Nyra picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
Gasps and muffled sobs came through the other end. Nyra was confused, unsure of what was going on.
"Kira" Nyra called
"Kira!"
Still no clear response, only quiet sobbing. Fear began to creep in. What was happening? Why was her sister crying like this?
"Kira, can you hear me? What's going on?"
"Nyra — " Kira tried to speak but her voice cracked with tears.
"Kira what's going on?"
"Nyra, it's mom" — the sobs grew louder, nearly breaking through.
"Kira what are you talking about? Did something happen to mom?"
"She collapsed, we just got to the hospital and the doctors said she's in critical condition, what are we going to do?"
The phone in Nyra's hand suddenly felt unbearably heavy, trembling as her sister's fragile voice cut through her like a sharp blade.
"Mom collapsed… Nyra, you have to come quickly. Please."
Her breath caught. Tears blurred her vision. "I'm coming," she whispered, barely able to hold the phone steady.
In that moment, the world shrank until nothing else existed but the urgency in Kira's voice. The bottle of drink slipped from Nyra's hand crashing to the ground and spilling everywhere, her heart pounded in her chest as she called for a cab.
At the hospital, the sterile white walls and the faint hum of machines surrounded her like a suffocating fog. Nurses moved quickly, voices hushed but urgent, all too aware of the fragile life hanging in balance.
Her mother lay pale and still on the hospital bed, eyes closed, the steady beep of the machines the only sound filling the room. The woman who had been the quiet strength of their small family was suddenly so fragile, so vulnerable.
Nyra stepped closer, tears streamed freely down her face as she reached for her mother's hand.
"mom…" she whispered, her voice breaking. Tears poured down her cheeks as she sobbed quietly, silently praying for her mother's recovery.
Her sister approached, her own eyes red and swollen from crying. Without a word, they clung to each other, the weight of fear and helplessness tightening around them.
The doctor's voice cut through the silence, calm but heavy.
"Your mother needs surgery as soon as possible. The cost will be significantly."
Nyra's chest tightened painfully. They had always managed — just barely. Their father, a Taxi driver, worked tirelessly to support the family. Their mother ran a small chicken restaurant with the occasional help of her daughters. They didn't have much but they didn't lack enough for essential things.
At that moment, their father rushed in, panic etched on his face, fear deep in his eyes.
"I came as soon as I got the call, what did the doctor say?"
"He said mom needs surgery urgently" Kira replied softly, voice trembling, tears still flowing. "But we don't have the money."
"Don't worry" their father said, pulling them into a reassuring hug. "I'll make sure to get the money somehow. I'll find a way. I promise."
Nyra sat down, looking down at her hands, her foot tapped lightly yet repeatedly against the floor as her mind raced, brainstorming possible options to raise money.
Kira broke the silence.
"Why don't we call aunt Nancy, she might help —"
"No" Nyra cut her off immediately. Her tone firm. "that's not an option, leave aunt Nancy out of this. You know of the feud between her and mom" Nyra replied
"who cares about a feud, mom's life is on the line!" Kira roared. Her voice was sharp with fear, anger and frustration.
"do you have a better idea or you suggest we let mom die, huh Nyra?" Kira snapped
Nyra looked up, anger flaring, but she swallowed it back, forcing herself to stay calm. She reminded herself that Kira's words came from fear, not defiance.
"fine, I'll call her but don't expect a positive response" Nyra replied, a heavy sigh escaped her lips as she gave in to her sister's request.