chapiter 6: « I miss you..»

In a room where soft light through the curtains, Elie welcomed Elsa with a certain serenity.

"Here is our room; you can rest wherever you want," he said, his soothing tone betraying a slight concern. "You must be tired, right?"

Elsa, visibly exhausted but determined, replied, "I would like to, but I don't have time to rest. I'm going to take a quick shower. I have to go back to the hospital. I'll come back tomorrow morning so we can talk quietly."

"Are you sure? It's getting late!" insisted Elie, his worried gaze fixed on her.

Sadness

"I know! But I can't abandon my family, can I?" Elsa retorted, her voice filled with responsibility.

"As you wish!" Elie said resignedly.

"Well, where are the bathrooms?" she asked, already looking to direct herself to her next task.

"It's next door!" Elie indicated.

"Okay, thanks!" she replied before disappearing into the bathroom.

After a moment of silence, Elsa finally emerged, fresh and ready to leave. She grabbed her bag and declared, "Well, it's time for me to go!"

With a thoughtful expression, Elie added, "I've already called a driver. He'll take you to the hospital and bring you back tomorrow morning."

"Alright, that works for me!" Elsa nodded.

But before she completely left, Elie remembered something important: "And one more thing."

"What?" Elsa asked as she turned around.

"Your number!"

A confused look crossed Elsa's face: "I don't have one!"

"Pardon?" Elie exclaimed.

"I don't have a phone anymore."

Elie nodded in understanding: "I see!"

Elsa then insisted, "But it's really time for me to go. I'm not going to run away, so don't worry about that. See you tomorrow!" She then left, leaving Elie alone in the room.

Elie sighed deeply: "Phew! What a day!" He lay back on the bed and took out his phone to make a call. Unfortunately, he reached the voicemail: "Your correspondent is unavailable or has turned off their mobile phone..." Frustrated, he hung up.

In his swirling thoughts, he said to himself: "I wonder what you're doing right now? I miss you too much! I really want to see you...I miss you!"

Meanwhile, in a cold and impersonal hospital, Elsa sat by the bed where her mother lay unconscious. The sadness in her eyes was palpable as she whispered: "Mom, I'm back!"

Her words were loaded with emotion: "I know you can't hear me yet but... I've really been through a lot today. I even married a man I barely know. Isn't that funny?" A tearful smile appeared on her face as she continued: "But this person might have a lot of money that I need so... I'll put up with him for you and for our family. Just like you put up with Dad all this time for us. I'll do whatever it takes; do you understand? So please come back soon, wake up and don't leave me alone forever. I miss you!" She tenderly wiped her tears with hope.