Jun and Mika stepped out of the cab in front of the hospital. Jun took a light breath and looked at Mika,"Let's go."
He started walking ahead. Mika quietly held his hand and walked beside him. Within a few moments, they reached the hospital room.
Inside, Steven and Shreya were talking to the doctor. Jun and Mika stopped silently near the door. The doctor spoke in a serious tone.
"Look, Mr. Steven… honestly, we don't know how long it will take for her to recover."
Silence filled the room.
"For the past nine years, her condition has remained stable, but she is still in a coma. How long this will continue… it's very difficult to predict."
Shreya tried to hold back her tears.
The doctor continued,"But we are doing everything we can from our side."
Steven slowly nodded then Jun stepped forward.
"Uncle Sam… is there really no other way?" he asked directly.
Shreya looked at Mika and suddenly hugged her tightly. She was crying. Mika held her firmly.
"It's okay," Mika whispered softly.
Doctor Sam turned to Jun,"My boy, I know you're worried," he said gently,"If there was any other way, I would have told you already."
Jun lowered his eyes.
"But don't worry," Doctor Sam added,"She will recover."
After that, Doctor Sam left the room.
Now only Jun, Mika, Shreya, Steven, and Alice remained in the room. Steven looked at Mika.
"Daughter," he asked calmly,"When are you both leaving?"
Jun answered,"Next month."
Steven didn't respond immediately. He simply looked at Jun. Mika hesitated for a moment, then spoke,"Uncle… can I stay with you all until Aunt recovers?"
Steven was about to refuse,"No, Mika, don't worry. Jun and Shreya are here. You should help your dad, Frank."
Mika replied firmly,"Uncle, Dad himself told me to help you."
Steven paused, he wanted to refuse. But Shreya softly said,"Dad… please let her stay."
Steven finally exhaled.
"Alright," he said,"But ask your dad once again before coming."
Mika smiled lightly,"Yes, Uncle."
For a while, they all sat quietly and talked. After some time, Shreya said to Mika,"Let's go."
Jun took one more look at his mother. The machines were still beeping. As if time had frozen there. Mika and Shreya left the room. Jun and Steven remained seated for a few more moments.
Steven looked at Jun,"Jun… are you really going on a world tour? Or is this some kind of moon mission with Frank?"
Jun looked at his father.
"Dad… I don't know what I should do," he said honestly,"But even if I didn't want to, I had to say yes. For Mom, for Shreya, and how can I forget what uncle told you about mother?"
Steven stayed silent for a moment. Then he said,"Jun, if you feel you're not ready for this… you can refuse."
Jun nodded slowly,"Dad, I'm going home to train. Please stay here with Mom."
"And about the money… Uncle Frank said he doesn't want any payment. He only needs some samples from there. I can sell the rest of what I bring and collect money."
Steven replied,"Alright. But don't trouble him too much."
"Yes, Dad,"Jun said and left the hospital and got into a cab. Inside the room, only silence remained.