Miriam was so lost in thought, she didn't realise she had been standing at the door for almost 30 minutes. She was brought back to earth when she was startled by her mother's voice.
"Mimie!?"
"Mom!!" she gasped and put her hand on the left side of her chest. "You startled me!"
"Really? That was the fourth time I called you. What were you thinking?"
"Mom it's...it's nothing." She said as she brushed past her to get herself inside the small apartment. "Where's dad?" She managed to change the subject.
"He's in our room. Go in first. I was getting him a glass of juice when I saw you at the door."
"Okay, mom."
Miriam made her way to her parents' room and knocked lightly at the door.
"Come in." She heard her dad's deep voice echo in the room and she pushed the door open. She made her way to the bed and sat beside her dad lying on the bed and held his hand.
"Dad, how are you feeling?" Miriam asked, her voice full of concern.
"I'm doing well, my angel. Your mom is just exaggerating. I was just tired and collapsed, that's all."
"You collapsed!?" Miriam gasped with bulging eyes. Her mom didn't mention that. She just said he was brought back home from work because he was really sick. "You collapsed and you think that's nothing?"
"Oh come on, Mimie. Don't be like your mom now." He said with a tint of laughter. "I even told her not to call you. She must have disturbed your studies, right?"
"Dad, don't try to change the subject. You collapsed!" She reminded him of what was actually on board. "How did it happen? God, why are you even home? You look really pale, dad, you should be at the hospital, why are you here?"
"He's being stubborn. That's what I've been telling him till now." Gerry said as she walked in and placed the juice on the coffee table close to the bed. "And you should have seen him when they brought him home. He looked like a ghost! His colour has even returned now that you see him like this."
"Gerry..."
"That's the truth, Dom." Gerry interjected her husband.
"Come on, Dad, let's get you to see a doctor now. What if it's something serious?"
"Its nothing serious. I promise. I was just tired because I overworked. You two should stop making it seem like its a big deal."
"Dad just stop talking and let's get going already! The doctor will tell us if it's a big deal or not. You can't tell us that! Now, please get up," Miriam said in a stern voice, "unless you want it the hard way." She mumbled the rest of her sentense audibly, stood up impatiently from the bed and made her way to the door, but a hand pulled her back to sit on the bed.
"Hey, you guys." Dominic pulled her down to sit back and forced himself to sit up. He needed to prove to them that he was fine. "See, why don't you want to understand that over-working can make someone pass out? I have been working for extra hours lately and that brought about this situation. I only need some days of rest and that has already been granted. I have been granted a two-week sick leave to rest while I get my strength back. I promise not to overwork anymore."
Both mother and daughter looked at him for some time before they both sighed heavily.
"Are you really, really sure, Dad?" Miriam asked worriedly.
"I'm very sure, my angel."
"Dom, you know we're all here for you, right?" Dominic nodded and Gerry continued. "Why, in the first place, did you have to over-work? What do you need so much money for?" It was obvious it was for the money, she didn't need to ask.
"You know I'm the head of the family. It breaks my heart to see you all work so hard for us. I should be the one to shoulder most of our needs here..."
"Well, that's nonsense, Dom! Seriously?" Gerry almost lost her patience. Miriam placed her hand on her shoulder to calm her down a bit. "Why are we a family then if you want to shoulder all the responsibilities in this house?"
"Okay fine. I didn't say it right. I'm sorry, hon." Dominic held her wife's hand and caressed it lovingly. "But you know Mimie is working at a restaurant? And Lordy is also working part time. And they're both studying at the same time. It doesn't sit well with me, Gerry. I feel like I'm not working hard enough. Why must my children work while studying?"
He paused for some seconds and looked at the two women in front of him. He needed his words to sink deep. Then he continued.
"Mimie is in her final year. She needs full concentration in order to make it out successfully. She doesn't have to be working! Lordy just got in school and he's working? You think I don't feel ashamed of myself as a father when I look at you two?"
"Dad..."
"Let me land, Miriam." Dominic cut her off. "I am failing as a father and I couldn't help but request for extra hours to earn more money to help."
It was unlike him to call her name out like that. Miriam could sense the desperation in his voice and it broke her heart.
Same thoughts were running on Gerry's mind. She could see in his eyes and through his voice that he meant whatever he just said. And for some reasons she also felt guilty for not trying to understand her husband. She felt guilty for not seeing things the way he did. She felt guilty for not feeling any kind of guilt while their two children were working.
"I'm sorry, Dom. I'm so sorry. I should have understood you. I was only concerned about your health." Gerry apologized in a calm voice.
"Its okay, hon. I understand your concern for me. And I'm sorry too, for neglecting my health."
"I'm sorry too, Dad." Miriam's voice broke as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "I'm part of the reasons you..."
"Hey hey, shh shh," Dominic pulled Miriam into a hug while stroking her long hair. "Don't you ever blame yourself here, okay? None of this is your fault."
"But..."
"No buts, my angel. You are dad's responsibility, and whatever I did or do now is none of your fault, hmm? Now wipe those tears off your pretty face." Dominic said as Miriam had already started sobbing and he felt his shirt dampening from her hot tears.
Gerry wiped the lone tear that managed to slide down her cheek and drew closer to the two and joined the hug. Dominic lifted his free hand and engulfed his wife in a half hug and kissed both of their hair.
"Promise me you're going to take care of yourself from now on." Gerry said as she raised her head to have a good look at his pale face. "Promise me you will not overdo anything ever again. I can't bear to see you in this state anymore. What if something bad happens to you? What do you think will happen to us? Have you thought of that? Huh?" Tears were pooling up in her eyes. The thought of losing her husband sent shivers down her spine. She didn't even want to think about it.
"I will take care of myself, honey. I promise. Now stop crying. You'll make my angel cry as well." Dominic said, wiping her tears with his thumb as he caressed her cheek.
"I'm serious. Else the next time I'd have no option than to call Lody and inform him of..."
"Honey I already promised I'll be careful next time. You don't have to threaten me." Dominic quickly said.
He knew if his son was home or had been informed about his current condition, he wouldn't be here right now trying to convince them that he was fine. He would have probably been bundled up and sent to a hospital to be strictly confined in bed with several doctors around him.
"You better be careful. There shouldn't be a next time." Gerry warned and snuggled back into his arms again and held him tightly.
'I'm so sorry for lying to you all.' Dominic thought and sighed.
How was he supposed to tell them that he had been diagnosed of having brain tumour, and that too at the severest stage? The slightest stress of his brain cells would cause him to pass out, the doctors had told him, and if he couldn't get the huge amount required for the surgery within a month, he was surely going to die. But he found it hard to tell this to his family. He knew he was being selfish but he couldn't help it. He couldn't bear to add another stress to the already stressed family.
'I hope you all forgive me when you find out.'