Disclaimer: I don't own KNB or the picture.
This time when I woke up, I didn't feel much pain. I was mainly exhausted and sore. The doctor and my mom were talking and I decided to pretend to sleep to find out what they were talking about. AKA eavesdrop.
"I'm afraid your daughter has tuberculosis. A deadly disease that kills the patient. It's is a fatal disease. For your daughter, I don't think there's anything we can do to help her. She's in her last stages, and very weak at the moment. We will do everything we can, but there's not much we can do." The doctor said.
So I'm going to die, huh?
"...How long does she have left?" My mother asked after a moment, her voice strained.
"At most a month. At least...any moment. I'm sorry ma'am. I would advise you to spend as much time as you can with her, we don't know when she will die." The doctor advised my mother. He kept his voice comforting, but that didn't help.
"Thank you doctor," my mom said, but I could hear how her voice shook with emotion. He nodded and left the room.
I opened my eyes. "Okaa-san."
"Hisako," she cried, rushing over to my side, "How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Discomfort? Should I get the doctor? Do you need water? Are you hun-"
"Okaa-san," I cut her off, "I heard everything."
My mom stopped moving for a second before falling on the chair. "I'm so sorry Hisako. You're my only daughter, my only child. Why does God have to be so cruel to take you away from me?" Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. I held her in my arms weakly.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, as she continued to cry. I didn't want to leave her alone. Father had died when I was 5, leaving Okaa-san and myself alone. Okaa-san had to get jobs to support the two of us, so I grew up without my mother around too much. But when she was around, she would take me out to the park and zoo, and spoil me. Even if she was tired. When I die, she'll be all by herself. "Please forgive me for being selfish."
My mother dried her tears. "You are not being selfish, please don't apologize. I want your last memories to be of happiness, not of tears. I've already called my boss. She gave me the okay to take off a month of work. So I'll be here everyday, taking care of you. I haven't been the best mother to you. Can, can I stay here and take care of you?"
Tears formed in my eyes, but this time of happiness. "Hai. Thank you Okaa-san." She smiled and hugged me gently, as if I were a porcelain doll, and she were afraid that if she were to hug me too tightly, I would break. Even with all my strength, my grip was so weak. And I know that my mother could feel that. Her green eyes were shining of unshed tears, but she smiled and refused to let them fall. I'm sorry.