Chapter 2

"What on earth?! Which hospital?!" I exclaimed, completely bewildered.

I glanced at my mother, and the fear and memories were evident in her eyes as she anxiously awaited my response. Without hesitation, I informed her that my father was currently in the hospital.

"Mum, Dad is in the hospital," I stammered, my voice trembling with both fear and tears.

"What?! Which hospital, Ley? What happened to your father?" my mother exclaimed, panic evident in her voice.

"Let's go to the hospital right now, Mum," I cried, pulling my mother along as we hastily hailed a taxi.

As we made our way to the hospital, restlessness consumed me. The worry weighed heavily on my heart, and the same could be seen in my mother's eyes. I couldn't fathom why our family was being tested with one trial after another.

Upon reaching the hospital, we rushed inside and headed straight to the information desk to inquire about my father's whereabouts. My hands were drenched in sweat as I clutched my mother's cold hand, a testament to her nerves.

"Nurse, where can we find Mr. Garcia's room?" I asked in a rush.

"Room 24, ma'am. It's on the left side, corner," the nurse replied.

Without wasting a moment, my mother and I sprinted towards the room where my father lay.

As I turned the doorknob, my heart sank at the sight before me. There, lying on the bed, was my father. Without hesitation, I rushed towards him, desperate to embrace him. Tears streamed down my face as I held him tightly, unable to control my emotions.

"Please, Dad, wake up," I pleaded, my voice trembling with fear. "I just got out of the hospital myself, and now you're here. Don't do this to us, Dad."

My mother's voice cracked with anguish as she called out to him, "Pancho, wake up, dear. We need you. Please, wake up now!"

Just then, the doctor entered the room to assess my father's condition. He explained that my father had suffered a severe bout of high blood pressure, but thankfully, his friend had rushed him to the hospital in time.

It was then that we discovered my father had taken on an additional job to make ends meet. He had been leaving early every day to work and earn extra money for our family. He confided in his friend that his salary wasn't enough to cover all our needs, as he still owed money to Sir Elijah.

Listening to his friend's revelation, tears continued to flow down my cheeks. Even my mother had no idea about my father's second job, and she was deeply moved by his unwavering love for us.

A few moments later, my father regained consciousness, but to our shock, he could no longer speak properly. His left side was paralyzed, leaving us bewildered and frightened. We immediately called for the doctor, who calmly informed us that my father had suffered a mild stroke.

The news hit my mother and me like a tidal wave, threatening to drown us in despair. We stared at my father, his condition pitiful and heartbreaking. How would we cope? I couldn't bear to witness my father in such a state, especially when I still had so many dreams for our family. I wondered where we would find the strength to overcome this ordeal.

By the grace of God, my father had some money left, which he had borrowed from Sir Elijah. I couldn't express enough gratitude towards him for all he had done for our family. I felt a deep desire to get to know him better and find a way to repay his kindness.

The reality of our situation began to sink in. With my father's stroke, our financial stability was uncertain. How would we manage our daily expenses when my mother's income from the market wasn't enough?

Three days later, the Doctor granted us permission to return home. Thankfully, we had enough money to cover the hospital bills, and to our surprise, the Doctor even gave us a discount upon learning about our family's situation.

As we arrived home, we carefully helped my father settle into bed so he could rest. I placed his wheelchair beside the bed, hoping it would serve as a reminder of his strength and resilience. With a sigh, I smiled at him, determined to keep his spirits high amidst the challenges we were facing.

"Dad, let's hold onto hope because I truly believe that you will recover from your illness," I said, my smile masking the sadness in my heart.

"B...ailey," he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Don't cry anymore, Dad. We're going to be okay, so please don't worry about us," I reassured him gently.

Ever since my father had a mild stroke, life hasn't been easy for my mother and me. Each day, my mother wakes up early to sell vegetables at the market, while I take care of my father at home.

"I have something for you, Ley. Come here!" my mom exclaimed, a smile lighting up her face as she rummaged through a plastic bag she was carrying.

Curious, I asked, "What is it, Mom?" with a smile of my own.

She handed me a beautiful blue dress, and I was taken aback but hesitant to accept it. "Mom, why did you buy this? You've already spent money on me," I protested.

"Ley, you're becoming a young woman, and it's important for you to have nice clothes. We've already set aside a budget for your father's medicine, so don't worry about it," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and love.

I sighed, grateful for her thoughtfulness, and thanked her. I couldn't deny that I liked the dress she had chosen for me. I embraced her tightly, giving her a gentle massage on her tired back, knowing how hard she worked.

Suddenly, my father's phone rang, and I noticed it was Sir Elijah calling. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't quite explain the surge of joy I felt. Taking a deep breath, I answered the call, only to be taken aback by the tone of Sir Elijah's voice.

"Hi, Sir Elijah," I greeted him with a smile.

"Who are you?! Where is Pancho?!" he barked arrogantly.

I was taken aback by his response. Instead of the anger and arrogance I had expected, Sir Elijah's voice softened. "You're willing to work off your father's debt?" he asked, his tone filled with surprise. "That's quite a noble offer, young lady." I could sense a hint of admiration in his voice. 

After a brief pause, he continued, "Alright, I'll give you a chance. But remember, this is not an easy task. You'll have to work hard and prove your dedication. If you can do that, we might be able to come to an agreement." 

Relief washed over me as I thanked him profusely. It seemed like there was a glimmer of hope after all. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to do whatever it took to help my father. Little did I know that this unexpected turn of events would lead to a journey of self-discovery and resilience that I never could have imagined.