Chapter 27: She Can Go Home Now

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: She Can Go Home Now

Simon sat very close to Maya, holding her hands gently ,as if he was afraid he might break her.

Maya was still shaking. Her eyes were full of tears but she was not crying out loud. It was that quiet kind of crying that hurts more.

Simon spoke softly.

"Maya, it’s okay. Please calm down,I am here with you. Just relax , you will get better."

Maya shook her head. "I can’t get any better, Simon. I can’t focus,I am losing it already."

"I know," Simon said. "You feel heavy inside. But you need to take a chill pill. Why don’t you eat your food?,though it’s cold,I can ask the nurse to heat it up for you. But if you don’t feel like eating, don’t worry okay"

"I don’t want to eat it.. Maya said

"It’s okay, if you don’t feel like eating now "

He took her hand gently. His voice was calm.

"Breathe with me. In. Out. Just like that."

Maya followed his breathing. After a few minutes, her shoulders dropped. The shaking became less.

"I want to go," she whispered. "I really want to go. Please. I don’t want to stay anymore."

Simon looked at her. He understood. It was not anger, her words sounded peaceful. She was tired.

"Are you sure? You want to go home?"

"Yes," Maya said. Her voice was calm but firm. "I want to go. I can’t stand the smell of medicine anymore."

Simon nodded and squeezed her hand. "Okay. I have heard you. I will tell Madam."

He stood up and walked to the door. He opened it.

Flora was standing just outside. She had been waiting, worried and pacing. When she saw Simon, she stepped forward.

"Madam, I am sorry," Simon said quietly. "I am sorry for how Maya spoke earlier. I know it was out of proportion "

Flora shook her head. Her face was full of kindness.

"Simon, don’t worry," she said. "Don’t say sorry. I understand. I am not angry. Maya is my daughter, i know she is in pain. It’s okay."

Simon felt relieved.

"Madam, Maya wants to go," he said. "She just told me."

Flora’s eyes widened. "She said she wants to go?"

"Yes Ma," Simon replied. "She is calm now. She wants to leave."

Without wasting time, Flora rushed into the room. She went straight to the bed where Maya was sitting.

She sat close to her and looked Maya in the eyes.

"Maya, my dear, is it true?" Flora asked softly, taking her hand.

Maya looked at her. There were no more tears. Just deep calmness, like someone who has made a hard decision after a long battle.

"Yes, Mum," Maya said calmly. "I want to go home. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want to go home. I am tired."

Flora held her hand tighter. She did not argue. She just listened.

"I hear you," Flora whispered. "I hear you, Maya."

"Thank you," Maya said.

Flora stood up and looked at Simon. They both knew what to do. Flora walked to the wall and pressed the emergency button. The red light started blinking.

She spoke into the intercom, calm but urgent. "We need help here. My daughter wants to be discharged. She wants to go home. Please send the nurses now."

Within seconds, footsteps were heard in the hallway.

Simon went back to Maya and sat beside her.

"You did well," he told her. "You will soon be discharged,I got a gift for you, a special gift."

"That’s so thoughtful of you, thank you ," Maya said, with a small tired smile.

"You are always welcome," Simon said.

Flora stood by the door, waiting for the nurses, watching Maya with love. She knew this was not the end, but the start of another hard talk. But at least Maya was calm, and her wish was clear.

In a few minutes ,the hospital room became quiet again.

Then there was a knock. The doctor assigned to Maya came in with a nurse. The doctor was a middle-aged woman with a kind face and soft voice. She smiled at Maya.

"Good evening, Maya, how are you feeling now?" she asked.

Maya sat up slowly. "I am better," she said in a low voice.

The doctor checked her eyes, her blood pressure, her heartbeat. The nurse wrote things down. Then she asked Maya few questions.

"Do you still have a headache? Do you feel dizzy?"

"No," Maya answered. "I just feel tired."

"Okay, but does it blur your vision?

"No doctor... Maya replied.

The doctor nodded and looked at Flora.

"Madam, can I speak to you?" she said.

Flora stepped closer. Simon listened too.

The doctor spoke calmly. "Maya is better now and can go home. I have checked everything. Her body is fine. Her test results will be ready before she leaves, she was not really sick, it’s just that....."

Flora looked confused. "Its just what...?"

"She had a mental stress," the doctor explained. "When a person carries too much worry, too much pain and too much thinking, the body reacts. The mind gets tired and the body feels sick. She needs rest, not drugs. But mostly she needs love, care, and attention .She needs to be around people who make her feel happy"

Flora nodded slowly. Now she understood.

"So she can go home now?" Flora asked.

"Yes," the doctor said. "She can go tonight Make sure she eats well, sleeps well, and does not stay alone too much. Let her talk when she wants to talk. If she does not want to talk, please do not force her. Bring her back if anything changes."

"Thank you, doctor," Flora said.

The doctor turned to Maya. "Maya, you are strong. Take care of yourself. You are free to go."

"Thank you," Maya said with a small smile.

The doctor and the nurse left the room and closed the door behind them. Everywhere became silent.

Then Simon stood up. He looked at Flora and Maya. He knew Maya needed privacy.

"Madam , Simon said politely. "I will excuse you and Miss Maya so she can dress up. I will wait outside."

"Okay ,Simon," Flora said.

Simon left and closed the door gently.

Now it was just Flora and Maya inside.

Flora went to the bathroom and brought a small bowl of warm water, she kept the water beside the bed,then she brought out a small towel from her bag and a body oil.

"Maya, you need to clean up so you can feel fresh," Flora said.

Maya shook her head. "I don’t want to shower. I am too tired."

"I know," Flora said softly. "You don’t need to shower. I will clean you here. Just sit."

Flora was very gentle. She dipped the small towel inside the warm water and cleaned Maya’s face, her neck, her hands, and her arms and her inner thighs. She also took time to clean her legs too. Maya calmly relaxed as she cleans her up.

Then Flora took the body oil and oiled Maya’s legs slowly. Her hands were so gentle like she was nursing a baby.

"You have smooth legs," Flora said, trying to make her smile. "I see how good you take care of yourself."

Maya did not speak, but she relaxed.

After cleaning her, Flora picked up their belongings from the corners of the room. She arranged Maya’s clothes neatly. Then picked a simple comfortable dress - a soft blue gown that is easy to wear.

"Wear this, you will feel free in it," Flora said.

Maya stood and wore the dress with Flora’s help. She looked better, fresher and calmer now. Then Flora gently tied her hair into a ponytail.

"Are you ready?" Flora asked.

"Yes," Maya said.

Flora carried their bags and they left the room. In the hallway, Simon was waiting with his hands in his pockets. When he saw them, he smiled.

" Maya is ready to go home" he said.

They walked to reception. The hallway was busy.

At the reception,a nurse was waiting with Maya’s lab results in her hands, she handed the results to Flora and left,then the receptionist checked the computer and told her their total bill. Flora paid, collected the receipt and discharge papers. Everything was clear.

"Thank you," Flora told the receptionist.

"We wish Miss Maya quick recovery," the receptionist replied.

They left and walked to the parking lot. Outside was dark already.

Simon walked ahead of them. He was clever. While Flora and Maya were still at the reception, he had already gone to the car and arranged what he kept in the boot so Flora would not notice. He waited patiently by the car as if nothing happened.

Flora and Maya reached the car.

Simon opened the back car door for Maya, and she got in and sat comfortably. Flora slipped in close to her and kept her bag beside the car window ...

Simon entered the driver’s seat. He adjusted his mirror, started the car, and looked back.

"Ma ,are you comfortable? can I drive now?" he asked.

"Yes," Flora answered .

Simon smiled and drove off. The Toyota Camry moved smoothly out of the hospital compound onto the main road.

Inside the car, no one spoke for a while.

Maya looked out the window. Her eyes were quiet, watching the trees and cars passing by.

Flora held her hand tightly, as if to say, _I am here. You are not alone._

Simon focused on the road, driving calmly. His face was straight, but his mind was busy. He kept glancing at the rearview mirror to check on Maya.

In the boot, what he kept was still there, hidden, he prayed that Flora would not see it".

The journey home began smoothly.

Simon drove through the beautiful street that smelled of rain and flowers. Minutes later, a car crept close behind him. Then the next thing Simon heard was...

"Wow!! Look at those.....

"Hey buddy, close your boot! It’s open, your gifts are scattered everywhere!"

Simon looked through the window and smiled at him..."Oh, thanks man.

Immediately Flora turned and stared at Simon in surprise.