SERENA
I woke up to excruciating pain. It hurt so much. It felt like my stomach was on fire.
It itched so badly. I whimpered in pain as I took my hands to my bandaged stomach. I was so tempted to take off the bandage, but I resisted.
I quickly picked up my phone that laid at the edge of the bed, and dialed Malcolm's number. He picked after the second ring.
"Hello?" His voice echoed, but I could only release a sigh of pain.
"Hello?" He called again, this time with urgency, like he knew something was wrong.
I closed my eyes and managed to even my breathing before finally speaking "i…i need help Malcolm, get Nurse Tamar" i dropped the call, and my head fell back on my pillow.
About two minutes past, and the door swung open, to reveal a worried Nurse Tamar and a buff Malcolm. Tamar immediately rushed over to my side, putting on her gloves as she got closer. She took off the stethoscope on her neck and held it in her hands.
"Good morning ma'am, what seems to be the problem?" She asked and I pointed to my belly, where the injury was.
"I don't know, I just woke up to harsh pain, and it felt like my stomach was on fire"
She nodded and immediately began to remove the bandage. My injury was still fresh, but this time the surroundings had swollen up and become reddish.
It looked like it had been infected. And I was right. Nurse Tamar confirmed it.
She breathed out and looked up at me. "It's not a problem Ms. Cordinni, your injury just developed a mild infection, and it can be treated with antibiotics and enough rest"
Did she just say it wasn't a problem? I literally was in so much pain! I let out a light smile and nodded, the smile disappearing almost immediately.
She picked up a piece of cotton wool and began to clean my wound. She cleaned the edges and applied a yellowish substance. I didn't know what that was, but it irked me so bad and it smelt so nasty.
"Why does it smell so bad?" I asked, my face contoured in disgust.
Nurse Tamar giggled and applied some more. I almost puked. "It's just medicine that will make your injury heal faster," she said.
"Do I have to use it everyday?" I asked, seriously hoping that she would say no.
Well she didn't.
"Yes" she replied so firmly, like she derived joy in seeing me be irked from this.
Argh! Just when I thought life couldn't get any worse.
"All done!" She muttered as she cut off the last wrap of bandage.
My eyes lit up. The pain had reduced a little after she cleaned it.
She stood up and looked at me "I'll be back. I have to get antibiotics" she said and I nodded. She moved to walk to the door, and when she left, I was left with Malcolm, who stood calmly by the side of the door.
His eyes were fixed on the floor. I guess it was usual for him.
I was going to keep silent and be in my thoughts, but I just couldn't. That particular question just kept bugging me.
I had to ask.
"Mal…malcolm?" I called and he immediately looked up.
"Yes ma'am?" He stood at attention, looking fit in his two-piece suit.
I looked away, contemplating if it was something I wanted to ask about, then I looked back at him.
With a deep breath, I asked. "What is the progress?"
"Has the body been discovered?"
"Has Ariel found out that I am not dead…" my voice trailed off.
I had many questions, but I concluded it to only three. The rest could wait till later. These three were important. Especially the last one.
The thought sent fear down my throat, making it hard to swallow. I still can't believe this happened.
Being betrayed by my trusted friend? One I took as my sister?
I felt sick to my stomach.
"Ehm…" Malcolm's voice brought me out of my thoughts and I looked up. He looked taken aback by my question, but he quickly composed himself.
He took his hand that he kept behind his back all this while to the front. He held an envelope. A brown envelope.
My heart sank.
That signified something. Something bad. Bad news.
He walked closer and I could only keep my eyes glued on the envelope.
"Here" he stretched his hands.
"I was going to give you this" I shakily took it from him and looked at him.
He held a smile. One that wasn't promising.
I tore off the top and opened the envelope. In it were a few papers which I brought out and took a look at.
My eyes widened, and my lips parted at what I read. My whole world crumbled at that instant at what sat before me.
It was my own death certificate.
I looked up at Malcolm and back at the paper. My hands tightened as tears clouded my vision.
"Thi…this could only m…mean one thing" I stammered with shaky breaths.
"You are dead Ms. Serena Cordinni"