Chapter 1.
Alvina rubbed her fingers together sadly as she made her way to the hospital room. Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest and her eyes were filled with tears. The dark circles under her eyes clearly indicated that she hadn't slept a wink last night.
With a heavy heart she opened the hospital room and she felt very relieved to find her mother sleeping soundly on her hospital bed. The doctors had told her last night her mother might not live to see the next day. But a miracle had happened. Her mother was still alive.
Her eyes lit up and she called out her mother as she held her cold palms in her warm ones.
"Mother"
"Alvina" her mother called out weakly as she opened her tired eyes. Her gray hair was messy and her face was calm but that could not hide the woman's lasting beauty.
"Mother, how are you feeling?" Alvina asked worriedly as she rubbed her fingers on her mother's cheek. Grace smiled warmly and brushed her fingers through Alvina's hair.
'how can I not be ok when you make nutritious soups for me all day"
Alvina smiled at her mother's words and replied.
"It's all thanks to the doctor's Mother, especially Doctor Daniel, he's been So nice and kind to us"
Grace nodded at her daughter's words but insisted.
"I'm still hanging on just because of your nutritious soups"
Alvina laughed at her mother's words but couldn't argue with her. When her mother got married to Andy she moved to the city, leaving her with her grandmother.
Her grandmother was an exceptional barefoot doctor and she had learnt medicine from her.
"Ok now mum, you should rest, I'll go have a word with Doctor Daniel."
Her mother agreed and went back to sleep. Alvina stared at her mother's peaceful face and felt like crying. Even though her mother was trying to appear healthy before her, she could tell better than anyone, her condition was worsening daily.
Alvina sighed wearily and kissed her cheeks before stepping out.
"Hello Doctor Daniel" Alvina greeted as she stepped into his office.
"Hii Alvina, how are you doing? " Doctor Daniel's eyes lit up as he asked Alvina and everyone around him could tell he was deeply in love with Alvina except for Alvina herself who didn't seem to notice.
"I'm good Doctor Daniel, you seem busy, should I wait outside "? Alvina asked in her always calm voice and Doctor Daniel quickly excused the nurses around him, making room for Alvina.
"Can we talk outside"??
Sure, Alvina agreed and they made their way outside.
As Alvina walked to the cafe, a biting winter wind slapped against her face, icy fingers stinging her cheeks and nose. The gust was sharp and unforgiving carrying the crisp scent of frost and snow.
She dipped her fingers in her coat and smiled bitterly.
The cup of hot coffee gave Alvina some warmth and she sipped on it quietly, clearly showing she had a lot on her mind.
Doctor Daniel stared at the young girl's pale face which seemed to be covered in slightly thick make up but her beauty could not be hidden.
After some time he couldn't help but ask, "why do you always hide your face in thick makeup"??
Alvina raised her head and her clear crystal eyes fell on Daniel, making his heart skip a bit.
Then Alvina laughed and replied calmly.
"Isn't it obvious I'm trying to hide my ugly face, I'm tired of people mocking me"
Doctor Daniel stared at her for few seconds before replying honestly," but you don't look like an ugly person"
Alvina laughed again and smiled.
"Then I should thank Doctor Daniel for the compliment."
Daniel sighed lightly and nodded.
The both of them remained silent and quietly sipped on the coffee, suddenly Alvina asked,
"How long can my mother live? I know she doesn't have much time and I still haven't gathered the money for the surgery."
As she spoke there was a hint of pain and sadness in her calm voice as she looked outside the window, staring at the bustling crowd outside, her eyes filled with an overwhelming loneliness.
Daniel's heart ached and he reached out his hands to comfort her but Alvina suddenly stared at him and he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Alvina, your mum is a strong woman, for a normal person I would say two weeks but your mum seems to be fighting really hard and I could tell your herbal medicines are really working but she only has a month left".
Alvina didn't seem surprised by Doctor Daniel's words, she had already known but she just wanted to confirm.
She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment.
Daniel stared at the girl's calm expression and only felt sadder. A lot of people would have wailed and caused a scene if they heard their mother had just a month left to live but here she was, surprisingly calm in the storm.
What did a little girl like her have to go through to become this strong.
"Alvina you can cry if you want, it's ok to do so, you don't have to act strong always, tears makes us feel better"
Alvina could sense the genuine worry in Doctor Daniel's voice and she smiled faintly as she opened her eyes.
In this world, you would only find a few people who genuinely care about you and she felt grateful to find one.
"Thanks for everything Doctor Daniel, I'll try to gather the money sooner"
"Alright, Alvina, I'll take care of your mother"
Alvina nodded at doctor Daniel's words before making her way out of the cafe.
Daniel stared at the girls back and sighed.
She loved her So deeply yet she can't see, it's quite funny.
Alvina flung down a cab and went straight to Mayler's Mansion. Her mother was sick yet that father of her Happily got married and was living a good life.
There was nowhere else she could get her mother's surgery money from it, not from her father.
Even if he was heartless, he wouldn't refuse his wife's hospital expenses.
She had vowed never to return to that filthy family but now she had no choice.