Crossing the Darkness Towards Happiness

CHAPTER 5

After Jace and Rayno's conversation, Jace leaves Rayno's room after telling Rayno to take a shower and then go down to breakfast with the rest of the family, Rayno nods according to her father's words. 

A little while later Rayno finished bathing and put on her clothes, Rayno stood still in front of her bedroom door, still hesitating to go downstairs.

Taking a deep breath Rayno slowly pushed open the door of her room, letting a glimmer of light into the hallway.

As Rayno stepped out of the room, the familiar voice of the bustling house reached her ears — laughter in the distance, the clanking of dishes, and the gentle murmur of conversation. It was a symphony of life that faded from existence, always replaced by a deafening silence.

With a careful step, Rayno came down the stairs, attracted by the smell of tempting food in the air. 

The sight that greeted him in the kitchen attracted his heart, a series of dishes that were prepared lovingly.

His father, stepmother and brother-in-law engaged in lively conversation, their faces shining with a hint of hope.

Naira's eyes met Rayno's, and a mixture of relief and excitement swept across her face.

He got up from his seat, crossing the room with quick steps to tightly hug his son.

The softness of the movement caught Rayno off guard, melting the ice wall she had built around herself.

"Rayno, my son," Naira's voice, Rayno's stepmother, quivered with emotion.

"I'm so grateful to see you join us for breakfast together, because you're here with us."

Rayno was silent in silence listening to the words of her stepmother who was so sincere, Rayno did not know what to say to her stepmother. 

Naira's embrace grew stronger, showing a strong determination.

"Rayno listen to Mother, sometimes hope finds its way to us in unexpected ways"

"You're not alone in this. We are here for you, and we will not give up on you. You are loved, my son."  Naira said full of tenderness and attention to Rayno. 

While the other Mahavir family was silent while nodding their heads in approval to Naira's words.

They all love Rayno and do not want Rayno to give up because of her own despair. 

"Let's sit next to me Ray" William said and then pulled Rayno's hand to sit next to his chair, on Rayno's right there was Evan who sat then on Rayno's left there was William. 

Breakfast was continued and the clanking of utensils with plates filled the air. Rayno's appetite slowly returns.

Not only nourishes his physical body but also his soul. The simple act of sharing food, begins to mend a rift in Rayno's psyche.

As the silence continued, it was broken by the voice of the head of the family, Jace. 

"Rayno you don't go to school today, your body is warm so just rest at home?"

The atmosphere in the room changed, concern and worry enveloped the air as Jace's words hung in silence.

Rayno's gaze met with the worried eyes of her brothers and stepmother. 

"Sister, are you okay" Evan uttered a worried speech, then touched Rayno's forehead, which had a hot temperature on her forehead

Evan's touch on his forehead confirmed what Rayno was feeling, a fever engulfing his body.

The burden of guilt represses her as Rayno sees the worry etched on her family's face, a reminder of the pain her struggles inflict on her loved ones.

"You should have said from the beginning, Ray's fever is growing"

William said frantically then quickly ate his food and immediately took his medical device. 

His role as a doctor has provided him with the skills of assessing and providing care.

Jace watched the scene, feeling his heart heavy with a mixture of worry and regret.

Jace realizes that her words have caused anxiety among the family, and she secretly reprimands herself for not realizing Rayno's illness earlier.

"Let's continue eating," Jace's voice sounded reassuring, trying to ease the tension that enveloped the room. "Rayno needs a break and William will check on her."

As the family continues their meal, their focus is divided between their meal and the view towards Rayno.

Each bite was laden with their worries and the room was filled with muffled sounds of conversation and mutual concern.

After the breakfast ended, the Mahavir family immediately took Rayno to the room after laying Rayno on the mattress, William approached Rayno while carrying his medical bag.

With William's expertise, he measured Rayno's body temperature, checked her pulse, and performed a thorough examination.

After a thorough examination, William finally spoke, his voice calm yet full of worry

"Ray, your fever is getting higher" said William softly, his tone a mixture of professional attention and fraternal affection.

"You need to rest and take care of yourself. I'll give you another drug like last night to help bring down the fever."

"Is that so bad Liam?" Naira asked looking at Rayno worriedly, while stroking Rayno's hair gently. 

"Lumayan Bun, but if Rayno continues to rest a lot, the possibility of Rayno fever will go down faster"

William said as he cleaned his medical device, then continued speaking. 

"Remember Ray, you have to rest a lot, don't think too much about something because it will stress you out and it will overload your brain which will make your fever even higher if you mostly think."

Rayno nodded weakly at the advice of her brother, her body weighed down by physical and mental exhaustion. 

William smiled and then flicked Rayno's forehead slowly intending to make Rayno not feel burdened, William chuckled as his hands were slapped by his two twin sisters. 

"Don't touch Ray's brother" Eros said as he stared intently at William, then Eros stroked with great care Rayno's forehead. While Evan was just silent but glared at William who was very ignorant. 

Jace approached Rayno slowly, his voice containing regret.

"sorry. I should have realized earlier that you weren't feeling well."

Rayno looked at her Father, her eyes were understanding, Rayno smiled a little at her Father.

"It's not your fault, Dad. I didn't tell anyone about my fever. So it's not Dad's fault."

Jace's gaze softened, his heart filled with gratitude for his son's understanding. He put his hand on Rayno's shoulder, offering a sense of comfort to Rayno.

Naira, observing the interaction, interrupts with maternal attention. "Don't think about what could happen. Right now, what matters is Rayno's health. We're here for him, and we're gonna support him through this."

Naira then approached Rayno and hugged her with Jace and her other children also hugged Rayno together.

They hoped for Rayno's recovery and also hoped that from this Rayno could trust them completely.

In order for Rayno not to shoulder her burden alone anymore and face everything with them together.

With that the Mahavir family embraced each other warmly and lovingly hoping that this kind of happiness did not disappear.