Ch 001: Never To See Her Cry Again

Never to see her cry again

“Manuel! Manuel!” A soft voice cried as she saw Manuel lying on the floor in his own pool of blood, coughing out some more blood to add to the much blood that already covered the floor.

“A-A-Ann!” Manuel managed to ay as he was struggling for his life.

“Don’t say anything, Manuel. Just stay calm for me, ok. You have to pull through this… you have to stay strong for us.” She added while whimpering. She struggled with him, carrying him up so they could go to the hospital…

***AT THE HOSPITAL***

Ann paced up and down as she awaited the doctor to come out of the emergency ward. Reporters stood outside the hospital as the security tried to hold them back. The evening was really a cold and terrible one.

*(3 MONTHS EARLIER)*

“Manuel, the drug effects are already wearing out. Soon the drugs will have no effects anymore.” Doctor Fillander said as he gave the report to young Manuel. Manuel’s emerald green eyes stared at the report that were in his hands and then smiled. His nicely combed purple hair fell as his head was bowed, looking at the paper in his hands. He immediately jerked up his head and stood up immediately.

“Thanks for your time, doc.” He said and turned, making his way to the exit. His jeans and expensive GUCCI black boots made noise as he walked out of the hospital. As for the report, he had left it in the doctor’s office, since it was of no use to him.

“How did it go?” A young man of Manuel’s age asked as they walked out of the hospital.

“I wasn’t going there for a job interview; I just went there for a checkup. But the doctor said that I needed to stop using my drugs and hence he prescribed a new set. I should be healthier in a week’s time.” Manuel replied and then his friend just nodded, even though concern was the only thing in his mind at the moment.

“You worry too much, Richard.”

“Well I have to, don’t you think? The whole Han Empire is on your shoulders, Master Han Manuel.” Richard replied, stressing the master part and patted Manuel’s back.

“Let’s go home now. Your mom has been calling you ever since you left the house.” He added and Manuel just nodded.

He had left the house without letting his mom know where he was going to and he stayed longer than expected during his appointment with the doctor. So it was but normal for her to be worried sick. He needed to hurry home and then show his face to his mom who will be dead of worry.

Han Manuel is the only son of Leera Han and Albert Han who is of late. His mother after the unexpected death of his father had become paranoid over the fear of losing her only son too. Manu smiled in pain, recalling the day his father had died. He passed out that day due to the shock and by the time he woke up, his mom was crying profusely, praying to God that he woke up.

She was his everything from that very day and he made a decision, never to see her cry again, so he hid his medical report from his mom. Manuel lived a happy and cheerful life every time he was around his mom. He avoided gazing in his mom’s eyes because he knew that she was going to go crazy, seeing that his emerald green eyes were becoming paler.

Who would have thought that a rich guy like him was suffering from something that not even the top notch medical doctors he knew in the world could do anything? His condition according to him was a wasted issue. He had tried everything possible to get himself healthy all to no avail.

Like any other person that will find his or herself in his shoes, he tried but he failed. His disease was said to be incurable and so he had no other choice than to wait patiently for death’s call.

Thinking about his mom, whom he knew was going to freak out if he told her about his situation, he couldn’t help but worry. He was going to die anytime soon and so leaving his mom all alone and she was going to experience the traumatic experience from the day his father died. He felt pity for his mom and so decided to shower her with all the love he could have during the short period that he was going to be around.

He didn’t want her to be alone once he was gone. He wanted the memories to be her consolation in his absence.

“I still don’t get it. What is it exactly that you are suffering from?” Richard asked Manuel as they walked towards an isolated entrance. They didn’t want to be seen even though they knew that no troublemaker (Media) was there, they still had to avoid the risk of running into a crazy fan.

“I already told you, Richard, you worry too much. It was just a slight internal hemorrhage.” Manuel explained and it seems his explanation got the worst part of his friend, worry.

“Why will you be bleeding internally and not tell me?” Richard asked and Manuel just shook his head, thinking of the gravity of what he had just done.

“Sorry, buddy. I just couldn’t tell you back then. But I’m fine now. The wounds have been covered.” He replied but the way Richard looked at him, he knew that his friend might go slightly berserk again.

“You are not fine, Manuel. You are forbidden to leave the house for a week, until you get better. Leave the paper works to me.” Richard said, earning a smirk from Manuel. Manuel knew that when it came to brains, Richard was the man for it, he was very intelligent and the best PA anyone would ever ask for. Luckily for him, this PA was his and his alone.

Their friendship travels as far back as to their fathers. Richard’s dad had saved his dad and his mom, the day she was in labor. His father’s car had a wheel puncture and they were nowhere near the hospital. Mr. Han began to wonder why he didn’t just bring the doctor to his home but he didn’t regret his reasons as the thoughts of it made him shake his head in denial.

Leera was groaning and crying in pains. They seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, hoping for a miracle when a taxi drove past them and stopped. Richard’s dad stepped out and with so much concern for the couple; he took them in his car and drove them straight to the hospital.

His wife had given birth some days ago and she was still in the hospital, pending discharge because he never had enough money. He was working that night to gain enough money but seeing the couple in need of help, he decided to help them.

From that day, the two men were close and eventually, their sons picked up in the spirit and also became close. Richard was always first, while Manuel came second. As far as brains were concerned, Richard was always dominating. He became Manu’s right hand man because of the inseparable bond they shared.

So the two not just share a boss and worker relationship, but they are the best of friends.

Manuel’s smirk turned into a smile, “Nope!” His mouth found its way to say and Richard just glared at him and sighed like he already knew Manuel was going to respond this way.

“Oh and Richie, I will like to stop by the shopping mall. I want to get mom a gift.” Manuel asked and Richard nodded.

“Should I make orders for the mall to be cleared before you get there?” Richard asked and Manuel didn’t answer. He just put on his dark shades and increased his pace to where the car was parked. Richard saw this as a ‘yes’ and began making a call to the manager.