Chapter 5: Come back dad

Which hospital? I found the voice to speak

Marrilane Clinic. The voice answered.

I ran through the crowd, my heart racing, hoping to find Raymond. But he was nowhere to be found. Ivana approached me instead.

"What's wrong, dear?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

"My dad is in the hospital," I stammered. "He got into an accident. Please drive to the hospital."

She headed back into the house to grab her keys, and we rushed to the hospital. My heart raced as we journeyed, "I hope nothing bad happens, I can't lose him, and he hasn't met Crystal."

We arrived at the hospital, and I rushed through the hospital's sliding glass doors, the antiseptic smell hitting me.

I received the devastating news: my dad was in the operating theater. Ivana held my hands as we walked to the theater.

When we arrived, I saw my father's maid, who had called me earlier.

"What really happened?" I asked, my voice shaking. "How serious is it? Will he be okay?"  I said all at one, sobbing.

The maid explained that a truck had hit their car, causing it to fall down a hill. The driver had died on the spot.

Oh my God, I exclaimed, my hands covering my mouth.

I was overcome with grief, my legs wobbling beneath me. Ivana hugged me, trying to comfort me.

We waited outside, hoping and praying for my dad's survival.

I called my aunt, to tell her what was going on, and she arrived in no distant time.

Arielle darling! She exclaimed.

From her face I could tell that she had been crying. I didn't want to bother her as it was already late, and she was far away, but I just couldn't, I needed her.

She embraced me. We sobbed on each other's shoulders, and we stayed like that for a minute.

He'll survive this, he's a strong man. She reassured me.

We sat outside. I told the maid and Ivana to go home. Ivana insisted, but I told her to go home and help me tell Raymond of the situation. Not like he would care though.

And she reasoned with me and left.

Since my aunt was already here.

After about an hour after they left, the doctors came out and one of them approached us.

Doctor, we are his family my aunt spoke. How was the surgery, and what is his situation?

We tried our best, he was stable for a while, but then he relapsed.

"I'm sorry," he said. "We did everything we could, but your father didn't do it."

My world collapsed. I felt numb, unable to process the news.

"Doctor, what do you mean he didn't make it ?" I held his scrub tightly.

I'm really sorry,"" he said, trying to remove my hands. My Aunt pulled my hands and I fell to the ground sobbing.

Please bring back my dad, please bring back my dad, I said in between tears. The doctor walked away apologizing repeatedly.

I'm now an orphan and I didn't even cherish the time he was alive. He didn't even know he had a granddaughter just like my mom didn't.

I'm such a bad child.

My Aunt stood there speechless as tears rolled down her eyes.

We just reunited after those years of him being upset with me when I got pregnant at a young age and almost messed my life up. Even though he never spoke to me, he still sent me money for upkeep.

And now my brother is gone. I heard my Aunt say as she sobbed.

....

Soon I was in the room where my dad's body was, he was covered with a white cloth. I raised the cloth, and a lump formed in my throat. His face was pale, his eyes closed, and his skin cold to the touch.

He looked so peaceful like he was sleeping, and I couldn't believe that he was lifeless.

"Farewell, Dad," I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

He looked so peaceful like he was sleeping, and I couldn't believe that he was lifeless.

Fare well dad, I whispered. I shut my eyes tight to stop the tears from pouring as I walked out of the room.

My aunt had already left the hospital. Crystal was at home alone, asleep, so she had to leave.

I signed the necessary documents and made the necessary arrangements.

I had to call a cab since Ivana had left.

I saw a tall figure walking towards me.  I realized that it was Raymond.

What was he doing here, I thought?

He strode to my front, looking intensely at me.

" I'll drive you home. "

I nodded and followed him to his car. As he drove, he glanced at me quietly.

I tried to be strong. I didn't want to cry in front of Raymond, but I couldn't help it.

I cried, silently trying to control the muffled sound that came with it.

We arrived at his mansion. If there's anything you need, call me. Raymond said, surprising me as we entered the house. This was the first time he had been acting nice to me.

I just nodded and went to my room.

My aunt called later to check on me. I couldn't sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of my dad.

All throughout the night I couldn't sleep. I started getting a headache because of the incessant crying. I went out of my room and headed to the kitchen to get water.

"As I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the throbbing headache, I couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest."

I went out of my room, and I was shocked to see Raymond standing outside my door. It seemed like he was about to knock.

"Hey," he said softly. "I heard your sobs from my workroom. Do you plan on crying all night?"

I looked up at him, surprised by his concern.

"Why did he have to leave me now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Raymond's expression softened, and he pulled me into a hug.

I just stood still like a rock, his cologne washed over me.

"I know how you feel," he said. "I lost my brother and mom in the same year."

I pulled away, looking into his eyes.

I saw pain that he quickly masked up

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't know."

Raymond nodded and walked away, leaving me to process my emotions.

I headed to the kitchen and got water before going back to my room.

My phone rang, and it was a call from Ivana.

Hey Arielle, how are you holding up? I'm sorry I couldn't pick you up. I had to tell Raymond

It's fine, thanks for being by my side even though we just met.

We are family now, dear. You can count on me, and I'll stop by tomorrow.

Thank you, I muttered.

Please have some rest and eat, so you won't fall sick.

After the call ended,

I was already feeling so weak and tired.

So I slumped on my bed and sleep took me.

The next morning I woke up to find my body burning with fever.

" I felt numb, I didn't even have the strength to cry anymore.

I just lay down waiting for someone to wake me up from this nightmare.

I spent what felt like hours trying to gather strength to get out of bed.

"My teeth chattered as I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to warm up. Every movement felt like a struggle, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of weakness that had taken over my body." I needed some medication,

As I walked towards the door, out of my room. My head was spinning, and before I knew it, everywhere was dark, and I was on the ground.