Chapter 1: Do Not Resuscitate

Raviora’s Point of View 

My biggest problem is poverty. For me, I grew up not having either of my parents. I was just two years old when my parents died. Grandpa always says I should always be practical. 

“W-What’s the problem again now, Doc?” I asked worriedly. I was panting in front of the Doctor because I ran from the entrance to my Grandpa’s room. 

The Doctor sighed as he looked at me. “He will not last long...”

“No! No! There should be a way, right?” I disagreed, and my voice broke. 

“I told you months ago he should’ve accepted the treat–” 

I started panicking. “D-Doc... I’ll do anything. Please c-continue my Grandpa’s m-medications...” 

“His bill is now in the hundred thousand, Miss. Nearly a million. How long are you going to bear it? And he already signed a DNR form... Didn't he inform you?” He informed me using his most concerned way. 

My world tore apart. A DNR... What? No! It couldn’t be. He’s precious to me, and I should do everything to continue his medications! I know Grandpa still has a chance of surviving and... living. 

"H-He didn't." 

I don’t care if I should work until the day I die, but... I love Grandpa so much that I couldn’t bear thinking he’ll die soon because of his illness. 

I sighed heavily as a tear fell from my eyes. To be honest, I will do everything for him. He was the only one who loved and cared for me. Grandpa has done everything for me since I was a child! 

“I don’t care how much the bill is, Doc. I’ll do anything for him.” 

Even though our chance is low, I still hope a miracle will happen. Months ago, Grandpa was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It’s incurable, but the Doctor said as my Grandpa continues medicating, he’ll live long. But when Grandpa found out I was running out of money, his nurse informed me, saying he was now rejecting his treatments. 

I got mad, and at the same time, I begged him to do it, yet he always gave me a headache. Not until his condition worsened. 

“Grandpa...” I begged while crying. 

He was sitting on his bed as his eyes were outside the window, not minding me completely. 

I tried caressing her hand, but he didn’t let me. Instead, Grandpa avoided my touch. 

“How many times do I need to tell you, you should just let me rest?” I was stunned because of his eagerness to leave me in this world. I bit my lower lip because the way he said those hurt me. 

Another tear fell from my eyes. “Grandpa!” 

“We’re running out of money, Raviora!” He stormed. He coughed a bit because of it. “I am okay. I am ready to rest, sweetheart.” 

Grandpa held my hands. I couldn’t look at him straight because his words made me lose hope. I don’t know why he’s okay with it while I am not. 

“Look at me,” he whispered. 

I didn’t obey his orders. My heart hurts a lot. How about me, then? How will I live if the only person who makes me happy and the reason for my living will leave me? 

It’s unfair!

Weakness invaded my whole body. I couldn’t talk or even look at him. He’s thin and has big two-eye bags underneath his eyes. I continued sobbing. Thinking Grandpa would leave this world, it felt like I lost my reason to continue living, too. 

“Raviora...” Grandpa said gently. 

“G-Grandpa...” 

He widened his both arms, wanting me to hug him. I obeyed. I am now sitting above his bed while hugging him.

The hot liquid kept falling as I felt the warmth of his hug. 

“I-I’ll try a-again, okay? I’ll try finding money...” 

I felt his hands slowly caressing my hair. “What did I tell you before, hmm? Even if I die, you’re still the baby Raviora I once cared for and loved. Right?” 

“I don’t wanna wake up in the morning not seeing you cooking and making breakfast for me,” I said sluggishly. 

He softly chuckled. “You still have work, right? You should hurry now, sweetie.” 

“But Gran–”

“I’m okay...” 

“But you signed a DNR.” 

He chuckled as if it was nothing. “I don’t wanna be a burden.” 

The last thing I knew is I was now outside the hospital. Other people are okay with the thought of losing someone, but in my case, I strongly disagree. Some people don’t know that losing the only person you have is more painful. 

Grandpa signing the do not resuscitate form made me angry, and... it gave me pain. I’m scared Grandpa might leave me any day from now, especially if it was the Doctor who said he won’t last long. 

Grandpa’s savings were depleted because of his medications. I have work, yes. But my salary at my job wasn’t enough to provide for it, so we used his savings to survive.

No matter how upset I am with him, I can still find myself in a big old building in the town.

I looked up. The blue skies are turning dark while the sun sets. I bit my lower lip as my hand curled into a fist. A friend told me that these buildings belong to loan sharks who let everyone get a loan without interest, but in exchange, you have something important to you and give it to them. 

My hands trembled as I saw the men who looked like goons outside the building. I’m sure this is the one my friend was saying when we talked on the phone. 

I slowly went inside. Some of them look at me as if I am some sort of food they can eat whenever they want since I am here in their territory.

When I saw their office, I immediately knocked on their door. My heart pounded when a scary man wearing a Sando with tattoos all over his body, a big fat tummy, and wearing his dirty smirk opened it for me.

I smiled nervously. 

“Boss,” Damn! Even his voice is scary! “I think someone needs a loan, too.” 

The ugly big old fat scary man opened the door for me. Inside their office are full of clothes and men. Some were smoking, and some were not. 

Damn. Do their parents never tell their children, even for once, that smoking inside an office, house, or apartment is not allowed? 

From what I can see, I think their boss is the one who’s wearing a summer polo shirt while puffing on his cigarette. All their eyes went on me. Some goons are massaging their boss’ back. 

Their boss looked at me from head to toe. I bit my lower lip, and my eyes drifted to the floor. 

“Who are you?” One of them asked as if he was ready to fight with me. 

Damn, these loan sharks! I am scared, yes! 

“U-Uh...” I said nervously. “A friend of mine told me... y-you’re a loan shark.” 

Some of them looked at each other. Some were not. 

“And?” 

“I plan to have my loan here... if it’s alright.” 

Their boss stood up. He takes a glance at me straight in the eyes. I can say that he’s in his mid-forties. He’s tall, has avian skin, and has whiskers. 

I bit my lower lip. He tried stepping forward while I did the opposite.

He smirked at me when he saw I was trembling. “How much do you want to loan, Miss? Have a seat.”

I coughed a little. I did what he wanted me to do. Just like what I’ve said, the sun is now setting outside. While here in their office, the light gives the whole room brighter sunshine.

For a moment, the scenario inside my Grandpa’s hospital room suddenly flashed through my memory. I wasn’t sure if I was going to do this, but... 

“What? Are we just gonna stare at each other?” Their boss asked sarcastically. 

“I uh... I’m sorry,” 

“So, how much do you want to loan?” He said cooly. 

I bit my lower lip again. If I tell him I need a million and a hundred, would they let me? Funny how I get nervous again, wanting to back out when I was so courageous earlier until I saw them. 

Some of his men went outside, and some were still there. They all have tattoos on their arms and probably up to their body. Well, tattoos are all over the world now. Even minors have! 

“A million and a hundred dollars.” 

His eyebrow shut up. A loud burst of laughter suddenly echoed inside the room. 

What an asshole! I know I can’t loan big money, like a million and a hundred, and I see the laugh is for me, and I think their boss already cursed me on his mind. I believe these goons are saying I’m an idiot or stupid when I see how much I should borrow!

He stopped laughing. “What are you gonna do with that kind of money?” 

“Hmm. Well, my Grandpa has to continue his medications, and we’re out of money right now. I’d like to pay his hospital bills.” I said seriously. 

He smirked at me. Some of his men did too. “Do you think a million and a hundred dollars is easy breathing, dear?” 

I groaned frustratedly. “I know, but I really need it!” 

“How old are you?”

“T-Twenty-one...” 

“Your work?” 

“I’m a s-server in a restaurant.” 

Another chuckle came out from his mouth. It seems like he’s mocking me and my work. So what now, huh? As far as I know, being a server in a restaurant is legal! These goons are kind of irritating. If only I weren’t desperate for money right now, I would never go or even see them. 

“How can a server like you pay us a million and a hundred?” 

“C’mon. Please...” I begged. 

He smirked like an evil. I gripped my bag tightly while looking at him hopelessly. This is the only way I can do it. My friends couldn’t bring me a large sum of money, so I had no choice but to please him! 

“Get the contract,” 

“Right away, boss.”

I was stunned for a moment. His right-hand man immediately returned with two bond papers in her hand. 

I gulped. I don’t exactly know how loan sharks really work. He handed the papers to his boss. 

“I will let you borrow this huge money BUT...” he paused. “You should give us the most important thing in your life. I actually don’t accept things like keys, portraits, or such. Your house as collateral will do.” 

Are you an idiot or what? I really wanted to tell him that, but I should worry about my Grandpa, who’s now in the hospital, first instead.

I sighed heavily. 

“I have it here. That house is the most valuable thing to me since it’s full of memories. I value it the most, so...” 

This goon smirked. “Uh-huh...” 

He immediately grabbed the papers in my hand and opened them when I pulled them out of my bag.

For sure, he checked things up. 

“Alright then. Sign the contract, then we’ll process it right away. Leave your contact number and other personal information. It’s badly needed.” He asserted. 

I nodded. “How long will it take?” 

“Two to three days, Miss.” He said. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t run. I’ll pay it in two ye–” he cut me off.

“No,” he stopped. “I will be the one who will decide whenever I want you to pay the money. So you better ready the cash, yeah?” 

“Are y–”

“Sign the contract.” 

To be honest, I felt better when he said those things, but all of it vanished when this man in front of me said he'd be the one who would decide when to pay his money. After signing the contract, he gave his signature to mine, and so did I. 

Wasn’t it too unfair on my part? I didn’t even read the entire contract!