Chap 2

We are moving towards the hospital in the cab. I look out the window and can't help but admire the beautiful city. Despite the prejudices against humans this is the best place for us to have a better life. Yes we still have a long way to go but it's better than most places it provides better opportunities. We had to move here after mom got sick because there are better hospitals and doctors here.

I was born in this city actually this is where my mom met my dad. She came here for her nursing degree, like I said the city provides more opportunities even for humans. She fell in love with the city and my father but then she moved back home I don't know why because initially she wanted to make a living here with my father but I suppose it didn't work out between them. This city, Karami houses all different kinds of creatures. They all get along famously most of the time but because humans are weak and without any magical powers they are treated the worse.

Now that we are out of our modest neighborhood I can see the big buildings, one of them is the Rainbow Estate, it's a big brightly coloured building, it looks exactly like it's name, it's a very pretty building but I am not a big fan of bright and colourful stuff though the building is a masterpiece. You'll find every creature of light there, fairies, mermaids, unicorns you name it. After the Rainbow Estate, We have the Witch Tower, now that one is my favorite, its black and huge and gorgeous, and it's peak touching the skies, there are underground catacombs for the night creatures, the city roads have continuous streams of water beside it for the water creatures to travel in the city. The fey have private compounds for their residency and stuff they are kind of like royalty here. The restaurant I work at is called The Jaded Palace which is literally a palace not that big though. Apart from the distinct architecture for every kind there are places where everyone mingles.

Karami is a republican city the time of the kings and Queens is gone though I don't much believe in that considering that we have only had Fey presidents since it was made a republican. Actually it was some time ago that humans and other low creatures were allowed to vote.

After a while, I can see the hospital building. We reach there I get out of the cab and pay him through my phone then help my mom to the doctor's office.

Dr Shaneera, my mum's doctor is one of the best pulmonologist in the city. She is also a very wise and old witch though she doesn't look a day over 35. She uses her magic and science to treat her patients. She was at The Jaded palace one evening and Mr Marshall introduced me to her, she was kind enough to accept his request and treat my mother. When we reach Dr shaneera's office her assistant, Fari, who is a beautiful faun informs us that the doctor is in a meeting and will be with us in a moment. After fifteen minutes of waiting Fari instructs us to go in. I hold my mum's hand and walk into her office. Dr Shaneera looks up from her files and smiles at us " Hello Ameerah and Olivia." She greets us.

"Hello Dr Shaneera" I say

" How are you today Olivia?" She smiles and asks my mom.

Dr shaneera has a calm personality she looks young but her poise and her way of talking makes it clear that she is wise and knows her field.

"I am fine I've been feeling great actually, I did my breakfast out of my bed today dressed up myself and feel a lot better." My mom smiles and looks at me. I return her smile.

"That's good to hear Olivia, now I just need to do some more test to exactly access your condition." She says

Dr Shaneera presses the intercom and Fari comes inside.

" Fari, take miss Olivia for her blood tests Please. I need to discuss somethings with Ameerah over here." she instructs her. The assistant nods and takes my mom with her. Now I am alone with Dr Shaneera.

" Is she gonna be alright?" I ask her. " A day ago her condition was getting worse but today suddenly she has all this energy and looks like she is gonna be ok." I say with hope.

"Ameerah you are a strong woman and what you are going through is very hard she is in her last stage of lung cancer I tried everything, every magical healing, every technology but a human's body is weak." She says while holding my hand.

"I don't understand she looks better, she feels better. What are you trying to say?" I say with a sad voice. There must be mistake she doesn't mean what I think she does.

"Ameerah sometimes people feel a surge of energy in their body before they die, you think they are getting better but after a while they get worse." She explains.

" what do you mean? Are you saying you are giving up on her? You are my last hope everyone said that you are the b..best and t..that you can b..bring people from the d...dead. don't plz d… don't give up on he…her" I am crying and the words break when they leave my mouth, I don't cry I never do but her words are piercing my heart.

"Ameerah my child don't cry plz you have to be strong for your mom, for your brother, I am so sorry that you have to go through this, I wish I could do more but I've done all I can, I am afraid she doesn't have much time. " she pulls me into a hug and tries to soothe me.

"I don't know what to do? I told Gabe she'll get okay? I….I have money I saved it for her treatment I…I don't know what to tell him …. How will we live if she is gone…how will I live if she is g….gone." I start hyperventilating and stand up from my seat and Dr Shaneera tries to help me, she asks me to take quick breaths into a paper bag. After I start breathing steadily she sits me down on the chair again.

" Ameerah you are not alone. You have your brother and He is a very smart kid. My advice to you will be to make the best of this little time you have with her. Ameerah you are a very strong woman you cannot break like this." She tells me. I am quite for a while and try to calm down.

My mom comes in and I quickly clean my tears and smile up at her.

" You are back " I say.

" Is something wrong you look like you were crying." My mom asks with a worried look on her face.

" No mom I think I am getting down with a flu." I say with a happy expression.

" Dr Shaneera if we are done with the tests then we'll be leaving Ameerah has to get to her university," my mom says.

" Yes Olivia we are done with the test. You guys can leave." She says.

" Come on Ameerah you don't wanna be late for your class you have to submit your assignment today right?," she says.

After we are out of the hospital I face my mom I don't want to leave her,I am not an emotional person but I want to hold my mother tightly in my arms and then cry and cry and cry so much that there are no more tears in my eyes instead I smile at her and pull her into a hug.

" Mom what do you say I ditch my class today and you and I have some mother daughter time?" I ask her while raising my eyebrows at her.

" Nope not happening I let you do everything and I listen to your every demand but if you leave you classes for me Meerah I'll never forgive myself. You make no compromise on my health and I make no compromise on your studies so you need to go to your university understand. " she explains in a strict tone.

" Alright I'll go but before university how about we have THAT." I point towards the ice-cream truck with a grin on my face.

" Didn't you just say that you were coming down with a flu a…and you never let me have ice cream." She says with an annoyed expression on her face that makes her look younger than she is.

" Come on Mom I don't remember the last time you and I had ice-cream together, I still have some time anywas. Do you remember we used to go to the park that was far from our home, twice a week because it had our favorite ice cream flavor. I miss that time." I remind her.

She looks at me for a while and then says, " I remember Meerah you have been so serious ever since …you know I got sick that I thought you forgot all those times…. You became a different person."

I frown after realizing that in order to get her better I haven't actually spend time with her, I am always working and she must have missed me and I have missed her but I am not going to waste anymore time that I can have with her. I then smile at her and take her hand in my hand and start swinging it exactly as I used to when I was young.

" let's go mom let's live a little." I tell her. She smiles brightly at me like a child and my heart swells. We reach the truck.

" Two butterscotch cones plz. " she says loudly and giggles. We eat until we feel sick of it, all the while laughing at my silly habits of when I was young and she was healthy and strong.

I wish I could turn back time, I wish we knew about her sickness before it got worse but I don't let those thought take away our moment together because I can't turn back time.

I take my Mom home she feels tired and sleeps and I leave for my university.