Chapter 20
Twenty
Shyriq broke the speed limit to get to the hospital.
He pulled into the parking lot and snagged a spot near the front.
Before he had fully parked the car, Nhuri was out and sprinting toward the entrance.
Shyriq caught up to her as Nhuri rushed through the automatic doors.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she approached the receptionist’s desk.
“Hi. Excuse me. My sister was brought in, and my niece said she was inside a room waiting for me,” she rushed out.
Shyriq placed his palm against her back, rubbing it soothingly.
The nurse at the desk gave an empathetic smile. “Good evening. Please give me your sister’s name.”
“Natalia Coleman. My niece’s name is Raniya Stewart.”
She typed in some information, scanned the screen, and told Nhuri to give her one second.
Nhuri exhaled and calmed a bit as Shyriq massaged her shoulders.
Having him here made her realize how lonely she’d been in her relationship with Dru.
He wasn’t as comforting and only cared about himself at some point.
“Yes, the sister just arrived. Yes, we’ll have her go right up. Yep, a few minutes. Okay, no problem. Thank you,” the nurse said to whomever she was speaking with.
Nhuri was tuned in, waiting. “Which floor?”
“You’ll need to go to the seventh floor, but I’ll need some identification first.”
“Of course,” Nhuri said, frantically unfastening her clutch and searching for her license.
Shyriq did the same, and they handed them over.
After placing their names in the system, the nurse returned their licenses.
Since it was after hours, they had to be buzzed through a door.
Once on the elevator, Nhuri couldn’t help but bite the inside of her lips as her nerves got the best of her.
Like before, Shyriq’s hand soothingly brought her some peace.
The sterile disinfectant scent filled her nostrils as she scanned the waiting area. Spotting Raniya curled up in one of the stiff chairs with a blanket around her, Nhuri rushed over. The woman beside her stood from her seat.
“Niy,” Nhuri called.
Raniya’s head snapped up at the sound of her auntie’s soft voice, even though panic raged inside her.
Her tear-streaked face crumpled with relief as they embraced. “TT!” She launched herself into Nhuri’s arms and gripped her tightly.
Nhuri held her just as fiercely, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’m here, okay? You did so good calling 911.”
Raniya sniffled. “Mommy wouldn’t wake up right. She was sweating and breathing funny, and I didn’t know what to do.” She shrugged, but she had done the absolute best thing.
Nhuri swallowed the lump in her throat and smoothed a hand down Raniya’s back. “You did the right thing, baby girl. She’s in the best place now.”
They hugged again, and Nhuri couldn’t help but notice her racing heart. She rocked them side to side with her eyes closed before she peeled them open at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Nhuri glanced at the woman who’d been sitting down.
“Hi. My name is Misty. I’m the social worker on shift tonight. Please let me know if you need anything.”
Nhuri was trying to think of why she would need her, but then it dawned on her that Raniya may have needed counseling or just someone to talk to about what happened tonight. Nhuri was all for people caring for their mental health, regardless of age. Trauma had no age limit.
“Okay. Thank you. Have the doctors said anything or given any updates about what is happening?” Nhuri asked.
“I’m not sure, but I can send one of the nurses on duty out here,” Misty said.
“Yes. We’d appreciate that,” Nhuri replied.
Misty nodded and disappeared down the hallway. Exhaling, Nhuri took a seat and pulled Raniya onto her lap. She’d always have a spot there no matter how big she got. Nhuri soothingly rubbed her back and pressed her lips against her temple. She was centering her and didn’t even know it.
“TT, they wouldn’t let me go with Mommy.”
Nhuri squeezed her eyes shut, not knowing what to say. Words failed her, but thankfully, the man beside her had some. Shyriq, who had remained silent thus far at Nhuri’s side, crouched in front of Raniya. His voice was gentle, making Raniya glue her eyes to him.
“That’s because they’re taking care of her. She’s in good hands.”
Raniya squinted as her hold on Nhuri loosened. “I know you.”
Shyriq smirked. “You saw me at your Mommy’s house a while back. You were peeking from behind the wall.”
“I was!” she beamed, remembering that day. “You brought my TT here?”
Shyriq nodded. “Yes, I did.”
Raniya peered back at Nhuri, leaned in, and whispered in her ear. “Did he get you dessert?”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Nhuri smiled. “Yes,” she whispered back.
Raniya wasn’t that great of a whisperer, so Shyriq heard her question and couldn’t help but smile. Nhuri figured she could introduce them now that Raniya seemed to approve of his presence and thoughtfulness.
“Niy, this is Shyriq.”
Raniya gave a small wave. “Hi.”
“Nice to meet you, Raniya. You’re really brave for taking care of your mama.”
Raniya sniffled but seemed to relax a little at his words. Before more could be said, a nurse approached them through the doors. “Natalia Coleman’s family?”
Nhuri placed Raniya on her feet and stood immediately. “We’re her family. Is she okay?”
“She’s stable,” the nurse assured them. “It looks like she had a flare-up due to her lupus. It triggered severe inflammation, making it difficult for her to breathe and causing her extreme fatigue. We have her on fluids and medication, but she’s still very weak.”
Nhuri exhaled shakily and nodded. It wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t the best, either. “Can we see her?”
“Of course. She’s been asking for you.”
Nhuri was happy to hear that. Natalia knew in her heart that her sister was near, and she was correct.
Nhuri squeezed Raniya’s hand. “You ready?”
Raniya nodded hesitantly and gripped her hand tighter. Nhuri looked toward Shyriq, who placed a hand on her back.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait out here,” he said.
“You sure?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’m not going anywhere.”
Nhuri glanced at him, and her lips parted, but no words came out. She appreciated his reassurance and presence more than he knew.
“Thank you,” she murmured before following the nurse down the hall.
Nhuri stepped into the hospital room with Raniya clinging to her side.
Her heart thudded in her chest as she took in the sight of Natalia lying motionless against stark white sheets.
The coldness of the room caused a chill to slither up her back.
The beeping monitors were the only sound in the quiet place.
Natalia’s normally warm brown complexion looked dull under the fluorescent lighting, and her face was drawn with exhaustion. The IV in her arm fed her fluids, and it was a clear reminder of just how fragile her body was at that moment.
Raniya stood on her tippy toes, peering at the bed. “She doesn’t look okay, TT,” she whispered.
Nhuri swallowed hard, pushing down her own panic to be strong for her niece. She bent down, pressing a gentle kiss to Raniya’s forehead. “She’s going to be okay, baby. She just needs rest.”
Nhuri’s words felt weak and empty, but they were all she had to give. Natalia’s eyelids fluttered open, and her unfocused gaze landed on Raniya. A tired, barely-there smile covered her face.
“Hey,” she rasped with a hoarse voice.
Raniya’s eyes lit up. “Mommy,” she whimpered, letting go of Nhuri’s hand. Carefully, she crawled onto the bed, wrapping her small body around her mother’s. “I was so scared.”
Natalia weakly lifted her hand and cradled Raniya’s head before rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles. “I know, baby. But I’m okay. I’m here.”
Nhuri stepped closer, her fingers curling into her palms as she fought the stinging in her eyes. “You scared the hell out of us,” she said, her voice breaking.
Natalia exhaled. She smiled weakly but was genuinely apologetic. “I wasn’t trying to.”
Nhuri’s throat tightened. She reached out, wrapping her fingers around Natalia’s cold hand. “Niy had to call 911. You were—” Her breath hitched as the visual of Raniya crying flashed through her mind. “She thought you were gone.”
Natalia’s eyes widened slightly, and she turned her attention to Raniya, still curled on her lap. “Baby, I’m so, so sorry. Mommy didn’t mean to scare you like that.”
Raniya sniffled. “It’s okay. You taught me what to do, and I did it. I called TT too. I just wanted you to wake up.”
They heard the bravery in her voice, but her body still shuddered at the thought of her not waking up. Natalia gathered all the strength she had to pull her daughter closer.
“And I’m so proud of you. You were so brave,” she whispered, kissing the top of her head. “Thank you for saving me.”
Raniya shook her head against her mother’s arm. “I don’t wanna do that again.”
Nhuri had to turn away for a moment, inhaling sharply to steady herself. Seeing her sister like this, so vulnerable and weak, was breaking her in ways she hadn’t been prepared for. She knew that the worst could happen one day, and so far, this was it.
A light knock at the door made her turn, and Shyriq stood there. His broad frame filled the space, and it looked as if he were hesitating to step inside.
“That was TT’s date,” Raniya tried whispering.
They all smirked, and he entered, figuring that was his invite inside. He didn’t feel right not coming in to check on them.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, stepping beside Nhuri.
Natalia exhaled. “Exhausted, but I’m alive, and that’s what matters the most.”
Shyriq nodded while Nhuri blinked back the emotion clogging her throat.
Natalia’s gaze shifted to her sister, and her tired eyes flickered with regret. “I ruined your date?”
Nhuri’s head jerked back slightly. “What? No! You didn’t ruin anything. It was perfect.”
Shyriq’s heart swelled with pride beside her. Even in her despair, she made him feel like the luckiest man.