Chapter 8

Her vision was blurry. She coughed a few times. Her eyes were heavy. She was in her room. 

"Water," she weakly said.

Someone poured a glass of water for her. She saw her mother. She was sitting on her bed.

"Mom?!," she said. 

"Wren, stay still. Don't move," her mother said.

"But I wanna drink the water. I'll have to sit," she said. 

"Oh. Oh yeah, sit, sit," her mother said. 

Her hand shaked as she tried to pick up the glass. 

"Don't. I'll help you," her mom said. 

She rested her head on the headrest behind her as her mother helped her drink the water. 

"Mom, I'm sorry," Wren said. 

Her mother's eyes widened. 

"For what, Wren?," she asked. 

"For going to the hospital without telling you. I had Jay with me but it's not his fault, mom. It's only my fault," she answered.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke. She lay down in bed again. 

"Mom, I don't think I'll ever wanna go outside again," Wren said. 

"See? That's why I always told you that the world was a dangerous place when you were a kid. You understand now?," her mom said. 

"Yeah, but I'm so scared, mom. It's as if I'll be killed anytime if Mr. Xu or Jay are not there," she said. 

"Jay? You talk a lot about him now," her mom said. 

"So what?," Wren said as she blushed. 

"You always said you won't marry him. Right? What happened now?," her mom said, laughing. 

"Mom, stop!," she said.

She blushed, turning to her side.

"Oh, someone's shy now," she said. 

"Mom! Please leave!," Wren said. 

"Oh, should I send Jay in? Would you like that?," she said. 

"Mom, please!," Wren said. 

She turned and started laughing. 

"I never thought you could be this fun," she said. 

"Well, we never talked," she said. 

"We should, a lot more now. I'd love it," Wren said. 

"Same here, sweetie. Go to sleep now," she said, smiling. 

"But, I just woke up!," Wren said.

"Do you know what time it is?," she said. 

"What time is it?," Wren asked. 

"It's three in the morning!," she said. 

"What?! Why aren't you sleeping, then? Why are you here in my room, then?," Wren said. 

"Oh, my poor girl! How can I tell you how tough it is for a mother when her child goes through pain? I was worried about you. I'm sorry I've never showed it to you so much but you're my own flesh and blood! How could I not worry?," she said.

Wren laughed.

"Thank you, mom. I love you! Now go to sleep!," Wren said.

"That's my girl! Love you too, Wren! I'm leaving. Good night or rather good morning!," she said, smiling.