The Last Visit

The room is like heaven itself.

As Holly walked in, her eyes wandered as usual. The walls, curtains, and bed sheets – all are in shocking white. The only colored portion of the room is the far corner wherein bouquets of different flowers are piled neatly on a table. Even though she has been visiting every day since her best friend suffered her second heart attack, she’s still surprised and a little scared by the serenity emanating from it.

A girl is sitting, holding a bouquet of roses and looking at the others as if trying to find something. When Holly drew nearer, the girl smiled and said, “A lot of people seem to know that I’m fond of flowers.” Holly replied, “Fatima, you know that these people are hoping very much to see you out of hospital in no time.” Fatima sighed, “Do you know who sent me these white roses? I can’t see any card here.” Holly pretended not to hear her. When she didn’t reply, Fatima went on, “You shouldn’t have come hear. I don’t want to be a burden to you – ” “Don’t be stupid,” snapped Holly, “you already said that a few times. I told you, I won’t rest until everything’s fine.” Fatima sighed again and went to bed while Holly assisted her. She noticed how pale and frail-looking her friend is. She sat beside her and said, “You look sick. Want some apple?” The patient smiled feebly. “Oh, Holly, I can never thank you enough.” “Don’t be stupid,” Holly replied mechanically. “Remember the first time we’ve met? You were crying because of some guy and I shouted, ‘How can you be so stupid?’ You’re taking a leaf out of my book, ha!” “Yeah…”

While they were eating, Holly’s phone rang. She went outside while answering it, frowning slightly. When she got back, she said, “You got another visitor.” “Oh, good. Who is it?” Holly didn’t answer, but she didn’t need to. The door opened again and this time, a young man entered. He was carrying a bouquet exactly the same as the one Fatima was holding a while ago. His spectacles lopsided a little when he whispered rather hoarsely, “Good evening, Fatima.”
___

It’s very quiet. Fatima is lying on her bed, her back facing Mr. Gomez, while he is staring at his fingers and glancing at his student once or twice. Finally, he spoke.

“It’s been three days. The class misses you so much.”
Fatima didn’t move a muscle.
“They are extremely worried. They said that if you won’t get well soon, they’re going to send you a flower shop.”
For the first time in days, she laughed.
“Good, you’re finally laughing. I thought the doctor removed your laugh box or something.”

Fatima sat up straight and turned to face the man she always wanted to see. “Why are you here?” she inquired. “Is that against the rule, paying you a visit?” “But why did it take you a long time to come here? I thought, after what happened to me…you’d come right away to know if I’m okay.” “You probably didn’t notice me, but I was here yesterday, and the day before that. But I didn’t come inside.” The teacher leaned closer to Fatima. She blushed softly at the intensity of his gaze. He said, “Do you think I’m not worried? Of course I am! Probably more worried than the rest of my students put together. I…” He stopped, seemed to be lost for words. He lightly put his hand over Fatima’s and when she didn’t pull it away, he held it tighter.

“I love you, Fatima. When news got out that you were heart attacked, I was scared of losing you. It’s all my fault, I’m sorry.”
“James, don’t –”
“It’s all my fault,” said James again, “breaking up with you, pretending nothing’s happening, ignoring your sufferings…I’m a coward.”
Slowly, Fatima hugged him.
“Holly told me you were crying out loud outside this room, when all my classmates were looking. You were brave, James. You’ve always been brave, that’s why I love you.”

James felt something was wrong. When he looked at her, she was sweating all over and her hands are clutching her chest.
“Help! Help! Help!”
He held her hand once more. It was cold.
“Don’t die, please don’t die! Don’t leave me –”
“James…”

Everything has gone still, as Fatima moved no more. A scream followed, echoing to the four corners of the room.

Then the room became hell.

-End-

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