Kaira started hearing voices in her head. They screamed fear, pain, despair. She held her head, trying to find something to hold on to, but unfortunately, she fell down. It was then Jerome ran in. He quickly rushed to Kaira's side.
"Let's get her to the hospital," Jerome said, and that was the last thing she knew.
She opened her eyes days later to the scent of antiseptic and the sound of Alisha's cries.
"I only wanted her to make new friends. I could never hurt Kaira," she wept.
The room fell silent as everyone noticed that Kaira had woken up. Her mother, Jerome, and Alisha hurried to her side.
"Can you see me, Kaira?" Jerome asked, holding her hand. She nodded under the oxygen mask with a faint smile.
Her mother pushed Jerome away and made to hold her hand, but Kaira turned to the other side as if she had seen nothing. Her mother recoiled, guilt clouding her face. A nurse came in and removed Kaira's oxygen mask after checking her vitals. She relayed the doctor's message for her to see him in his office. Her mother stood up immediately and went out, leaving only the creak of the door behind.
Kaira stared at Alisha as if trying to tell her something, but guilt and conscience made Alisha cry even more. Her eyes were swollen and red, and her blouse was stained with already dried blood. Alisha was about to say something when the door creaked again. Kaira's mother came in holding a stapled sheet that looked like a test result.
"Kaira… Mom is sorry," her mother said, her voice heavy with sadness. All Kaira did was stare blankly and turn back to the white wall.
Her mother slowly placed the paper on the table beside her bed. Jerome took it hurriedly, his face turning pale as he scanned through it, his eyes restless and his hands trembling.
"Findings consistent with adenocarcinoma of the right lung, Stage II."
The paper slipped from his hand and dropped to the floor. Alisha screamed, covering her mouth as more tears fell.
"No! No! This can't be true!" she gasped.
Even then, Kaira remained calm, staring blankly at the wall.
Her mother made to touch her again, but she barked,
"Don't touch me! Don't!"
"Kaira, Mom is sorry," her mother cried.
"You weren't sorry when you weren't there for me. Mom, I wanted your love. I wanted you to hug me when it wasn't all good, but what did you do?" she shouted, even though she was just recovering.
"You wanted me to be a perfect child with no flaws. Here I am! That Kaira you always wanted! You cost me my sleep, my everything. All you care about is that damn school result!" she cried, her voice shaking.
"I… I fought alone… every night…" Kaira's voice broke as a wet, metallic cough ripped from her chest. Blood streaked her lips and sheets. She gasped, shivering violently. "Do you… see that?! I fought alone while all of you abandoned me!"
Jerome pressed a hand to her shoulder. "Breathe, Kaira… just breathe…"
Her body convulsed with another violent coughing fit. Blood poured over her hands and bed. Her fingers clawed at the sheets as her lungs heaved with the effort to survive.
"You… you… could have been there! For me… when I needed you!" she rasped to Alisha and her mother, words breaking between gasps. "I… wanted… love… care… not… abandonment!"
Another fit overtook her. Blood ran freely as her body trembled, her voice growing weaker. She coughed again and again, her chest straining. Jerome tried to steady her, whispering, "Stay with me, Kaira… don't leave me…"
Her mother reached out. Kaira's glare burned, fierce despite her weakness. "I hate you mummmmm!" She shouted with rage burning in her eyes.
Finally, the coughing fit exhausted her. Her body went limp. Jerome's hands shook as he called for help. The nurse hit the emergency button.
From this moment, Kaira was silent. She could no longer speak. She could only gasp, convulse, and struggle for each breath as the medical team worked frantically.
Oxygen was applied. Chest compressions began. Monitors beeped frantically. Adrenaline was drawn and injected.
"Push harder! Compressions! Another dose of adrenaline!" the doctor shouted.
Minutes passed in desperate chaos. Her mother collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Alisha fainted. Every second stretched endlessly.
Finally, the doctor's voice cut through the room.
"Time of death."
The ward fell silent, suffocating. Kaira's body lay limp, drenched in the evidence of her struggle. But her fire, the rage, defiance, dreams lingered even in stillness.
Some bodies may die, but a fire that burns with rage, defiance, and unbroken dreams can never be fully extinguished.