SITA
Alessandro nodded and started preparing the necessary paperwork. "We need to check if you're a match for your mother's bone marrow transplant."
I nodded; a bit relieved to know that we were advancing in the cure for my mother's ailment.
The testing process was very quick and efficient, but the wait for the results felt like an eternity. During that period, I received a lot of emails and text messages as well as calls, many of which I ignored.
"Sita, please let us talk in my office," Alessandro requested, his voice low and serious.
I suddenly did not have a good feeling about this but I still followed him, my heart was filled with anticipation and questions and did I forget… fear. What was going on? Why did he look so somber?
As soon as we entered his office, he closed the door behind us and motioned for me to sit down. I did, my eyes fixated on him as I waited to hear what he had to say… I must've held my breath in the process as well.
"Sita, the test results are in," he began, his eyes locked on mine. "And I'm afraid you're not a match for your mother's bone marrow transplant."
"So, we just have to look for another donor, right?" I asked to be sure of what I was suggesting.
Alessandro's expression turned somber, and he hesitated before speaking. "Sita, it's not that simple. Finding a matching donor is a challenging and time-consuming process. It could take months, even years, to find a suitable match."
I suddenly felt like the universe was mocking me at this point. Why couldn't the answer be days "Months? Years? But my mother doesn't have that much time. She needs the transplant as soon as possible."
Alessandro's eyes filled with compassion, and he reached out to put a hand on my arm. "I know, Sita. But there's something else you need to know. And I don't know how you are going to react but this information changes everything."
I looked at him, my heart racing with anticipation. "What is it?"
He took a deep breath before speaking. "Sita, the test results show that you and your mother are not biologically related. You are not her daughter."
***
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. My mind reeled with shock and disbelief. "What? How is that possible? She raised me, she loved me…"
Alessandro's expression was sympathetic. "I know this is hard to hear, Sita. But the test results don't lie. You and your mother are not related by blood. She is not your biological mother."
"No, that can't be… it's not even possible." I choked out, tears gathering in my eyes. But my emotional outburst was cut short when a nurse rushed into the office, "Doctor Alessandro, the patient in the emergency ward is unstable."
I shot up from my chair immediately, almost forgetting I wasn't the doctor and I couldn't do anything at all.
"What happened to her?" I asked the nurse but she gave me a pitiful look in response. I was going to repeat my question but Alessandro cut me off.
"Let's go," Alessandro said, rushing out pulling my hand discreetly, and quickly letting it go before the nurse could notice it.
I followed them into the emergency ward, where my mother was sprawled on the bed. She didn't look to be in discomfort anymore.
I slowly took her hand in mine as I knelt with a small smile on my face. "Mom, I'm here. You'll be fine, I'll do anything to make sure of that."
As I held my mother's hand, I looked up at Alessandro, expecting him to be working on saving her life or at least preserving it till I found a bone marrow. But he just stood there, his gaze on me was filled with a mix of sadness and sympathy.
"Why aren't you doing anything?" I asked him, my voice shaking with worry. "Why aren't you helping her?"
Alessandro's eyes dropped, and he hesitated before speaking. "Sita, I'm so sorry. Your mother... she's gone. She didn't make it."
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I looked at the heart rate monitor, and the steady beep confirmed what Alessandro had just said. My mother was dead.
I felt a wave of grief wash over me, and I collapsed onto the floor, holding my mother's lifeless hand. I couldn't believe it. My mother, the woman I thought was my biological mother, was gone.
"Mom? Mom, please wake up. Give me the chance to save you like you saved me, Mom. Please Mom..." I said, crying into her hand which I held.
Just then the door opened and my dad walked in. He slowly took in everything in the room, understanding what was happening.
"Dad!" I called out as soon as I saw him, stretching out my hand towards him. "Dad," I managed to choke out again. "Mom is dead, I could not save woman who took care of me for years." I wailed.
"I'm so sorry, I should've gotten here sooner," my father said, his voice cracking with emotion, despite his stoic expression. "So, you found out the truth already about your mother?"
"Is it true?" I asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes, it's true. She wasn't your biological mother. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth sooner. Your mother died shortly after you were born. I had to remarry so you could have a mother figure in your life," my father said, staring at the woman lying motionless on the bed.
I looked up at him, my eyes pleading for answers. "If she isn't, then who is my biological mother, then? Why did you keep this secret from me?"