UNFORSEEN BONDS

Chapter 4:DESPERATE TIMES

he sun rose softly over the city, casting a warm glow through the hospital window. Josiah was awake, a rare smile on his face as he played with his toys. Krystelle and Mia sat by his side, their hearts lighter for the first time in days. Laughter filled the room, a sweet, temporary escape from the harsh reality that loomed over them.

“I need to go collect the money our uncle and friends sent,” Mia said, standing up and stretching. “I’ll be back soon. Just hang in there.”

Krystelle nodded, her eyes never leaving Josiah. “Okay, hurry back.”Mia turned to Josiah with a soft smile.

“Josh, as she fondly called him, I'll be right back, okay?”

“Yes, auntie,” he replied, his small voice filled with trust.

“Can you get me ice cream on your way back?” he asked with hopeful eyes.“Sure, later, okay?” Mia said with a reassuring smile before leaving the room.

Not long after Mia left, Lisa, Krystelle’s friend from work, arrived with a basket of fruits and a warm smile. “Hey, I brought some things for you and Josiah,” she said, placing the basket on a table.

“How are you feeling josiah”,Lisa asked

“Fine”,he replied

“Lisa, thank you so much,” Krystelle said, her voice filled with gratitude. They exchanged pleasantries, catching up on work gossip and trying to distract themselves from the tension that hung in the air.

“A customer came today and said she was going to sue us because we got her order wrong”,

“Ahhh….. krystelle's laughter was cut off by the sudden movement of Josiah's body

Josiah’s small body began to jerk violently. His heartbeat, visible on the monitor, started to deteriorate rapidly. Panic surged through Krystelle. “Josiah!” she screamed, her hands trembling as she tried to hold him still.

Lisa sprang into action, running out of the room to get the nurses and the doctor. Within moments, a team of medical staff flooded into the room, gently but firmly moving Krystelle aside as they worked to stabilize Josiah.

Krystelle and Lisa were ushered out of the room, forced to wait in the cold, sterile hallway. Krystelle’s heart pounded in her chest, every second feeling like an eternity. Finally, after what felt like hours, the door opened, and a nurse stepped out. “He’s stable for now,” she said, her voice calm. “You can see him, but please, keep it quiet and calm.”

Lisa squeezed Krystelle’s hand. “I have to go now, work calls,but I’ll come back soon, okay? Hang in there.”

“Thanks, Lisa,” Krystelle murmured, watching her friend leave. She knew Lisa worked nights at a club as a stripper, and it pained her to see her friend leave to face her own battles.

Krystelle had never liked the fact that her friend Lisa worked as a stripper, and she had often tried to advise her to find another, more decent job, but to no avail. Despite her disapproval, Krystelle respected Lisa's choices and understood her friend's circumstances. However, in light of the current situation, all she could do was bid her goodbye, her mind preoccupied with the desperate need to save her son.

Mia returned shortly after, her face lighting up with concern when she saw Krystelle. “What happened? Is Josiah okay?”

Krystelle quickly filled her in, her voice shaking. “They managed to stabilise him, but it was so close, Mia. We only have $6000 so far. We still need $4000 more.”

“You need to stay positive, krystelle,We still have more time. I mean, look at how much we were able to raise in less than 24 hours."

As if on cue, Dr. Ellis approached them. “Ms. Ackermann, may I speak with you for a moment in my office?”

Krystelle’s heart sank. “Of course, doctor,” she said, following him to his office with Mia by her side, hoping not to receive any more bad news.

Dr. Ellis sat them down, his expression serious yet hopeful. “We have identified three potential donors for Josiah, but we need to run compatibility tests to determine the best match. Time is critical. I just wanted to inform you about it, and you’ll receive the results by the end of the day.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Krystelle replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Thank you, doctor,” Mia also said as they made their way out of the doctor's office.

Krystelle prayed like never before that at least one of the donors would be compatible. She knew it was one thing to raise the money and another to find a compatible lung for her son.

The wait for the results was agonizing, but finally, Dr. Ellis returned with a glimmer of hope.

"Doctor, how was it?" Krystelle asked, her voice trembling.

Dr. Ellis smiled, a hint of hope in his eyes. "One of the donors is a match."

Krystelle heaved a heavy sigh of relief.

"We need to proceed with the surgery immediately," Dr. Ellis continued. "Due to the crisis that happened today, his chances are slim, and it will be dangerous to delay any longer. This means you have just 24 hours to raise the remaining $4,000."

"Good luck, guys," he said with sympathy towards them.

Krystelle’s mind raced. Different thoughts went through her mind, thinking of different ways she could raise $4,000 in 24 hours. Who else could she run to? Her mind was hazy, unable to think straight. Tired of crying, the only thing she could do right now was just hope for a miracle. As she slumped into the closest chair, desperation clawed at her, and then, out of nowhere, a thought struck her. She grabbed her phone and dialed Lisa’s number.

“Hello?”

“Lisa, it’s Krystelle. I need your help,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Of course, anything. What do you need?”

Krystelle took a deep breath, her heart pounding. “I need to become a stripper. Just for a night. I need to make $4000 fast.”

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line before Lisa’s shocked voice came through. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Yes, I’m out of my mind,” Krystelle replied, her voice firm. “But I’m also out of options.”