Giovana

The squeaky sound of the horn and skid tires on the track made Giovanna drop the bag he held and close his eyes so tightly he could feel his head throbbing in pain. Still trembling, she felt the hot steam coming out of the car’s hood touching her leg. When she finally opened her eyes, she could hardly believe the vehicle was that 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 a chaotic traffic and walked furiously towards her.

“Baffling woman!” saliva’s slipped between her gritted teeth, “If you don’t look where you’re going, next time you won’t be so lucky”.

But she didn’t have time for those threats. She barely looked into the man’s eyes and walked away again when she remembered the bag he dropped. Five steps, she was back where she almost died, and the irresponsible driver, he was still there, saying absurd things that she wouldn’t even have a chance to answer.

With his heart still uncontrolled inside his chest, Giovanna entered the hospital and stopped in front of the reception desk. She closed her eyes momentarily, praying that Gina would be well and that she could calm down immediately, to the point of helping her.

“I came to see Gina Lens,” felt the words locking in her throat.

The receptionist analyzed the woman in front of her, looked back at the computer screen with pure disdain.

“Only family members can enter,” he said without looking into Giovanna’s eyes.

“I am her sister” concluded impatiently, “and I am responsible for paying all medical expenses”.

The receptionist’s face changed drastically and without filling out any information, she authorized the entry of Giovanna, indicating where she would find Gina.

As she walked hurriedly down the hall, not knowing exactly where she was going, Giovanna remembered the call she had received from her mother hours earlier.

“Gina was taken to the hospital. I need your help.”

It was always like that. Few words, no sentimentality and many demands. Giovanna was just a way to meet the needs of his mother and sister. But she loved Gina and couldn’t bear to consider losing her one day.

She saw her mother from afar and knew that it was there she should go. Irma, realizing her presence, looked at her with contempt and did not outline any reaction.

“How is she?” she asked, but the woman wouldn’t look at her.

It was as if Giovanna didn’t exist to her.

“How will I know?” The harshness in the words showed that Irma had no patience to talk to her, “she her confidant, you should know what Gina is up to.”

“Should I know?” closed her eyes, running her fingers over her aching temples, needed to calm down, arguing with Irma would not help Gina. “You brought her to the hospital without knowing why?”

“She complained of severe abdominal pain and even fainted in the car,” she concluded coldly, “they took her to a room and since then I have no news”.

Giovanna knew that Irma’s coldness was only due to her presence. Gina was always his favorite daughter, so she was sure that even though she didn’t care, inside Irma was devastated.

“And where is your husband?” first looked her in the eye. “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 provocation, the bedroom door opened, and a man came out from inside. He wore a coat and had a badge attached to him. He had a tired appearance, as if bringing devastating news.

“Are you related to Gina Lens?”

“I am her mother,” she said, proudly desperate, repulsing Giovanna.

“Unfortunately, Gina will need a blood transfusion. She has severe anemia”.

“Is she at risk of life?” Giovanna widened his eyes without believing what he heard.

“Unfortunately, yes,” replied the doctor, and Giovanna did not like what he perceived in his countenance.

“Are you telling me that Gina might die?” Irma went into despair. Irma’s maternal tenderness was directed only at Gina. His whole life was like that.

On the other side, Giovanna tried to assimilate the information. How did Gina’s health reach that point? Or maybe she didn’t even know her condition was so bad, or was she too embarrassed to tell?

Still standing in the hallway, Giovanna felt her phone vibrate. She looked at the screen and saw a phone call from Antony. The air rushed into her lungs as she took a deep breath before serving him.

“Where are you now?” but he didn’t wait for her to respond, proceeded coldly as if she didn’t care for the answer, “We have a meeting with the lawyer in half an hour for reading Nicholas’s will”.

Giovanna had forgotten about this compromise. Her breathing was so heavy that she did not even notice the presence of anyone else in the hallway.

“I’m sorry, Antony. I was so worried about Gina that I completely forgot.”

“I don’t need your excuses, Giovanna.” it was harsh, as it always was, “I need you here, now.”

Giovanna’s face was contorted with bitterness, and she just obeyed her husband’s orders. She always obeyed.

“I’m in the city hospital”.

It was clear that she wanted to explain to Antony that Gina needed her at that time, but Antony would neither listen to her nor accept her apology. She knew him so well that she knew how insignificant his existence was to her husband.

“The driver is coming to get you”.

“Antony, I can’t leave here now. Gina needs me…”

“I don’t care,” he said in a surprisingly low tone. “I don’t have time for that. Just obey me”.

Giovanna felt a rush of adrenaline running through all of her limbs, each of her nerves awakening as she tried to understand her husband’s own coldness. But before she considered answering, the call was terminated. When she returned to reality, she realized that her mother was still talking to the doctor about Gina’s delicate state. Then she came closer.

“Giovanna and Gina have the same blood type, she could be the donor.”

Irma wasn’t happy to say it, but she would do whatever it took to save her favorite daughter’s life. What she didn’t know was that she was putting Giovanna in a delicate situation.

“Great!” cheered the doctor, “we can do it right now”.

“I can’t,” Giovanna felt her heart break between having to choose to follow Antony’s orders or help save her sister. “I can’t right now. I’m late for an appointment with Antony”.

“Can’t you?” Irma seemed dissatisfied. “What kind of commitment is more important than saving your sister’s life?

But Giovanna, without having time for speeches, shrugged and turned his attention to the doctor.

“Tell me, doctor,” Giovanna asked with difficulty, “Can Gina hold out for a few hours? You must promise me that you will keep her alive until I return.

“I can’t promise you that,” he said, shaking his head, “but I can try my best.”

Giovanna tried to swallow her own saliva, but her throat did not obey. She began to drift away.

“If Gina dies, know that it’s your fault, Giovanna. Yours alone.”

Halfway through her outburst, Irma had lowered her gaze and now stared at the ground. Her last words echoed throughout the hospital ward, and Irma waited for her to change her mind, but Giovanna remained silent and finally left.