Chapter 2

Silvia could not read the report she was seeing on the piece of paper. “What is this, sir?” She asked curiously with a very perplexed look on her face.

“Your mother, I am sorry ma'am. Your mother has a hole in her heart”, he broke the news to her.

“A hole? Doctor, I don't understand. A few minutes ago, you were the person telling me that my mother was in good condition..” Silvia, who had gotten a hold of her emotions, was now worried again.

She looked confused, perplexed, and anxious at the same time.

It was very hard to read which emotion was dominant at the moment.

“I know, your mother is OK for now. But she slumped because her heart skipped a beat. This was solely because she had a hole in her heart” the doctor explained.

“You should have a solution. Isn't there a solution, sir?” She asked.

It's a good thing Silvia loves to look for a way out of any problem she finds herself in.

“That's good thinking. There is a way out. It's going to cost a lot” The doctor gave her a warning.

“Talk to me, doc,” She said anxiously. She could feel her ears itching to hear something from the doctor.

“Your mother needs a heart transplant. This needs to happen within one month anyway,” he said.

Silvia was beginning to see the reason why the doctor had earlier warned about the cost.

“What will happen if we don't get it done before one month has elapsed?” I asked curiously.

Asking for the price would come after he answered this question.

“Her heart right now is damaged. There is only a slim chance that her heart can support her. One month is actually a short time, but we will try all we can to sustain her until that time,” he replied.

“So, how much is this going to cost” is the most important thing to Silvia. She knows that this…..

“I am afraid you'll need 1 million dollars for us to start the surgery. You can pay the balance when surgery is successfully done”.

Silvia's eyeballs seemed as if they were going to pop out from the sockets. Surprisingly, the doctor kept a really calm countenance.

He didn't look like he just called such an environment of money from his mouth. “That's a lot of money. Where do I get such an amount?” she asked the doctor.

“I am sorry. There is nothing we can do about this,” he replied.

“I don't have any money with me, sir. Can you try to reduce the money?” She tried pleading, but it wasn't working.

“I am sorry ma’am. Just look for a way. I don't want your mother to die”.The doctor showed concern and care.

Ironically speaking, Silvia was the most concerned and disturbed person in the room.

She dismissed her discussion with the doctor and left to check on her mother, who was in a ward.

Silvia was happy to see that she was conscious now. At least, that is a relief. “How are you feeling, mum?” She tried to mask the pain and wear a smile on her face.

“I will be fine” Her mother replied with a soft smile on her face.

Silvia gave her mother a kiss on the head and took permission to get some things done.

The first person she had in mind to ask for a favour was Rebecca.

She took up her phone while she stood outside the hospital and called Rebecca.

“Good afternoon” She sniffed, and she picked up the call.

Silvia's voice was too dull, so anybody who knows Silvia very well didn't find it hard to hear the pain behind her subtle and sweet voice.

“Have you been crying?” She asked curiously. Rebecca was able to read the pain behind Silvia's voice.

“I need your help. Mum….mum” Silvia broke down in tears.

“Talk to me!” She insisted. Silvia looked confused in the whole situation.

She obviously had a lot in her head, and I believe she was trying so hard to get some puzzles solved in her head.

“Mum is sick. She needs a heart transplant.” She declared the problem to Rebecca.

There are reasons why people lack money, but it has been known in history that Rebecca hardly goes bankrupt.

“Sick! I can't remember mum having any big problems. What's wrong with her?” She asked curiously over the phone.

“Mum's heart. They said she needs a heart transplant before next month” Silvia lamented.

“Sorry about that, honey. Is there a way I can help you out?” Rebecca asked. She sounded less troubled on the phone.

“The doctor is requesting a huge amount. I just need your help to come up with 1 million dollars” She said.

Rebecca, who was trying to get a cup of water through her throat, quickly spilled.

“What did you just say, Silvia?” She asked in shock.

“One million dollars. That's what it's going to take to get the transplant done” Silvia explained.

“How do you want to come up with such an amount? I don't have such money. now” Rebecca made it clear that she wasn't disposed to help her.

Silvia tried to see if there was any amount Rebecca was willing to give out, but the replies just kept coming with negatives.

Silvia was left with only one option. It was a hard thing to do, but she had to try it out first.

Her mother's life is at stake here. “Good morning sir” Silvia opted to have a little moment with her boss in his office, which he agreed to.

It was 8 am. that morning, and Ralph had just arrived at the office. Ralph was shocked to see Silvia speaking to him. Because she barely has the nerve to try that.

“Good morning, Silvia. What is the problem” Ralph skipped the pleasantries and requested that she get down to business.

Silvia, who understood Ralph's busy schedule, cleared her throat and started talking.

“I need your help, sir” She blurted. Ralph raised his face from what he was trying to do on his desk and fixed a close eye contact with Silvia.