Almost once the doctor patted her on the shoulder and vanished into the milling crowd to find her a water, Mina started to emerge from her coughing episode. She stooped in contemplation, with tears pricking her eyes. With half-eaten turkey drumstick in one hand, she waited for his return. Her dull expression brightened to see him appear from the crowd carrying a small thing of water.
“Thanks,” she murmured, reaching out to take the paper triangle. She imagined it being more rigid and squeezed, almost crushing it. Mina made an exasperated expression as she corrected, shooting him a lopsided, guilty grin. Cradling the disposable water cup daintily between her fingertips, she sipped.
Mina drained the triangle in a couple gulps and the ice-cold water soothed her agitated throat. “That’s better. Thanks.” She said again. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, reaching out to take the paper triangle. She imagined it being more rigid and squeezed, almost crushing it. Mina made an exasperated expression as she corrected, shooting him a lopsided, guilty grin. Cradling the disposable water cup daintily between her fingertips, she sipped.
Mina drained the triangle in a couple gulps and the ice-cold water soothed her agitated throat. “That’s better. Thanks.” She said again. “You’re a lifesaver.”