love has many names part 7

"What girl?" she asked, surprised, and looked at him to see if he wasn't lying.

"But I don't... you...

you talk like that, as if you had at least a few... I mean, I'm not saying it's impossible because you're very handsome, but...

" "Do you think so?" He kissed her gently on the cheek. "You don't know my girlfriend." He smiled warmly at Amelia and added, "If you're talking about Sylwia now, then..." "

Of course I'm talking about Sylwia, but about someone else

." Sylwia isn't my girlfriend, she's my mother's cousin's daughter. She studies in Łódź but normally lives in Warsaw. I let her use my apartment because at least someone would take care of it. The tenement house you were in yesterday belongs to me. After my grandfather died, I inherited it, and since the renovation wasn't expensive, I moved in and rented the apartment if Sylwia hadn't lived there. I'd have to go there every month and collect rent from those old people. One apartment was left empty for me because I go there occasionally, and in the past, even every month. That's where Sylwia lives.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I didn't want to bother you, and meanwhile, you were just worried

. "It's okay, really, don't worry so much, and don't make such a face, or you'll get wrinkles." He smiled at her and gently lifted her head, looking deeply into her eyes.

"Then why did you come here if you rarely come?"

He grimaced and rubbed his forehead nervously with his hand. "

Sorry, I shouldn't have asked, it's none of my business, please don't answer." She tried to salvage the situation

. "No, that's not the point. As I told you, my grandfather lived here, my grandmother is still alive and still in this city, even though everyone now lives in Krakow.

" "Oh, so you came to visit your grandmother

." "Not quite, your grandmother is in the hospital, she fell into a coma due to diabetes, she's been unconscious for two months. Yesterday, I was walking through the park, just coming back from her place. "

I'm so sorry... I don't even know what to say, I don't know what it means to see a loved one in a coma, but know that I know what it means to lose someone like that, and your grandmother has a chance..."

"Yes, I know... but I'd like it to finally end. What hurts me most is that no one cares about her fate, she's on her own...

" "Don't say that, she has you, and Sylwia definitely visits her." Being here

- she's not her grandmother, but she visits her because I asked her to. She gives me daily reports on the doctors' progress, but they are invisible and sometimes nonexistent.

- Sylwia isn't your grandmother's family, so your grandmother is your father's mother?

- Yes, you think correctly.

- Wiktor, please, let's take the next train. I... I would really like to visit her... please... after all, this could be my family...

"Mhm-okay, but we have to cancel the tickets and change to a later train."

That's exactly what they did. An hour later, they were at Brother Albert Hospital. It was a building that reminded her more of a nursing home. Besides, it was probably this age group that the doctors who worked there took care of.

The nurse at the reception desk probably knew Wiktor well, because as soon as they entered the building, she approached them and offered to take them to Grandma's. Wiktor readily agreed, and a moment later, the nurse was telling them how Mrs. Elwira, as the nurse called her, was feeling. From what she said, the woman's condition wasn't the best, no signs of life, no movements, no utterances, absolutely no reaction. Amelia saw Wiktor marching behind her sister,

saying nothing. He was very sad and depressed. She regretted at that moment that she had wanted to come here, but perhaps this was her Grandma, if it turns out Jerzy is her father, then this woman is her. She would never forgive herself if Elwira died and she didn't recognize her, even though she had the chance. After a moment, they reached the door to the room where "grandma" was. The nurse left, allowing a short visit. Wiktor hesitated for a moment, but then overcame it, emphasizing it with a loud breath. He opened the door and gestured for Amelie to come in.

"Go in first, I'll wait here.

" "But...

" "Go in, I'll wait. Are you sure you want to be alone with Grandma for a moment

? You won't run away?" he asked, smiling at her, but his eyes still held boundless sadness

. "I won't run away, go now..."

He entered. The girl was sitting alone in the waiting room, nervous about this visit. "Is this woman my grandmother?" And if so, I might never meet her! What pain! Why do I always have to suffer like this? Why couldn't I have known my family from the beginning? Now some things are irreparable, maybe her grandfather is already dead! Wiktor interrupted her thoughts. "Come in

, I'll be there in a moment, I want to talk to the doctor treating my grandmother.

" "Okay, I'll wait for you here, you don't have to rush."

​​He left. She was so grateful he left her alone; she really needed it. She quickly sat down next to the woman and took her hand, which seemed exceptionally fragile...