Maya clutched the edge of the sink, knuckles white, as a sudden wave of nausea doubled her over. Drops of crimson spattered the porcelain, stark against the pale surface. With trembling hands, she wiped her mouth, heart racing, eyes wide with fear. The rain outside seemed to grow louder, as if echoing her panic.
Eli, Maya’s older brother and a medical student, burst into the room as Maya staggered in, pale and shaky. "Maya, what happened? Are you alright? You look—"
"Eli, I… I just threw up blood. It won’t stop," Maya’s voice was barely above a whisper, tears threatening to spill. Eli’s face drained of color as he grabbed his phone, dialing emergency services with trembling fingers.
Paramedics lifted Maya onto a stretcher, her breath shallow and quick. Eli hovered, anxiety etched deep into his features. "Please, help her—she’s been vomiting blood, she’s never been this sick," he pleaded, voice cracking under the strain. The ambulance doors slammed shut, sealing Maya’s fate with a hollow echo.
A doctor in a crisp white coat entered, her expression serious but kind. Dr. Liao, a seasoned internist, approached the siblings. "Maya, I know you’re scared. We’re running tests, but it’s important you tell me everything—any pain, medications, past illnesses," she said gently. "It hurts here," Maya pointed to her upper abdomen, voice trembling. Eli squeezed her hand, his eyes never leaving her face.
Dr. Liao returned with a clipboard, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We found an ulcer, Maya. It’s bleeding, which explains everything. You’re going to need treatment, and you’ll have to stay with us for a while," she explained. Relief and fear mingled in Maya’s eyes as she nodded, grateful for answers yet overwhelmed by what lay ahead.
Eli sat beside Maya, exhaustion and relief etched into his face. "You’re safe now, Maya. We’ll get through this together," he said, voice thick but steady. Maya managed a weak smile, hope flickering in her eyes as the world outside began anew.
