NINETEEN
3 Days later.....
Suzanne wasn't happy. Her dad wasn't responding to treatment and she wondered what had transpired. He didn't even have symptoms, so..how come?
She felt really devastated as she kept receiving negative results from different doctors. This was bad, this is bad - real bad.
As she collected another test result from a new doctor, her hands trembled as she feared what the results could be. Her heart felt like it had a weak pericardium and could drop to her stomach at the sense of another sad news.
She looked at the doctor and then at her hands, which held the white papers. It hurts to see that her dad's condition was expressed in papers - her tears wet the paper.
The doctor gazed at her and shook his head in pity. He knew how she felt - lots of people end up leaving his office in tears. And he felt sorry he couldn't help but his ( Clinton's) case was different, it wasn't his fault - not like he had anything to do with other patients' predicaments but it just wasn't his fault.
She glanced at the words that formed painful sentences with a heavy heart, it was all the same - the same negative results she had gotten for the past 3 days in different hospitals. She looked at the white bearded man, a tint of disappointment and sadness in her eyes, it was clear she wasn't holding back her tears cause they flowed freely leaving her visions blurry.
Those tears... Doctor Max shook his head. Medicine sucks, especially when you can't help everyone....
"You have to understand that your dad's situation is different. I've never seen this before...I mean.." he tried to explain, his hands on his occupied desk.
"I can't let my dad die, Doc.. he's all I've got…you have to do something-" she sniffed between sobs.
How can he say that? Doctors are evil and pathetic - how can I call him pathetic.. I'm actually the one who looks pathetic... But they are just wicked... Mom died because of them...and now they can't help Dad...why do I have to suffer...all this is because of James... wait till I get my hands on him....
"He won't die,"
The doctor's statement broke her train of thoughts. She looked at him as if assessing his behavior. He is just trying to give me hope- false hope.
"He is not going to die," He repeated. This time his face was bright and the wrinkles on his forehead relaxed. Suzanne sighed.
"What do you mean? It clearly states to her that his cells are dead and his bones weak...so?" She asked, a definition of confusion in her face.
"You're right. His cells are dead and bones weak but... it's strange because his heart beat is steady and every cell close to his heart is alive and working.. I've never seen such before," he exclaimed, eyes scanning the test results he collected from her.
Suzanne felt relieved, a surge of assurance spreading through hair.
"I'm afraid..he might be bedridden forever. Strangely, after the x-ray scan we couldn't detect the cause of his sudden paralysis. There are no traces of injuries or diseases, it's more like he's in a slumber and might not wake up for days." He explained further.
"Are you saying...the dead cells are-" she asked, eyebrows raised.
"That's right..they are guesses from my part..his system is normal but strangely, his paralyzed, no pain, no movements, he can't even speak. Dead cells could be one of the problems. Let's just wait and see if he improves. It could be as a result of shock which could be temporary in his case." he said, putting on his spectacles as he stretched his hands to the cupboard attached to his desk.
He brought out a book and wrote down something. Tearing a sheet out of the book, he forwarded to her. She looked at the writing and nodded slightly.
Those were his medications and time to take them.
She thanked him as she stormed out of the office to devour James. Obviously he dad was struck with paralysis because of z shock - the shock that James betrayed him. How could he do this to her? And to think he hadn't even visited the hospital yet.
She bumped into Nick on her way towards the lobby.
"Are you alright?" He asked, preventing her from falling.
"Yes. Just tired. You didn't say you were visiting today," she said looking at him, trying to dust invisible dirt from her clothes.
Nick chuckled slightly, "do I need permission? I heard he's been transferred here. So I…" he wiped the sweats on his neck.
Suzanne smiled wearily, "it's fine, I'm just surprised. But I'm thankful, you've been of help to me and joy?...I can't thank her enough." She replied. It was visible that she would cry soon. She sniffed trying to prevent tears from clouding her eyes.
"Nah... It's nothing. You and your dad are like family. I know you would do the same for me as well," He said, rubbing her shoulder.
Her mood lightened a bit though she felt stranded. "the results are same. I feel helpless,"
Nick lent her a shoulder to cry on.
"It's alright. Just think positively," he patted her hand calmly as she sat on the seat along the lobby. Nick sat with her.
"Can I see him?" He asked.
Suz shook her head. "He's still unconscious. I can't help that the doctors aren't doing enough, I might have to transfer him to India if he doesn't respond to treatment here, I can't let him die like mother…." She started sobbing again.
Nick felt her pain. He could read her mind too - she was afraid of death, Losing her dad. Her mom died when she was just a year old. She was so attached to her dad.
"He's going to be fine. Just don't stress yourself, you have to be strong," he consoled her, wiping her tears with his hands.
She rubbed her eyes a little and then frowned as if remembering something. "All this is James's fault. I hate him," she muttered under her breath, her eyes scanning the floor.
Nick looked at her. He wanted to speak but she continued, "I can never forgive him. Dad raised him and all he did was betray him. Dad was so shocked that he was affected with paralysis... he has not even visited."
"You shouldn't think of James now. Let's just focus on your dad."
"I can't believe that he has changed... normal James would have been here by now. It's been 3 days and he hasn't even called, not to talk of visiting," She sighed deeply.
Nick rubbed her palms, comforting her without words.