As Sofia’s eyes looked about the room, there was a sudden sound that drew her attention. Thinking it was the door, she changed route and somehow landed herself in the kitchen.There her lips fell slightly as she met her mother.“What…what are you doing back this early?” She asked, scoffing a little and Theresa lifted her gaze to show she was a little taken aback. “It’s evening, how long do you want us to spend at the farmer’s market?” She asked and as Sofia looked at the clock, confirming it really was that late, the next time she looked at her mum, she was almost squealing.With eyes as hollow and dilated as it could, she pushed herself closer to where her mother was. “It’s actually six pm” She replied but everyone was aware that wasn’t the reason she was even so excited.“Why are you so excited?” Theresa asked the obvious question, looking about the fresh bags of groceries. “You wouldn’t believe what happened, ma. Who I just saw—“ Rip the bandaid…Freya, Victoria or how would she te

Sofia made her way to the kitchen counter, the first person she saw was Cynthia, preparing breakfast. Her hands clenched the two buttons of her oversized tshirt as she let out a yawn."Good morning, Cynthia" She called out and her mother in law lifted her eyes to her. "Morning Sof" There was the flash of a smile across her lips."Where is Oscar?" Sofia asked, having woken up to already see him gone. The truth was after a few hours of staying up last night writing more than a couple chapters for her new book, Sofia finally slept by five AM. It meant she didn't get until nine, which was later than when Oscar left."Oh he's already gone to the hospital, I followed him with Malik. The doctor advised he come early as they need to prep for his first surgery" Cynthia said and Sofia's lips fell wide open for a brief second."Today?" She ran her hands through her hair. "No, tomorrow" Cynthia replied, catching a glimpse of the guilt in her eyes. "You know he saw you were asleep, he was the one

The chilly rush of air breezed into Sofia’s face and through her hair, swaying it left and right across her shoulders. In case she drifted so far, the distinct scent of pharmaceuticals and the rapid beeping of the heart monitors both far and near were enough to remind her of where she was.She stood with her arms crossed in front of her, reminding herself by taking deep heavy breaths to calm down. Today was the day of Oscar’s first surgery which was a bypass graft procedure undoubtedly the most important and complex of the three he was recommended.The doctor might’ve said a million words to Sofia about how this was to repair the damaged blood vessels around his heart, both narrowed and clogged to improve his blood flow so it betters the chances of the trial working but it didn’t stomp her anxiety. It could be good but then again, she was well aware of the risks to know that it could also be terrible.So she stood still and even her deep breaths didn’t work so much. No one knew the am

“It’s been four hours” A voice echoed from behind Sofia and it wasn’t until she turned around that her eyes fell upon Damien. His hands slipped into his pocket with an elongated gaze right next to her. She threw a look over her shoulders though she still clung to the stairwell.“It’s you” She happened to mutter plainly before he raised his hands into the air. “Well I’m no doctor,” Damien teased. “But I brought you a sandwich and a cup of coffee” He stretched out his hands and while her eyes to it, there was the ghost of a smile that made it across her lips.“I’m not hungry” Sofia heaved but by the look in Damien’s eyes, she didn’t have much of an option but to cave in, taking the food from his hands. Though she sipped the coffee, she kept the sandwich aside and for a brief moment, there were comforted by the shrouded silence between them. That was before Sofia suddenly piped up after a few minutes.“Thank you by the way” She said.Damien folded his arms with a shrill nod. “For this as

As Sofia stood there, she couldn’t even utter a single word. Her whole mind raced with a thousand thoughts as the chaos behind the curtains echoed back to her. Her eyes were flooded with tears and there was a shooting pain that pierced up her spine.In a moment, her eyes fell to her open hands and he was all she saw. It was as though she had drifted back to the moment that she held unto him, begging him to open his eyes…to wake up. But the hardest part was she wasn’t even certain that he could hear her. She wasn’t certain that he would ever actually open those eyes again. And hers, well they darted to the piece of sandwich that laid capriciously on the hospital floor and before she could even start blaming herself for leaving, something she would have never done if she knew things would turn out this way. And for what, for food.Before she could blame herself or further immense herself into the guilt, an arm drew her back. “Hey hey” That shrill rang into her ears and Sofia had to ac