THE ACCIDENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
When Velaria finally opened her eyes again, the first thing she noticed was the smell. It was sharp, clean, and cold…the kind of smell that only hospitals have. The room was quiet except for the steady beeping of machines beside her bed. A soft light glowed above, and everything felt strangely blurry.
Her head hurt. Her body felt heavy, as if someone had placed stones on her arms and legs.
Velaria tried to move, but pain shot through her side. She let out a weak gasp. A nurse quickly leaned over her.
"Velaria?" the nurse said gently, her voice warm and calm. "You're awake."
Velaria blinked slowly, trying to understand where she was. Her throat burned when she tried to speak. She pushed herself up slightly, wincing as pain spread through her body. The nurse helped her sit up a little.
Velaria looked down. Her head was wrapped in a bandage. Her left elbow was bandaged too. Her right ankle was tightly wrapped. For a moment, she just stared at them, confused. Then suddenly, memories rushed back.
The car, the loud crash… Her parents. Her eyes widened.
"Where… where is my mom?" she whispered hoarsely. Her lips trembled as she forced out the next words. "My dad…?"
The nurse's gentle smile faded. Her eyes softened with something Velaria couldn't quite understand. Sadness. Deep sadness. She slowly knelt beside the bed.
"Velaria…" she said softly. "I'm so sorry."
Velaria's heart began to pound. "Your parents… they didn't make it. The accident…"
The words felt like they fell into the room and shattered. Velaria blinked. Once. Twice. Her stomach dropped.
"No," she muttered weakly. Her voice trembled. "No… what do you mean?" "They're… they're okay…"
The nurse gently placed a hand on her arm. "Sweetheart, I know this is very hard to hear. But you're safe now. The doctors have been taking care of you."
Velaria's body started shaking. Her mind refused to accept what she had just heard. "No…" Her voice broke. "I want my mommy." Her breathing grew shaky. "I want my daddy…"
The nurse pulled a chair closer and sat beside her. But Velaria didn't cry loudly. She just curled into herself, hugging the thin hospital blanket and whispering the same words over and over. "I want my mommy… I want my daddy…"
It had been a month since the accident. For thirty long days, Velaria had been lying in that hospital bed in a coma while doctors worked desperately to save the family. They had tried everything, but her parents never woke up. Velaria was the only one who survived.
A few minutes later, the hospital door opened quietly. A tall man stepped inside. He had calm eyes and a gentle face. He stood near the bed for a moment before speaking.
"Hello, Velaria." His voice was soft. "My name is Raymond Williams." He paused slightly. "I was your father's friend."
Velaria slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She stared at him as if trying to remember something. He walked closer and gave her a small reassuring smile.
"How are you feeling, dear?" he asked kindly. "I spoke with the doctors. They said your injuries are healing well. Once they're fully healed, you'll be discharged soon."
Velaria's lips trembled again. Tears began rolling down her cheeks. "Where is my mom and dad?" she cried suddenly. "I want to go home!" Her voice rose into a heartbreaking sob. "I want to go home!"
The nurses quickly rushed in, trying to calm her down, so her injuries wouldn't worsen. It took a long time before Velaria finally stopped crying. But even then, tears continued to slide silently down her face.
Velaria's father, Mr. Lopez, had been an only child. Her mother had a younger brother who lived overseas and couldn't return immediately. So there was no close family nearby to care for Velaria. Except one person. Mr. Raymond Williams. A trusted friend her father had known for many years.
Velaria had never met him in person before, but she remembered hearing her father talk to him on the phone sometimes. Now he was the only person she had left.
For days, Velaria cried. Morning. Afternoon. Night. She kept hoping someone would walk through the door and tell her it had all been a mistake. That her parents were alive. That she could go back home. But no one ever said that.
Sometimes she thought about Dylan too. She wondered if he was looking for her. But she had no means of getting his contact. No way to reach him.
Two weeks later, the doctors said she was ready to leave the hospital. Her injuries had healed enough. Raymond Williams handled all the hospital bills and arranged everything for her discharge.
He had also visited her home to collect her luggage and, with the hospital's assistance, managed the funeral of her parents.
That morning, Velaria packed her small suitcase quietly. Inside were her clothes, a few drawings, and the few things that remained from her old life.
Then she opened one small bag and saw it. The red box. The one Dylan had given her. Her heart felt a little lighter when she held it.
"You're… going to take care of me?" she asked Raymond quietly.
"Yes," he said gently. "You'll be staying with my family for now. Your other relatives are far away."
Velaria nodded slowly. She didn't say anything else. Soon she was helped into the car and driven away from the hospital.
The house Raymond brought her into was quite huge. Velaria's eyes widened as the tall gates opened. The driveway stretched far ahead.
The floors inside the house shone and the furniture looked expensive. She had never seen a house like it compared to her modest home.
Mrs Williams, Raymond's wife, stood near the staircase, tall, composed, her expression unreadable. She had been informed that a child of his close friend would be coming to stay in their home.
"This is Velaria," Uncle Raymond said softly. "She'll be staying here."
Mrs Williams' eyes swept over Velaria, assessing her as one might inspect a delicate object. "I see," she said, her voice calm but sharp.
"Welcome home, Velaria," Mrs. Williams said, her lips forming a practiced smile. Behind her, four children peeked curiously, some friendly, some scornful.
"Uh… thank you," Velaria whispered, holding her small red box tightly against her chest.
"Oh, she's so tiny!" the eldest daughter, who was about two years older than her, exclaimed in a syrupy voice. "Don't be shy, ." Vera gave a small nod, uncertain. "H-hello…"
Her new brother hardly looked at her. The twins hid behind their mother's legs, whispering and giggling.
The first few hours passed in a blur.
Mr. Williams led her to a small room upstairs, modestly furnished compared to the rest of the house.
"This will be your room," he said kindly. "I've made sure you have everything you need."
Velaria peeked inside. The bed was small, and the sheets were thin and old. A single dresser stood in the corner. She pressed her red box to her chest. "Thank you," she whispered.
Mrs. Williams stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You'll keep this room clean, understand? And wear the clothes I provide."
Velaria nodded. "Yes… ma'am."
Mr. Williams seemed unaware of the sharp tone in his wife's voice.
Later that evening, Velaria followed them downstairs for dinner. But just as she approached the dining room, Mrs. Williams stopped her. "You'll eat in the kitchen tonight," she said calmly. "We don't mix guests with the family table."
Velaria froze. But before she could respond, another voice interrupted. "No, she won't."
Raymond had just entered the dining room. "She just came from the hospital. She needs proper food and care."
Mrs. Williams forced a tight smile. "Fine." Velaria quietly sat at the table. Everyone stared at her. Some curious. Some cold. She picked at her food carefully. The uncomfortable silence made her lose her appetite, but she forced herself to eat. Mrs. Williams' sharp eyes were watching.
After dinner, Velaria returned to her room and began unpacking. Suddenly, the door opened. The other children stepped inside. They looked around the room, whispering and giggling.
"What are all these?" the eldest daughter scoffed, pointing at her things. "She thinks she has fancy stuff." Another child snickered. "You'll never be one of us."
Velaria stayed quiet, clutching the red box tightly. Just then, Raymond entered the room. "That's enough," he said firmly. "Leave her alone. Go to your rooms, will you?
The children quickly left. Raymond gently patted Velaria's hair. "Don't mind them," he said kindly. "You'll get used to things here." Valeria nodded.
Then he left the room and closed the door softly.
Velaria sat on the bed alone. She held the red box tightly against her chest. Her eyes filled with tears again. Dylan said," I'm brave," she whispered quietly. "So… I'll be okay."
Slowly, exhausted from everything, Velaria lay down and drifted into sleep.