Chapter Thirty.

As the evening sun cast its warm glow over the hospital, Lina's and her family prepared to leave for home, as she has been discharged. 

'Catherine, do you have an idea where my phone is?' Lina asked, searching the drawer beside the hospital bed.

'I don't think it should be here.' Catherine responded, collecting the used dishes and Lina's belongings into the bag she came in with.

'It must be somewhere in the living room back home.' She added, assuring Lina who still wore a puzzled look.

'Okay.' Lina smiled weakly, still feeling a bit drained from her ordeal.

She sat on the hospital bed and watched Natalie proceeding to help Catherine grab her things, so they could leave quickly.

'Christopher texted some while back.' Catherine informed her mother.

'Is his at the house already?' Natalie asked. 

'Yes, mom.' Catherine nodded.

'He came with Vivienne and Sammie.' She pointed out.

'Alright, then.' Natalie retorted, zipping the packed bag.

'We better head out, your father is waiting in the car.' She added, getting up on her feet.

Catherine carried the bag, and Natalie helped Lina get up from the bed, walking hand in hand out of the ward.

As they made their way out of the hospital, Lina was struck by the cool evening air.

She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of liberation from the hospital's sterile atmosphere she had endured for days.

Natalie and Catherine led her to their car, where they carefully helped her settle into the backseat.

Catherine went over to the other side of car, joining Lina in the backseat also, while Natalie sat in front with her husband.

As they drove home, Nathan and Natalie chattered about Lina test result, with Natalie filling Nathan in on treatment plan, but Lina's mind wandered, her exhaustion and eagerness to get home rendering their words a distant hum.

Her gaze drifted out the car window as her parents discussed.

The scenery outside - the vibrant trees, the bustling streets - blurred together as her eyelids grew heavy. All she could think about was sinking into her bed, surrounded by the comforting familiarity of home.

The hospital's imposing structure receded into the distance as Nathan drove away.

As they pulled up to their house, Lina's heart swelled with relief.

The thoughts of the familiar porch, the cozy living room, and the warm kitchen which all seemed to envelop her in a sense of comfort and security, was not the only thing she was grateful for.

She was also thankful for the fact that she wouldn't have to seat in the car, with her parents discussing her health.

It's just so unfortunate that her mother got to know about her state of mind, which somehow led to her father and Catherine finding out about it.

Catherine and Nathan's inquisitive gazes didn't go unnoticed by Lina during the drive home, as she shut her eyes, pretending to sleep, to avoid their interrogation.

'I'll take my therapy development to the grave before I share it with them.' Lina made a silent vow to herself, swiftly navigating the hallway, intent on escaping to the comfort of her own sanctuary. 

But Christopher, and Vivienne were waiting at the dining room with their toddler, Sammie,

The little boy, with his chubby cheeks and curly hair, squealed with delight after he sighted Lina in the house.

'Oh, Sammie....' Lina retraced her steps to her nephew, who was in his mother's arms. 

She extended her arms, and the baby boy instinctively leaned forward, his tiny hands grasping for hers as he surrendered to her care.

'Welcome home, Lina.' Vivienne voiced.

'Thank you, Vivienne.' Lina rejoined, stroking Sammie's hair calmly. 

'How are you feeling?' Christopher commented, proceeding forward to give her a hug.

'I feel great, Chris.' Lina replied as Christopher slipped an arm around her shoulders, offering a gentle, reassuring hug that carefully avoided disturbing his son in her arms.

'I just want to slip into my bedroom and have a good rest.' She added.

'But, you must eat and take you medications before you can do that.' Catherine pointed out, as she trailed behind her parents into the dining room.

'Ugggghhhh, okay.' Lina scoffed, handing Sammie to Christopher, and proceeded to take a seat at the dining table.

Christopher and Vivienne exchanged pleasantries with his parents and Catherine, and they also started to settle at the dining room in order to have dinner.

As they exchanged hugs and greetings, Nathan couldn't help but feel a twinge of self-doubt.

He recalled the painful memory of picking Lina up from the hospital, only to be met with indifference.

She had barely acknowledged his presence, instead focusing on the rest of the family.

Now, as he stood on the periphery of the celebration, he felt like an outsider, a stranger amongst the people who should be his home.

The joyous atmosphere only served to highlight his feelings of isolation. 

'Vivienne and I made dinner.' Christopher's voice interrupted Nathan's reverie, refocusing his attention on the dining table.

He took a seat also, and they all proceeded to eat after Christopher served everyone their meal.

As they ate, Christopher could help but ask.

'So, what did the doctors say?'

'Gosh, not again.' Lina lamented under her breath which didn't go unnoticed by her brother. 

And before he could say another word, Catherine uttered.

'She has been stressed and her blood pressure is relatively high.' 

'Really?!' Christopher's eyebrow furrowed with concern.

'Yes, son.' Natalie chipped in.

'It was also detected that your sister may be going through depression.' She pointed out, and Lina's eyes widened in mortification, a shiver of embarrassment coursed through her veins.

'Oh!!' Christopher breathed, his expression indifferent.

'Why are you not surprised?' Natalie let out a wry chuckle. 

'I... am.' Christopher hesitated. 

'I don't know...., but there was something about your expression which stated otherwise.' Natalie stated.

'Maybe he was shocked, mom.' Catherine kicked in.

'Is that so?' Natalie fired, intensifying a darken stare on her son.

'Ye....s. Yes mom.' Christopher stuttered. 

'Are you sure?' Natalie questioned, nursing the feeling that the news of Lina's state of mind, isn't a new to Christopher after all 

'He is sure, mom.' Lina blurted. 

'He already said that.' She added, clenching her glass so tightly, her knuckles turned white, threatening to crush it.

'Calm down, Lina.' Christopher voiced, sensing her escalating frustration.

'I am calm!' Lina exclaimed, her voice rose to a near-shout.

Christopher's expression remained serene.

'I know,' He said, his voice low and soothing.

'I know, Lina. But maybe take a deep breath, okay?' As Christopher spoke, his calm demeanor had an immediate effect on the room.

The tension that had been building seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of surprise and curiosity.

Nathan, Nathalie, and Catherine exchanged skeptical glances, their faces reflecting their astonishment at Christopher's sudden intervention.

While Vivienne only stared at Christopher to see how he was going to dissect the situation. 

The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on the unfolding scene between Christopher and Lina.

'I don't know if I can do that right now.' Lina proclaimed, her voice trembling.

Her eyes shut, and her head lowered to her thighs.

'Of course, you can.' Christopher went on.

'You can do anything, Lina.' He added, rising from his chair calmly.

'Lina, you are strong.' He spoke, approaching Lina at the other side of the table.

'Probably, the strongest of us all.' He squatted beside her chair, reaching for her hand on the table.

He gently loosen her grip from the glass, cupping her hand in his.

'Look at me, Lina.' Christopher muttered, reaching for one side of her face with his right hand.

And Lina's eyes drifted opened, but she didn't lift her head.

'It is I.' Christopher said. 

'It's Chrisy.' His voice broke, as tears summoned up in his eyes.

Lina met his gaze with clouded eyes, her face felt like a blank slate, devoid of any expression, as if she'd given up trying to feel anything.

'Breathe for me, please.' Christopher tears rolled down the corner of his eyes, as her rubbed Lina's face rigorously. 

Gently, her eyes shut, and her tears long-imprisoned flashed out of her eyes, streaming down her face like a torrent of rain.

With a quiet gasp, she inhaled deeply, drawing in the air with a slow, deliberate hunger, as if to fill a void within.

'Good job.' Christopher's whisper came as a force, pulling out every molecule of air, in a sharp exhale, leaving her feeling drained yet somehow lighter. 

Tears pricked the corners of Natalie's eyes, watching her kids - one suffering and the other helping.

'Again?!' Christopher said and Lina chortled dryly.

'Okay.' She mouthed and went on with the breathing exercise for a short while.

Finally she opened her eyes back to the reality of the dining room, slowly running her eyes around the table to meet the faces of her family members, etched with concern, pity, and sadness.

'I'm sorry,' She apologised subtly. 

'I ruined your dinner.' She added.

Then her gaze dropped back to Christopher who was still squatting beside her, and a fresh wave of bitterness ran through. 

'I'm so sorry, Chris.' She whispered, as she sobbed.

'It's fine.' Christopher countered, consoling her.

'I will always have your back, sis.' He told her.

'Beacuse, I love you so much.' He added and Lina laughed as she cried.

'Thank you.' She said and leaned into his arms, hugging him affectionately. 

Their parents and Catherine sat in stunned silence, their faces frozen in shock.

Their eyes, wide with astonishment, darted between Lina and Christopher, struggling to process the sudden outburst and its swift resolution.

While Vivienne stared at the siblings hugging each other with her heart filled with pride.

She has never been more proud of Christopher handling a situation. 

The sound of Sammie's blabbering was like a gentle brook, bubbling and chattering its way through the silence.

Then Lina pulled away from the hug, and got up on her feet. 

Christopher followed suit, and Lina spoke.

'Good night.' She muttered, and turned to leave for her room, not awaiting a response.