CHASING HER AFTER THE CONTRACT

In the cold ward room. I stare blankly at the machine holding the life of my mom. She wasn't conscious yet. Her face still felt warm, glowing. In this moment, it brighten my world to see Ethan by our side. He has been here at the hospital for days. Leaving at midnight, rushing back in the morning to check in. I chuckled as I heard him snoring a little bit too loud on the couch. Ethan has been my childhood friend since the age of five. He has been a good one. Lately, he has been trying to make us more than what we are. I couldn't even process his courage in admitting he likes me. The day he did, was the day Mama was rushed to the hospital. It wasn't the right time. Nevertheless,I can't see him past being friends with him. According to Doctor Karen, delaying her Chemotherapy would make the entire situation worse. Which it just did. I gently stood up, and covered Ethan with the spare blanket in the ward room and stepped out to the hallway toget a little air. A lot of patients has been brought to the hospital. Most nights, you could hear the wails of the patient's family crying to the demise of their loved one. These days it has either been cancer or brain tumor, they had. God forbid, these happen to Mama. Mama has been the only one I had out of my parents. Tears dropped gently , as I began to think the worst of the situation. There were a lot of “What's if” running through my mind. If we don't start the treatment right away, those thoughts might come to pass. But where on this possible earth can I raise two million dollars. Is it from the little penny, I'm earning from Cosmic club. Alot of bad thoughts continue to go through my mind, every thought my heart began to beat fast and tremble. I almost lost stand of my feet to fall, as Ethan gracefully hold my waist with one of hand and the other on my back. He moved to sit on the long bench close to the reception. He felt every tension as he began to pat my back. He noticed the tears and he stared at me worrisomely . He moved closer to me, leaving no space in between as he pull me closer to his chest and stroke my hair gently. I felt my troubled world coming to ease. He kept mumbling to my ears repeatedly “Everything will be fine, Tess”. I lost count on how many times. Somehow that makes me feel calm , knowing Everything might not be fine. My phone rang disturbing the moment and kicking me out to the reality. I slowly broke contact with him and took my phone from my Jean pocket. It was Ana. I haven't been to Cosmo bar in days, I guessed that's why she called. “Hello Tess, Where have you been?” Ana raised her voice. “In the hospital” I said, then explained everything to her. “ I hate to break this to you, you still need to be by 6pm, Tess . Ashford is freaking out at your absence” Ana explained. Instantly, My feet got cold. I mumbled Okay to Ana on the phone and hang up. Ethan stood up and moved closer to me and held my hands “Tess, I don't think you should still keep up with this Job. You obviously don't like what you do”. Those words ripped my heart and for a moment, I hated why he was here in the first place . “Like I have a choice” I began to walk away. He pulled me back. “You do, Tess” Ethan said confidently. “Ethan, if I don't raise the money they need to begin Mama's treatment in five days now, she would be discharged and you know that would be worse. I mean, that's precisely why got her here in the first place” I glared at him. “For crying out loud, Tess. Even at that. You can't still afford the money. Quit the job and find something else to do” Ethan said trying to hold my hands. I pushed them away. “And do what” I shouted at him out of frustration. “I can still be doing that. Plus I can talk to Ashford , he could lean me some money again” I continued explaining, this time, gently. “And you think he's going to give you the money just like that. That man is obviously a pimp. Why don't you see that, Tess?.” Ethan yelled at me with his hands on his ear. Trying to explain whatsoever he felt about Ashford. We caught the attention of everyone at the hallway, staring and wandering what was going on. He tried to move closer, probably to apologized. “I'm sorry, Tess. I …. “ I didn't let him finish his statement. “That's enough, thanks for being her. I think you should leave now. It's morning “ I maintained a distance away from him , as if we were in the pandemic era. Ethan tried to come closer but I shrugged. “Yeah, sure. See you later , Tess” He move closer to hug me. I didn't return the hug. Instead, I stared at his back and watched him leave. I fold my hands and shaked my head. He just didn't get the whole thing. He thinks he does,I mean he has always seen the beauty of life . Which made me wonder why we were friends since I have the memory of the opposite, he sees. I held my breath and texted Ana to see whether Mr Ashford is at the bar right now. I really need to see him. More reason why I can't watch mama this night. Perhaps, I can convince him in lending me the money. This will add to what I had owe him. I stepped into the room to check on mama before taking my leave. She was still not conscious. I gave her peak in her forehead and left.