Chapter Thirty-seven.

As they stood in the garden, surrounded by the vibrant blooms and lush greenery, the two sisters couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over them. They had spent countless hours playing in this very garden as children, their laughter and shouts of joy echoing through the air.

Catherine, gazed wistfully at her sister, a mischievous glint dancing in her eye. "Do you remember when we used to play hide-and-seek among the flowers?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lina's face softened, a gentle smile spreading across her lips. "How could I forget?" she replied, her eyes sparkling with memories.

For a moment, they simply stood there, lost in thought, the only sound the gentle rustling of the leaves in the breeze. Then, without warning, Catherine reached out and tickled Lina, her fingers dancing across Lina's ribs with a playful lightness.

Lina let out a startled gasp, her eyes widening in surprise.

And then, in a flash, she was off, chasing after her sister as they both dissolved into a fit of giggles.

'I thought Christopher was the one to tickle.' Lina called out, running after Catherine. 

'I can't believe you remembered that too.' Catherine voiced out loudly, still running.

'Why wouldn't I?' Lina spewed, almost catching up with her sister.

Catherine squealed in realisation, trying to increase her pace, but Lina caught up with her eventually. 

The garden, once a tranquil oasis, was suddenly transformed into a whirlwind of colour and sound, as the sisters raced through the flowers, their laughter and shouts of joy carrying on the wind. They played and ran, their feet pounding against the earth, their spirits soaring with a carefree abandon that was both exhilarating and liberating.

As they twirled and spun through the garden, their smiles grew wider, their laughter more contagious. They were no longer grown women, but two little girls, lost in the simple joys of childhood, their hearts full of wonder, their spirits full of joy.

Meanwhile Christopher halted his car in front of the house. Then alighted, proceeding to the door. 

As he stepped into the empty house, he was surprised by the silence. He had expected to hear the sound of his parents' voices or Catherine's chatters, but instead, there was only stillness.

He wandered through the rooms, calling out to see if anyone was home. But there was no response.

'Could they all have rushed Lina to the hospital again, thereby leaving the doors open?' He feared.

Just as he was starting to feel a little puzzled, a loud squeal pierced the air, followed by the sound of laughter and playful shouts. Christopher's curiosity was piqued, and he quickly made his way to the backyard to investigate.

As he pushed open the door and stepped out into the garden, he was met with a sight that the him off balance. His sisters, Lina and Catherine, were running around the garden, playing and laughing together like kids.

Christopher's eyes welled up with tears as he watched his sisters, their faces alight with joy, their laughter infectious. He felt a lump form in his throat as he realised how much he had missed these carefree moments with his siblings.

He stood there for a moment, frozen in time, taking in the beauty of the scene before him. How could Lina who was almost at the verge of relapsing the previous night be so bright and radiant this morning?

He was still lost in thought when Catherine spotted him and shouted.

'Christopher?!'

'Wait?! What?!' Lina exclaimed, coming to an abrupt halt.

'Join us.' Catherine's voiced again.

'I think we've played enough for the day.' Lina conveyed in a tone that she normally would use.

'Why?!' Catherine puzzled, approaching her.

'You don't want to play anymore.' She asked.

'I do, but I am starting to feel a little tired. I didn't realise until I stopped running for a moment.' Lina replied, and Christopher started to approach them, wondering why they stopped running.

'Maybe I should use my medications now.' She added, panting softly. 

'That's right.' Catherine gave in.

'Let's go.' She retorted, leading Lina out of the garden.

Christopher met them halfway, and they exchanged pleasantries. 

'Why did you stop playing?' He asked.

'Lina has not taken her medications today.' Catherine responded. 

'Why?!' Christopher uttered in a near-shout.

'It states two hours after meal. So, I decided to fulfill Catherine's desires while waiting.' Lina interjected.

'Oh, okay.' Christopher muttered, feeling a little bit at ease. 

'Why are you here early though?' Lina questioned. 

'I was a little worried about you and decided to come check up before going to work.' Christopher answered.

'I'm fine, as you can see.' Lina joked.

'Of course, you must be fine. I mean, I took care of you all night.' Catherine chipped in playfully. 

'Took care of me? I practically took care of you, Catherine, allowing you sleep in my room.' Lina bantered.

'Catherine slept in your room?' Christopher eyes widened. 

'Yes, we cuddled to sleep.' Catherine cooed, wrapping her arms around Lina.

'What is happening to my sisters?' Christopher passed a jest at them both, and Catherine laughed. 

'Lina, we sure have a lot to talk about.' He stated unable to believe Lina's sudden overnight change.

He could still recall how uptight she was, when she just returned home and now, all that he had seen and heard is nothing short of a massive miracle. 

'It's really not that deep.' Lina commented, exploring means to avoid her brother's interrogation. 

She sure knew what he was going to talk to her about.

Christopher opened his mouth to respond Lina when a knock came on the door.

'I'd get it.' He mentioned to his sisters, proceeding to get the front door.

He reached for the knob, pulling the door open to reveal Arnold standing outside. 

'Look who we have here.' Catherine uttered, after spotting Arnold at the door.

'You really didn't have to come visit, I don't think Lina will be comfortable with that.' Christopher whispered, still standing in the door way.

'She knew I was coming.' Arnold dropped what felt like a bombshell to Christopher. 

'She does.' His eyes widened, and he gasped.