CHAPTER SIX
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After a few quiet minutes by his side, I wiped my face and stood up. The doctor had mentioned some forms I needed to sign. I stepped out of the room and walked toward the reception desk, my steps slow but steady. The weight on my mind has lifted, even if it's just a little.
"Hi, I was told there are some forms I need to sign for my dad," I said softly to the nurse behind the counter. She looked up and nodded, then began searching through a stack of papers. "Name?". She asked, eyes still on the paper. "Mr. Miller," I replied.
She found the file and slid the forms towards me. "These are consent and follow-up documents --standard procedure after surgery. Just go through them, and let me know if you have any questions." I nodded, and collected the files from her. I began reading through the pages.
"May I please have a pen?," I asked, as I realized there wasn't one in the file. She handed me a pen and I went back to reading the files. i read through the documents carefully and signed where need. Then I turned the page--and froze.
It was the hospital bill. A sudden wave of anxiety swept through me. I stood up and walked back to the nurse at the reception. "Sorry...what do I do here?" I asked, pointing at the page. She took the file from me and glanced through it, then turned to the computer in front of her.
"Hold on, let me check." A few clicks later, she looked back up. "It says here the bill has been settled."
"Settled?" I echoed, eyebrows furrowed. "By who?" I asked. She glanced at the screen again. "All it says is ' the person that brought him in.'" My thoughts started racing. who could it be? was it someone I knew? A friend of his? A stranger?
"I suggest you ask the doctor," she said, her tone soft as her attention shifted back to the monitor. I nodded slowly, still confused, and handed her the file. " I've signed everything," I murmured, and turned to go find the doctor--i need answer more urgent than ever.
I walked quickly down the corridor, scanning every passing doctors until I spotted him--the doctor who had spoken to me earlier. "Doctor!" I called out, and he turned at the sound of my voice. "Yes?"
"I just signed the forms you asked me to, but the nurse said the hospital bill has already been paid." I hesitated, then asked, "She said the person that brought him in settled them...Do you perhaps know who that is?"
The doctor's expression shifted--just slightly, enough for me to notice. He nodded gently, "Yes someone brought your father in," he said. " A young man in his 20s brought him here, he got your father admitted, paid the bills and left".
" Did he tell you what his name was?" I asked. "No, he didn't leave his name," he replied, his voice low and steady. who was this guy? and how did he know my father? I thought to myself. "And right!, after he left, his secretary I'm not sure who the guy is, left this behind," he reached into his white coat and brought out a business card--or so I thought. " You might find something about him on this". He handed me the card--or it was an address card.
I took the card from the doctor's hand, and he gave me a small nod before turning and walking away. I looked down at the address printed neatly on the card. Who is this person? Who would pay my father's hospital bill without even leaving a name?
Maybe if I went to the address, i'd find some answers. But not yet. First, I needed to see him. I walked back to Dad's ward, and my heart skipped a bit when I saw him stirring in the bed. " Dad!" I rushed to his side and gently wrapped my arms around him.
He was weak, but awake--and alive. "Thank God you're okay," I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "Do you know how scared I was?" He held me back, resting his hand on my shoulder, and looked at me with a faint tired smile. "I must have scared you a lot," he said softly.
"You did," I admitted, brushing a tear away. "why didn't you tell me you were sick?". " I didn't want you to worry too much about me," he said, gently cupping my face in his hand. "You should have told me anyway," I whispered, my voice cracking. "You had me so worried Dad."
I leaned in and hugged him again, holding on tighter this time--until I felt him flinch. "Oh-sorry!" I quickly pulled back, realizing I must've pressed too hard against stitches. He gave a weak chuckle. "Still as strong as ever". I smiled through my tears and helped him adjust his pillows and sit up more comfortably in the bed.
"Better?" I asked softly. "Much," he nodded, the smile still playing at his lips. "By the way," I said, settling into the chair beside his bed, "Do you know who brought you here?"
He looked at me, brow furrowed in confusion. "Who was it?", "You don't remember?" I asked, searching his face. He shook his head slowly. "No... everything's a blur. One minute I was at William's house, and the next... I woke up here." I leaned back slightly, the card with the unknown address still in my pocket, "Could it have been William that brought me here?" he asked.
" I don't know Dad, the person did not leave a name" I said as rubbed my hand-- I suddenly thought whether I should tell him, the stranger has paid his bill or not. I gave it a thought and decided not to--i mean it would only make him worry and that might affect his health. I'm going to keep it to myself--at least until I find this person.
"You get some rest Dad, I need to go and see the doctor-- i'll be back soon". I tapped him gently, got up from my seat and left the room...