NEVER BROKEN

Friends are For...

"Reena?" This time, Molly tugged at her hand. "Are you really okay?"

"Y-yeah. It's just that I believe my father is getting better but he won't accept it. He always tells me he feels so ill, dying. The doctors say it's just a phase, but I'm still worried."

"Do you think it has to do with the way his company is faring?"

Reena turned to look at the bedroom door. Her father was sleeping when she last checked, and for that she was thankful. He never seemed to get enough sleep since he had the attack. And when he was awake, he was quite irritable, sometimes she felt, with her.

He was very disappointed when she and...

"No. It has nothing to do with the company, I think. They own Discs, Ltd. now. There's nothing Father can do about that. It's the house I'm worried about... and our finances."

"I wish I could help you, Reena."

"You don't know how much help your presence alone is already."

"No, I mean—"

"Please, I can't accept it."

"You're like your father in that respect. And even if you say so, I wouldn't have the money. Has the bank given you an ultimatum?"

"Yes, in less than two months. I try not to think of it too much. Dad must have thought he could recover in time and used the house as collateral to get a loan." She scanned the whole place. It was almost bare, devoid of the antiques and expensive modern pieces that decorated it before. "It's practically owned by the bank right now," she said almost to herself.

She moved her head when she heard the phone ringing inside. She hurriedly opened the front door to get it. It was her college friend Mina, a registered nurse. They were classmates in their freshman year until Serena decided to shift to Food Technology.

"Molly told me that you're going out to a concert tonight," she began.

Serena uttered a protest to say she wasn't going, "Actually—"

"It's about time. You've been hiding in your rabbit hole ever since you got back. I'm on my way there. I'll look after your father until you get home. I noticed he doesn't complain much when you're not around. June said the same thing," she said, referring to a male nurse that used to assist them with her father when the latter was hospitalized.

"Mina, I don't like you to think that I don't appreciate your kindness, but..."

"But you don't want me to have a wasted journey either, right? So I suggest you call up Molly and tell her what time to pick you up. I'm there. 'Bye."