It had been three days since the accident that Selina got involved with together with her friend, Grace. They went on a vacation for the Christmas Holiday at that time, when the bus that they were on collided head-on with the other bus.

Fortunately, she only got minor injuries, and few scratches and stitches on her arms, legs, and head since she was sitting near the window and the seat in front of her somehow helped in stopping her from flying out of her seat. However, Grace, who was sitting near the aisle, suffered more damages and was under comatose.

According to the result of her CT scan, Grace’s skull was damaged when she flew out from her seat to the front glass of the bus, hitting the back of her head badly. Some of her bones were also severely crushed, especially her ribs on the back.

Selina could not help but blame herself for what happened, especially when she saw her friend’s condition at the ICU room where she was confined.

Grace’s face was covered with bruises and her head, as well as her legs, were bandaged with plaster. The only things that were keeping her alive were those tubes and machines that were connected to her.

“The doctor said that you can go home after two more days.” Alysha, Selina’s stepmother, said while peeling the apple for her, returning her thoughts to the present. She came from their town in Pennsylvania and traveled going to New York City when she heard the news that Selina got in an accident; since then, she took care of her.

Alysha, together with her late husband’s mother, Elen, was living separately from Selina ever since she got in a university a year ago in New York City. Even though Selina was staying in an apartment near the school with Grace, they still meet each other during the holidays for family get together.

“I see. How’s Grandma? Who’s taking care of her?” Selina asked in a low and weak voice while seating on her bed.

“I hired a nurse to take care of her for the meantime, but she’s doing great these past few days. She even remembered you and kept asking about you. I guess she misses you.” Alysha gently laughed, which made her daughter felt more at ease.

Selina then faintly smiled. “I’ll give her a call after I got discharged.”

Selina’s grandmother was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease since her father died nine years ago, and it was Alysha who took care of her. It was hard for Selina to leave them alone, but she wanted to fulfill her father’s wish for her – to finish her studies at the university that she liked, which is in New York.

Silence once again filled the room, making it harder for Selina to breathe. The white painted walls and ceiling of her room was suffocating her and made her feel like she was caged and prisoned. I wanted to get out of here quickly. Selina’s thoughts were then cut off when her stepmother spoke again.

“I was not the one who should be telling you this, but I know you want to ask about it too.” She paused for a moment, finding the right words to say as she focused her eyes on the apple in her hands. “According to the doctor, Grace might not wake up anymore. It will all depend on her family if they will keep her in that condition or they will set her free from that agony and pain.”

Selina’s eyes widened in surprise as she listened to her mother’s words and tears started forming on the sides of her eyes. She knew what those words meant even without telling her directly. She saw and knew how worst Grace’s condition was, but she cannot help but ask for a miracle and believe that everything will be alright; that she would still be able to see her friend again.

Alysha gave Selina the peeled apple while looking at her face with pity and worry. She knew how hurt her daughter was because of what happened to her friend – a friend who had been with her for a long time.

Selina did not respond immediately and just stared at the apple with agony in her eyes.

“…She will wake up. I know she will.” She mumbled as she tried to fight back her tears.