"Vern!" I immediately sat up with wide awake senses when I heard a very loud voice calling my name.
And then it was followed by consecutive knocks on the door until it got stronger. With the sound of the voice I immediately recognized who it was.
"Vern! Come out now or I'll open this goddamn door!" She exclaimed in anger which made my heart beat fast.
Worries covered me with fear of the possibilities, shit! What shall I do? I have not paid the rent yet and I know for sure she will be forcing me to give her the payment. I keep promising her but until now I don't have money to pay, it has been three months that I missed paying her.
"Vern! I know you're in there! I saw you coming last night!" She yelled and I frantically looked anywhere for an escape.
I stood up on my bed and looked for my bag, then I ran to the window of my room. I opened it and walked out just exactly when I heard the door of the apartment open.
"Vern!" A very loud voice shouts my name but I ignored it, that landlady is a monster.
I have to get away from my apartment but I need to change first, my sleeping garments do not suit me lurking here around the street.
Good thing I have clothes at the hospital, it was like my home because dad was there. And so I waited for a taxi, when I saw it, I called it right away and it stopped right in front of me.
I get inside, "Saint Luke Hospital, please." I said.
"Yes ma'am." He answered and the taxi drove away.
I sighed in relief, I really don't know what to do... to be honest, I am scared. I could not leave the apartment or else I have nowhere to go but I don't have money to pay as well. I could not even completely pay the daily hospital bills, how could I pay my apartment?
Now that dad's life is at stake, I have to be more thrifty. No matter what I do, I think I am already trapped in being poor. I can do nothing, I don't know what I was fighting for because whatever job I work, I could not pay our hospital Bills. It had reached two million dollars just to extend my father's life.
Suddenly, Hade's face popped on my head.
Shall... I take the risk of bearing his child? But I always dreamed of having a family, a man that I love and will also love me the same. I could only give myself to the man of my life.
But then, I only have four days left, and within those days I must give the payment to the hospital. Ugh! I leaned on the headdress of the car.
"Ma'am, we're here." The driver said and I looked at the windshield to see that we were in front of the hospital.
I took my payment and gave it to the driver. I was about to get out of the Taxi when suddenly, my eyes caught a group of black men.
The moment my eyes landed on Hade, my mouth hung open as my heart beat so fast. He was walking ahead of the men in black with the young man who saved me before closely behind him as they walked towards the entrance door of the hospital.
I immediately sat back in the backseat of the taxi.
What the fuck is he doing here!? Oh shit. I cannot face him right now and I am not ready to see him today. What will I do?
"Ma'am, do you want to go somewhere else?" The driver asked in confusion when he saw me not getting out.
I looked back to the entrance door and saw that they weren't there anymore. Seems life they already got inside.
"N-no, I'm going. Thank you." I said to the driver and walked out of the taxi.
I took a deep breath not realizing that it got stuck on my throat. Then, I walked towards the entrance of the hospital.
But the moment I stepped foot inside, I looked side by side, trying to be vigilant. I can't let Hade see me. Goodness! I don't know how to face him, my systems are shaking like electricity knowing that we might see each other anytime here. I should be more careful.
I took a deep breath when I reached my father's room without meeting Hade halfway.
I opened the door to see dad sleeping so peacefully with different wires connected to him.
"Morning dad, how are you doing? Did they treat you well?" I asked as I got closer to his bed. I don't want to cry but my eyes are betraying me as it starts to water.
I did not get a response but his stable breathing is enough to answer me.
"You're getting more handsome dad, what did you do?" I asked as I smiled weakly.
He had added wrinkles and his hair is getting a bit longer. "You know dad, I had a good day today. I hope you are having a good rest."
I bit my lip as I remembered how I escaped from the landlady. "Oh yeah, I am still wearing my sleeping garment. I rushed through here wanting to see you. I miss you so much, dad." I said as I held my father's hand.
I kissed it, "We will get through this dad. Just hang on okay?" I said and a tear fell from my eyes.
After a while of talking to dad, I decided to get a shower since the bathroom is just inside this room. I changed to a simple white shirt and Jeans.
I got out of the bathroom while drying my hair using a towel but my heart suddenly beat so loud and I could feel the fear creep up on me. "Dad! Oh God." I immediately ran to dad when I saw his body shaking.
I frantically tried to stop it, I didn't know what to do as I cried. "Help! Nurse! Doctor!" And then I remember the emergency button, I pushed it multiple times.
And I didn't know what happened next, I was lost as the doctors and nurses ran inside the room.
I sensed Sheina tried to calm me down but I heard nothing and I just felt someone dragging me out of the room.
"Vern! Stay here, keep calm please." She asked and I could see the worry in her voice
"Calm? H-how could I calm down!?" I took a deep breath calming myself and faced her, "Please... please... Shen, save my father, I need more time with him."
"The doctor will do his best." She said, "Stop crying, now. Okay?"
And I nodded.
*****
After two hours Dr. Virgilio came out, I immediately stood up in anticipation.
"Your father is a strong man, Vern, I got him stable. But, his illness is getting more fatal. The tumor has gotten even bigger. You know that we cannot perform a surgery because you still have a lot to pay. And I don't think surgery could cure him but I heard that someone could still cure this kind of patient however he is very expensive. Still, remember what I have told you last time. You only have four days remaining, Vern." He said and left without any more words leaving me speechless.
I can't lose my father and I have no other choice as I step back and run. I could feel that he is still here... I have to find him.