3.15 pm, St.Francis Hospital
Azmaria,who was sitting down on the hospital bench,smiled at the two who were currently hugging the shocked doctor,who,Azmaria noticed,was very familiar...but she couldn't place her finger on it.
She turned to Chrno and her smile faded.He was sitting down with his head bowed and his fists were clemched tightly.
She smiled sadly and went over to him.She whispered:"Chrno."
He was startled and he jumped up.Looking at Azmaria,he sighed and sat back down.
"You scared me for a moment...well?Are we allowed to visit her yet?"
Azmaria shrugged and placed a hand on Chrno's,making him jump again.
"Don't worry about Rosette.You're probably wondering what sort of cancer she has,right?"
Chrno nodded.
Azmaria sighed gently and said: "She has lung cancer.We don't know how she got it.Its
probably their late uncle's fault.Joshua and her had lived with him for a year while
Miss Kate was looking for their dad...that was the worst year of their lives,I'm sure.
I've known them since we were babies and Uncle Ewan was the best neighbour anyone could
have...its such a pity he went missing..."
Chrno looked puzzled."Uncle Ewan?Is he their father?"
Azmaria looked up and nodded sadly."Yeah...he used to help my mom with her gardening,
he used to help my dad with repairs...he was really nice,and everytime he came over,
he would give me sweets.He often brought Joshua and Rosette along too,since he knew
that I needed someone to play with since I was an only child..."
Chrno smiled."He sounds nice."
"He was nice...We were all distraught when he went missing.Miss Kate went to help with relief efforts and my family couldn't take Rosette and Joshua in.We were really sad that we couldn't...our house was just too small...so the two of them went to live with an uncle of theirs.He was a terror.He smoked,hung out late,and drunk alcohol whenever possible.I think it was because he smoked so much,that Rosette and Joshua were exposed to loads of cigarette smoke,that is why they have lung infections."
Chrno was shocked."They?Joshua has an infection too?"
Azmaria shook her head and smiled."Not anymore,thankfully.He recovered after that.But
Rosette...however...she didn't.Her condition worsened.We had to send her to the hospital
repeatedly for routine checks and she often had to stay home to recuperate...luckily,
she's pretty smart...so Miss Kate tutored her at home sometimes...she never had trouble
with school...but Miss Kate sank into depression for a while...she blamed herself for
the things that happened to Rosette and Joshua...she kept saying that it was her fault.
that she was ignorant to their feelings because their father went missing...the one who
probably suffered the most was Joshua...he had to take care of his sister...then Miss
Kate too...the both of them went in and out of the hospital...then one day Miss Kate
realised everyhthing.She realised Joshua was suffering because of her and that her
blaming herself wasn't going to help...so she gradually recovered and then Rosette slowly
did too...but not totally...she had relapses now and then,and sometimes when she had a
relapse at home while Miss Kate was teaching and while Joshua was at school,my mom and dad
sent her to the hospital.Miss Kate would come after a while...so I guess when she was
teaching at Pandemonium High she often had to rush off right?"
Chrno nodded and sighed."I didn't know that this was the reason...we always thought that she was rushing off to a meeting or something...I guess life had been really hard for you guys,huh?"He smiled sadly.
Azmaria smiled back."Not really.We always manage to pull through...We can go in and visit Rosette now...why don't you go after Miss Kate and Joshua?I think she would like to see you too."
Chrno blushed."I hope so...I want to see her..."He sighed and looked up again."How old are you and Joshua?"
Azmaria thought for a while and said:"Uh...I am turning 14 this year...and Joshua will be 15.Yeah...if I remember correctly,that is."
Chrno smiled lopsidedly and said:"You're Joshua's girlfriend and you don't even know?Oh man...he is gonna be SO hurt when he finds out."
Azmaria pretended to be shocked.She swatted him lightly on the arm and said:"Hey!Not funny,
Chrno!"
"I never said it was."
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The usual cheery and light atmosphere had returned,much to Joshua's relief.He watched the two crazy students laughing and joking at the hospital bench.
He smiled and slowly tried to tiptoe towards the two.
"There is no use trying,Joshua."
Chrno's voice shocked Joshua and he stopped.
Suddenly,he heard laughter.He looked at Chrno and Azmaria and saw that the two of them were laughing so hard that tears ran down their cheeks.
"Hahaahahahaha!D-did you see his face?"
"Hahaha!P-priceless!"
The two of them burst out into laughter again.
Joshua was irritated and clenched his fists tightly."I am SO gonna kill the two of you!"
He ran towards them and pretended to hit them.
Sighing,he sat down beside Chrno."You guys are lucky I am not Rosette.If not,the two of you are lucky that you are in the hospital,because you would be in the intensive care unit already."
The three of them burst into laughter and slowly,they quietened down.
"So how's Rosette?Can I see her now?"Chrno asked.
Joshua smiled and said:"Yeah,you can.She's awake.Go on.I think she wants to see you too."
Chrno leaped up and walked towards the door,pushing it open slightly.He paused at the door turned back.
"Thanks,Joshua."
Joshua smiled and said:"You're welcome."
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Note:Sorry I took so long with this chapter.I've been studying for several tests.
thankfully I managed to pass for math.Phew.By the way,just wanna say that I won't post
the next chapter unless I get at least 35 reviews.Sorry for the limit,but I feel so sad
that some stories like The Posessed have already gotten 45 reviews at the 5th chapter!
I feel so disappointed...but thanks to those who have already reviewed!I appreciate your
help.But I can't help but feel sad,still.There are even stories that have 800 reviews!
There's one by thechickenlittle.Called Demons and Love.I love that story.But it is rated
M.Heehee.But I really like that.There's have an excuse,though.It is masterfully written
and it has 24 chapters so far...but still...sorry you guys.No 35 reviews,no chapter 9.
Bye for now. 3