"Sweetie, should I drive you to school since I am starting work a bit later today."
I smiled.
"I would love that!"
"Here's your lunch. Specially prepared for my dear treasure."
I packed it into my bag and ate the breakfast prepared by my mom.
-
We sat in the car.
"Mom, what was your dream as you were my age."
"My dream was to become a scientist. I wanted to study cancer and find a cure. And what is your dream?"
"I don't know, I just want to make this world a little better in my lifetime. That's my dream."
"That's a great dream. Never stop pursuing it."
We arrived at school and I saw my mother off. I waved enthusiastically and shouted as her car was driving away.
"Have a good day at work!"
My smile disappeared as she was no longer in my sight. Now I had to go to school. My Hell. I walked into the building and opened my locker. I changed my shoes and went to my classroom.
I sat down at the edge of the row sitting right in front the teacher. The seats slowly filled but the one next to me was empty like always. This was why it was hell for me.
I grabbed the stuff for the first class. I didn't even listen. I just spend the time in my own head thinking about a story I had just read.
This was how I spend all the classes until lunch came and I finally could savor my mom's cooking. The next hour was like usual until the door opened and my father came in. He stood before my desk.
"Get up. Your mother is in the hospital."
I froze.
"What? Why?!"
"She collapsed. Now get up."
I hurriedly started packing my bag and getting up. My fingers were shaking as I followed my father to the car. The car ride was cold and silent. My father didn't say a word just sighed at the traffic.
We soon stood before the hospital. I was afraid something bad had happened to her. We walked into the hospital. While registered I heard the receptionist say my mom's case was complicated what just made me worry more.
As we entered my mom's room it was filled with the smell of the sick. My mom looked starved and lifeless. Her skin was pale. She was coughing every minute.
My mom was smiling at me. I walked next to her and kneeled down. I took her hand in mine.
Her doctor told us that they had no idea what she could have but her condition is getting worse by every minute. I looked at the screen where her heartbeat was recording. It was getting weaker
"How are you feeling, mom?"
"Sweetie, I will die today but please live on and pursue- "
I started sobbing as I heard her voice. That was the last thing I heard from her.
Then her heartbeat came to an end. A nurse tried to comfort me but that just made me cry more. Her last words wanted me to pursue my dreams at least that what she used to say to me.
My tears stopped after half an hour of crying but my sobbing did not. I couldn't stop. How could a perfectly fine person suddenly become like this and then... die… Just like that. My father grabbed me by my shoulder and said sternly.
"We need to go home now."
But I didn't let go of my mother's hand. If I let go, I will not see her again. Her body burned and only her ashes will be left to put into a stupid vase on a graveyard or if my father even holds a funeral.
My father started to scream at me to get the fuck up but I didn't. I had no strength left. All my energy I once had was gone. I was empty of joy
Doctors calmed my father down and he waited for another 30 minutes. He told me my dog was waiting at home and if I didn't go home no one else would take care of him. I let go of the now cold hand and took all my energy to stand up.
My eyes were puffy and tired. My father needed to pull me to the parking lot because I would not have moved otherwise.