The blaring sound of the horn and tires skidding on the road made Giovana let go of the bag she was holding and close her eyes so tightly that she could feel her head throbbing with pain. Still shaking, she felt the hot steam coming from the hood of the car touch her leg. When she finally opened her eyes, she could hardly believe that the vehicle had come so close to killing her. It would be another terrible tragedy in less than twenty-four hours. She looked up at the driver, who was already getting out of the car in chaotic traffic and walking furiously towards her.
"Crazy woman!" If you don’t watch where you’re going, you won’t be so lucky next time.
But she had no time for such threats. She barely looked the man in the eye and started walking away again, when she remembered the bag, she had dropped. Five steps later, she was back at the place where she almost died, and the irresponsible driver was still there, saying absurd things that she wouldn’t even have a chance to answer.
With her heart still pounding in her chest, Giovana entered the hospital and stopped in front of the reception desk. She closed her eyes momentarily, praying that Gina was all right and that she could calm down immediately enough to help her.
"I’ve come to see Gina Lens," she felt the words catch in her throat.
The receptionist looked at the woman in front of her, then back at the computer screen with pure disdain.
"Only family members are allowed in," she said, avoiding eye contact with Giovana.
"I’m her sister," she concluded impatiently, "and I’m responsible for paying all the medical bills."
The receptionist’s countenance changed dramatically and, without filling in any information, she allowed Giovana to enter, indicating where she would find Gina.
As she hurried down the corridor, not knowing exactly where she was going, Giovana remembered the call she had received from her mother hours before.
"They took Gina to the hospital. I need your help."
It was always like that. Few words, no sentimentality, and a lot of demands. Giovana was just a means of meeting the needs of her mother and sister. But she loved Gina and couldn’t bear the thought of losing her one day.
She spotted her mother from afar and knew that was where she had to go. Irma, on noticing her presence, looked at her with contempt and didn’t react.
"How is she?" she asked, but the woman didn’t look at her.
It was as if Giovana didn’t exist to her.
"How should I know?" the harshness in her words showed that Irma didn’t have the patience to talk to her, "you’re her confidante, you should know what Gina is up to."
"I should know?" she closed her eyes, running her fingers over her aching temples. She needed to calm down. Arguing with Irma wouldn’t help Gina. "You brought her to the hospital without knowing why?"
"She was complaining of severe abdominal pain and even fainted in the car," she concluded coldly, "they took her to a room and I haven’t heard from her since."
Giovana knew that Irma’s coldness was only because of her presence. Gina had always been her favorite daughter, so she was sure that even though she didn’t seem to care, inside Irma was devastated.
"And where is your husband?" "I don’t know how Antony put up with you for so long."
"I’m not here to hear your opinion about my marriage. I just want to see my sister."
A mocking smile appeared on Irma’s lips and before she could return the teasing, the bedroom door opened and a man stepped out. He was wearing a lab coat and had a badge pinned to it. He looked tired, as if he was carrying devastating news.
"Are you related to Gina Lens?"
"I’m her mother," she said proudly in desperation, causing Giovana to feel disgusted.
"Unfortunately, Gina will need a blood transfusion. She’s severely anemic."
"Is her life at risk?" Giovana’s eyes widened in disbelief.