Chapter 2 — A Forsaken Medicine Bottle (Numb in an Anonymous Embrace)

Mother coughed. She couldn't even get out of bed. I rushed to find a notebook and a pen. Grabbing the medicine bottle, I quickly brought a tray containing porridge and water from the kitchen to Mother’s room.

"Honey, wh-why haven't you left for school yet?" Mother asked breathlessly as her coughing grew harder.

"I’m leaving in a moment, Mom." I helped Mother sit up in bed. I gave her water and fed her a few spoonfuls of porridge. Occasionally, my hands were busy writing my school assignments.

After I finished feeding her, I said goodbye. Reaching into my uniform pocket, I handed her my phone.

"Mom... call Mr. Orion’s number later if anything happens. I’ll definitely come home if you need me."

Mother gripped my hand tightly. Her weary eyes stared at me intently. "You’ve helped so much, Karina. I’m sorry, I’m always such a burden to you."

I shook my head, rejecting her words. I hugged her tightly and then rushed off to school.

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"Karina, how is your mother doing?"

Too busy chasing time, I didn't even realize I had run past Mr. Orion in front of the teachers' lounge. Turning back, I gripped the strap of my bag tightly.

"Better, Sir. It's just that Mother's cough is still heavy," I said, looking down at my dingy white shoes.

To my surprise, Mr. Orion’s shoes closed the gap between us. His hands rummaged through a black plastic bag he was carrying. He held out a pack of rice with a plastic spoon.

"My mother sends her regards; take care of your health. Don't push yourself too hard," he said softly. His lips wore a truly sincere smile. His eyes met mine deeply.

Nodding wordlessly, my hands felt stiff just to accept the rice. Remembering something, I rummaged through my bag.

"My mother sends her regards too, Sir. Please take care of yourself."

We exchanged smiles as my hands offered my lunch box to him. He didn't refuse at all; instead, he chuckled and held it firmly.

"Aren't you going home yet, Sir?" I asked, just to make small talk.

"Not yet. There’s still important business for the competition and school events."

"Oh, right, Sir. Did my mother call your number?" I asked while checking my bag.

Mr. Orion shook his head. His eyebrows arched perfectly. "Why?"

"No reason. I was just asking... Hm, I also forgot where I put Mom's medicine bottle in the kitchen." I furrowed my brow, trying to remember where I had left it.

The clock on the wall caught my attention. Exactly 3 PM. I quickly shook hands with Mr. Orion; I was afraid of missing the bus.

"Sir, sorry, Sir. I have to go now. I need to catch the bus," I said hurriedly without waiting for his response.

Quickly, my shoes ran along the crowded streets. The scorching sun burned my skin. I stepped through clouds of dust and sweat-drenched crowds. The traffic and the complexities of life felt colorless. I stood exhausted, hanging my hopes on a fragile bus handle. Acting as if there were no tomorrow—it felt like dying wouldn't even matter.

Arriving home, I was beyond shocked. My hands trembled; my legs couldn't walk. Mother’s face was pale, her eyes tightly shut. My heart hammered against my chest. The medicine bottle lay on the table. The wall clock ticked rapidly. The bedroom door was open.

My eyes grew heavy and hot. My mouth hung open, speechless.

"M-Mom?" My hand shook as I wiped the foam from Mother's cheek.

I cradled Mother’s head to listen for her breath. However, only my own ragged gasps could be heard. My cracked phone screen lay on the floor. My fingers were bitter just trying to press a button.

The phone rang as the call connected. I bit my fingernails until they bled. There was no answer; my sister’s number couldn't be reached. I didn't know who else to call.

"Yes, Karina. What is it?" The second I called his number, he picked up immediately. My eyes welled up; I didn't want to speak.

"Sir...." my voice trembled as if fading away. "Sir, Mom... Sir."

My tears broke, my soul was tortured. My lips were no longer strong enough to even speak. I desperately suppressed my sobs, even though every breath felt numb. The phone lay on the floor with the call disconnected. My bloodied finger pressed the screen hard.

Unable to think clearly anymore, I immediately ran out of the house. Without sandals or any footwear. For minutes, I was among hundreds of people and unceasing vehicles. My eyes searched for the nearest ride to the hospital.

“Karina!”

My name was called from a black car that pulled over. The door opened and Mr. Orion appeared with a worried face. Quickly, I got into the car. Without asking, Mr. Orion turned the steering wheel swiftly and with control. We picked up Mother and rushed her to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital, there was nothing left to discuss. Without even needing to enter a room, Mother was already laid out neatly on a mortuary gurney. My head felt heavy, my eyes blinking blankly at the ceiling. Incessantly, I bit my nails to hold back the tears.

“You are allowed to cry, Karina.”

The only voice I heard was Mr. Orion’s. The click of his shoes approaching. His hands rummaging through his bag. He returned my black handkerchief to me.

Unable to hide my mess in front of him, I collapsed and cried on his shoulder. My hands kept rubbing hard at the tears raining down my cheeks. It was heavy; it felt like my head was going to explode. Slowly, I felt Mr. Orion’s hand calmly patting my back. Faintly, his whisper echoed in my ear.

“Your mother has gone to the most beautiful place in heaven. Looking at your face, praying for your name, proud of a strong sixteen-year-old girl like you. Your mother must be peaceful and happy there," he said, which only made me sob harder.

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A bleak night. The stars in the sky glowed weakly. The doors of the funeral home were wide open. Black clothing filled the room. Many neighbors came to mourn Mother’s passing. Including Mr. Orion, who stayed to help.

Truly. I was so sad looking around, especially seeing Ara’s condition.  My sister who worked twenty-four-seven. Providing for Mother and me without a single complaint. The dark circles under her eyes were a sign of how hard she pushed herself. She didn't cry at all, trying to stay strong even though her breath hitched every time the mourners hugged her.

Until Mr. Orion approached her and embraced her. Ara wept uncontrollably in his arms.

“I should have just extended Mother’s stay at the hospital. Why did I listen to my friend?” That sentence continued to be Ara’s regret. No matter how many times I brushed it off, Ara kept blaming herself for Mother’s death.

“I shouldn't have become a psychiatrist and been so busy with hospital shifts. Mother would have been able to talk to me, wouldn't she?” Ara broke the embrace. Her red eyes stared at Mr. Orion as if begging for an answer.

Unable to give any answer, Mr. Orion hugged Ara and stroked her hair. He calmed the storm that had briefly turned into a downpour with a pat on her head.

“It’s no one’s fault. It’s no one’s fault,” Mr. Orion whispered to soothe Ara. I gripped her hand tightly. My breath hitched.

“But, truly. I still want to talk to Mother. Can’t she speak to me, just this once? Even for the very last time?”

Unable to speak anymore, Mr. Orion blinked his eyes, looking upward. As if holding back tears from falling. Mr. Orion knew exactly what it felt like to be left behind. Without exchanging a single word, they both knew how it felt.

They leaned on each other, nullifying the sadness with an embrace. My eyes welled up; without them realizing it, they were numb in an anonymous embrace.

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