[1]
1467 Words
6 years later.
I didn't care if my chest was burning. My breathing was labored, my legs were sore, and my sweat was soaking my face uncontrollably. But everything didn't stop me from running.
My only destination was Arbor Vitae Hospital-the place where Cressa was being treated.
"Mrs. Larissa, please go to the hospital immediately. Cressa's condition is critical." The voice was cold, emotionless, as if telling me something ordinary. But not to me. It was like stopping the world.
“Sorry, sorry! Excuse me!” I broke through the crowd at the bus stop, not caring about people's stares. My small bag swayed with my hasty steps, and tears were already mixing with the sweat on my face. I silently prayed. God, don't take her. Don't take away the only reason I survive.
How could this happen? She's scheduled for a blood transfusion tomorrow as usual, so what made her suddenly critical? My heart was constantly pounded with anxiety. In my head there was only one thing: I had to get to the hospital no matter what. My daughter was fighting for her life and I couldn't be late.
After passing through the hospital entrance, I ran straight to the ICU floor. My breathing was labored, my body was drenched in sweat, but I didn't care. “Cressa! Where's my daughter?” I asked in a half-begging tone to the ICU receptionist.
The nurse looked at me with sympathy. “Cressa is in intensive care. Please wait a moment, Mrs. Larrisa.”
Because of how often I was in the hospital environment, it seemed like many of the nurses and doctors were familiar with my face
“No, I want to see her now! She needs her mother!” My voice almost broke. I knew the rules of the hospital, but it felt like nothing was more important than being by Cressa's side right now.
The nurse patiently leads me to a chair not far from the hallway. Asking me to sit down and calm down. “Please be patient, Mrs. Larrisa. The medical team is still monitoring Cressa's condition. I'm sure Cressa can get through this. She's a strong child. Mrs. Larrisa must know that, right?”
I let out a long sigh. My fear was great but hearing Anna-the nurse's words, made me much calmer. “Thank you, Anna.”
Anna smiled again and asked for permission to leave me here. I'm fine with that, Anna also said that the doctor who's handling Cressa will be out of the ICU soon. It was true, I didn't have to wait long for the doctor to come out of the room.
“Doctor,” I greeted hurriedly.
His name was Samuel, the doctor who had been handling Cressa since the first indication of the disease that made my world even worse a few years ago. The eyeglasses man took off his glasses and mask for a moment. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
I nodded without hesitation. Following him to a room not far from the corridor. All the while hoping that there was no news to make me worry even more.
“Have a seat.” Samuel invited me to sit in one of the chairs. My hands trembled as he began to speak. "Cressa is having serious complications. Her thalassemia is getting worse. Currently, blood transfusions are no longer enough to treat her acute anemia. We need to consider a bone marrow transplant.”
The words hit me like a thunderbolt. I had heard about the procedure before. It was the only way to cure Cressa. But... the cost? And most importantly, who was a suitable donor?
“Doc, can I be told how much it will cost?” I asked in a trembling voice. My hands were squeezing each other.
The doctor looked at me with compassion. “A bone marrow transplant requires a suitable donor, and the cost can reach tens of thousands of dollars. However, without it, Cressa's condition will worsen.”
I was speechless. How could I get that much money? With my income only enough to eat and pay the hospital debt? My heart was breaking.
But... shouldn't we as God's human beings give in to the situation? No matter how bad it is, I still believe God will be kind one day. Releasing me from the shackles of hardship and various pressures like today. Even though I don't know where I'll get the money from, there's no way I'm giving up on Cressa's life.
“Please try your best, Doc. I'll work on the cost.” I said optimistically even though I was pessimistic at heart.
“Alright,” Samuel said with a long sigh. “Take care of your health, Mrs. Larrisa. Don't let your condition look bad in front of Cressa.”
I quickly held my damp face. “Do I look bad?”
Samuel laughed. “I will try my best for Cressa, Mrs. Larrisa.”
“Thank you.” I was really grateful for Doctor Samuel's forgiveness. At least, Cressa is still under the best supervision in this hospital. After asking for permission to leave Samuel's room, I took my footsteps towards the ICU room. I stood in front of the ICU room, looking at Cressa through the glass. Her tiny body lay weakly, tubes stuck everywhere. Her usually cheerful face now looked so pale, like paper. My tears fell relentlessly.
“I'm sorry, Cressa. I'm sorry for not being able to do anything.”
I know I can't stay here for long. I have to go back to work. There's no other choice. I wipe the window between me and my beloved daughter. Before the tears fall again, I say goodbye to her. “Mommy will be back soon, sweetheart.”
***
When I came home, my body felt like it was carrying a thousand kilograms of weight. But I don't have time to complain. Tonight I have to work again as a waitress at the small café near my house. Working as a physiotherapist at Madame Remi's clinic hasn't been enough to meet my increasing needs. Not to mention the ever-increasing hospital bills.
Not to mention...
As soon as I opened the door, my father's voice greeted me angrily. “Larrisa! Did you just come home?”
“I'm sorry, Father. I have something to do at the clinic.” I put my bag down quickly, preparing to change my uniform into something else. I didn't want to be late for the convenience store located at the end of this residential district.
“Where are you going again?” my father asked in a high tone. His eyes glared angrily at me. But I, who was used to it, had ignored his attitude since coming back to this house.
“You haven't prepared dinner for us. You think you're living in this house for free? Don't be a burden in this house!”
I felt a pain in my heart. My father was talking as if I wasn't his biological daughter.
My mother, who had just come out of her room, also spoke. Her voice was full of scorn for me. “We shouldn't have accepted you back after bringing disgrace with a big belly. Plus that child is a diseased child. You're such a useless child! You can only give us trouble!"
I stood silently in front of the door, holding back tears. No one knew my struggle. No one knew how much I wanted to give Cressa a better life. But I had nowhere else to go. Who do I turn to when I'm completely ruined?
But unfortunately, my protector had treated us like this instead. I took a deep breath, deciding not to retaliate. If I left this house, my living expenses would increase even more. I had to be more patient with their anger. It was my fault for coming home late and not being able to prepare dinner.
“I'm sorry. I won't repeat coming home late. But I have to get to work. I will leave,” I said, looking down.
“You always work day and night, but only give us a little money. Would you rather take care of a sickly child?” my father sneered with an annoyed look. “You're such a useless child!”
“That sickly child should have been left to his father. But what? You've been hiding who the father is. And now you're troubling us! If it weren't for our mercy, you and your daughter would be homeless! Think about it, Larrisa!"
Tonight, my head feels very dizzy. Why is my life getting more and more desperate? Even breathing freely is difficult.
God... will there be a good day for me and Cressa?
- Writer
