Balancing herself with the help of her sister, Laura nodded, clenching onto the small bag Rubin had left. " Yes, I'm good. No need to freak out." She managed a smile of which her red, bulging eyes just gave away the uncertainty and lingering flashes of memories which kept popping unanswered questions into her mind.
" Sure...?" Mya pressed but Laura's answer just remained the same with a nod.
" Hey... is everything okay ?" Amy queried just when she closed upon them, taking note of the scene that seem unpleasant and alarming.
" Yes, mum... you know I hate the scent of hospitals~ I guess it had begun its effects on me after the numerous stay here. Can we go now?" She answered as she took her seat in the back and pulled the door shut. They both stared while she fidgeted for a few seconds before finally calming with her head leaned back against the seat.
Amy sighed, worried and heartbroken by whatever her daughter was going through. Noticing the effect Laura's state was having on their mother, Mya managed to hide her pain to console Amy.
" Don't get too worked up, mum... she'll be just fine. Let's get going."
With few words, yet eyes which refused to let go the pain and mystery of a mother witnessing the suffering of her daughter without any way of assistance to lessen it, Amy nodded. Turning a flash gaze back at Laura who was half asleep, she moved on to the driver's side for her seat but Mya instinctively objected.
" No... mum, I'll drive ~ I don't think you're in a good condition to do so"
She spontaneously feigned a smile. " Hey... don't worry, I'm alright. Just take your seat."
Not so appealed to her decision, she gave a questioning brow." Sure?" She asked of which Amy nodded.
" YEAH...." She chuckled, settling in. " Come on now..." She said, pulling the door to a close.
" Alright... if you say so.." With that, Mya hurried over to the other side of the car, settling beside Amy who gave a bright smile, covering her anguish. Just then, their car pulled out of the yard, zooming off to the main road.
The drive was quite a peaceful one, almost halfway through the journey. The two never let a minute pass without a glance at Laura through the rearview mirror~ she seems sound asleep with a calm face. With an inaudible sigh, Mya who never took her eyes off her, relaxed ~ leaning back in her seat as she focused on the road.
****************
The morning ended very quickly as the sun soon took on its afternoon embodiment with an unannounced sombre atmosphere. It felt as if it was sharing in the pain and misery of the two yet, withstanding with the light of hope as an anchor to pull through.
Uncertain what the days ahead would chun out after what seems to be the final encounter between himself and Laura, Rubin in a reflective silence trod in as the memories of their past moments and what had now been a reality, flooded his mind.
Although he hoped she remembers him, he was still ready to let go if that was the only way to speed up her recovery and keep a good mental state~ at least now he knew he didn't just give up without a fight.
Just when he got to the hall, he noticed Ann all dressed with a few luggage by her side~ anxiety engraved on her features which instinctively pulled his brooding gaze into a confused one.
" Ann...?" He called which brought his sister's gaze in his direction. " What's going on over here~ what is all the luggage for" He inquired as he neared her.
" It's dad's company... it got something to do this." Annabel who was now on her feet answered.
" How?~ I don't get it"
" That's what mum said~ I guess we're going back to Korea for dad's business."
" What..?" Rubin exclaimed with displeasure.
" Yes, honey~" Audrey added, drawing their attention in the process as she descended the stairs in quite a haste. " Already got our tickets and everything ready."
" But why now, mum?"
" Sorry dear but it's a case of emergency; just a few days or a week will do ~ let's talk about this later. For now, we ought to get going else we might miss our flight... it takes off 3hours from now."
" But mum~"
"No buts young man, we're done with this discussion~ Hurry, Ann bring your luggage, and let's get going." She ordered as she walked past them towards the exit. " Same to you, young man... don't keep me waiting" Her voice faded with the close of the door.
Ann's gaze spontaneously traveled to her brother who seem rooted in his spot ~ his face pulled in dismay as he glanced back at her.
She sighed. " It's just for some few days~ I believe you can hang in there till then, huh?" She tapped him with a feigned smile and trod off.
" Ann!!...Rubin!!!~ still waiting!" Audrey called from the yard.
" We're coming !"
Ann's voice faded along as she briskly exit the door. With no choice at all, he picked his bag and reluctantly followed out.
****************
The drive which had continued in silence was soon disrupted by Laura's sudden cry from the back which alerted them. Their attention was soon moved to the rear mirror with Mya who spontaneously jerked back to the back seat on noticing she was having a nightmare.
" Hey...Laura, open your eyes~ please wake up." She cried.
" Rubin... Rubin~" Laura stuttered, tears streaming down her closed eyes. On noticing the situation, Amy's eyes nervously scanned along the road for a spot to park. Just a few drives ahead, she found one; veering off the main road, she pulled the car to a stop.
" Laura?.... Laura. come on, open your eyes. You got to wake up now."
She howled. Just then, her eyes shot open~ her body trembled and she fidgeted.
" Rubin~ Rubin..." She stuttered. " I must find him~" Laura cried which got them stunned. Not hesitating, she reached for the door but Mya got hold of it, stopping her from pressing it open.
" Hey, you got to calm down~ your situation might get worse." She warned but Laura was too hyped to listen.
"Let go of me, Mya~ I need to go now...please." Her eyes withered. Amy instinctively tapped Mya's shoulder, tilting her head in the process. " Allow her."
"Thanks, mum," Laura mumbled as she got down.
" But mum..." Mya exclaimed on an impulse. " She'll be fine~ trust me." Amy smiled.
With a wave, a cap spontaneously halted in front of her and she rushed. Mya and Amy watched as it slowly veered onto the road and vroom off.
RUBIN'S HOUSE
Without enough time to bid farewell to his friends or Laura, Rubin decided to just leave a text to Alixies.
" SORRY I COULDN'T INFORM YOU PROPERLY, ALIXIES. IT WAS A SUDDEN TRIP BUT I'LL BE BACK IN A WEEK TIME. KINDLY RELAY THIS TO LAURA WHEN SHE RECOVERS HER MEMORY OF ME IN MY ABSENCE. TAKE CARE."
With this, he dropped back the phone. Audrey glanced at him and sighed. "Shall we?" He nodded and she spontaneously turned the car into motion. Just when the car pulled out to the road, he noticed a familiar figure in the distance. With a careful, close check, he mumbled.
" LAURA?"