I slept on the floor after all the drama we went through last evening. I thought it was just a nightmare but when I lifted my head, and I caught sight of his urn.
I sat staring at the white glass urn on the cupboard with his picture from that day I dragged him out to replace Kyle for his school ID pircture taking.
I felt down once again. That's when I remembered what happened yesterday.
I was washing the dishes after we have eaten our lunch when the phone rang.
"Hello?" I said.
"Is this Kyle's address?" the caller asked.
"Yes, what's going on?" I replied reluctantly. I heard a few familiar noises at the background.
"The patient is being transported to Hills Hospital. The vehicle they were riding got into an accident at Hills Street." the caller said. "You should--"
I dropped the phone and felt like everything around me fell silent. That's when mom rushed towards me and asked.
"What happened?" her voice seemed mad.
I stared at her with blank eyes, my feet felt numb and my face felt sore. "Kyle got into an accident. The thing they're on was rammed by a truck or so the caller said..." I said. I was in shock.
Mom frowned and slightly panicked. She ran to their room and got her bag and dragged the Kid out to her car without saying a word.
"Wait fro me!" I exclaimed. Mom drove fast to the hospital and immediately asked for my brother.
"Where is Kyle Clarkson?!" she exclaimed.
"Are you his mother?" a doctor approached her.
"Yes, are you the in-charge?" mom asked.
"Yes ma'am. Your son's case is very dangerous. After we run an MRI we found a life-threatening case. He was greatly hit on his right side. The femur was broken, his ribs were broken which might have damaged his organs. His brain might be damaged as well. In the advent of--"
"If you need an organ donor, I already have one. JUST SAVE MY SON!" My mom exclaimed.
The doctor was taken aback. He did not expect my mother will react that way. And, I know what surprised him the most, it's the fact that she said she already has a donor.
"If that's the case, then we can proceed immediately with the transplant." the doctor said.
Mom looked straight at the Kid and grabbed his arm.
"Aww.." Kid complained. "It hurts, Mom."
"Don't worry. It will not hurt anymore." Mom dragged Kid in front of the doctor and said, "This is my donor."
Kid was flustered. He did not understand what was really going on.
"Just get along with it, idiot!" Mom exclaimed.
"No!" Kid said. He tried to get away from Mom's grip but the more he pulled away, the more mom held on tight.
"Listen Kid. This is the time we need you the most. You need to perform your role in saving my son!" Mom said with a glare.
"I don't want to. If I do, I will die." Kid exclaimed.
"That's your purpose, idiot! So now go!"
"No!" Kid screamed and ran away.
"Hurry and get him!" Mom exclaimed.
The hospital staff went to chase the Kid until they reached the rooftop and cornered him.
"Let's stop this chase, Kid." Mom said.
The hospital staff including the guards surround the Kid who stood near the edge of the building.
I stood there watching from not so far. Mom kept calling him and reasoning with him.
"C'mon Kid. Just don't fight it anymore. It's to save Kyle. It's to save my son."
Kyle. I thought I would be happy if he was gone, but he's still my brother. I can't accept the fact that he'll be gone if the transplants were not to happen. But forcing Kid to do it would cost his life, and I don't want it either.
I stepped closer to where they are and asked mom,
"Can we not force him, Mom? I mean..."
"So what, Kara?! Would you like Kyle to die?" Mom said.
I was flustered. I don't want that to happen. I turned around and I saw Kid getting caught as he still struggled.
"Kara, please help. I don't want to do the operation. I don't want to die!"
Mom. Kid. I stood between them and I felt so heavy. My heart kept on feeling cold and skipping a beat.
"Just be a good kid and follow me, Kid!" Mom yelled.
"I don't want to die." Kid repeated many times.
I slowly turned towards him with what I've resolved in me.
"Please, save my brother..." I asked him.
As if hearing those words made the sky fall on him, Kid fell to his knees and lost strength. The doctor holding a tranquilizer immediately injected him and in a few seconds, he fell asleep. They carried him back in and that's when we stayed outside the operating room, waiting for Kyle.
"Did you already called your dad?" Mom asked.
I couldn't really hear her but I reached my phone on my pocket and dialed dad.
"Dad.." I said when he picked up.
"Hey Kara, what's up?"
"Dad..." I know I have to explain but when I heard his voice, my world crumbled.
A few hours later, he arrived and we have known the bitter truth.
.....
My mom never spoke a word since that day. She only smiles when she goes to visit Kyle at the hospital. The doctors said he's gaining consciousness and will be able to stay conscious after a few more days. The operation was successful. They've replaced his kidney, lungs, a part of the liver, and even one side of the brain. It was a miracle.
But, Mom shivers when she walks past the living room. I know it was hard, but she kept the cupboard clean and lit the candle daily. Her eyes were always dark and thick, she might have cried every night due to lack of sleep. I mean, she has to worry about my other brother and now she has to carry that burden as well.
"Hey mom…" I called her as she stared at the urn since she woke up this morning. "Breakfast is ready, c'mon let's eat." I helped her to stand but her eyes still focus on him.
I walked her to the kitchen and help her seat.
"Morning!" dad greeted as he went inside the kitchen.
"Good morning dad.." I replied.
"Morning, Hon…" he kissed her on her forehead.
"Food smells good, Kara.." he said. "You've become good at cooking, huh.."
"There's no other choice, you know.." I frowned. "I mean, I have to do this.."
"I know.." my dad held my hand and looked me in my eyes saying, "Thanks for doing this, sweetie.."
"Of course…" I said and we eat our breakfast.
"I will visit Kyle this afternoon, keep the house clean okay?" Mom said.
"I know."
Then, we all ate in silence.