Is us being here our destiny or the result of us fighting it?
“We can’t spend our money on something so insignificant. People die all the time. You’ll get over it…Here I come, honey. Wait for me!”
I played those words my aunt just told me over and over again as I cried in front of the mirror in the hospital bathroom. They fucking told me that their nephew’s life was insignificant to them! The people I thought could help me with my brother’s transplantation and therapy said that to me like it meant nothing to him! Those sick bastards!
I bit my lip, trying to stop my sobs. Those people no longer considered us family. What did I get my hopes high for? I should’ve known better. Their answer wasn’t all that surprising now that I think about it.
Two years ago, when my parents died in the car accident, we were left in our aunt’s care. She and her husband convinced the jury that they were going to use the money left by our parents to take care of Ayden and me, so they were appointed as our guardians. We truly thought that we could live with them as a family. They did often come with presents back then, but they apparently had other plans. They sold our house and rented a small one-story house for Ayden and me to live in before they took the money and went to cruise the world.
I was still young. I didn’t know what to do. Since I was underage, had I complained about our case to judge, they might’ve separated Ayden and me. I was threatened with the same thing by my aunts. That’s why I kept quiet, and it was only two months ago that I became an adult and Ayden’s guardian. The so-called remaining family we had were more than willing to get rid of him, so they didn’t complain.
Fighting the tears, I splashed some water on my face to hide my bloodshot eyes, but I knew that it will be hard. I’ve cried the whole day ever since learning about Ayden’s state, and I doubted that it will go away just by washing my face once.
Hopeless.
I took a deep breath again and again. I didn’t want to think, but I had to. I didn’t know how, but I had to get that money for him. With that as my final thought, I headed back to Ayden’s room.
I couldn’t do anything.
I noticed Mel’s pain when she heard everything from the doctor. I knew she was from some rich family, but she cut her ties. I didn’t know how, but they destroyed her life. It was all she said when she mentioned it to me long ago. She said she’ll try to get it, but she wasn’t sure just when she will make it. He may die by then…I couldn’t let it happen.
The doctor explained everything to me; he had AML, the type of leukemia that attacked your red blood cells. Most leukemia cancers attacked white ones, but this one reduced the production of red cells, thus, causing problems to every single cell in the body. There was no oxygen for them. Therapy was simple. He needed marrow transplantation and then, chemotherapy. He will constantly be under strong rays that will destroy his sick cells while his blood will get filtrated. He’ll also need some medicines, but they couldn’t say it for sure. The question was if his body would accept it. I prayed it would, but I needed money for all that.
The one I didn’t have.
“But I don’t want to stay here, and I don’t want you to go.” Before I knew it, I was at Ayden’s room as he whined. Visiting hours were long over, and I had to go, but Ade had to stay there. He wouldn’t let me go, and I didn’t want to leave him either, but I had no choice. I have never been separated from Ayden at night, not since the day our parents died.
After the accident, he had nightmares, and I was always there to calm him down. That’s why we’ve been sleeping together no matter what.
Seeing what happened to our parents at such a young age was a terrifying experience for me, so I couldn’t even imagine what’s been going through his head.
“Ade, you know I would like to stay here, or take you with me, but I can’t,” Alright, let’s make this more interesting. “You see, there are monster’s bacteria in you, and those nice superheroes in white are trying to destroy it. Otherwise, you will become one of them and start terrorizing this planet.” I tried to make this like an adventure to him. I moved my arms, making different figures to make this talk more interesting for him. He didn’t have to know what was happening, not yet, at least. How the hell do you explain to a six-year-old kid what leukemia is? Blood cancer? How do you even explain to him that he has to get surgery? He would probably escape the hospital on his own if he were to find out about the very process of surgery.
“Even Amy?” His eyes widened, and I chuckled. Amy’s been his crush for a long time as he was hers. She is Melissa’s daughter and the same age as him. They were in the same grade and a team of troublemakers, so I swear that he wanted to protect her more than he cared for himself. He’d always share his food with her, and she’d do the same.
“Yep, her too. Do you want her to get hurt, or will you stay here and fight like a real hero?” I raised my eyebrow.
He bought it.
“Let’s beat it!” He raised his little fist in the air, and I did the same. I kissed his forehead and told him I would come back tomorrow, and all he has to do is go to sleep. I gave the nurse my phone number in case Ade wanted to talk to me, and she nodded saying that she would call me if needed. I could barely look at his weakened form without crying. His hair wasn’t like it was before, and I knew that it was because of the radiation he had been under as a treatment.
That night, for the first time in my life, I spent my time alone in our little home. It was just a simple one-story house with two rooms, but the man was kind enough to rent it for us under the price of a single-room flat.
I didn’t sleep. Just cried. There was, after all, nothing I could do for the time being.
Not a single thing.
Next day, I was working at Eat & Smile, but my usual cheerful mood was gone. How could I even think of being happy when Ade was in the hospital on his own? I didn’t even say anything to that Betty that comes in every day; I just walked around like a zombie. How could I be myself when Ayden is in the hospital, probably scared to death from all the staff going in his room? He wasn’t good with strangers around him, and all those people in white must have been scaring him.
I needed to go and see him soon; although he might have seen them as heroes, he was still a child. They’ll just come, give him medicine, and leave. They won’t play with him. He’ll be scared no matter what.
“Kay,” Ryan called me, and I turned around to face him. “Is everything all right, honey? Do you want me to send you home?” he asked with worry etched across his face, and I just shook my head.
“I’m alright, just…It’s Ade. He’s sick.” I tried to hold my tears. Maybe I wasn’t strong enough to stay cheerful and positive in this situation, but I sure as hell couldn’t cry like he had already died. I cried enough yesterday, and today I promised him that whenever I think of him, I will always laugh, so I just have to hope for things to settle down and get better. I prayed that something good would happen. It just had to.
It had to.
“There’s nothing to worry about. You know how Ade is. He will get through any fever that gets him, just like always.” He smiled. He knew nothing. I wasn’t strong enough to talk about that yesterday and now. Oh, God. I just couldn’t.
“That’s the point. This isn’t some usual fever, Ryan.” I stared at the ground, rubbing my forehead, as to not let him see my glassy eyes.
“What do you mean?” This caught his attention, and he stopped chopping carrots.
“He-he has leukemia.” I finally choked it out. “The doctors said that without surgery, he will be able to live, at most, for more than a few months, barely one at the worst case scenario, and I…I have no money for it.” I let a tear escape from my eye. I didn’t think. I couldn’t. My mind was broken at that moment.
“Don’t worry. He will make it somehow.” He hugged me. “We can try something. We can help you. You can count on my wife and me. We’ll get through this all together,” he said, but I shook my head. Even with their help, it would be hard.
“He’s my only family. I can’t lose him too.” I cried.
“We will help you somehow. Everything is going to be alright. What about your aunts?”
“Those people aren’t our aunts! You should have heard them…what she said.” I cried and trembled with anger. “I really need that money. I know that it’s not a lot, but I need it!”
“So what are you going to do? Do you have any plans? Have you contacted anyone else?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Anything. I would do anything to get that money.” I was determined. No matter what, I will get that money even if it kills me. I didn’t care if I had to go around every single help center for his sake. I reminded myself that I had to move forward. I had no time to stop, or he’d be taken from me.
Hearing the doorbells that signaled a customer’s arrival, I apologized to Ryan before heading to the bathroom. I couldn’t allow myself to bother our customers. Ryan worked hard to get this far; I needed to do the same. If I thought positively, positive things would happen, right?
As if.
Splashing some water on my face, I checked my reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t enough to hide the red in my eyes that showed that I was indeed crying. Silently cursing, I only splashed my face with more water before drying it off. It had to do. If they asked, I was cutting onions or something.
When I came back in the lobby, I noticed that the only new customers were Max, a friend of Melissa and me, and someone I didn’t know. Grabbing the pen and paper from my apron, I headed in their way.
Just keep natural.
“What can I get you?” I asked, and both Max and that guy looked up at me, the guy’s eyes widening as if he recognized me.
Strange. I didn’t recall seeing him. When I had taken a closer look at his face, I could say he was breathtakingly beautiful. His finely defined jaw and disheveled black hair gave him that serious, business-like look. His eyes that were as blue as the ocean seemed to bore into my soul. He also seemed older than me, his business suit proving me right.
I most definitely didn’t know him.
“You,” just then, Max spoke, interrupting my thoughts, and I turned my head towards him with a frown. He and his womanizing act.
“I have a vision, Max, and in that vision, you are left with just one ball. So if you don’t want my vision to really happen, I suggest you start behaving.” I meaningfully narrowed my eyes at him, and he gulped. Apparently, he didn’t expect my threats to go this far. Maybe I should apologize? Just then, he smirked and was about to say something witty, but I shot him another glance, daring him to continue.
He pouted. He was just like a child sometimes. I saw why Melissa loved to tease him so much.
“I need to go to the bathroom,” he said and rushed to the toilet. I sighed. He probably went there to practice a comeback that I would accept without finding it bothersome like he always did. He would be late, though.
I turned around to deal with his friend; his friends always tried to hit on me whenever they came around. I sighed when I saw his friend begin to speak.
But what he said next, I could never expect.
“So you need money,” the stranger said. My eyes widened from that statement. How did he know? Did someone tell him? No. Who would? It all happened so fast. There was no time.
“I couldn’t help but overhear that conversation you had.”
My lips parted, not knowing how to respond to that statement. Was he stalking me? When did he overhear?
“I have a proposal for you.”
What the hell is he talking about?
“One night with me. I can do whatever I want until morning and will pay you as much as you want. Take half a million if you want for all I care,” he said, and my cheeks reddened in anger. My mind cleared as all I could think about was teaching him a proper lesson.
“What the hell are you…” I said and was about to leave when a single thought stuck my mind.
Ayden.
From his looks, he seemed like he was not lying about the whole deal. He probably had enough money to pay, but could I really…
Ayden.
It struck me again. As much as I hated the thoughts of sleeping with this guy, or even touching him, Ayden’s life was in danger.
With nothing I could do, I bit my lip before lowering my gaze to the ground. What choice did I have? This was the only thing I could do.
“Fine.” I almost spit at his face, and he only sighed and turned his head with an annoyed look.
“The name is Blake. Will tomorrow be fine with you?” he nonchalantly asked as if what was going on was no big deal for him. Was he for real? Didn’t he have a soul? If he overheard our conversation, he should know what I needed that money for.
“Peachy. It will do,” I replied, the venom in my voice strong as ever. I didn’t give a damn if he found me disrespectful or something, but this guy was a damn bastard I couldn’t stand with my entire soul. Never did I hate anyone like him, not even my aunts. And that said much.
“Half past six. Be ready, and give me your address,” he said, and I angrily scribbled it down before ripping the piece of paper and giving it to him who only glanced at it in confusion before putting it in his pocket. None of us dared to look the other one in the eyes.
Just before things got any chance to become more awkward, Max returned from the bathroom.
“I didn’t come up with anything this time, but that doesn’t make you a winner. Bring us chef’s specialty. I’d love to present this goof over there with the most delicious food on Earth,” he said, and I feigned a smile, trying not to show my rage.
“Sure. Anything to drink?” I didn’t pay attention to Blake anymore. I acted as if Max was the only customer I’ve been serving.
“Coke and…” He turned to Blake, who grunted in response.
“Same.” Max raised an eyebrow.
“Come on, man. Don’t be angry for not getting laid. I told you she’ll flip you over. She makes the best bachelors tuck their tails in defeat when they try to get her number, plus you’re ugly as hell. It’s no wonder she won’t go on a date with you,” Max taunted him, and I guessed that he didn’t really know what just happened here and Blake only told him to shut up.
If only he knew.
“Would that be all?” I asked, and they dismissed me as I retreated back to Ryan, trying to hide my frustration as I handled him the orders.
“Tim, can you take care of the table I just dealt with? They have two Cokes and specialties. I need to go to the bathroom,” I asked Tim as I noticed him come in the kitchen, and he nodded.
“Sure thing. Oh, and Stacy asked to take your shift tomorrow noon. She said that she had to go to the hospital in the morning,” he informed me, and I nodded. Could things be more in my favor? Or was it a curse?
“Sure. I’ll tell her right now,” I replied, taking out my phone.
Could it truly get any more convenient?
“Kaley?” Ryan called. “Is everything alright?”
I hope he hadn’t noticed.
“Yes, just your usual Max. I’m fine. It’s just the deal with Ayden,” I lied as he sighed understandingly.
But no.
Nothing was right. At that moment, I wasn’t sure if my present was the result of me fighting my destiny or if it was my fate to meet Blake. Either way, it was a double-edged blade, a chance paid with the price of pain. But would the result really be the way I want them?
I didn’t know. I didn’t know anything.
Which is why I accepted. It’s when we love that we sacrifice. The question lies in the price: is it worth it or not? Back then, I couldn’t even guess that the answer to that would give me more than I bargained for.