Music Piece 13: Life Troubles

" What did the doctor tell you, Takara? " Yumi asked her daughter, the moment she stepped into the private ward.

" Huh? " Takara bit her lip, looking for an excuse. " Um, nothing special. "

Yumi studied her face carefully. She knew at once that the girl was lying.

" What did she say, Takara? " she repeated, in a much louder voice. " You do not need to hide it from me. "

Her daughter seemed reluctant.

" Takara? " she pressed. " Tell me. "

Takara could not hold back any longer. She burst into tears and ran to her mother.

" S-She told me that your health was deteriorating and you will have to go for chemotherapy. What do we do, mummy? "

Yumi hugged her daughter tightly.

" Don't worry, I'll be alright, " she answered.

However, the whole procedure will definitely wipe out Gail's saving, all the money he had left for us. Then what about Takara's education? That too requires money…

Yumi was definitely worried but she kept mum. She knew Takara's responsibilities far exceeded a normal fifteen-year-old and she admired her daughter's willpower and strength. She knew that the girl had enough on her hands and she did not want her daughter to worry. The poor girl had suffered enough.

I'll think of something which I hope will work out, for both of us…

" Mummy? "

" Hmm? "

Takara raised her eyes to meet her mother's.

" I was thinking that maybe I should get a part-time job somewhere to get some money. "

Yumi was shocked at her daughter's words. She studied Takara's face. The girl looked so earnest and sincere. So genuine. So innocent.

" Why would you want to do that? "

" I know that chemotherapy needs money and I want to help you, mummy… "

NNN

Takara went back to school the very next day with a heavy heart.

Only four months left…

It's already September…

Mummy has only four more months left to live…

After that…

After that…

What's going to happen to me…?

A lone tear traveled down her cheek as she continued to gaze out the window, not paying the slightest bit of attention in class.

Am I going to be an orphan? Just like that? Everything is happening too fast for me! It's so painful. It hurts so much…

The bell rang signaling the end of the class as well as the start of lunchtime. She got up and pushed in her chair. She took the brown paper bag, which her mother had insisted on bringing. She smiled inwardly.

" Mummy, you got up early just to pack me my bento box to bring to school? " Takara demanded. " I told you not to strain your body! "

" Don't worry, sweetheart! " Yumi assured her.

" But, Mummy! You've just been discharged from the hospital. Even the doctor advised you not to overexert your body! " Takara argued. " You've got to rest! "

Yumi laughed, " Now you sound like the doctor herself! "

Takara could not help but smile.

" I'll only be able to rest if you bring your bento box along to school. "

Takara giggled, " Can I take a little peek inside? "

Yumi shook her head and answered, " No, you can't do that except during lunchtime. "

Oh mummy! Thank you so much, I really appreciated it.

However she could not help wondering what her mother was doing right now, without her.

NNN

Yumi pushed her wheelchair into her daughter's room. She took a deep breath although it was painful and difficult. She could smell her daughter's lemon and cinnamon bath foam. She knew this smell. It was familiar. It made her feel comfortable and safe as well as she could sense Takara's presence. She was near. She pushed the wheelchair further into the room. She took a long look around the whole place. Nothing had changed. Everything was in its place. How her child had grown. First, from a tiny toddler to a young adolescent. She had changed. Her little baby girl. Suddenly, her eyes landed on Takara's well-made bed. A framed photograph lay, peeking out underneath the purple pillow. She pushed herself closer and reached out for it. There, she stood together with Takara and her husband, Gail. They had looks of happiness on their faces and were smiling away at the camera, not knowing what was going to happen in the near future. Yumi's lower lip trembled as the tears, which she had managed to suppress since that day when she heard the news about Gail losing her life, flowed freely. She knew that she had little time left to live. She wanted to live her life to the fullest but there was very little time, with each passing day. She was sad and injured. Just like her child, she too had assumed a façade. The reason why she did so was to prevent Takara from getting hurt again. She did not want to see her daughter, feeling sad. It pained her. Nevertheless, something happened but she acted like she did not care. Yet, her daughter kept reminding her of it.

Just come yesterday, she suggested working to pay for my chemotherapy but I refused. I decided against it. I didn't want my daughter working. She's only fifteen years old! Yumi thought. She could not possibly bear the brunt of the working responsibility. The only sole bread-winner…