Just when my life was full of roses, the thorns couldn't wait to pierce my heart. Why can't we have a day as good as this one in peace? My head already hurts from crying so hard.
"Mi amore, have some water," Pablo sat beside me on my small bed. My room was small, with just a small bed almost not fit for two to sleep comfortably, a wardrobe, a dining table, and a very small kitchen space.
"You should go as soon as possible. Crying won't heal her. She needs you by her side more than anything." Soledad, my roommate who's a year younger than me sits on the other side of the bed.
Just like me, she never has time to waste. She pays her bills. Her parents died out of the same disease and she never speaks about it. Her grades were good enough to get to college but not good enough to get a scholarship.
"You're right. I need to get to her as soon as possible."
"Camilla, I can always get another interview. I can't leave you like this. Please let me tag along," Pablo was going to have an interview the next day. How could I let him come with me? What if that was his luck? His opportunity?
"No, Pablo. You need this interview. You can come afterwards but not now,"
He sighed, his hand still in mine, "Let me pack your things, at least," Pablo went to my side of the wardrobe and started packing my clothes. What would I do without this man?
"Relax, Camilla. Everything will be fine." Soledad embraces me with a big hug. I keep breathing in and out but my heart doesn't get any lighter. It's as if there's this huge stone glued to it and pushing it away only causes more bleeding wounds. My stomach keeps clenching like a fist.
"Here's everything you need. Let's go to the bus station," Both Pablo and Soledad decided to go to the bus station with me. Our little walk was filled with silence yet warmth dominated beneath our hearts.
Pablo held both my hands while Soledad wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Camilla," he begins in his sweet tone that makes me want to fall asleep instantly, "I love you and I promise that everything will be alright. Don't worry and don't cry, okay?"
My voice shook. I could barely speak. "Thank you, Pablo. For everything." I hugged him tight but then quickly released myself to wipe away the tears.
Soledad squeezed her arms on mine again and pulled me into another hug. My heart felt better and even though Pablo still had his hand tightly intertwined with mine, I felt like everything was going to be okay.
The bus arrived at the station. I gave Pablo one last look but before I hoped inside, he held my hand again. His beautiful eyes were almost watery. With a low tone, he whispered, "I love you,"
I held his hand again, and he made it sound like I was never coming back again, "We will see each other again, I promise," With that, he let go of his hand and I hopped inside the bus.
My eyes were still on him. His facial expression of sadness was unlike anything I had seen of him before. Maybe I should just let him come with me. But no. I have made the right decision. He needed to do him too.
The ride is silent. A lot of seats were left empty. As the bus carried me closer to my town, my heart was heavy with worry and fear.
I glanced around, but Pablo wasn't there beside me, and the reality of facing this alone hit me like a ton of bricks. Now I had to deal with this difficult situation on my own.
Trying to keep my composure, I clutched my phone tightly, checking for messages or updates every few minutes. My head was already throbbing from crying so hard earlier.
Why did life have to be so cruel? Just when everything seemed to be going well, this had to happen.
The small town where my mother was being treated came into view, and I knew I had to gather all the strength I had left.
When I finally reached the hospital, my hands were trembling as I approached the reception, Dr. Marshal was talking to a nurse before he saw me. His expression confirmed my worst fears.
"Dr. Marshall" I look at him. My heart pounds as loud as an old church bell, " Doctor, what happened to my mother?"
"Camilla, my dear. Let's go to my office please," A hand of comfort carried my shoulder. I nodded as we walked towards his office. Locking the door behind us, he sighed. "Have a seat, my dear."
God. Heavenly lord. Please help me accept what I'm about to hear. Please give me the strength to fight it. I then open my eyes.
"Your mother's kidney condition has gotten worse. If she doesn't get a kidney transplant in two days, she may not be among the living. Well, the good news is we have a donor."
My lips slightly parted. My mom. She has been given a second chance.
"Bad news is the donor demands 12 million dollars,"
My heart sank as I realized that we couldn't afford such a colossal sum. Tears welled up in my eyes once more.
"Doctor, how can we afford twelve million dollars?" My heart crumbled into pieces too small to be seen. The doctor finds the right to say but ends up with nothing. He takes me to my mother's space.
Sitting beside her, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. Her eyes were covered by dark circles and her lips were dry, it just reminded me of my failures.
After all that she went through just to keep me on my own two feet, this shouldn't be her end. She should enjoy the better side of this world too.
The room was suddenly filled with silence as if a frozen king was making an entrance. His body explained fine details in his dark suit. His dark brown hair went super well with his dark sunglasses. Everyone else exchanged looks as it looked like his direction was headed towards me.
Wait. He was coming towards me!
"Ohh," He scanned me as he took his sunglasses off, "Seeing you this close makes me realize how beautiful you are," Does this look like a joke to him?
"Who are you?" My voice was at its calmest state as it could be. Why would a man of his qualities bother a woman like me?
"Sorry for the late introduction, the name's Marcus Del Monte. Does that name ring the bells?" I shook my head. Why would I know him?
He smirks, "I CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOTHER'S TRANSPLANT EXPENSES, BUT ONLY IF YOU AGREE TO MEET MY TERMS. Does that not ring the bell too?"
My heart stopped. Suddenly, the beeping of the heart monitor changes. It had become louder, faster, and irregular.
My heart skipped a beat, and a knot kept forming in my stomach. I looked at the monitor, and my eyes widened in horror at the erratic pattern on the screen.
Panic surged through me, and I felt my hands trembling as I reached for the call button to summon the nurses.
"Something's wrong! Please, someone, help!" I called out, my voice shaking with fear.
Within seconds, the room was filled with medical staff, their faces tense and focused. I watched helplessly as they rushed around the bed, checking my mother's vital signs, and attaching more wires and monitors. The urgency in their movements sent a wave of terror through me.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched my mother's hand tightly. "You're going to be okay, Mom. Please be okay," I whispered, my voice breaking.
I stepped close to her but one of the nurses pulled me back, "We're doing everything we can, Camilla. Stay back, let us work."
"I can't lose her. She's all I have." I crumbled, my hands instinctively covering my face as I sobbed, seeking solace in the darkness they provided
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as the heart monitor continued to emit the alarming sound. Each second felt like an eternity, and I prayed with all my might for my mother's well-being.
The room seemed to close in on me, and I felt suffocated by the fear and uncertainty. The doctor approached me with a grave demeanour, and my heart sank further.
"My dear, your mother's condition has drastically deteriorated. Both of her kidneys keep failing. She needs to have surgery right now if you want to try the little chance she has left to save her life,"
He spoke with a gentle but urgent tone, there was little chance of her survival.
The guy in the dark suit was still there, listening to what the doctor was saying. Hearing the urgent need, he smirked at me, " Now, you still don't want my beloved offer?"