Much Was Lost

Arriving at the hospital, she was met with a flurry of activity – doctors and nurses rushing to and fro, their faces etched with concern as they tended to injured patients.

With determined strides, Kiara's aunt navigated her way through the bustling corridors, her sole focus was on finding her beloved niece.

Aunt Meyer walked through the hospital, with her heart pounding with worry. She tried to maintain a calm and composed demeanor, but her nervousness was much.

The sterile corridors felt eerily silent, save for the hushed whispers of the medical staff. The antiseptic scent of the hospital seemed to intensify her sense of impending doom.

Each step felt heavy, as if she was walking through a thick fog. The knot in her stomach tightened with each passing second, and her mind raced with a million haunting scenarios.

She couldn't help but pray silently that her niece would be fine, and that the next few moments would bring her some relief.

Meanwhile at the Hernandez's residence, the atmosphere in the dining hall was warm and welcoming as the family of three sat down for their meal.

The tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air as they began to eat.

Darren belonged to a well-known family in California, whose name was synonymous with their successful business - the Hernandez Group of Companies.

Their reputation preceded them, as they were among the top 10 companies in Los Angeles, known for their excellence and innovation.

Mr Hernandez, Darren's father, a businessman, was concerned about his business and the impending transfer of signatures to his son's name.

He had stringent criteria that had to be met before he could hand over the reins to his son, and one of them was for Darren to be married.

He believed that marriage would make Darren more responsible and better equipped to manage the business.

Thus, the conversation soon took a more serious turn.

"How had life been with you for the past four years" Mrs Hernandez, Darren's mother inquired from Daren as they ate.

"It had been a challenging journey and tasking too especially living without family, having to handle everything all by myself" Darren said as he took a bite of the perfectly cooked tacos, savoring the flavors.

"Now that you're done with school , I guess it's high time you got involved in your father's business." Mrs Hernandez turned her gaze slightly to Mr Hernandez hoping he'd agree to her suggestion.

"I believe he is not fully ready yet," Mr Hernandez disagreed.

"He needs to be more responsible for my business to be entrusted in his hands, let him get married first."

According to him, marriage was the only criteria remaining for Darren to become more responsible.

"How many more criterias are there for your son to finally own your business honey?" Mrs Hernandez playfully asked.

The mention of marriage made Darren's mind drift to Kiara, the only woman in his life. He couldn't help but think that if he ever got married, it would be to her.

However, the disappointment he had just experienced from her made him more worried.

He was puzzled as to why she had hidden her departure from him, even though he had informed her of his arrival.

_ _

Aunt Meyer approached the counter, as anxiety and anticipation filled her.

Where's Kiara? Where's my niece? How's she?"

"Take me to where she was kept! Aunt Meyer said in panic with her eyes wide open her mind couldn't contain her worries.

"You have to calm down ma'am"

"We don't quite understand who Kiara might be and I'm sorry we can't reveal much to you, but there's a lady currently in the ICU, we can only hope and pray she'll be fine." One of the nurses said in a sympathetic tone.

"The ICU?!! Aunt Meyer's voice cracked, as she sank on her knees, her hands clasped together in desperation.

"O Lord! not her too. She's the only one I have left after her parents death! Don't take her away from me as well."

Fifteen years ago, Kiara's parents and two of her siblings were involved in a gastly fire accident claiming their lives, luckily Kiara was absent from the incident, since then Aunt Meyer took the responsibility of taking care of her, she promised herself that she wasn't going to allow anything happen to her sister's last seed on earth.

After what felt like an eternity, finally, Kiara was brought out from the ICU.

Aunt Meyer with a sense of relief came out from the position she was— moving back and forth hoping for Kiara's miraculous survival.

As the hospital bed was rolled out from the ICU, Aunt Meyer strode alongside fixing her eyes on Kiara, her heart pounding with each step.

"I'm afraid you have to stop here ma'am, one of the nurses said.

"B..but I need to see her"

"I understand, but for now it's best if you let us take her to the ward, you'd be updated as soon as possible.

After a long wait, finally, she was directed to the hospital room where Kiara lay, her head covered with bandages that concealed the upper part of her head, with her legs suspended in the air.

The gravity of her condition was evident from her appearance.

Aunt Meyer was overwhelmed with emotion as tears streamed down her face.

She stood by her bedside, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked at Kiara's pale face and gently touched her hand.

"The accident was a terrible one, I can only imagine how difficult this has been for you," she whispered, "it's a miracle that you're still with us."

A soft beep from the monitor interrupted her thoughts, reminding her again of the reality of the situation.

The hospital room was quiet, except for the sound of the machines keeping Kiara alive.

Aunt Meyer couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness and fear for what the future held as she prayed silently for Kiara's recovery, hoping that the sound of that beep would eventually turn into a sign of hope and progress.

Hours had past still Aunt Meyer sat beside Kiara's bed.

A few moments later, the doctor summoned her to his office regarding Kiara's health.

"Card 1165!"

"We are here," Aunt Meyer managed to voice out.

"Are you her guardian?"

"Yes I am."

"The doctor would like to see you in his office ma'am," The nurse informed.

She immediately lifted her head, took her bag, and headed toward the nurse who was directing her to the doctor's office.

As she entered the room, the doctor was standing with his back to her, holding some files in his hands.

"I believe you're the lady's mom," Dr. Reynolds said as he turned around to see her face.

"Her aunt," Aunt Meyer corrected.

"Her name?" The doctor asked as he sat down opposite her and wrote the information down in her file which Aunt Meyer provided.

"Your niece, Kiara was in a very serious condition when she was brought in," he added.

"It was just a miracle she didn't loose her life."

"The man who brought her in was just in time, although he was unable to give us her information as he wasn't connected to her.

"Did he drop any information regarding himself?" Aunt Meyer was curious to know who the man was and asked the doctor about his identity and if there was any way to find him.

"No ma'am" Dr Reynolds replied. "The man left no information but just paid Kiara's bills anonymously.

Aunt Meyer felt grateful that someone had saved Kiara's life.

His expression suddenly became somber as he began to deliver the news about Kiara's condition.

"Having lost a lot of blood and suffered a serious head injury, I'm glad she has recovered, but much was lost".

"What was lost?" Aunt Meyer asked, appalled.