Chapter 36: The Comfort You Feel
Dr. Nori wrapped her arms round the poor sobbing girl.
" You know, Takara, your mother will never leave you like this. Do you know that she's fighting to keep herself alive just so that she could stay by your side? She'll not go down without a fight, Takara. I know how you feel, Takara. I know how you feel, Takara. I understand perfectly ho you feel. "
" How? "
The woman looked at her.
" Because I went through what you are going through right now under similar circumstances. Do you know that I'm an orphan? My parents died when I was just turning two. They died in a car accident. I was brought up by my aunty. She died when I was nineteen due to blood cancer. "
Takara stared at her wordlessly.
" My parents and my aunty loved animals. So I studied hard so as not to let them down. So this is where I am. I became a veterinarian and a pet shop owner. "
Now, there were tears in her eyes.
" I felt the same sadness, lonliness and hurt you feel, Takara... "
The woman hugged her again tightly.
Why would you want to...?
Let's just say that I'm having a few problems which I need to solve on my own...
Yes, I see...
" Takara, you are welcome to bring your mother here. "
The girl's eyes widened.
" Really? "
Dr. Nori smiled and nodded.
" Of course, it is, dear. "
" Oh, thank you. It means so much to me and Mummy! "
" I would love to see your mother, " the woman replied.
Takara smiled back and wiped her tears away.
" I'll bring her here tomorrow then! " she announced, the smile still on her lips.
NNN
The Ninth Day...
" I'll take Keiko outside to play! " Takara announced loudly.
" Yes, but don't venture out too far, Takara! " Yumi told her.
" Don't worry, Mummy. I won't! " her daughter yelled before leaving the shop, carrying the white rabbit in her arms.
Now, Dr. Nori and Yumi were alone in the pet shop.
Yumi sighed, " What an energetic person! "
She turned to face the other woman.
" Is she always like that? "
Dr. Nori laughed and nodded.
" Yes, she really is full f warmth and friendliness that even animals love her! "
Yumi laughed.
" What a girl! "
Dr. Nori smiled.
" So, how do you find her as a shop assistant? "
" She's good with animals, " Dr. Nori answered. " It's a pleasure to have herhelping around in the shop. Always so polite and pleasant. You've brought her up well. "
" I see, " Yumi said.
" So, how are you doing? " Dr. Nori asked.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Although... " Yumi trailed off.
Dr. Nori looked at her expectantly.
" Although I have only two months left. "
She has only ten days left to live...
Ten days...?
Don't tell me that she doesn't know about it...?
" You know, Dr. Nori - "
" Please call me Nori will do, Mrs. Satake. "
Yumi smiled, a small one.
" Nori, I know that my body will not last for much longer with the chemotheraphy and all. Somehow, my attacks are getting worse and I feel that I won't last for that two months although I will keep fighting just to see my daughter and see her succeed in life... "