The day of discharged finally came. It was a Friday morning.
Maria changed into a simple brown blouse and black pencil skirt and sat on the bed and watched her aunt pack her things into her bag. She was getting discharged today.
''I can't wait to see Lexis''. Maria said happily "it felt like forever that I have been here. I can't believe I'm finally leaving this place"
Anne Suwait didn't say anything and put the last clothe into the bag and zipped it. She placed the bag on the bed and said to Maria seriously.
''Maria, you know everyone loves you, right?''
''Off course. I have inconvenienced everyone by been here. I promise to repay back the effort with love''. Maria said "Aunt, I am grateful to you and everyone who stayed by myself since the time of the accident. Right, was the driver caught?''
" No, he was not caught because he passed away. That man didn't just hurt you and Lexis alone. He ran over another taxi and hurt a school boy"
"That's so sad. At least Lexis and I survived the hit" Maria said.
''That is that but, there is something I want you to understand. No matter happens, you have to be strong, okay?'' Anne Suwait held Maria's hands as she spoke.
''Aunt, what is the matter? Why are you suddenly telling me this?' Maria asked suspiciously. ''Is there something I am not aware of? What is going on?'' Maria asked.
''Let's go, we will talk about it when we get home'' Anne Suwait said and attempted to hold Maria's hand.
''No, you are telling me here and now. We are not getting home first. I told you I was going to stay at Lexis' place. I need to hear the reason why you are suddenly telling me to stay strong no matter what happens''. Maria stood up from the bed.
''Maria, let's get home first''. Anne Suwait said and the door opened and Kobby Brian walked in. He noticed the tense atmosphere and asked.
''What is wrong, Portia?''
''Why don't you tell me what is wrong, Kobby? My aunt has been beating around the bush lately and now that I put one and two together I think everyone has been walking on eggshells around me since I woke up. So, can you tell me what exactly is going on?'' Maria asked as her breathing got heavier.
''Maria'' Anne Suwait called almost the same time Kobby Brian did making Maria to frown.
''Portia''.
Maria looked at them as they both and chuckled.
''Are you going to tell me or do I need to find out myself? Before that, where is Lexis? Why hasn't she visited me even once since I got admitted here? Is not about the baby being weak, right? Does she not want to see me anymore? Is she blaming me for the accident?'' Maria asked impatiently.
''Lexis will never blame you for that, Maria and you know it''. Kobby Brian said and closed the door walking closer to her.
''Really? Then why hasn't she come to see me? Is Lexis alright? Was she badly hurt by the accident? Is she also in this hospital? Is she unconscious? Tell me something, Kobby. I need to know what is going on?'' Maria asked furiously.
''Lexis is not in the hospital; she wasn't badly hurt by the accident''. Kobby Brian said.
''Then, why is she not coming to see me? Take me to Lexis right now. I need to see her''. Maria said and held Kobby's hand.
''You can't see her, Maria'' Kobby Brian said as a tear drop on his cheek.
''What? Why…why can't I see her?'' Maria had a fearful premonition in her heart at that moment but she prayed and wished that it wasn't what she was thinking. She really wished it wasn't that but seeing that tears on Kobby's face and her aunt helpless gaze she shook her head and stepped back, one and two backwards.
''Is not that, right?'' Maria laughed dryly as she asked. ''Tsk. Tell me is not what I'm thinking. Lexis is doing fine, right? Say something Kobby''. Maria screamed and stepped back and fell on her ass but she couldn't feel any pain. It was like her body had gone numbed.
Kobby Brian and her aunt rushed forward to help her and she stretched her hand at them saying ''don't come near. Don't touch me''
Maria told them and chuckled. She touched her chest, she really felt suffocated and stuffy inside her heart. It was like her heart was been squeezed.
A mixture of emotions filled her up. Memories of the accident. How Lexis tried to push her out of the path of the truck that ended up hitting both of them. How her eyes slowly closed as she watched Lexis rolling on the road in her pregnancy.
An intense headache took over her and she touched her head and screamed. Her head was really aching and felt as if her whole body had been frozen. She felt very cold. Her expression was pale and horrified. She looked so defenceless as she sat on the floor.
''Maria''. Anne Suwait couldn't take it anymore and busted into tears watching Maria go through so much pain.
''Lexis, where is Lexis? Take me to her right now''. Maria suddenly stood up and spoke.
She wiped the tears from her face as she spoke ''I am not going to believe anything until I see Lexis for myself''. Maria said and suddenly fainted and Kobby Brian rushed forward and caught her.
...…..
GRAVEYARD.
Mr. and Mrs. Mathias, Anne Suwait and Kobby stood at a distance as they watched Maria at Lexis grave.
Maria didn't know how long she had stayed like that before Lexis but she couldn't find it in her to move away from there. She stood rooted at the same spot until Mr. Mathias walked to her and hugged her. that was when Maria started sobbing.
Since she found out yesterday, she hadn't shed any tear and it made them worried.
She needed to cry in order to let go. Maria cried uncontrollably in Mr. Mathias' embrace till her voice couldn't handle it anymore.
...….
HAVEN STREET.
MATHIAS RESIDENCE.
Kobby Brian walked out of the room with three passports and sat down with Mr and Mrs. Mathias and Anne Suwait
''Are they papers ready?'' Mr. Mathias asked.
''Yes, dad. If everything goes on well, we will be able to leave for California in a week's time''.
''That's good. Maria needs to get away from this place and all of this in order to recover. Since she doesn't want to part with the baby, we have no choice but to let her take the child along, she might be able to heal having the child with her''. Mrs. Mathias said.
''Don't worry. I will take care of both Maria and little Tiana''. Kobby Brian added.
''I hope the new environment will help Maria to recover fast. Kobby, thank you so much for everything''. Anne Suwait said.
"Maria is also like a daughter to us. Even though losing Lexis was hard, we can't also lose Maria to depression. Her silence is like a cry for help. Kobby, we can only entrust her to you. Please protect her and make sure she gets the right treatment while she is there" Mr. Mathias said.
"Dad, don't worry. I will make sure that Maria recovers from this and be able to heal and move on" Kobby Brian said and stood up adding "I will go and check on Maria and the baby"
Kobby Brian opened the door and entered the room. He saw Maria sprawled on the bed holding the baby's hand caressing her.
"Is Tiana asleep?" Kobby Brian asked and Maria raised her head a little to look at him.
"She is finally asleep after I fed her some milk. Was she always a good eater?" Maria asked.
"Yes, she doesn't disturb too. Such a cute little kid" Kobby Brian said and sat on the bed closer to the baby.
"You must hate me a lot, right? Lexis died because of me. She wouldn't have died if I paid attention and looked at where I was going before I started walking. If I wasn't so clumsy and dropped the damn phone on the road. If only I..."
"Maria, stop saying 'what if', nobody blames you for anything. Tiana needs you so you need to stop blaming yourself and help me figure out how to take care of here" Kobby Brian said to Maria.
"I'm sorry" Maria apologized.
"If you are sorry then stop blaming yourself. Portia, Lexis will not be happy seeing you like this. Don't let her regret saving your ass, okay?" Kobby Brian said and stood up from the bed.
"You can start packing you and Tiana's stuff, we are leaving for California next week"
"California? Why?" Maria asked.
"Because this place isn't good for you, the baby and me. And this is not up for discussion" Kobby Brian said and smiled.
"Alright, I will do as you say" Maria said.