Hosptalized

“Where am I?” I looked at the big white roof and then at my surroundings to realise I was in a hospital bed. My eyes widened in disbelief that the family who almost let me die in my room sent me to the hospital; it looked unbelievable, and then the door opened.

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“Mia Dear…”

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“Nancy.” I looked at my housemaid, who had worked for a decade and treated me equally to my other siblings. Or I can say, she was more generous and kind with me than my own parents, who talked about equality outside while pushing their own daughter to die like this.

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“How are you feeling, Dear? I am glad you finally woke up.” She sighed in relief, only to be interrupted by me instantly. “Nancy, how did I get here?”

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My hands clenched the blanket as I met her gaze. I knew I should stop, not ask this. But my ridiculous heart still expected to be wronged- that they were too unsympathetic to leave their own daughter.

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“Dear, it was me.” She answered, and I fell silent.

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“What about my family?” I muttered heavily.

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“I called them, but they informed me they were unable to return in the middle of dinner, so I asked my husband, who had come to pick me up at night, and we admitted you to the hospital.”

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Her eyes looked at me pitifully as she knew exactly how heavy those words felt to me.

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I was neglected by my own parents this brutally. But this time, I did not let it sink in, and I put on a fake smile for her.

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“Thank you, Nancy, for helping me.”

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“Dear, you don’t need to thank me. I just did what I needed to do. Now, let me call the doctor.” Nancy didn’t wait for my response and left to get the doctor.

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“Ms Mia, you fainted because of low blood pressure and dehydration from not eating for three days. But I hope you never repeat this.”

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“Getting into an argument with your parents was normal for teenagers, but avoiding food can threaten your health, body and mind. I hope you understand.”

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The doctor’s serious tone hit me, leaving me stunned for a moment before I realised what he meant and interrogated him. “Doctor, who told you that I decided to starve myself?”

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“What? Aren’t you locked yourself in your bedroom and stopped eating? Your maid confirmed that while admitting you. Was that not true?” The doctor raised his brows in suspicion.

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I fell silent, knowing exactly what was happening, when suddenly a low, mocking laugh escaped my mouth, before rejecting everything boldly, “No, my parents locked me after I refused to apologise to my younger sister. As punishment, I was kept without food and water for three days. And when I still denied them, they left me dying to have dinner with my siblings.”

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“What?” Doctor astounded. “How could they do that? Leaving their daughter to die?” “You should file the case against them!” He spoke angrily.

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I chuckled sadly, “Doctor, I am still not in a position to take that step, but yes, I will never let this happen again.”

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The doctor nodded smartly. “Alright. But if you need any help, you can always use your medical report. If you want, I can also stand as a witness.”

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“Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate your kindness.” I nodded in agreement, knowing it would be needed in the near future.

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“Dear, I apologised for lying. But Madam threatened me with my job.” Nancy looked down at the ground and sobbed, while I didn’t even feel rage about it anymore. “I understand. I am not angry with you.”

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“Thank you, Dear.” She wiped the tears, and I sighed.

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We were both ready to leave the main hospital door when a loud voice stopped us.

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“Ma’am, please stop.”

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I turned and saw the nurse rush to me.

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“Yes, Sister.”

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“Ma’am, your bill is still unpaid. I regret to inform you, but you are not approved to leave without paying it.” Her voice got thicker with every word.

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I glanced at the bill in her hand and returned my gaze to Nancy, who looked as shocked as I did, before speaking in a stammering tone, “I-I sent Madam the details to pay online.”

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I pressed my lips tightly; a dull ache settled inside my chest. “It’s okay. I will pay it myself.”

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“Yeah, sure.” The nurse showed me the QR, and I immediately paid it with my small savings.

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The savings I earned through a part-time cafe job during my last summer vacation, when my family went on a trip without me. They didn’t have enough tickets for me, and Ashley was so excited to go.

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They worried I would spoil their trip just because they didn’t take me with them. So, with a dejected heart, I let them go and joined this job.

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To console myself, I acted like it was alright, but I cried every night about being left alone. When they returned, they didn’t even bring me a single gift, excusing themselves by saying they forgot about it, while their favourite daughter wore everything brand new from head to toe. Name one thing, and it was there, while I was forced to use her old stuff- clothes and shoes without anything brand new for long.

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In the past, I always wanted to ask them why they treated me like this. But as time passed, it became clear they simply chose to neglect me and never bothered to care about my emotions.

Their whole world only revolved around Ashley. They don’t need another daughter.

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“Thank you for the payment. You can leave now.” The nurse was gone, and Nancy stood next to me, looking guilty, avoiding my gaze and saying a word. But I stayed firm and walked with my head high, since now I had the bills as proof of their negligence.

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“Ms Mia, you should rest.” Nancy stared at me as we entered the house, but the moment I opened my mouth to respond, Paul’s harsh voice rose in front of me.

 

“Mom, look who came home after spoiling our dinner!”

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