I stretched my arms after finishing my assignments. My arms felt sore because of how much I had written. I needed to submit them tomorrow, so I didn't join Mama for dinner. But I immediately left my room after putting away my things because she might come up here.
"Good evening, Kuya Michael," I greeted him with a smile when I came down from my room.
I found him already washing the dishes, but I couldn't see Mama or Kuya Niko anywhere in the kitchen or even in the living room. Where could those two be? I thought they were already home.
"Good evening, little sister. Go eat now, your food's already on the table," said Kuya Michael before glancing at me. But my face was still full of curiosity.
"Kuya, where's Mama? Hasn't she come home yet?" I asked as I sat down and started eating.
"Mama hasn't come home yet, but your Kuya Niko already did. He's in his room resting. Why do you ask, little sister?" Kuya Michael replied.
What time is it already? Why hasn't Mama come home yet?
I really thought she had already come home earlier because I assumed she and Kuya Niko came home together. Her job isn't stay-in, so why hasn't she come home until now? I can't help but worry because this is the first time Mama has come home this late.
"You barely ate," said Kuya Michael when I finished eating. He must have noticed how quickly I was done.
"I'm already full," I replied while washing my plate.
"That's good. Go get some rest in your room because you still have school tomorrow."
I didn't answer anymore and immediately left the kitchen to head to my room. But I still couldn't stop thinking about Mama.
Mama works as a housemaid for a wealthy family—the Sylvester family. I only know them by their surname, but not personally. I've never seen them in person or even in photos. So, I have no idea what their names are or who they are, but they've helped my family a lot, especially me when I was hospitalized. They covered all the expenses and paid the entire hospital bill. I know they're rich, that much I know, but I'm truly so grateful to them. That's why I really want to meet them in person to thank them, but Mama doesn't allow me to get to know them, and I don't know why.
I immediately ran to where my cellphone was when it suddenly rang. I don't even know how I managed to get to it in less than a second. But I didn't bother to think about that anymore.
"Hello, who is this?" I said when I answered the call. It was from an unregistered number, which made me feel uneasy about this call.
[Hello, this is Nurse Eva from St. Jude Hospital. Are you the child of Lira Alfonso?]
My heart pounded faster when I heard Mama's name mentioned.
What happened to her?
"Ah, yes, I am. Why, what happened to her?" I asked worriedly as I quickly left my room.
[She was rushed here to the hospital with a man. She fainted and until now she still unconscious. The doctor is still observing her—]
"We're on our way, my brother and I," I cut off the nurse and immediately ended the call. I didn't let her finish speaking because I was so worried about Mama.
I ran down the stairs and grabbed my jacket hanging on the back of the door.
"Oh, little sister, what's wrong?" Kuya Michael asked in confusion as he came out of the bathroom.
"Kuya, we need to go to the hospital, Mama was rushed there. Come on, Kuya, hurry up. Something might have happened to Mama," I said, crying, which shocked Kuya Michael. But he didn't say anything anymore; he immediately grabbed the keys to his motorcycle, and the two of us left the house.
When Kuya Michael and I arrived at the hospital, we ran inside and searched for Mama. There were so many patients there, and almost every nurse was attending to someone.
"Lyannah, there's Mama," Kuya suddenly said, pointing to where Mama was.
I ran in the direction he pointed. I cried even more when I saw Mama up close. She was still unconscious and had an oxygen mask attached to her.
What happened to her?
"Are you the patient's family?" asked the doctor who had just arrived. Kuya stepped forward to speak to him since all my attention was fixed on Mama.
"Your mother's condition is getting worse. She needs to undergo surgery as soon as possible. If this isn't addressed immediately, it could cost her life," the doctor said sadly, which shocked me. I quickly stood up and faced the two of them.
"Doc, what do you mean? Getting worse? W-What exactly? Kuya… did you know about this? W-What? Mama's sick?" I asked in confusion.
Kuya Michael couldn't answer; instead, he looked at me sadly and gave a small nod. And just like that, tears started pouring from my eyes because of what he admitted.
Why didn't they tell me?
"M-Mama has a kidney condition... she's had it for a long time, but she didn't want to tell you b-because she didn't want you to worry," Kuya Michael replied, crying. I suddenly looked at Mama and covered my face with my hands.
"W-Why, Mama? I'm your child too… why did you keep this from me?" I cried, staring at her. Kuya immediately pulled me into a hug, and I broke down even more.
I was angry—angry at myself because I didn't even notice that Mama had been suffering all this time. I had no idea, especially since I'd been away from home for a week, only coming back on Sundays before returning to the boarding house for school the next day.
What are we supposed to do now? I don't want to lose Mama—not yet. I won't let that happen.
"Kuya..." I said, while looking at Mama.
Kuya Michael had just returned after speaking with the doctor. He also told me about Mama's surgery and when it would be done.
"What are we going to do now? We don't have enough money for Mama's surgery. What will we do, Kuya?"
I didn't know what to do or where we would get the money to pay for the surgery. I already called my aunts, Mama's sisters, to inform them about what happened, but they're struggling just like us, so they can't provide financial help for the surgery. However, they said they'd think of a way and do what they can to help.
"The doctor said that the man who brought Mama here to the hospital is her employer's only son. He was the first one the doctor spoke to earlier, and he's also the one who paid for Mama's surgery," said Kuya Michael, which shocked me. I couldn't answer and just stared at him.
I couldn't believe it. Could Mama's employer's son really do that? It's not that I don't believe it, but are they really that rich to be able to pay such a huge amount of money right away?
"After he paid and handed over Mama's cellphone to the nurse who called you earlier, he left immediately," he added.
"Do you know what happened to Mama before she was rushed here to the hospital?" I asked, looking at him.
"According to the man earlier, Mama was about to leave their house when she suddenly fainted, and he was the one who saw her," Kuya answered. I let out a deep sigh and looked at Mama. "Don't worry anymore, Mama will undergo surgery," he added, patting my shoulder.
I gave a small smile. Even though the problem with Mama's surgery was already solved, I still couldn't help but feel nervous and worried about her condition. But I hope Mama can endure this, and I hope her suffering will end soon.
Thank you, whoever you are. I hope I get to meet you soon.