Burning Passion

CHAPTER NINE: HER PERCEPTIONS 

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Nikki waited for her mother to wake up to have breakfast together. Maybe in this way, her mother has an appetite to eat more.

When Lucy woke up, she wondered why Nikki came back already. 

"Why are you here now?" she asked Nikki with curiosity in her eyes. It made her wonder if her daughter successfully sells the land.

"Mama, good morning!" Hugging her mother, Nikki ensures to greet the woman with glee.

"What happens to yesterday's meeting with the buyer?"

"Um... I don't think that person would take care of the land, so I rejected him, Mama."

"Oh, he did something that angers you?" Lucy guessed.

Nikki shook her head as she replied to her mother, "He looks dangerous to me, Mama."

"Oh. Next time, you should bring someone to accompany you. It's not safe for you to meet strangers alone."

"Sister Maureen and brother Alvin were there, Mama! So, I didn't meet them alone."

"But you are traveling alone," Lucy emphasizes the words traveling alone. A flash of horrible distant memories passed her head.

But Nikki only laughs at it. Her mother sounded like she was still in Junior High. But she understands why she worries like this. She only fears something for her...

She used to visit Remy Town during the summers. And one time, she went to Hanford late evening and no more train running. So she decided to take a bus to travel back to Mainland City. When she was walking toward the Bus Station, a group of teenagers harassed her. She was kind of having trauma from that experience. But it was ten years ago already.

She shook her head. Why did she remember the past? It's not the time to recall anything about it. It's not because she still has the fear, but she has forgotten it already. So it's not worth remembering.

"Nikki... Are you okay?"

Her mother's voice brought Nikki back to her senses. Nodding, she replied. "Yes, Mama. I was just thinking of something else."

"Don't too much tire yourself, okay? Why don't you go home and take a rest? Where's Maria, by the way?"

"I told Aunt Maria to go home to get some rest. I will go home once she comes back, Mama."

"Okay. You need a long sleep, so go home tonight."

"Are my eyes full of bags now?" she widened her eyes while saying this and touched both of her cheeks.

Lucy let out a soft laugh from her daughter's cute reaction. "You are still beautiful and always be."

"Mama? You say that because I am your daughter," she pouted, which made her mother even shaking her shoulders.

Nikki was happy to see her mother laughs like this. Now she looks forward to her complete healing after the surgery, so her mother goes back to being a cheerful and lively person.

"Let's have breakfast now, Mama."

"You haven't eaten yet? Where's your food?"

"Justin brought some noodles soup and fried rice with hard-boiled eggs."

"Oh. I miss that kid. Is he doing well in school?"

"Yes, Ma... I already told him to approach me if he has lessons he doesn't understand. But you know? He was good at Math and Science, so I have no worries."

"Hmm... That's good then. I'm happy he did well at college."

Nikki smiled. Her mother often asks the people she knows from the Shopping Center. So she could tell how her mother wants to go back to her usual lifestyle; to work at her diner again and talk to every customer dining at the store.

While Nikki prepared their breakfast and Lucy laid down on the bed, an idea came to her mind.

"You want to go outside today, Mama?"

"Can I?" asked Lucy with excitement.

"If you are feeling well, why don't we go out?"

"Oh, I love that!"

"Then, let's eat!"

After that, they stroll the Park Garden of Mainland Hospital.

Lucy talked with other patients who were also staying in the hospital for long periods.

The Chinese Magnolia trees look beautiful in her eyes. These tulip trees never fail to bloom each year, and it brought delight to her troubled heart to see them. It made her remember her grandma. Now that she sees her mother smiles often.

Later in the day, Maria arrives, and Nikki goes home. She takes a two hours nap before she takes a shower.

On her way back, she stops by a Supermarket to buy fruits she can make fresh juice.

Arriving in the hospital, she got an idea of how to solve her financial matters. All she needs is to talk with Doctor Ben to consult something. 

Taking the elevator toward the 10th-floor, she notices Anna Lawrence and her husband David Lawrence walking toward her. She just came out of the elevator and was about to take the opposite hallway.

She waited for the couple to reach the elevator lobby. Nikki observes the couple, and they look too cute together.

Major David Lawrence was carrying their oldest child, and Miss Anna was pregnant with their second child.

It was apparent that they visit an OB today.

Suddenly, jealousy crawls inside her chest. It seemed her mother is right. She must get married soon and celebrates life with her husband and future children.

However, could she even find a good man? They were now extinct in this world. It's so rare to find one this time around.

Anna notices her from a distance, now waving at her. "Nikki! Hi!"

"Hello, sister Anna, brother David. Hi, Margaret!" She greeted the couple and waved at the little girl, who smiled cutely as a response.

"Where are you headed, by the way?" asked Anna.

"Um, I just want to consult something with Doctor Ben," Nikki replied to Anna.

"Oh, Ben is observing a surgery today. So, he was out in his office. Is it about Aunt Lucy? How was she, by the way?"

Nodding, she replied, "Yes, sister Anna. I want to talk to him regarding Mama's surgery. She is fine for now as long as she doesn't have seizures. But Doctor Ben advises doing the surgery as soon as possible."

"Oh... we heard that she needed the blood transfusion, but she has a rare blood type," David joins the conversation. 

David is close to her father. That is why she treated them like brothers.

"Yes, brother David."

"Let me see... I'll try to ask my men if they knew someone with the same blood type as Aunt Lucy."

With this, she felt hope. "Thank you, brother David!"

"Small thing. If one of us has a blood type A negative, we are happy to donate anytime."

"Thanks for the thoughts, brother David. Oh, you guys are probably going home. I will better go and set an appointment to see Doctor Ben later today."

"Nikki, don't lose hope, okay? We will include Aunt Lucy in our prayers."

"Thank you so much, Sister Anna."

She watches the family striding closer to the lift when she remembers something.

"Brother David, wait. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure? What is it?"

"Hmm... I was just wondering if you know someone named Brandon Hale."

She observes what he will react, and David seems surprised. His expression shifts to being troubled.

"Why? Did something happen?" The guy asked Nikki.

"Um... I was selling my grandparent's property at Remy town, and it happens that Mr. Brandon Hale is interested in buying it."

"Nikki, if you could... Please, avoid that man. Okay?"

That man is dangerous. She is right in her perceptions. Nikki mumbled inwardly. "Okay, brother David. I will remember that. Actually, I changed my mind, so I did not pursue to make a deal with him."

"That's good! You made the right decision. Don't let him become your acquaintance, Nikki. The better stay away from him."

She nodded. "I will. Thank you for your time, brother David." 

"No problem," said David.

After she bid goodbye to the family, Nikki sigh with relief. It gladdens her, and she meets Major David today, and she made a query about Brandon Hale.

She cannot truly trust that man.. May for the others she was somewhat demented, but once she feels weird, she follows her perceptions.