Chapter: 9 - Quid Pro Quo

Life is short. It can end in many ways. Deaths can be natural, accidental, viral and punishable. Cancer is a nearly-common way to die. There are two types of tumors. Malignant and Benign. Malignant tumors are very dangerous when Benign are comparatively not so much. Malignant tumors are true cancer. They spread throughout the body. But Benign tumors are false cancers. They grow inside the body without any disruption for a particular time and then hinder the body's organ system. There is a lot of chances for Benign tumors to be totally harmless. Dr. Connor, had comforted Juwan when he had come to check on him the previous day.

"It is nothing serious kid. Benign tumors are not at all dangerous. If you are ready, I will remove it with a simple surgery."

Juwan nodded.

"However, I will have to inform your parents. I will need you to fill in your details in this form." Dr. Connor gave Juwan a form. Just then it dawned on Juwan. He can't let his parents know about the cancer. He had to do something about it. Normally Juwan wouldn't have known what to do but something had changed in him.

"I am sorry but you can't let my patents know."

"What? Why?"

"I am an orphan. My only blood relation is my little sister. I do odd part time jobs to provide for my sister. I can't let my sister know. Please understand." The doctor felt a overwhelming pity for Juwan.

"Ok. I will see what I can do." The doctor said and left. Juwan's whole body was shaking nervously. He had lied to a doctor about his identity. 'Am I going mad?' He sighed. ' What am I going to do?' He wondered as the door opened. It was Jana and Riya.

"Hey, man. How are you doing?" Jana asked with a concerning look.

"Alive and kicking." Juwan chuckled. Riya pitied Juwan but she sat on the chair and stayed quietly. Juwan's mind was racing to find a way to keep Jana out of everything.

"What did the doctor tell." Jana asked. Juwan's face lightened. Jana didn't know about the tumor.

"Its nothing. Just some vitamin deficiency. I will live." Jana felt a huge relief when he heard Juwan. Riya too was happy to know that Juwan was alright.

"Thank god. I was worried it might be something bad. Now since you are alright, you have to treat us to dinner." Jana was once again filled with energy. All the negativity had left the room. Juwan thought for a second and nodded.

Maybe treating his friends for getting new powers won't be too bad. He nodded and added that he will take them to "In the Shadow", a restaurant which serves only reserved dinners. What Juwan didn't know was Jana was planning to bring up the topic of a trip during the so called treat.

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Juwan left the hospital that afternoon. The doctor's pity helped him slip of the hospital charges to. The doctor persuaded Juwan to take a 200 bill note which Juwan's guilt wouldn't allow him. He had enough money and now he was cheating a doctor who was very kind to him. Juwan got a bus to the college campus and made his way to the parking lot. His bike was parked between the heavy motor bikes and and flashy cars. He too wanted to ride a motor bike but he didn't know how and he had to wait a few more months.

He rode his bike to the bungalow. The ride from his college to the bungalow is a very short one. He knew the route thoroughly in his heart. As he made his way through the narrow pathway, he could see lights from the bungalow.

'Could it be Mary?' Juwan thought when he suddenly remembered her call the previous morning.

When he reached the front door, Mary was already there awaiting him.

"Aaaii!" She shouted.

'How long has she been waiting?' Juwan wondered.

"Where have you been all night? You have a girlfriend or something? Huh? I have been waiting for you the whole night. I spent the night here, hope you don't mind." Mary said without waiting for Juwan to reply.

'I should change that lock.' Juwan thought.

"Well, did you take any vow of silence? Answer me? Is it a girl?" Mary was pushing it too hard. Juwan smiled and shook his head. If only he could explain.

" No, I had to be somewhere. Its nothing for you to nose in." Juwan wanted to keep Mary as far as he could from all the mess. He didn't want anyone to get hurt.

Mary grinned.

"Come on am I not like your big sister? Tell me what was it?" Mary nudged him.

"What? We barely know each other." Juwan did know a few things about Mary that he had heard from the lawyer.

Mary was a post graduate in biotechnology and she was doing her phd then. Mary's parents had died in a car crash. Until she got the job as the caretaker, she was an orphan. When she got the inheritance, she had given a huge donation to the orphanage that had taken care of her.

She was 26 and a very beautiful women. With her long brown hair, fair skin and perfect features she was irresistible to guys of her age.

"Ok, I will get down to business. I talked to the lawyer yesterday. And guess what I found out.." Juwan walked into the house and went to his room. Mary followed him awaiting him to stop walking and start listening to her. Juwan closed the door to his room. Mary understood he was going to change. Mary went to the hall and waited for Juwan.

Juwan didn't like the medicine odor coming from him. In fact he was surprised that Mary didn't notice the peculiar odor. He took a hot shower and changed into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Mary seeing Juwan for the first time in casuals realized he was not so conserved or formal anymore but just cute. Mary grinned and whistled jokingly.

"Guess, you are not all formal and gentle." Mary said as Juwan sat on a sofa in front of Mary.

"Just tell me what you found out." Juwan was not in the mood for casual conversation. Now he had only two option to stay alive : Find his seal or find Ms. Susan's spirit. The former could only be achieved by his own skills but the latter can be solved with Mary's help.

"Well I have been waiting for you a whole night. I have tortured myself with boredom yet you don't care at all. I will tell you after playing a game." Mary said as Juwan sat on a sofa next to Mary's. Juwan had also faced a boring night and needed some entertainment. He nodded.

"What game?" He asked and Mary thought for a second before telling him, "Quid Pro Quo!"

"Ok, then. I will start." Juwan went forward. He didn't get the liberty to choose the game and so the least he could do is start it.

"What is your full name?" Juwan asked Mary and she chuckled as she recollected that she hadn't introduced herself properly on the day she had first met Juwan.

" Its Mary Bell. Now my turn. Where were you last night?" Juwan taken aback by her question. It was that obvious that Mary was dying to know where he had spent a whole night. Though Juwan and Mary weren't close enough, it was natural for any body to be curious about an affair. Juwan didn't want to stretch the same topic anymore so he decided to tell her the truth.

"I fainted and was admitted in a hospital. Seems like I have a tumor in my right eye." That was sudden and straight. It shot out the mood and Mary regretted ever asking the question.

"I am sorry..." Juwan stopped Mary half way and continued.

"Well, my second question is....Do you have ."

Ring...Ring.....

Ring...Ring...

Juwan took out his phone. It was Jana. Then it struck him. He had totally forgotten that he has promised to treat Jana and Jenny to a dinner at "In the Shadow".

"Ohhh. Sorry I have to leave. I had promised a friend to meet him in a few minutes. I will be late home so if you want you can stay."

Mary thought for a second. How can she leave a guy, who had just told her that he has cancer, to live alone? Mary made up her mind.

"I will stay." She told, "I will use Ms. Susan's cloths like I did last night. Juwan smiled genuinely and left to change his outfit.