We hastily exited the coffee shop, Ashley grabbing her keys from her bag as we made a beeline for the parking lot.
We had heard Miss Helen calling Ashley but we both ignored. Ashley works extra shifts so she can pay up her college fees and I felt so selfish for disturbing her but I know she would want to come because Twas concerning Ava.
On our way to the hospital, I tried to process the news about Ava. My mind was racing with worst-case scenarios.
"Ava collapsed at school, she's currently at city hospital". I hurriedly said sobbing in between. Ashley kept one hand on my thigh.
"Calm down Hailey Relax we don't know what the cause is .."
Ashley tried to comfort me ,her eyes still fixed on the road with one hand on the steering wheel.
Oh God help me… my baby
The memories of my mom flood my mind, her last moment on earth, her last words, her last wish …
God take me instead, not my sister…pls
"God is taking nobody no where…young lady calm down". Ashley said her eyes still on the road, I can't believe I said that out loud .
….
I ran inside the hospital like a mad woman who escaped the mental asylum, I was a complete mess of emotions. Ashley stayed close, trying to offer what little comfort she could. We rushed to the reception desk, and I asked for Ava's room number. Room 103.
The nurse directed us to the pediatric ward. My heart sank as we walked down the hall, the beeping machines and sterile smell filling my senses , my last hospital trauma flooding my head. My heart thudding in my chest wanting to break through my rib cage as I got closer to Ava's room.
We finally reached Ava's room, and I saw her lying in bed, surrounded by machines and monitors. Her eyes were closed, and she looked so fragile. So many strings where connected to her body. This was the baby my mom left in my care..hot tears gathered at the side of my eyes waiting for the perfect moment to drop.
I felt a lump in my throat as I approached her bedside. "Ava, baby, I'm here," I whispered, holding her hand.
The doctor came with other two nurses each holding a file on their hands , I stood up quickly and approached them ..
"You must be her guardian." He stretched out his hand and I took it.
"I'm Dr Raymond, pls follow me ".
I stared back at Ashley she gave me that nod indicating I can go she'll watch over Ava. I slowly followed behind Dr Raymond to his office. We entered his office the air conditioner welcoming me almost calming my nerves but I refuse to be calm not until I know if my sister is out of danger.
He motioned for me to sit on the sofa and he sat opposite me.
"Sorry I didn't catch your name earlier."
"I'm Hailey, Ava's sister" I replied my eyes locked on the doctor's.
The doctor's expression turned somber..
"Well, I hate to break it to you,Hailey but according to the test results and diagnosis it shows your sister has…"
He looked up from the papers which I assume was the result and stared into my eyes and I was staring at him too not blinking…my heart beat accelerating ,
"Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL".
My heart sank in my chest, my breathing uneven.. his words hitting me like a ton of bricks
"Leu…kemia?" I stammered, feeling like I'd being punched in the gut
Oh my God
"She needs a bone marrow transplant immediately if not I can't guarantee she'll make it through next month."
Bone marrow transplant!
My eyes widened in shock as the doctor revealed the staggering cost of the bone marrow transplant: $300,000. I could offer to pay half upfront, but even that seemed like an insurmountable amount.
Where would I get such huge amount from. I immediately burst into tears, it's too much even if I sell all our furnitures, our Tv and gadgets, it won't be up to such amount my monthly salary is just ten thousand dollars and I can't save up to $300 thousand not even up to $100 thousand if I work double shifts, before the end of the month. At this rate my head is about to explode. This is my sister survival I have to stay strong at all cost. I assured myself.
The doctor suggested I visit the hospital's cashier's office to make the payment. Probably he thinks I can provide such huge amount in no time.
My mind reeled as I thought about the amount. I only had $19,000 in my savings, a fraction of what was needed. The weight of Ava's situation settled in.. what should I do.
The doctor's parting words still lingered in the air as he left the office, leaving me alone to process the news and contemplate my next move.
I staggered out of the office and walk back to Ava's room, Ashley ran towards me and helped me sit down close to Ava. She was eager to hear the diagnosis and test report but she knew well not to push it.
"So what did the doctor say?"
My hand tightened around Ava's..
"Leukemia…" I tried my best not to breakdown again
"Oh my God.. what's the way forward" . Ashley wrapped a comforting hand around my shoulders.
"She needs a bone marrow transplant urgently which cost $300 thousand or she might not make it Through to next month where I'm I supposed to get such amount…Ash"
I burst into tears as Ashley pat my back
"Is okay…calm down we'll figure something out, first let's get you something to eat"
As the night wore on, Ava woke up, groggy and disoriented. I held her close, tears of relief streaming down my face. At least she's awake.
"I'm sorry, Hailey," she whispered, her voice weak.
"Shh, baby, it's okay. You're going to be fine," I reassured her, stroking her hair. Trying my very best to act the big sister I was.
Ashley smiled weakly, happy to see Ava awake .
"Are you hungry what do you want to eat"
I said softly in her ears
"Icecream!!!
"You can't have that you've not eaten anything since afternoon…"
"Hailey now that Ava is awake I need to go back to work and round up for the evening." Ashley interrupted.
"Thank you so much Ash I don't know how I can ever repay you"…
"Is okay call me later". She hugged me and kissed Ava on her cheeks then she exited the room.
…
It was 10 PM, and I'd just wrapped up a call with Ashley. She'd been checking in on Ava, and I'd filled her in on the latest – Ava was finally sleeping peacefully. Ashley had invited me to her place tomorrow to discuss the medical bills and potential fundraising options. Feeling overwhelmed, I stepped out onto the hospital's balcony, seeking some fresh air.
I cracked open a can of Beer and took a sip, letting the cool liquid calm my frazzled nerves. As I gazed out at the city lights, my mind began to wander, racing with thoughts of how I'd raise the money for Ava's treatment. I was lost in my own world, talking to myself, trying to process the weight of it all.
I can't go back to those loan sharks, the interest rate is too high right??…who cares about interest rate I can work my ass off to pay back right.
My mind drift back to Mr Calloway, my dad's friend, few weeks after we lost our dad, he offered to let go of the debts If only I spend the night with him. I had to drop out of college, get a job and paid off all my dad's debt.
no way I'll loose my virginity to asshole
"That scum bag". I emptied the container.
I felt like screaming my head off, seeing Ava in such condition makes me feel helpless.
That's when I sensed someone watching me. I felt a pair of eyes on me, but I didn't notice anyone at first.
I stood up to get a better view of the city, it was beautiful the busy streets of NYC, car headlights and beautiful buildings, the cool breeze hit me, and I started to feel drowsy. Before I knew it, I was swaying, almost losing my balance.
Suddenly, I felt a strong hand grab me, pulling me back from the edge of the balcony. I hadn't even realized I'd been standing so close to the edge, half-asleep. The stranger who'd been watching me had reacted quickly, saving me from a potentially disastrous fall.
"What where you thinking, standing so close to the edge ?"