Chapters 14 - Unknown - Part 2

***Confused***

“You have some fractures and abrasions on your body, as well as broken ribs. We'll put your arm in a cast and place it in this bag to keep it from getting wet,” she puts the rolled bandage on the sink and brings the plastic bag. I did as she told me and headed to the shower. She helps me, and the water feels delightful.

After finishing the shower and enduring excruciating pain from the bandage on my ribs, I put on a yellow floral nightgown that Evelyn told me she bought when she saw it in a store near the hospital, saying it's perfect for me. I actually like it. I leave the bathroom, and Evelyn isn't in the room. Only her husband approaches me and extends his hand.

“I'll help you, Ayumi,” he says, and I take his hand. He assists me in getting to the bed. “Now behave and rest, young lady!” I smile at that and receive a kiss on the forehead. “We'll take care of you, Ayumi. Don't worry, that monster won't lay a finger on you.”

I'm confused by what he said and asked, “What monster? What are you talking about?” At that moment, the door opens and Evelyn enters.

“How are you feeling, Ayumi?”

“I feel refreshed,” she and Paul smile, and he goes over to the television.

“What do you want to watch?”

“I like romantic comedies.”

“I'll look for one,” he starts searching for the movie channel.

“I've already informed your parents that she's awake, and they're coming here with Thom.”

“Thom?” I speak up as soon as I hear his name.

“Yes, my son, and he's very excited to meet his new aunt,” she says joyfully, and I smile at that.

“I'm glad to be welcomed by a family that cares about me and seems to like me, even though they don't know me.”

A nurse enters, coming towards me.

“Miss Samira, I'm going to give you some pain medication, and…”

“My name is not Samira, it's Ayumi,” I interrupt before she calls me Samira.

I saw the nurse look at Evelyn and then at me. She seems a bit confused and goes to the head of my bed, looking at the name “Samira Williams” written there. She administers the medication, apologizes, and leaves. Evelyn comes and sits in the armchair next to me.

“Ayumi, I'm a bit hesitant about something,” she signals with a nod to continue talking, and she proceeds. “I'm sorry about this, Ayumi. It's as I mentioned before, we needed to give you a name, and since we couldn't find any identification, I chose this name, making you my younger sister.”

“I don't mind having an older sister. I love having a sister, a nephew, and even a brother-in-law,” I smile.

“But I love my name so much, and Samira doesn't suit me, but I like the Williams part.”

“We can fix that,” she winks at me, smiling, and we turn our attention to the television.

We watch the movie that Paul found, have a snack, and I end up falling asleep.

•••••••• 🌺🦋🌺 ••••••••

I wake up to a gentle touch on my face, and as soon as I open my eyes, I see a beautiful little boy who looks like an angel. He has green eyes, brown hair, and fair skin. I smile at him.

“Mama, Auntie woke up! Hello, Auntie, my name is Thom, and you're so pretty. You look like my great-grandma,” he says, and I smile at his way of speaking.

“Pleasure to meet you, Thom. My name is Ayumi, and thank you, you're beautiful too,” I reply. He smiles, and I see two dimples appear. Evelyn approaches, tousling his hair, making him smile.

“He was getting impatient to see his beautiful sleeping auntie,” she says. He smiles at me and lies down beside me, gently caressing my hair. It feels so nice. At that moment, the door opens, and an elderly couple enters. They smile at me, come closer to the bed, and Evelyn speaks.

“Ayumi, this is my mother-in-law, Linda, and this is my father-in-law, Jonas.”

“Pleasure to meet you. My name is Ayumi.”

“The pleasure is all mine, and you're beautiful, Ayumi. From now on, we're here for you, and you're already part of our family,” Linda replies. Tears fill my eyes because now I'm no longer alone, and Jonas says, “I echo Linda's words. Welcome to our family, Ayumi.”

“Thank you so much for welcoming me,” I say sincerely.

We have a heartfelt conversation, and Thom falls asleep next to me. I adore that little one, and I feel much better when he's around. They leave, and only Evelyn and I remain. Even though I haven't left this bed all day, I feel tired and end up falling asleep. My night is restless, filled with disjointed scenes in my dreams. I wake up to Evelyn stroking my hair, and that simple gesture fills me with happiness.

The morning seemed to pass slower than usual. I went through a series of examinations, being shuffled from one place to another, poked here and there. I felt like I was being turned inside out, and it was starting to irritate me. Now I had to wait for Evelyn to come back to find out if I could finally eat something, I said impatiently as she entered the room with a smile.

“Can I eat now? I'm starving,” I asked.

“Your lunch will be served soon. Just a little while longer,” she replied, walking to the cupboard and pulling out a suitcase that I had no idea was there.

“I'm going to starve to death like this!”

“Stop complaining, young lady. I'll get you a fresh gown. A nurse will come to help you with your bath,” she said, placing my belongings on top of the suitcase. She walked towards me, and we heard a knock on the door.

“It must be the nurse who came to assist you with your bath, Yumi,” she said as the door opened. I turned around and found Dr. Simon standing there.

“Good morning, Miss Williams,” he greeted me with a smile. I smiled back, but as I was about to respond, I noticed a pair of wide, startled green eyes staring at me.