The Compromise

Chapter Four

Kira's Pov

"Doctor Paul, please. I'll get the money soon enough. Please don't discharge her now. She'll only get worse."

"Kira I can understand you are trying your best. But I can't keep having her here at the hospital. If the management finds out she stopped paying her bills two months ago, I'll lose my job." Doctor Paul said. I could understand his plight. it wasn't his fault. He was at risk of losing his job, so I decided to give up. I felt so tired and washed up.

"What do I do now? How can I take her back home when she's seriously sick?" I wondered why this was happening to us. We didn't deserve this much pain. Not at all!

"Young lady! Miss! Are you okay?" A voice said.

I turned slowly and saw a young man about my age, looking at me in shock.

"What's his problem? Am I disturbing him in my being here? Please get lost!" I thought.

"Why are you on the floor, crying?" He asked again.

It then dawned on me that everyone on the walkway was staring at me. He helped me get up and handed my bag to me.

"Thank you," I said, too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

" Yeah.. but are you okay?"

"What kind of question is that?" I wanted to scream at him.

"Yes. sure I am". I said and left for my mom's ward.

Just before entering, my phone rang, and it was my father.

"Oh, what does he want now? To confirm if I'm dead?" I thought and ignored the call.

"So what did the doctor say," Mom asked.

I didn't know just how to tell her this. "How would she feel if I told her that because her only daughter was too incapable and incompetent, she was about to be kicked out of the hospital," I thought.

Again, my phone rang and it was my beastly father. Yet again, I ignored it.

Almost immediately, my phone beeped and it was a message.

"I'm ready to give you the money. Come to the house." It read.

What does this man want from me? It's impossible he's doing this because he feels guilty.

I didn't want to think of it. I didn't want his help, anymore. At least, not after what he did to me.

"Mom, we have to leave the hospital now," I said holding my breath.

"Why? Am I fine now?" She asked. I could tell she was so sick. She sounded so weak and looked quite skinny, moving me to tears.

"Why are you crying?" She asked, trying to sit up.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I am a disappointment. I couldn't even pay your hospital bills."

"Not at all, darling. Come here" She said spreading her skinny arms. I embraced her tightly and it felt like I could feel her bones crackle.

"Come. Let's leave." She said.

I stood up to pack her bag and the things on the table. I went into the bathroom to pack her toiletries. Getting back to the room, I saw her unconscious on the floor. I could feel my head spinning and my heart pounding.

"Have I finally caused my mother to die? Has my incompetence finally killed my mother?"

These thoughts kept echoing in my head as I ran to Doctor Paul's office.

"Doctor Paul! I screamed as I barged into his office, not even caring if he was attending to a patient.

"Kira?"

"My mom.. she's.. she's dead!" I said with a shaky voice.

"What?" He said, picked up his stethoscope, and stormed out. I ran behind him.

Two nurses were already at her ward and carried her to the bed.

My whole world crumbled at the sight of my dead mother. No! No!

Doctor Paul placed the stethoscope on her chest and let out a sigh.

"Calm down Kira. She is not dead."

"What? Really?"

"She isn't" He affirmed.

It felt like life was back into my body, and I rushed to hug my still-unconscious mother.

"You see Kira? Her condition is getting worse. She might not be this lucky next time. Please do something fast. "

"What do you mean not be lucky next time.?" I asked, ready to plant my fist on his nostrils. I wasn't about to have him jinx my mother just when she faced a near-death experience.

"I'm sorry but that's the fact. I'll go now, but let her rest. Maybe tomorrow, you can take her." He said and left with the nurses.

This pressure was driving me nuts. "What do I do now?"

I suddenly remembered the text. "Damn the consequences! I'll save my mother. " I grabbed my bag and dashed out.

On getting to the house, the unexpected happened. My father's sly wife was the one who welcomed me in. She welcomed me in! Something sure was up. I could smell it in the air.

"How are you doing dear?" She asked as she led me to the sofa, sitting beside me.

I was too shocked to give her a reply.

She smiled and took my hand in hers, and spoke softly

"I know we haven't been on the best of terms, but I think it's high time, we made things right."

"Okay, I can't take this anymore. " I thought. This act of hers was about to make me puke. I drew my hand from hers and shifted away.

"Please I came to see my dad. He asked me to come."I said.

"I see.. " she said, with a mysterious glare.

"Oh. My daughter is here. I could tell from the sweet voice I heard."

I turned to be sure I heard the right voice and the right words.

"Welcome. " Father said with a broad smile, as he walked down the stairs.

"Yeah.. anyways, I got your message. That's why I'm here."

"I know you are very angry at me. I'm so sorry for hitting you. I felt so frustrated. Kira my child" He said and hurriedly sat beside me.

Soon enough, I was in between the witch and the beast.

"Goodness! What is going on?" I thought, now feeling very nervous.

"You see Kira, I need your help dearly." He said. I've never heard him speak so sweetly.

"My help?"

"Honestly, your father is going bankrupt, and you are the only one who can bring him out of this mess."

"Bankrupt? But how can I help?" I almost giggled.

"Listen to this."His snaky wife said with enthusiasm.