First day of our second month as interns… We were given an allowance because that's what the president wanted $20 a day.
Zarah and I were thrilled, especially since her father's job had been put on hold due to the lack of projects. Her dad worked as a foreman at a construction company.
"The salary there is high, Queen. I hope we get accepted if we apply, right?" she said with hopeful eyes.
As we stepped out of the building and into the warm afternoon sun, Zarah suggested, "Let's eat first, Queen. Let's go to Jollibee."
She smiled invitingly, but I shook my head. "Sorry, Zarah, I need to go home. I'll buy some medicine for my Mom."
"Oh, you're such a good child," Zarah teased with a playful laugh.
I smiled softly, the weight of responsibility settling heavier on my shoulders.
Zarah and I parted ways—she and Charles went together.
I bought the medicine and hurried home. When I arrived...
"Mom... Mom... my! Mom... what happened? Mom... Mom..."
I found her lying unconscious on the bed.
Tears streamed down my face as I screamed for help. I called Aunty Rita, our neighbor and Mom's close friend.
She quickly came over and helped me carry Mom to the hospital with the help of other neighbors.
Mom was rushed straight to the emergency room, and we weren't allowed inside.
Aunty Rita said goodbye and went home since it was already late.
Soon, our last name was called: "Miguel."
I stepped forward, heart pounding, and asked, "How is my mom doing?"
She didn't answer me but instead motioned for me to follow her.
I followed her into a small, quiet room.
"Sit down," she said, pointing to a chair beside her desk.
"Your mother's heart is full of fluid her heart is basically floating in water."
"Oh my God!" I gasped.
My whole body trembled at her words. She then showed me the x-ray results.
"Look here, this is her lung. We all have two lungs, left and right, but the left part of your mother's lung is completely gone. That's why she can hardly breathe."
It felt like my entire world was collapsing.
My chest tightened, and I couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my face in front of the doctor.
"But Doc... there's still hope, right? There's still a way for me to be with my mom for a long time?" I pleaded, my voice cracking as I cried harder.
The doctor looked at me, his expression serious but gentle.
"Ms. Miguel... we need significant money if you want to prolong your mother's life."
I wiped my tears and asked in a trembling voice, "How much?"
"We need to remove the fluid from your mother's heart," the doctor said calmly but firmly. "And she'll need these medicines as soon as possible."
She handed me a prescription slip, and I stared at the long, unfamiliar names scribbled across it names I couldn't pronounce but knew meant hope… or helplessness.
"Please prepare a deposit of thirty thousand dollars," she added. "That will cover the procedure to drain the fluid that's causing your mother's heart to constrict."
I clutched the paper tightly, my hands trembling.
Thirty thousand… Where would I get that kind of money?
My chest ached at the thought, but all I could think of was one thing 'I needed to save her. No matter what.'
My whole body went soft when I heard *'thirty thousand dollars'* as the down payment to remove the fluid from Mom's heart.
"When will the money be needed?" I asked the doctor.
"As soon as possible," the doctor replied without hesitation.
My tears flowed right then and there. I couldn't stop them even if I tried.
When the doctor stepped out, I immediately went in and approached Mom, who was now lying in bed with an oxygen tube gently taped to her face.
I gently held her hand… it was cold, fragile, and trembling. Slowly, her eyes opened and met mine.
"Q...u.....e....e....n…" She tried calling my name, but it was painful to hear each syllable was a struggle, every breath shallow.
"Mom, fight it… I'll leave you for a moment. I'll be right back," I said, forcing strength into my voice though my heart was breaking.
She looked like she wanted to say something, her lips trembling, but I didn't let her finish.
I turned away quickly and stepped out of the room, afraid that if I stayed, she'd see how scared and helpless I truly felt.
I walked through the hospital corridor, wiping my tears with the back of my hand, forcing myself to breathe and trying to compose myself.
I kept whispering, "Be strong. Be strong for her." But deep inside, I was completely lost.
I had no idea where to go, who to talk to, or where to get help. The walls around me felt too high, too cold.
I didn't know any relatives. No one ever visited. No one ever called.
And I didn't know much about the love story between Mom and Dad.
When I opened my eyes to this world, it was only Mom that I saw. She was my everything my parents, my home, my strength.
I never thought I'd need anyone else.
But right now, I had no one to run to.
Not a single relative I could turn to in a moment like this.
And in that moment of desperation, if there truly is a God, only He knows the pain and struggle Mom and I have endured together.
"Lord," I whispered in my thoughts, "I've never forgotten You, even if I don't go to church often. Please... if You're listening now, help me. I need to save the only person who has ever loved me unconditionally."
Tears continued to fall as I wandered with no clear destination.
Just then, across the street, a car's headlights flicked on, catching my attention. A sign taped to the windshield glowed under the light "WANTED: GRO."
I stopped and stared.
I really didn't know what "GRO" meant.
But at that moment, it didn't matter.
All I knew was that they were looking for someone and I needed a job, fast.
I crossed the street without thinking twice. At the base of a tall building, I saw the entrance glowing with colorful lights, red, blue, green like Christmas decorations, even though it wasn't the season.
I didn't let it bother me.
There were two guards, one posted outside, the other just inside the door. I approached and asked, "Sir, do you still need a GRO?"
The guard gave me a knowing smile. "Come in, miss," he said, opening the door for me.
Inside, I was immediately greeted by someone in a short, body-hugging dress. Their long, shiny hair bounced as they walked, and their make-up was flawless thick lashes, bold lips. Their voices were sharp and friendly.
"What's up?" they said, eyes scanning me quickly.
I realized then he was a gay man. Probably one of the staff.
The sound of loud music filled the place. Somewhere inside, someone was singing.
The atmosphere was buzzing, loud, and unfamiliar.
But I kept walking in. I had no choice.
Most of the people entering were men. From time to time, a man and a woman would come out laughing, clinging to each other, their bodies close.
I couldn't help but suspect... something else was going on.
"Miss, what are you doing here?" the person in the short dress asked me again, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Ah… eh… what is it?" I stammered, unsure now.
My mind was racing. Was this really the right place?
"What?" one of the guards asked, confused.
"She said she's here to apply," the other answered for me, raising an eyebrow.
And there I was… caught in between desperation and doubt.
…Stay tuned for the next chapter.