleep deprived face, I know I have to be there for her.

Two women come out of the restroom, as I wait there. They eye-fuck me for a while, unless I am out of vision, and then it was completely silent inside.

I would have waited for five minutes, but she never came out. And so with my thinned patience, I went inside.

God! What all I do for this girl? Sneaking into women's washroom!

I see no one there, and five out of six compartments were empty, as I could see through the light above.

Only the corner one was on.

I heard some murmur outside and so without a second thought I got inside the sixth section. To my utter relief, Erica was here, sitting on the toilet seat with her head in her hands.

But as soon as she heard commotion, she looked up baffled only to see me.

"Eric??? What are you...!", I went forward and closed her mouth, because the women who were outside were already in, and they were talking shit about how their blush washed away. Do women use blush even in a hospital!?

"Shh! Stay quiet!", I whispered and then removed my hand.

She glared at me and whispered, "What are you doing here?"

"As far as I know, no one takes ten minutes in the restroom, expect those old men who's digestive system starts rebellions."

She rolled her eyes, "What if someone saw you?"

"They'd know I am here to help you!", I argued though I knew I was acting silly.

Seven days, and now I don't want her to leave my sight. Even in the washroom.

I have lost it. I know.

"Eric you are mad!", I hear before she goes near the door to see if the two ladies are still here.
They ofcourse were. I went behind her and we peeked through the door. Those two were talking and giggling among themselves.

God such women used to infuriate me. They still do. Whenever David insisted I take a plus one to certain party or event, I was terrified.

I sigh happily when I realize that now I have her. I snuggle my nose in her hair and breath in her lemon, avocado shampoo. I missed her so damn much!

"Eric they are gone! Let's go!", And with that she opened the door and strolled outside.

I was still in the reverie but clearing my throat, and composing myself, I strolled outside.

She took her time in washing her face, after throwing me out with a glare. When she finally came out, we walked to Ms. Embrey's ward. Though I wanted to say many things, and apologize on how I hurt her that day, I knew our relationship was not the priority right now.

She stopped outside, "Do I have to go?"

I sighed, "If you don't want, then don't go. But your words or two may give her the will to live. Do you understand what I am saying?"

She nodded and took a deep breath. I kept a hand on her back, symbolic of my support.
And then together we walked inside.

Ms. Embrey's eyes lit up like never before when Erica came in her line of vision. Erica on the other hand held a stoic face. Yet, her eyes were troubled. She held the same expression she did while she was telling me how hard she struggled, to get to this place.

"Erica! C'mere child!", Mom said breaking the elephant sized tension in the room.

Her eyes flickered and she looked at mom.

I was grateful mom was here. She beckoned Erica and she reached to her, "How are you my child?", and she kissed her forehead. The best part about my mother was she knows how to handle the hardest of situations. Probably that's the reason why they survived being my parents.

"I am good.", She mumbled slowly.

My mom then looked at me, "C'mon David and Eric, I need to give you both some directions."

Indirectly asking us to leave Erica alone with her mother.

Reluctantly, both of us left the room and mom followed.

Please be strong Erica!- wish I could convey it without words.

E R I C A

I was still outside, though their was a hurricane brewing inside me. It was so since the time I found out, what I would not want to happen with even my staunch enemy. But it did, with the woman who happens to be my mother.

I tried to justify my actions of not coming here, of turning my back on her. Rather one hour before now, I was determined I wouldn't bother myself with the woman who never bothered about me.

I convinced myself that this is karma she is dealing with. She was my only family back then, but she never acknowledged me. Now, I was her only family, not by heart but by blood, and so I shouldn't acknowledge her.

I defended my action by the grave loss I have always felt of not having seen my father for once. Moreover, he was never aware he had a daughter.

I defended my actions by how Eric also chose that she should stay rather than me.

And till an hour ago, I was pretty happy I am not giving a flying fuck about my mother dying from cancer. But it felt as ugly as it sounds.

And too ugly for me to survive with this burden of guilt. It was too huge for a simplicity loving person like me.

Do I want a life in return of attention I couldn't get? No!

I want her to survive, and see what I made of myself.

"Thank you for coming Angel.", I hear her sob.

I looked at her, noticing the tears shed through her hollow eyes, which never had vibrance in them.

"I don't want you to give up.", I said in my croaked voice.

Her eyes teared up more if it was possible, "You want to see me living?"

That was her indirect question about our relationship.

"I can't promise a happy mother daughter catching up after you recover. But I am eager to know how you fill up the void of a parent in my life."

When she smiled this time, that shine returning in her otherwise lifeless eyes, my heart stopped.

She was the same woman I loved with all my life back then. As if that smile was a trigger to unleash all that love, buried deep inside me.

I will take one more chance at life.

I smiled at her, mustering everything I had and then left the room.

Bursting out if that door, I could merely see as my eyes were clouded with tears, until I was grabbed between two familiar arms, that my body recognised better than me.

I soundlessly sobbed in his arms, even though I made my mind to give him a hard time for how much infuriating he can get.

"David I am taking her upstairs to the suite. I don't want her to see Ms. Embrey going to the OT."

I don't know how I even walked to wherever we had to go. I was numbed by all this commotion in my life. I couldn't bat an eyelash last night, and that was finally taking a toll on me.

The suite we entered had three single beds. One of them had all equipments ready while others had comfortable cushions, pillows and blankets on them.
I saw some of his and David's stuff already near the beds.

He ushered me to one of the empty beds that was nearer to the window, "Sit here!"

He went to one corner, that had some kitchen like set up with some water bottles and eatables, and a small refrigerator.

He fetched one water bottle and poured water in a glass. He then fetched one bowl, and pulled out a box of corn flakes and some milk, I assumed was warm.

He then came and settled beside me, "C'mon finish this..!", He kept the bowl between us, "God knows how much you starved yourself for the past week."

I didn't starve myself, or may be I ate only when my stomach finally rebelled against me.

Sighing to myself, I took the bowl and started eating. He often eats this, when he doesn't want to eat his usual dietary food. It isn't heavy, yet gives enough energy.

I ate everything silently, feeling his eyes on me. But like always his gaze never made me feel uncomfortable. Once done, I drank that glass of water and finally felt some content and less anxious. I was indeed hungry, but all that running in my mind, never let the thought of food come to the forefront.

"Now you sleep here... C'mon..", he beckoned me in his arms as he himself laid down. I followed suit almost immediately and keeping my head on his chest, I circled my arms around his body, and closed my eyes.

He feels better than Mr. Brown Bear.

"Huh!? You said something Erica?", I think I said that aloud.

"No.", I mumbled.

"Hmm..okay sleep now...you look like a red eyed monster."

I smiled to myself too sleepy to fight back.

Time and again, I felt him talk in hushed voices on his phone, but he never left me alone.

Sorry mother! I may give a part of me to everyone out there, but this man already has a majority of it.

*

I heard hushed whispers but this time there were two familiar voices. One that was just above my head, another at a small distance.
Though the amount of cuss words used by the second person didn't need any second guess from my side.

"You 'had' more right on her, now it's me! So suck it up and fuck off!"

"Ha! Like she will ever regard you bigger than me! I entered her life first! And so I have more right on her than any fucking brother of her popping out of nowhere!", I heard Eric scoff.

David snicked in a low voice, "You wish Ashton! But now I will decide on how much time she'll spend with you. I will kick your balls if she doesn't reach home before 10..I will.."

"10 David!? Seriously!? Are we fucking kids that we have to go to bed before 10!?"

"...I don't care! Since Papa is not here, I'll be her part time Papa!", He declared proudly, "...and you my daughter's little boyfriend will have to kiss my ass to approve your relationship with her!!"

"I'd rather kick your ass! Vin would have been crying in happiness seeing his daughter dating a fine man like me!", I laughed at Eric's use of 'fine man' for himself.

David was already laughing like a maniac, "You!! A fine man!!! God!!", I sat up and chuckled rubbing my eyes, but he continued, "If you are a fine man, then I am America's first president!!"

Eric rolled his eyes, but now his focus was on me. The initially irritated eyes of his were now concerned, "You slept well?"

I nodded, and saw David lying on our bed near my legs, while Eric was still where he was before I slept, holding me.

"Finally you're awake! You were sleeping like a sloth little one!", I tie up my hair and sit cross legged between them.

"I didn't sleep last night David. But how come you both are here?"

"The doctors have taken Embrey, and the operation has started. It is a 12 hours long operation and that's why we were asked to wait in the suite."

I nod slowly and then my thoughts drift to my mother. This is too much physical suffering. But this is the only thing that can be done for her.

"How's Venus?", I ask him.

He narrows his eyes at me, "I will ignore the fact that you are more worried about Venus than your own new found brother. Venus is fine. She was cooking dinner for us, and will come with it."

*

It was night time, when I felt someone stir beside me.

"What David?", I heard Eric and looked up.

"The doctors are calling us downstairs. The operation is done."

Eric stood up immediately and so did I. My peaceful heart started beating like a drum.

"But David it is still 11. The operation was scheduled to end at 2 in the morning!", Eric hushed and that realization had me stumbling back.

Is she..?

"C'mon let's go!", David pulled me with him, while Eric wore his shoes hastily. We walked through the suite and entered the elevator. Every one tensed up. I was, on the other hand, terrified.

And the only thought that swam in my mind was, which I even said out aloud, "Please don't die on me mum!"