Chapter 76

In a spring time morning, gentle wind blew through white curtains of a hospital room. Sleeping soundly in the bed was Waxx. He neither had visible injuries nor bandages. Only a drip was connected to his arm.

A little yellow bird with the beak of a duck perched itself on the window seal. Its sweet melody woke Waxx up to a daze. Waxx weakly turned his head and saw Melonina sleeping on the hospital chair. She wasn't in her uniform but in a white and purple floral dress. On her lap was an opened novel.

Waxx decided to sit up but his body felt numb. The only thing he could move was his head. He kept trying to sit up until his fidgeting woke Melonina up. She sprung off her chair and threw herself on Waxx.

"Waxx you're awake. I thought I lost you." She cried in his chest.

"I don't understand how I am still alive." Waxx happily said.

Maradina knocked once and got into the room. Melonina pulled away from Waxx and smiled excitedly at her. Maradina made her way to the other side of the bed and she hid her smile behind her hand.

"He just woke up." Melonina merrily told Maradina.

"I am so happy." Maradina sat on the stool by the bed side. Looking at Waxx, she said, " You really gave us a scare."

A soft laugh escaped Waxx's lungs. "How I'm I still alive?"

"Maradina is the reason why. She came to our rescue Waxx and sang a song that healed your wounds. So instead of dying, you hibernated!" Melonina blurted out excitedly.

"Oh yeah, you have a voice that preserves life. Which of your parents practiced magic when they were human?" Waxx asked Maradina.

Maradina paused in thought. She looked through Waxx and Melonina as she reminisced about her life. Waxx and Melonina felt uncomfortable with Maradina's silence. The atmosphere became so awkward that Melonina looked sharply at Waxx for asking the question. Waxx closed his eyes, forced his eyebrows up and shook his head to stop Melonina from scolding him.

"My mother." Maradina broke the silence and Waxx let out a sigh of relief.

"She was a witch in her past life." Maradina's voice was low. "A good witch though." She raised her voice.

From the tone of her voice, Waxx and Melonina were able to tell that Maradina was being defensive.

"She used her voice to heal sick people in their sleep." Maradina paused again. This time she had a hurt look on her face as she twirled her hair around in discomfort. "The humans didn't take to kindly to anyone who was different so when she was caught healing an old woman's grandchild, the village burnt her alive out of fear."

"Luckily for her, there was a darkas god in the crowd and he rescued her. He made a pact with her and she became his none pure." Maradina smiled faintly.

Her smile, though faint, gave Melonina the courage to ask, "So your mother taught you healing magic?"

Maradina nodded her head slowly.

"I only perfected the skill after she died trying to save her master." Maradina answered with another faint smile. "This was right after my step mother convinced my father to throw me out of the house because I dropped out of the academy. Sana was hurt so I tried my magic on her first."

Saying Sana's name gave Maradina a tight knot in her chest and she immediately got up in an attempt to prevent her tears from falling. Melonina took the hint and put her finger on her lips to silence Waxx.

'Oh' Waxx silently mouthed.

"Where are Sana and Sanuika?" Waxx asked and Melonina face palmed.

"They didn't make it." Melonina slowly answered in a whisper.

Waxx was astonished. "What about Josh?" He asked.

Melonina shook her head. "No one knows where he is."

Waxx sighed loudly in relief and this puzzled Melonina and Maradina.

"He is okay. It's like Josh to up and disappear but are you sure about the twins?"

"Yes, I saw their bodies myself." Maradina sadly reassured Waxx.

There was a moment of silence in the room as Maradina and Melonina waited for Waxx to come to terms with what they had just told him. He looked distraught about the twins. Maradina caught Melonina sadly looking at her.

"Queen Sharaina has hired me at the castle as an assistant chef. I intend on saving up for a restaurant. I plan on calling it Sana and Sanuika's restaurant. At least this way, our dream will still live on." Maradina broke the silence.

"You got the job?" Melonina gasped.

Melonina walked away from Waxx's bedside and hugged Maradina.

"I am so happy for you." Melonina added.

"Thank you Melonina. That's not the only good news Waxx should know though." Maradina winked at Melonina.

Melonina playfully poked Maradina's shoulder before shyly turning back to Waxx. Waxx looked at both women bewildered of what they were up to. Melonina and Maradina giggled at each other and this only increased Waxx's curiosity.

"Come on, I'm dying with suspense here." He whined.

"Oh my we can't have you dying on us especially with a baby on the way." Melonina teasingly replied to Waxx.

Waxx raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes.

"Y-y-your pre-gant?" he couldn't believe it.

Melonina sat on his bed side and put his hand over her belly. For the first time Waxx felt the baby bump that was gracefully hidden by Melonina's puffy dress. He couldn't stop himself from laughing happily.

The door suddenly opened and Quix walked in. He looked at Waxx's hand on Melonina's belly and immediately felt awkward. He cleared his throat and got inside. He nodded at Maradina in greeting as he closed the door.

"It is about time you woke up." Quix mocked Waxx.

"I'm sorry I took so long brother." Waxx laughed.

"Congratulations by the way. I'm looking forward to becoming an uncle."

"And I'm looking forward to becoming a grandma." Another voice said.

Quix turned to smile at his mother, Reena. She was a lovely brunette that appeared to be in her forties but she was close to 8000 years old. She was a slender woman with beautiful warm eyes. Reena had no birthmark of any kind because she was a fourth class darkas god. She peeped at Waxx and his heart skipped a beat.

"I know you haven't seen me in a long time but my presence shouldn't scare you this much." Reena said to Waxx, her voice warm but firm.

Reena glanced over to Quix. "Help your brother sit up. I want to talk to him properly."

"Of course." Quix did as she requested and stood away.

Melonina got off the bed and paved way for Reena to sit beside Waxx. Waxx was feeling too ashamed to look her in the eye. He opted to keep his eyes down but Reena lovingly pulled his chin up.

"How are feeling today my son?" Reena asked him ever so sweetly.

"Mama, I am sorry for everything." Waxx started. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Reena put her finger close to Waxx's lips and smiled at him. "It's okay son. You are my child. I forgave you the same night you left. I was never angry with you."

"Mama..." Waxx started tearing up.

Reena lovingly places her hand on Waxx's cheek. "I am so happy that you are awake my child." She used her thumb to wipe the stubborn tear that escaped Waxx's right eye.

Reena looked over to Maradina.

"Thank you for what you did for my son." She said.

"I was more than happy to do it ma." Maradina said with a quick bow of respect.

Reena nodded her head at Maradina and turned to Melonina.

"How are you doing dear?" She asked.

"I am doing fine mama." Melonina replied.

"That's wonderful dear. You are carrying my first grandchild. You must be sure to take care of yourself."

Reena placed her hand on her chest and looked at the open space before her.

"Finally I, Reena Sevilon, will become a grandmother after all these years. I still can't believe it. I thought that I was cursed with two impotent sons."

Reena's words made Waxx and Quix drop their jaws. Melonina covered her mouth as she laughed while Maradina struggled to hold her laughter in.

"Mama, how can you say that?" Quix asked Reena in disbelief.

Reena jumped off the bed and looked sharply at Quix with her hands on her waist. Quix immediately regretted asking his question and he backed away with his hands held up in surrender. That didn't stop Reena from taking a step closer and furiously pointing her finger at Quix.

"Waxx left for Earth right after his wedding and you haven't had a girlfriend... EVER! What else I'm I supposed to think?" Reena asked Quix and sent chuckles across the room.

She pointed at Waxx without turning to look at him. "He is giving me a grandchild soon. When will I get one from you huh? You are such a workaholic like your father! Loosen up and maybe a young lady will take interest in you!" She continued her scolding and this time Waxx laughed louder.

Reena glared at Waxx from the corner of her eye and pounced on him. She pulled his ear tight. Waxx winced and whined in pain. The sight forced a giggle out of Quix and he cleared his throat. He couldn't however, wipe the smirk off his face.

"you shouldn't even dare to laugh at your brother. Now that your wife is pregnant, it is time for you to man up and take responsibility. I'm sick and tired of facing embarrassment because of you!" She scolded him through her gritted teeth.

"Mama you are hurting me." Waxx begged. "Look, don't be so angry. Quix has a girlfriend. Ask him!"

Reena let go of Waxx's ear and dramatically turned to Quix with both her hands on her chest and one leg lifted up backwards. Her eyes were sparkling with anticipation.

"Really?" She squeaked.

Quix glared at Waxx who was laughing silently.

"I wouldn't call her that. We are currently taking things slow. You know, getting to know each other a little better." Quix answered to his mother's delight.

"That's good enough for me! At least there's a woman in your life." Reena rolled her eyes. "When will I get to meet her." She hopefully asked.

"You will meet her as soon as possible." Quix answered.

"Wow you really do have someone? I just said that to get mama away from me." Waxx was surprised.

"What?!" Reena slapped Waxx at the back of his head and laughter was heard.

"Mama please you will kill me. Let's not forget that I have just woken up from hibernation." Waxx pleaded with his hands together.

"Stop tempting me." Reena threatened a slap.

"Quix, is it Akirexer or some other random chick?" Waxx asked in an attempt to get his mother away from him. He sighed in relief when it worked.

"Yes it is Akirexer." Quix confirmed.

"Where is she by the way?" Melonina asked Quix.

"She left for Zambia early this morning." Quix quickly replied.

"I am really hoping to meet her soon Quix." Reena stated.

"And you will in time mama." Quix reassured his mother.