Wednesday
It was around three in the afternoon when father went home from his work at the construction site. At first, I was intrigued. Father never went home this early. Out of curiosity, I asked why he returned so suddenly. He replied back and said that he was just going to rest. I saw him massage his head numerous times before fetching a glass of water to drink. He laid down the sofa and closed his eyes. He never went back again to his work that day.
I remembered that that time was particularly one of the hottest ever recorded in Manila, but I noticed he was barely sweating at all.
Thursday
The following day, Father went home on his usual time. He seemed fairly energetic and was nothing like he was the day before. However, his skin looked pretty dry and red but besides that, he was okay. Mother prepared his favorite dish pork adobo and together, the three of us ate are supper happily.
Friday
It was just after lunch when I received a call from Mother. She told me Father collapsed on his work. His coworkers have brought him to a nearby private hospital where he was confined afterwards. I quickly ran out of the school and went to see my father. While making my way to him, I began to think things that I don’t want to happen. I just wanted to be with him. To show myself to him so he could hold on more. Along the way, I repeatedly whispered, “Please don’t take away my Father,” as I struggled to keep myself from crying with the heavy feeling that lingered in my chest.
I arrived to the hospital and to Father’s room. Mother’s back was facing me, and she was looking at my Father. A doctor was trying to talk to her, but she was occupied. I heard her sobs of sorrow as she cried in front of my Father who lay still in his hospital bed, eyes closed.
Saturday
It was past midnight and all I can hear was Father’s slow heartbeats from the room’s cardiac monitor. Lying beside the hospital bed was Mother who was fast asleep. She left her phone open and there I saw her text message to my Aunt.
“Mel, please help us. We don’t know what to do! Jess had a stroke and he’s in a hospital now.”
I saw about five short replies from my Aunt about how intrigued she was. But Mother didn’t reply back. She must’ve fell asleep with all the sadness she was feeling. I leaned closer and read a draft that Mother was about to send.
“The doctor said we need about a hundred thousand peso and I just want to ask if-”
Poor Mother. How I wish I could do something to help her. I closed my eyes and prayed for God’s guidance. Eventually, after blankly thinking of everything that has been happening, I drifted off to sleep.
Father never gained his consciousness back the whole day.
Sunday
Early in the morning, as I was staring at Father, his fingers suddenly twitched and I saw his eyes finally open. Mother noticed it and she hurriedly kissed Father in his cheeks. Father smiled but he didn’t utter a single word. Mother went out to call the nurse and I stayed holding Father’s pale hands.
I looked at the door and saw Mother talking to a stranger outside Father’s room. Mother seemed elated and I could mouth a lot of ‘thank you’s from her lips. After the stranger left, she went back to the room with hope in her face.
“What happened, Mom?” I asked.
“Blessings honey. Thank God!” she replied happily. Mother called Aunt in her phone and said “Yes, he’s fine now. His insurance company also took care of her bills. Oh, thank heavens!”
Moments later, the doctor checked Father and told us that he is free to go after a few days of rest in the hospital.
After that day, I researched about the insurance thing Mother mentioned to my Aunt. Come to think of it, Father did mention that a lot to me when I was younger but I didn’t care. But after doing a quick study, I realized how important future planning was and now I am planning to start mine.
Practical SISpreneur 