The wind howled violently through the silent night as dark clouds began to gather. No doubt, it was going to rain.
Aria Davis was just finishing her night shift where she worked as a cook. She sighed as she remembered how tough life had been on her.
She was an orphan living with her poor aged maternal grandmother. She had lost her parents since she was five.
Her grandmother, Maria had struggled to see her through high school.
Sometimes, Queen, Aria's friend had to come to their aid financially as her grandmother's petty business had little to no gain.
Five years ago.......
One sunny afternoon, Maria was at her usual business picking solid wastes when a truck suddenly lost control and smashed into her.
She was rushed to the hospital immediately by passersby who had witnessed the unfortunate event. She was in a critical condition.
Aria had visited her best friend, Queen telling her how Bryan Tate the hottest guy in school had asked her out immediately after their graduation ceremony three days ago.
" Are you serious? Bryan asked you out? The hottest guy asked you out? You got to be kidding me." Queen exclaimed shocked by this revelation.
" How can I joke with such a thing?" Aria asked raising an eyebrow at Queen.
" You think I will lie to you?" Aria asked with her eyes almost popping out. She was surprised that Queen would doubt her.
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I just don't believe that he will suddenly like you. I'm not insulting you but you don't look like his type. I mean you are a nerd and he is like a prince." Queen kept on ranting.
She had been having secret crush on him since her first year in high school to the extent of having his picture under her pillow. She normally fantasy about him and her been in a romantic relationship.
Sitting down listening to Aria say all those things shattered her heart that she almost let the cat out of the bag. She decided to act nonchalant.
" I don't want you to get hurt. You know this is your first relationship. Be careful. I don't...." Queen was cut off by Aria's ringing phone.
Glancing at her phone, Aria saw that it was her grandmother who was calling.
With a smile on her face, she picked up the call. " Hello grandma.." but she was cut off by a thick baritone voice.
This is not your grandma. This is ...." Aria cut him off rudely. " Then what are you doing with her phone? Who are you? Why are you with her phone?" Aria asked in one breath.
" Oh my God! Did you kidnap her?" Aria suddenly screamed in anxiety.
Queen who had been in her own world since she picked the call, suddenly snapped her head to her as she heard her scream.
She moved close to Aria, place a hand on her back patting her till she calmed down.
" I was going to tell you my name and what happened before you cut me off." The man said in a calm voice.
" I'm sorry I overreacted. It's just that my grandma means the world to me. Hearing another voice from her phone freaked me out." Aria apologized sincerely.
" Well I'm sergeant George from the central police station.your grandmother was involved in a ghastly motor accident."
" Oh my God! Oh my God!" Aria muttered as she imagined the worst.
Is this how her grandmother would leave her like how her parents left her many years ago? As she thought about it, her breath began to hitch.
Queen rushed to her seeing that she was having a panic attack. " Breathe in.... Out." Queen instructed for some minutes before Aria's breathing became normal.
Queen picked up the phone and asked the caller, sergeant George "what is going on?
" Madam Maria, she had a ghastly motor accident some hours ago. She had been admitted at Elvis private hospital. She is in a critical condition. Please do stop by to check on her." Sergeant George explained to her
After ending the call, Queen looked at Aria in pity. " We need to go to Elvis private hospital to check on grandma" Queen said with a sigh.
" Okay, let's get going." Aria said and jumped on her feet with a speed of llightening and in a split of seconds she was outside.
" Aria Wait for me" Queen shouted trying to catch up with her.
Getting to the hospital, Aria and Queen were led to the intensive care unit ward three. Standing outside the Ward, they saw grandma lying feeble on her bed placed on life support machine through the glass door.
Aria was allowed to enter the ward as her only family. Aria sat on the chair and took her grandmother's hand in her hand. With tears running down her face, she kissed the back of her hand.
" You remember when mum and dad died, you told me that you were going to take good care of me. You promised me that you will be present on my wedding day. Why are you going back on your promise?" She whispered to her grandmother while leaning close. Her tears flowed like endless rain wetting her grandmother.
After some alone time with her grandmother, she stepped out of the ward with red swollen eyes. One could tell that she had been crying for hours.
" Why are you doing this to yourself? Grandma won't be happy if she sees you like this. It's going to be okay. Grandma is a strong woman. She will pull through." Queen said trying to calm Aria down.
" It's going to be okay? Is that all you've got to say? Do you know what it feels like to loose a loved one? No I guess. So don't fucking open that fucking mouth of yours to say gibberish!" Aria snapped and cursed at Queen.
Queen looked at Aria's retreating figure with disbelief. This was the very first time Aria raised her voice at her. They had been friends right from primary school. Aria had always been the calm girl who everyone took their turns to bully.
Aria entered the church and laid down in front of the altar praying and sobbing. She prayed for her grandmother earnestly wishing that a miracle would occur.
After hours of intensive prayers, Aria took her leave. She wobbled as she made her way out of the church. She had not eaten since morning. Gently she steadied her steps.
Three weeks later, grandma Maria gained conciousness but she was bedridden. The doctor confirmed that she would not be able to make use of her legs again except she underwent a surgery which would cause a million dollars.
Aria was happy to have her grandmother back. She had gotten thin as a result of her grandmother's health. She had thought her grandmother would not make it.
Aria Was forced to look for jobs to fend for the family.
She had to engage in three different jobs.
Presently..........
With a sigh, Aria bid farewell to the other staff and made her way out.