''Yes. I was the one. Aunt warned me that my mum would be angry if she saw us there but I still pleaded with her to let me go.'' Erica said and they looked at the door when they saw it open.
''Aunt, you are here!'' Erica said excitedly when she saw Amala at the door.
''Yes, I am here. How is my pretty little niece doing?'' Amala kissed Erica and turned to Rosa.
''Amala, it's good to see you here.''
''Good morning, elder sister.''
''Good morning, I will leave you two to talk.'' Rosa said and stood up.
''No, I have somewhere to go. I just passed by to see how Erica was doing. Now that I've seen her, I shall take my leave now.'' Amala replied.
''Aunt, where are you going?'' Erica asked and held Amala's hand.
''I'm meeting someone. I will see you at home when I return, okay?''
''Okay…'' Erica said reluctantly.
''Who are you meeting?'' Rosa asked.
''It's personal. I have to go, bye Erica.'' Amala kissed Erica before walking to the door. When she opened it, she saw Jolene.
''Amala, you came…'' Jolene was just about to ask and Amala walked away, ignoring her completely.
''Amala…''
''Let her go!'' Rosa said stopping Jolene.
Jolene sighed and closed the door. ''Erica…'' She walked over to the bed.
...
Department of Gastric Cancer Treatment
Amala walked to the counter and spoke to the nurse. ''Hi, I'm here to see Dr. Ralph!''
''Do you have an appointment?'' The lady asked.
''No! But he knows me!''
''I'm sorry but without appointment, you cannot see Dr. Ralph.'' The nurse said and lifted her head to look at Amala.
''I see, thank you!'' Amala said and turned to go. The door to the consulting room opened and a young man walked out in a doctor's coat.
''Do I have any appointments left?'' Dr. Ralph asked.
''No, doctor.''
Amala turned when she heard his voice. Their eyes met and they both stared at each other for a while before the doctor asked.
''Are you here to see me?''
''Are you Dr. Ralph?'' Amala asked.
''Yes, I am.''
''Dr. Ralph, she doesn't have an appointment. She looks like a high school girl. You know, most of them come here to see your face and not to get treatment.''
''I am not here to see his face!'' Amala said indifferently and looked at the nurse.
''You must be Amala, right?'' Dr. Ralph asked.
''Do you know me?'' Amala asked back.
''No, but someone said I would know you right away by the way you speak. She was right!'' Dr. Ralph said and chuckled.
''Doctor, do you know her?'' The nurse asked.
''Yes, clear all my appointments for the day if there are any. You can go home!'' Dr. Ralph said to the nurse.
''Huh? I can… go home?'' The nurse asked to be sure.
''Yes. You can leave. Amala, come with me!'' Dr. Ralph said and went back to his office.
Amala looked at the nurse and went inside the office. She closed the door and looked at the doctor.
''Sit down! Do you want anything to drink?''
''No! I'm okay!'' Amala replied.
''I see. Carly told me about you. I thought you wouldn't come since it's being a couple of days since the day she told me.''
''I came to visit someone at the hospital and decided to pass by.'' Amala answered.
Dr. Ralph smiled. ''Carly sent me your medical records. Actually, things are not that hopeless. As long as you undergo the surgery, you will be fine.''
''No! I am not doing the surgery. I already told Dr. Carly.''
''Yes, you did. She told me. But Amala, can I ask you something?''
''What do you want to ask?''
''What is your real reason for not wanting the surgery? Are you hoping that your death will bring others sorrow or pain? Is it your way of carrying out vengeance?''
''No! No one really cares about me so my death won't matter either ways. I just…'' Amala paused and took a deep breath before answering. 'I just don't want to do it. My existence don't matter to me nor anyone. Even if I die, no one would notice.''
Dr. Ralph leaned back and sighed. He looked at Amala for a few seconds and said to her. ''I would notice when you die. Your existence matter to me, Amala.''
''Doctor, is that what you tell your patients when they refuse treatment?''
''Why? Is it cheesy?''
''Very cheesy. I know you are a doctor and doctors take pride in being able to treat their patients, right? But I am different. I do not want treatment. I just want to live until when I can't then, I will pass away peacefully.''
''Who is it?'' Dr. Ralph suddenly asked.
''Who is it? I don't understand!''
''The bastard who made you stop believing in life and love.''
''I have never being in love before!''
''No, not that kind of love. I mean which one of your parents or relative made you loss hope in life?''
''Nobody!''
''That's not true! Doctor, you are not about to take me through a love and whatever tutorials, right?''
''Why not?''
''Doctor, please don't do that. I hate talking about my feelings the most. Dr. Carly told me you would give me some prescription when I come here.''
''Is the prescription you have finished?''
''Yes. If it is possible, can you give me three months' worth of prescription? I hate hospitals.''
''That will an abuse. I need to monitor how you take your medicine. For now, I will give you one week worth of medication. You will be coming here every midweek for check-up and other tests.''
''You are even annoying than Dr. Carly. I can only blame myself for coming here in the first place.'' Amala muttered.
''If you miss your appointment, I'm going to look for you. Trust me, I know everywhere in Ren City. I have a lot of connections.''
''Are you threatening me?''
''No! I'm just informing you of what I will do.''
''Whatever!'' Amala muttered and sighed. She really regretted going to see Dr. Ralph.
''Remember to come here next week Wednesday.'' Dr. Ralph said before handing over the medicine to Amala.