"Wake up, Ivan. Otherwise you won't sleep tonight!"

I felt a light shake as I opened my eyes to see my older sister leaning over me. "Hmm...wha...oh...good morning, Sestra."

"Good afternoon, silly goose," she giggled, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Are you hungry?"

Just then my stomach decided to growl loudly and answer the question for me.

Yekaterina continued laughing as she opened the door. "Don't worry. I'll bring us something from the cafeteria."

She headed out, leaving me alone to wake up. Sitting up, I looked over at Natalya but nothing had changed. Oh, how I wish to see her smiling face again! Or even that mischievous smirk she has whenever she's up to something…

Getting up, I went off to locate the bathroom to relieve myself but it wasn't easy to find. I wondered around for several with no luck and I really needed to use it. Finally, I found one in an empty hallway; making mental notes to remember how to get there. Returning back to Natalya's room, I saw Yekaterina already came back. She had made a make-shift table with paper plates with sandwiches and some of the chips we bought yesterday.

"Come sit," Yekaterina giggled again, patting the cot. "Come eat, hungry boy."

I did what I was told and took a seat across from her; eagerly taking a bite of my sandwich. As to be expected, it was passable but not great. Maybe sometime we can get something else or even cook something? But neither of us wanted to leave the hospital in case Natalya needed us. For now we'll have to deal with sub-par food.

"You seem in a good mood today," I sighed, noticing that she had been smiling a lot.

"I just have a good feeling today. I don't know what it is," she sighed, still smiling. "And don't talk with your mouth full."

"Sorry."

Neither of us said much else as we hungrily dug into our plates.

"Braht."

I looked up at my sister who seemed to be taking a bite of her sandwich. "What?"

"Hm? I didn't say anything."

"Didn't you say braht?"

"No!"

Weird. I shrugged, deciding it was nothing and went back to my food.

"Sestra."

Now Yekaterina looked up at me and asked the same question I asked her a few minutes prior. "What?"

"What what?"

"Didn't you just call me?"

"No."

Instantaneously, we both looked over at the bed and saw a sight we both longed for. Natalya's blue-violet eyes staring back at us; rather dully.

"Natalya!"

Both my sister and I called out her name as we rushed over to her bed; making a mess in the process.

"What happ…ened? Where…am I?"

I longed to hear my sister's voice for what felt like so long but what I heard made my heart drop again. Her voice was weak as she spoke in broken words. And there was nothing we could do about that. With all the medication and suffering, she was bound to struggle with speaking. But it's not want I wanted to hear most. All I want to hear is her laugh again…

Yekaterina held onto Natalya's hand gently so not to hurt any of her injuries. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked down into Natalya's eyes, falling onto her exposed skin. "You're the hospital, sweetheart. You were in an accident," she spoke softly, trying not to scare Natalya. "But don't you worry! We'll take good care of you and bring you home soon."

Natalya turned her head to look at me and smiled. It was weak but still it was a smile. At this point, I'll take what I can get. She can only get better little by little.

"I am….glad…you're…here," she croaked as she tried to move her hand from our sister's to mine. I grabbed it for her, leaning forward to kiss her fingers.

"How is the pati-oh! You're awake!"

Her doctor, Dr. Dmitry, strode into the room and immediately came over to her. He seemed genuinely surprised to see that she had awakened; as if he didn't expect her to be. He kneeled next to her, smiling gently towards her.

"How are you feeling?"

"It hurts…so much…," she whispered weakly, squeezing my hand with what little strength she had. Oh yeah. I had forgotten she didn't like doctors at all. Even in all this pain, she still looked for me to protect her. Knowing that, I couldn't help but smile a little more.

"It's understandable. You were in quite an accident," he spoke rather softly as he checked her forehead and around her injuries. "I'll give you some more medicine so you won't feel much pain for a while. But you'll be drowsy so go ahead and rest, sweetheart."

For a man who seemed so cold before, he's very gentle with my sister. It looked like he would be able to look after her well.

He gave her the medicine after assuring her, it wouldn't hurt her further. Still she held my hand for safety, knowing I would always protect her. But now, I have to watch her fade away again…

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