Pandora’s POV
The soft hum of the hospital machines had become oddly soothing. I had been in this bed for days now, recovering from the bruises and cuts that marked my body.
Remnants of Ms. Edna’s desperate and cruel attempt to take control of her chaotic world. Every muscle in my body ached, and though I had healed significantly, the mental scars from the ordeal would take much longer to fade.
Rolan had barely left my side. He had been there through every grimace of pain, every restless night. It was only when I insisted that he took short breaks that he would venture out of the room to fetch me something or clear his head.
The moment he returned, he was back in his chair by my side, his presence a silent reassurance that I was safe.
“Rolan,” I called softly, my voice still raspy from the days of pain and tension. He looked up from the book he had been pretending to read, his eyes immediately filled with concern.
“What is it? Do you need anything?” he asked, closing the book and leaning closer.
“I’ve been thinking about Kiara,” I replied. “I want to see her. I’m worried about her.”
Rolan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. I knew he had been thinking the same thing. “She’s not been feeling well,” he admitted. “But she’ll be coming to see you today. I promise.”
“Not feeling well? Is it serious?” My heart skipped a beat, panic bubbling up inside me. After everything that had happened, the idea of something happening to Kiara was too much to bear.
“She’s fine,” Rolan reassured me, his hand finding mine. “It’s just the baby. She’s been exhausted, but nothing serious. She wanted to come earlier, but the rest was more important.”
I nodded, relaxing slightly but still anxious to see her. Kiara was like a sister to me, and I hated being apart from her, especially now.
Hours passed, the soft ticking of the clock on the wall marking the slow progression of time. I tried to distract myself by closing my eyes and imagining what life would look like once I was free from the hospital.
The sun on my face, the feeling of the grass beneath my feet, the laughter of loved ones gathering around… I longed for normalcy, for something good to look forward to after all the darkness.
Finally, there was a soft knock on the door, and before I could respond, it creaked open. Kiara stepped in, her presence instantly warming the room. Her face lit up when she saw me sitting up in bed, and she hurried over, throwing her arms around me in a gentle hug.
“Pandora,” she whispered against my hair. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner.”
I pulled back slightly to look at her, concern flickering in my eyes. “You don’t need to apologize. I was worried about you.”
She offered a tired smile, her hand resting on her small baby bump. “I’ve just been so tired lately. This little one keeps me on my toes. But enough about me, how are you feeling?”
I smiled back, feeling a sense of calm wash over me now that she was here. “I’m getting better. Slowly, but surely. It’s been a long few days.”
Kiara nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. When I heard what happened with Ms. Edna…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you’re sitting here, smiling.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to think,” I replied softly, my gaze drifting toward Rolan, who was now standing by the window, giving us some space. “And a lot of people around me who’ve helped me through it.”
Kiara smiled at me, a glint of pride in her eyes. “You’re stronger than you know, Pandora.”
We spent the next hour catching up, our conversation light and easy despite everything that had happened. We laughed about old memories and shared stories of motherhood.
It felt good to talk about something other than the chaos and fear that had consumed my life lately. For a moment, the world outside faded away, and it was just the two of us, reconnecting in a way that made me feel like myself again.
“You know,” I said, grinning as I leaned back against the pillows, “once I’m out of this place, I think we should throw a celebration. For everyone.”
Kiara raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “A celebration?”
“Yeah,” I continued, my eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s been such a rough time for all of us. I think we need a reason to smile, to relax. We’ve all been through so much, and it would be good to gather everyone together and just… celebrate life.”
Kiara’s smile widened, her eyes lighting up. “That’s a great idea. It’ll help get everyone’s mind off everything that’s happened. And after all this, we could all use a distraction.”
I nodded, already imagining how wonderful it could be. A way to move forward, to find some joy after all the pain.
As we continued to talk, the door opened once again, and a doctor stepped inside. His clipboard in hand, he offered a warm smile as he approached my bed.
“Pandora,” he said kindly, “I’ve got good news. You’re fit to go home.”
I blinked, surprised but thrilled. “Really?”
He nodded. “We’ll need to discharge you properly, of course, but medically, you’re ready to leave whenever you feel comfortable.”
I exchanged a look with Rolan, who had turned back toward us, a smile creeping onto his face. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was going home.
“Thank you, Doctor,” I said, feeling a rush of gratitude.
“Of course,” he replied. “Just take it easy for the next few weeks. No strenuous activity, and make sure you get plenty of rest.”
As the doctor left, I turned to Rolan and Kiara, my heart swelling with happiness. “Looks like I’m finally getting out of here.”
Rolan moved closer, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I’ve been waiting to hear those words. I can’t wait to get you home,” he smirked and we all laughed.