Hailey made her way through the ward, her eyes scan every room frantically, her heart beat gradually accelerating with every step, hoping she could spot her sister. Suddenly she stumbled into one of the nurses, their eyes locked in a moment of mutual alarm. Hailey instantly remembered her, she was one of the nurses in charge of Ava's treatment . The concern look on the nurses' face immediately tells Hailey that all was not okay. Perhaps Ava's conditions has worsened.
Hailey grasped the nurse, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Please, where's my sister?"
her hands have been clutched tight around the launch box all this while.
The nurse gently removed Hailey's hand from her scrub that was when Hailey realized she was making the nurse uncomfortable so she quickly apologized. The nurse's calm demeanor was a gentle balm to Hailey's frayed nerves, but the hesitation in her response only seem to fueled Hailey's anxiety.
"I'm Nurse Ruth, your sister is currently in the ICU." She pointed at the direction of the ward and instantly Hailey took to her heels while Nurse Ruth hastily ran towards her. Nurse Ruth was not yet done with her report before Hailey disappeared.
"Madam you're not allowed in!!!". Nurse Ruth shouted at the top of her voice, chasing after Hailey's retreating figure making everybody along the hallway look at them. But it was too late, Hailey had already burst through the door like a mad woman, her gaze locking onto Ava's frail form.
Dr Raymond's firm voice cut through her panic: "Madam please step out, and let us do our job peacefully." Dr Raymond said curtly. But Hailey's feet seemed rooted to the spot, refusing to move an inch.
"Please Dr, sir I'll just stand here in silence… please she has not eaten lunch". Hailey pleaded, her voice cracking as her eyes landed on the bed where Ava was. Ava stayed motionless, eyes shut, unconscious, oxygen tubes tangled around her tiny frame. She couldn't bear to see her in such an helpless situation.
How could this happen, this morning Ava seemed fine and now she's back again unconscious. Hailey's mind cloud with thoughts. At this rate, her tear glands has refused to work, she just drop to the floor like a sack of potatoes with her eyes still fixated on the bed where Ava laid.
"Nurse James please escort her out". The Dr signaled the male nurse then diverted his gaze back on Ava. Soon Nurse Ruth stumbled behind Hailey breathing heavily, while the male nurse assisted Hailey up from the ground making her sit outside the ICU then went in shutting the door behind him.
Nurse Ruth's gaze lingered on Hailey for a while then she rolled her eyes tiredly. She gently sat beside Hailey then placed one hand on her thigh slightly comforting her.
" Hailey, I wish I could promise you that everything will be okay but that would be dishonest. Your sister is in a critical condition and the bone marrow transplant is highly needed as her white blood cells count has plummeted …"
Nurse Ruth tried her best to explain the current situation, but Hailey was not herself at the moment, she looked so confused, discombobulated, practically trying her best to process everything that was going on.
"The hospital has offered to give you a loan why aren't you taking it into consideration?…What about your parents?"
It was as if all her questions was falling on deaf ears. The nurse let out a soft sighs and then tore out a piece of paper from her notebook . She scribbled down her phone number then handed it over the Hailey who reluctantly took the paper and kept it in her pocket.
That was when Hailey's phone pierced the fog of her worry jolting her back to reality. It was Evelyn, at first she didn't want to pick the call but an idea struck her immediately.
Evelyn! Yes Evelyn she can help me with business ideas or financial assistant I just need half the amount for the operation to begin! She thought, her eyes sparkling with determination.
Hailey quickly thrust the lunchbox into Nurse Ruth hands, who was stunned at her sudden energy.
"This is Ava's lunch please give it to her when she wakes up and tell her I'll be back, I'll call you." Hailey said hurriedly.
With newfound resolve Hailey Stood up and moved towards the door of the ICU, with one final stare at Ava, she took to her heels dashing out of the ward.
There's still hope I can't just give up and accept the hospital loan and it's crippling interest rate. She encouraged her self.
Hailey has spent almost all her savings on Ava's hospital bills, medications and upkeep there's practically nothing left in her account.
As she hailed a cab, Her phone rang again amidst her thoughts.
"It's almost 2 o'clock Hailey, where are you?"
Evelyn voice laced with disappointed.
"I'm sorry I had to stop by the hospital".
Oops . She has decided to spill the tea when she gets to the hotel and not on phone.
Evelyn voice shifted from annoyance to alarm.
"Hospital??? What's going on!!!!"
"Eve relax I'm on my way. I'll tell you everything". Her reassurance brief and with that she ended the call.
"Take me to The Opulence Suite". She told the cab driver and they zoomed off. Hailey quietly pray in her heart that her vist with Evelyn will yield something fruitful.
…..
"I must say you have good taste". Hailey said , sipping from her glass of wine while her gaze wandered over the luxurious interior design of her surroundings , trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Evelyn looked so beautiful much more elegant than before. Her dark skin looking radiant. She was wearing a pink hello-kitty pj set.
She has gone locs again, she promised to keep her Afro long and voluminous. Hailey said to herself.
Evelyn hurriedly sat on the sofa beside Hailey with her own glass of wine that she has momentarily abandoned because she was curious and wants to know what was going on with Hailey.
"Thank you, but let's not change the subject …Hailey tell me what is going on? Why where you at the hospital?" Her eyes narrowed and her expression turning serious with a hint of concern.
Hailey composure began to crumble as she gently dropped the wine glass on the glass stool beside her.
"It all started yesterday afternoon, when Ava fell unconscious at school, at first I thought it a minor fever or because she was over-stressed, maybe during dance classes". Her voice trembled slightly as she recalled yesterday's ordeal.
Evelyn face contorted in shock.
"Oh my God.." She leaned forward her eyes boring into Hailey's .
Hailey word spilled out in a rush "It turns out she has leukemia…Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia ". The news hit Evelyn like a punch to the gut her hands flew to her mouth, she tried to say something but no words came out. She instantly held Hailey's hand in comfort, her eyes welling with tears.
"She urgently needs a bone marrow transplant that cost $300,000 and unfortunately I don't have such amount of money…I've spent all my savings on Ava's medications, hospital bills and groceries. I can take hospital loan….but I don't think I'll live to pay up the interest".
Hailey looked up trying her best not to cry.
"Moments ago I was at the hospital…She collapsed again. The nurse told me that her white blood cell count has drop drastically and the transplant is needed urgently. At this point I don't know what to do anymore… I'm exhausted…" her voice trails off almost breaking into tears.
Evelyn instantly wrapped her hands around her shoulders then pat her back trying her very best to pacify Hailey.
Evelyn's mind drifted to somewhere else, perhaps she could help her friend but she was still unsure about the thought of it.
As Hailey tears flowed, her words muffled,"I'd do anything…. anything at all… I just need half the amount ". Her body shook with sobs.
Evelyn's eyes met Hailey's, her gaze filled with empathy.
"Is okay you're ruining your makeup"she said softly her voice laced with concern. She couldn't stand seeing Hailey devastated. Before She moved to Canada, Hailey has always been there for her even when she lost her dad twelve yes ago, Hailey sympathized with her, help her with her studies and school supplies including money. Hailey has always been a good friend.
"you can't just turn your back on her, she needs you". Evelyn's conscience urged her on.
"I think I can I help you". Evelyn said after much hesitation and war with her conscience.
Hailey's eyes snapped back into focus as she hastily sat up, wiping off her tears with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath, her mind racing with the possibility of solution.
She had come to Evelyn for help, and now it seemed like Evelyn might actually provide it.
"You said you'd do anything right?" Evelyn asked her voice firm but gentle, making sure Hailey met what she had said earlier on.
Hailey's nod was immediate and desperate, "yes… anything." She replied quickly, at this point she's willing to try anything to save her sister.
"Well then, will you apply for a one night stand?"