WAY BACK HOME

THE PROMISE (2)

I knocked at the door of Danny's house to know if any one was home. But no one answered, so, I walked to the back and knocked and still no reply. I decided to check through the window to be sure no one was home because I didn't want to leave without checking on Danny's mom. But yes, I was right. No one was actually home. So, I called Mika up. Mika was one of Danny's sisters. She is older than Zara, who was their last born, which makes Mika the second born and Danny the first.

In hopes that Mika would pick my calls, I got worried and called up Zara and thank goodness she picked up. Because I was super worried about what to tell Danny, especially after giving him my word.

Zara, am at the house now but no one is there. Where are you all? I asked worriedly.

Hannah! mo...om is very sick. She was worried sick as Daniel didn't return home last night, so we had to rush her to the hospital. Zara said, crying.

What! why.... why didn't anyone call me or even tell me about it? I asked, as I was so scared.

Mika called your number repeatedly yesterday, even I did, but your number was either busy or switched off. Now, Mika has gone to school to look for Daniel because we have been calling and it has been saying switched off. Hannah am really scared, Zara said, crying.

Don't be OK, everything would be fine. Which hospital are you at? So I can come and meet you guys now. I said to Zara.

As soon as Zara told me where they were, I wasted no time and went there immediately.

Zara! I said, calling out to Zara so she could see me. Hannah! she said and gave a tight hug. I'm really worried and I don't know what is wrong with my brother. He knows mom's condition and yet he didn't even come to check on her before going back to college.

No dear, don't say that Daniel needs you to be stronger than ever now.

How would you know that? she asked.

Well, he is Daniel and he wants the best for everyone. I replied to her remembering my promise to Daniel. Anyways, is Mika back?

No, she isn't and her number is also switched off now.

OK, take me to the doctor.

Umm..... sir, how is she doing? I asked the doctor.

Her situation is worsening. I told them that they should keep her out of worries and stress, but right now it is like they are adding worries to her and not taking them out of her. The doctor said to me and Zara.

But there must be something that can be done right? I asked. Look miss....... Hannah, I said, completing the doctor's statement.

Miss Hannah, her condition is not what needs medication. Try to understand what is making her worried. Cuz that is the only way she would be better. Like I told them earlier, with all the medication and treatment we gave her last night, to this morning there is no improvement and, yes, she keeps on calling Daniel and I asked them to call Daniel over because I believe that would make her feel better. The doctor said to us. Before I forget, we noticed that there is a cancer in her stomach which has it way deep and like I said earlier, medication is not working due to stress and worries but we would keep on trying our best, which means we would need payment to continue with her treatment. If you remember, I said her condition worsened due to stress. We would need to call a specialist.

Oh... oh okay, so how much is the money we are talking about?

Well, due to the situation at hand, we would need like 1million for everything to be done.

ONE MILLION! Zara said out loud in shock. OK, we will try to arrange it, I said, trying to keep her calm. That is good and you will need to be fast about it because the situation isn't simple any more. The doctor said to us.

Mom, please pick your call, I said as I was trying my mom's number.

Finally, mom please, where are you please? We need to speak as fast as possible. I said to my mom, who finally picked the call after so many calls.

I'm at the boutique and am heading to a party right now. Maybe when I return we will talk OK?

Mom, are you for real? I said we need to talk ASAP and you are saying you are heading to a party. Aren't you concerned or worried about me and my life? I asked my mom furiously. Sweety, please don't say that, look at what we will do. Let's meet at the restaurant close to the boutique. I will wait for you there.

After arriving at the restaurant, I went straight to my mom, telling her everything that had happened. She promised to give me some money, but it wasn't enough for the treatment. Out of 1million, she said it was only 80,000 thousand she could afford. For me, it was something and I was sure I would be able to figure out how to find the remaining things. Immediately, I went to pay 80,000-00 thousand and then I started trying to make arrangements to get the rest of the money, but to no avail. It was a moment like this that I started to wish I was working or my dad hadn't blocked my account.

I even tried to do some little business like selling some clothes, but I didn't know how to go about it. So I decided to heed my mom's advice and talk to my dad and, this time around, I didn't go as a daughter but rather as an humble person in need of help and ready to do anything to get that help. Yes, my dad agreed and gave me the money and agreed on Danny's bail but on condition that I would work as his PA (personal assistance). Which I agreed to, not thinking what the reason behind that condition was. Then he asked me to sign a partnership contract I did without reading it because I was happy things would be better after that.

Two weeks passed, Danny was out of jail but his mom was still in the hospital unconscious. While I have always been busy helping dad with his work, I think now I get and know his reason behind him asking me to work has his PA. It was to keep me away from Danny.

In the evening I got a call from Danny, asking how I was, why I hadn't come to see him since when he was out of jail, nor reply to his messages or call or even come to his mom. Then I told him everything about how I am working for my dad and I have no time, not even for myself or anyone else. Danny understood and asked that when I get back to school we should meet. I agreed has that is the only way to meet with him and talk.

I had gone back to school and trust me when I say it not easy to be my father's daughter. Know why? Well, I would say why either way. After I was back at school, my father had already organised people that would keep an eye on me to know what I was doing and things I am doing which was unknown to me.

Me and Danny had already planned on meeting on a Wednesday but how sad that, even with the fact that we tried to meet secretly, it didn't work. It was then I knew my dad wouldn't stop till he separated me and Danny. At the thought of that, I got furious and went to meet my dad and, this time, in his office, I gave him a piece of my mind, but, rather, I went and got my dreams and, hope of being with the guy I loved shattered, when my dad told me that the contract I signed wasn't to work with him but rather to stay away from Daniel and his family or else he and his family would be arrested with no bail permit plus with agreement to marry Kelvin without arguement . I broke down in tears as I didn't expect my own father to do such a terrible thing to me.