✔ DRUNK words, SOBER thoughts ✖ hemmings au

34: Baby Girl

ARI.

Luke was right.

Happy patients meant quicker recoveries and his bold statement bode well with the sudden rehabilitation of my mom's condition. I had finally visited her less than 24-hours ago and I guess the excitement of seeing both her daughters had given her the strength to fight for her health. I still wasn't 100 percent sure what was wrong with my mother; I just knew that stress was seriously taking a toll on her health.

"We've got everything all ready for you in your bedroom," I told my mom, as Mia and I helped her scale the steps. "The sheets are fresh, there's a humidifier ready to go, and if you need anything just shoot us a text or ring the bell."

"We'll prepare you some food and tea," Mia informed with a smile on her face, as we entered our mom's bedroom. With care, we helped her get into the comfort of her bed and turned on the humidifier, the low hum filling our ears.

"Thank you girls," mom grinned at us, pulling the comforter to cover her lap. "You two are wonderful. I'm know your father is looking down from Heaven with a smile on his face... Mahal na mahal kita."

(translation: I love you very much)

"We love you too," Mia declared for the two of us. She kissed our mom on the cheek, followed by myself.

After making sure our mom was settled in bed, with the television playing all the recorded Filipino soap operas she missed during the week, Mia and I both retreated out of the room and down the stairs. In the kitchen, Mia and I simultaneously prepped tea and a healthy meal, coinciding with what the doctor recommended without compromising our mother's polished palate for greasy Filipino food.

"I thought you'd never visit mom," Mia suddenly mentioned, her eyes glued to the egg white omelet in the pan.

"I thought the same," I shrugged, spooning the loose tea leaves into the strainer.

We hadn't really spoke to each other since that morning our mom was rushed to the ER. My sister was upset with me but I didn't blame her. She continued to call me, text me and even took the liberty of finding me at school but each time I deliberately thwarted her plans to drag me to the hospital. Our mom was potentially dying at the community hospital and instead of holding her hand alongside my sister, I went to class, studied for midterms, and went to work for 8-hour shifts.

Our mom told us that our dad was watching us proudly, but I couldn't have disagreed anymore. Praising Mia came easy; she was evidently as close to perfection as it came. She always did the right thing with no hesitation and if she ever ran for U.S. president, it'd be no surprise if she won the title. I however, couldn't have been more of a disappointment to both my parents than in these last few days. What kind of daughter knowingly abstains from the hospital when their mom is a patient? A horrible one.

"What finally changed your mind?" Mia questioned, flipping the omelet onto a plate and grabbing a ripe avocado off to the side.

"A mixture of things," I simply stated. After letting the tea steep, I pulled out the diffuser and dropped it into the sink. I strolled over to the refrigerator, grabbing a lemon and the bottle of organic honey.

"As in..." Mia's words faded into silence, hinting that I needed to elaborate on my previous statement.

With a sigh, I reluctantly answered, "as in Brayson Cole," I swallowed the lump in my throat before adding, "and Luke Hemmings."

"I can understand Brayson, but Luke?" At this point Mia was standing next to me, the plate of food on the counter top next to the scorching hot tea. "What did Luke say to you?"