The morning sun poured softly through the hospital window, casting golden stripes across the pale blue walls and the white bedsheets. Layla lay there, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as if it held the answers to every question swirling inside her mind. Her heart beat steadily, but her thoughts raced with the intensity of a storm.
Everything had changed.
She remembered. She remembered it all—what she had seen, and most astonishingly, what she had come to understand in just a glance. It was as though her mind had been rewired overnight, giving her a gift she couldn't yet fully comprehend. But she knew one thing for certain: it was unbelievable. Beyond science. Beyond logic. Yet it was real.
With this new clarity, a spark of hope ignited in her chest. The college entrance exams were just around the corner. She had resigned herself to the idea that she wouldn't make it into any university. She was an average student from a humble family, struggling just to keep her grades afloat. But now? Now she felt invincible. If she could memorize and understand everything she read with just a glance, the exams would be nothing.
For the first time in years, she believed she had a future.
"Layla… Layla, are you alright?"
The worried voice cut through her thoughts like a sharp wind, pulling her back to the present. She turned her head slightly and saw her mother, Elif, standing by the bedside, her face tight with concern.
"Mom, are you awake?" Layla asked, surprised.
Elif nodded, her expression a mixture of relief and lingering worry.
"I've been awake for a long time," Elif replied gently. "But you seemed distracted. I called your name several times, but you didn't react. I was scared. I thought… I thought your brain was damaged again."
Layla sat up slightly, guilt washing over her.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just… thinking."
Elif reached out, brushing her fingers gently across her daughter's hair. "You're okay now, that's all that matters."
Layla smiled, then winced slightly at the tightness in her chest. "It really is morning already?"
Elif nodded again. "Yes, it is. What would you like for breakfast? I can go get you something."
Layla shook her head. "Anything is fine, Mom. I'm not picky."
Elif opened her mouth as if to say something but stopped herself. She knew her daughter well. Layla had always been the type to avoid indulgence, never asking for anything too expensive or fancy. A good child. A quiet soul. Elif smiled to herself, made her decision, and walked out of the room to buy something delicious for her daughter anyway.
Once the door closed behind her mother, Layla swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She felt a little unsteady at first but quickly found her balance. A walk around the room would be good. Her muscles were stiff from staying in bed so long. She took a slow lap around the room, then another. Her body, like her mind, felt stronger than before.
By the time Elif returned with a tray of breakfast, Layla was seated at the small table near the window, her eyes alert and clear.
"You're up!" Elif said in surprise, setting the food down. "That's a good sign."
Layla smiled. "I just needed to stretch a little."
The food smelled amazing—warm pastries, boiled eggs, olives, cheese, and a cup of herbal tea. Layla ate heartily, savoring every bite. Her body craved energy, and she felt grateful for the nourishment.
Shortly after breakfast, the doctor entered the room, a folder in his hand and a strange expression on his face—a mixture of disbelief and awe.
"Miss Layla," he began, flipping through the chart. "I have gone through your test results several times just to be sure, and I have to say… this is a miracle. The brain congestion we initially diagnosed has completely disappeared. Vanished without a trace."
Elif gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Layla just stared.
"In fact," the doctor continued, "your body appears to be in excellent condition. Far above average. I can't explain this as a doctor. But as a man of faith… I can only say that God has blessed you."
Tears welled up in Elif's eyes as she reached out and shook the doctor's hand repeatedly.
"Thank you, thank you so much," she said. "Thank you for everything you've done."
The doctor nodded, still looking amazed. "We will discharge her today. You can go to the counter to complete the paperwork."
Layla's heart skipped with joy. She would go home today. Home, where her books waited. Where she could finally begin her journey toward something greater.
"Mom, please go ahead and finish the discharge procedure," Layla said excitedly. "I'll get ready."
Elif hesitated, but seeing the joy on her daughter's face, she smiled and left.
By 1 p.m., they were out of the hospital, the warm sun greeting them like an old friend. Their house was small—just a modest three-room flat in a quiet neighborhood—but it was home. It was enough.
Layla dropped her bag in her room and turned to her mother.
"I think I need to rest a little," she said.
"Of course, darling. You just got discharged. Get some sleep. I'll make lunch," Elif replied, walking toward the kitchen.
---
After entering her room, Layla headed straight to her school bag. She pulled out all her books and decided to start with mathematics. Opening the textbook, she carefully studied the examples before moving on to the exercises.
First question.
Second question.
Third... and on it went, all the way to the twentieth.
Once finished, she flipped to the back of the book to check the answers. Her eyes widened in disbelief—every answer was correct. All of them. She blinked, double-checked, even reworked a few problems just to be sure.
Could this be real?
Driven by a mix of curiosity and excitement, she turned to another topic. She skimmed the examples, then jumped straight into the exercises. Again, every answer was spot on. Not a single mistake. Topic after topic, subject after subject—it was the same story.
She breezed through science, history, and language. In just three hours, Layla had reviewed every subject, completed every practice set, and answered every question perfectly. Not one wrong.
She was elated.
What had once been seen as a misfortune—an accident—was now revealing itself as a blessing in disguise.
"Layla… Layla…" her mother's voice called from outside the room. "It's time to eat. Lunch was ready ages ago, but you were so focused on your studies, I didn't want to disturb you. But now it's almost dinner and you still haven't eaten. Come out and eat something."
"Okay, Mom! I'm coming!" Layla replied cheerfully, her heart light and her spirit lifted.