"Mia!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the room as I shook Mia's body with desperate force. Tears streamed down my face, burning my eyes as my lower lip trembled uncontrollably.
"Mia... Please... Don't do this. I begged you. Please..." I cried, my voice shattered and broken. Tears continued to flow, my sobs wracking my body, making it difficult for me to speak, let alone catch my breath.
Collapsing to my knees, I pressed my head against Mia's chest, the weight of my grief tearing my heart apart into a million shattered fragments. The pain, emptiness, and frustration consumed me, defying any words to describe the depth of my anguish. Everything I had endured, all the suffering and sacrifices I had made to save my little sister, felt utterly futile now.
My whole world had crumbled, leaving me with a profound sense of sorrow that weighed heavily upon my heart. Intense bawling overtook me, tears cascading down my cheeks, mingling with the pool of blood staining Mia's clothes. I longed for one more chance to hear Mia's voice, to see my sister look at her and say she was okay. Why did this have to happen? Why was nature so ruthless, so dreadfully cruel?
I cried until I could cry no more, my tear ducts drained, leaving me sitting with my head buried in my raised knees. Emptiness consumed me, numbing me to the core. I couldn't fathom what to do next, but amidst the profound desolation, a chilling resolve took hold of me.
After burying my sister, I knew I would find peace in jumping off the cliff. Life no longer held any meaning for me. I had lost everything that mattered. The pain was unbearable, and I believed it wasn't worth enduring any longer.
Numbness spread through my body, my entire being trembling involuntarily as memories flooded my mind. First, it was my father, then mother, and now Mia. What have I done wrong in life to deserve such unrelenting tragedy? It didn't matter anymore. Today marked the end of everything, I thought, determination etching itself onto my impassive, yet sorrow-stricken face.
"Ann... Anna..." a voice called out.
Startled, I raised my head slightly, my eyes darting around the room until they landed on my sister, whom I had lay on the bed.
"What...?" I whispered, my voice barely audible, and I attempted to return to my previous position, but something stopped me.
"Did I... Go... for long?" the voice came again, and my heart skipped a beat. I struggled to stand up, my legs wobbling beneath me, and stumbled toward my sister's bedside, only to find Mia's faint gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Mia...? Mia...?" I called out, my voice filled with a mix of disbelief and hope. My eyes widened in astonishment. My sister was alive. The despair that had consumed me now collided with a flicker of renewed hope, igniting a spark within me that refused to be extinguished.
__________
"Miss, I'm afraid she has been diagnosed with an advanced stage two cancer," the doctor informed, his voice heavy with concern.
"Unfortunately, the tumor has already grown through the colon wall, but thankfully, it hasn't spread to any lymph nodes or other parts of her body," he paused, taking a moment to collect himself.
"She needs immediate chemotherapy to target the tumor cells before it's too late," the doctor continued, his words hanging in the air with a sense of urgency.
Fear gripped me as I absorbed the gravity of the situation. "How much will it cost, doctor?" I asked, my heart pounding with curiosity and dread.
"It's quite expensive, Miss," he replied, causing my gaze to drift aimlessly, lost in my thoughts.
"We'll need a total of $500,000 for the surgery and other necessary treatments, including her recovery. There's also a new medication available for patients with this type of cancer, but let's focus on the immediate needs for now," he explained with a sympathetic smile. Frustration welled up inside me. It was just as I had expected.
_______
How on Earth am I going to gather such an enormous amount of money? How? I pondered as I aimlessly wandered through the city, dragging my feet wherever they took me.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, heralding the arrival of a torrential downpour that transformed the city streets into cascading streams. The morning sun, once sparkling through light and wispy clouds, now gave way to a sinister shadow.
Seeking shelter in a shaded corner, I watched as the rain poured down relentlessly. I longed to dance and play in the rain, reminiscent of happier times when I didn't carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, when I had my family to lean on. But that was all gone now, replaced with the harsh reality I found myself in. I needed to find a way to survive this cruel fate.
A deep sigh escaped my lips as my mind drifted back to the doctor's words. Mia's life depended on immediate surgery, as the cancer had become a grave threat. And the question remained: Where on Earth would I find such a vast sum of money? Where?
I scolded myself for being foolish; I had already made my decision. It was either do or die. Mia would not survive without the surgery. Just the thought of losing her sent fear clawing at my heart, and I couldn't bear the pain of her loss. I might even succumb to shock and grief before I could execute my desperate plan.
Hailing a cab, I gave the driver the address of the Elite Club. We arrived at the famous luxurious five-star hotel, and with determination in my step, I made my way to the manager's office.
"What are you doing here, Miss?" he asked in an unpleasantly rough manner before I could utter a word.
"I heard you were hiring, so I came to apply for a job," I said politely, careful not to annoy him further.
He removed his glasses and tossed them onto the table in front of him. "What's your family background? Are you famous or wealthy?" he inquired, his brows furrowed deeply.
"Does that matter?" I asked, surprising him with my response.
"Yes, it does, Miss. If you don't come from the right background, you don't fit in at this club," he retorted firmly.
I stared straight at him, anger and fear coursing through my veins. I knew he was speaking the truth, but couldn't he just give me a chance? I needed this job; I couldn't back down because of some arbitrary rule of discrimination.
"Could I at least work as a waitress? I promise I can do it exceptionally well," I pleaded, silently praying for a positive response.
"Um... I don't think I can hire you," he replied, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Please, sir... I promise I won't let you down," I begged, rubbing my hands together, my eyes welling up with tears once again.
"Stop wasting your time and get out, Miss," he snarled, his tone filled with anger.
"Please... sir," I pleaded, falling to my knees and dragging myself across the floor. Begging had become all too familiar to me; the world had reduced me to a worthless beggar. I had nothing left except my dying sister. Clenching my fists, I lowered my head and closed my eyes halfway, waiting for the manager's response. If he didn't approve, I was ready to give up on life.
The manager regarded me, his expression filled with contemplation. "Fine, I'll hire you, but on two conditions," he finally said, and a ray of hope illuminated my entire face.