Emergency Room

She is 9 years old but only a few inches shorter than a 25 year old fully grown Southeast Asian. She is Egyptian and a sweet little lady who smiles despite swollen lymph nodes and tonsillitis. 

She looks away but still wears a faint smile as her blood was drawn for analysis. She flinches a little while a tiny bleb was made on her forearm for an antibiotic allergy test. The test results are out so the antibiotic is administered deep in her muscles. She did not make a sound as the needle landed on her, no movement as the two ml of potent fluid spreads, and still she remains motionless after the thin rod of metal is withdrawn. 

Mommy gives her a hug for being a tough girl and Ms. Nurse calls her amazing names for bravery. 

She slowly walks out of the room. Away from everyone to whom she showed her courage, she retreats in a chair where she burts out into tears.

The two ml fluid brought immense pain but she managed to cover it up. Mama had to see her battle the hurt and everybody seemed too proud she did not want them disappointed. 

She had to be brave because little girls are more than just a sweet smile. But someone had to remind her that she can be brave and shed tears at the same time and that she's doing great in holding on to courage, just in case the world forgets she is also made to fight.