Chapter 11 – You’ll be Proud of Me (part 2)

Paul…

"Ok dude, see you in…", I didn't finish my text reply to Mike because my phone rang.

Ring…ring…ring…

I immediately rejected the call from an unknown number because phones are prohibited on the production floor. I tried to finish my text with Mike but it rang again.

Ring…ring…ring…

I snuck my phone in my bag to hide it before any team lead could see it. I turned it to vibrate instead. But I was about to continue my text when it rang again, still the unknown number. Worried that somebody might really see me with a phone, I answered the call hesitantly.

"Hello?", I greeted.

But no one was talking on the other side of the call. I could hear some background noise though.

"Hello? Can you hear me? who is this?", I asked again.

Still, the caller wasn't talking.

"If this is a prank call, I suggest…..", I started because I'm about to lose my temper when finally, someone talked at the other side of the call.

"Paul?", a woman spoke. It took me several second before I could recognize the voice. It's been two years I left home, no phone calls, no emails. I thought they'd really forgotten about me.

"Mom?", I asked with a trembling voice. I missed them so much.

"Yes, it's me. How are you son?", my mom asked. My heart leaped with joy when she asked. She's not mad at me anymore. I wanted to hug her.

"I'm ok mom. I missed you so much? Are you still mad at me? How's dad?", I asked mom while slightly sobbing.

"I'm ok but,", she paused. "your dad is not good that's why I've been trying to contact you."

"Why? What happen to dad?", I asked, alarmed. I heard several deep breathes from mom before she replied.

"We're in the hospital." She started. "we rushed your dad to the ICU two days ago. He's critical."

I turned mute, I didn't know how to react on it. My dad was in the hospital and he was critical. I wanted to ask more details at mom but I felt a hand tap me on the shoulder. One of the team leads saw me talking to my phone while at work. I knew he would ask me to drop the call but he turned surprised when I looked at him stunned and sobbing.

"Mom, I'm at work. I'll call you later.", I said to mom blankly.

I went back to my computer and forced myself to work. My entire shift became chaos. My call handling was so long because I couldn't address the problems right. My calls were piling up. I got complaints. I couldn't concentrate. I called up my team lead for a quick CR break. I rushed into the men's room and locked myself in the cubicle.

I slumped myself on the toilet, slapped my palms on my face and started crying. I never cried this way before. My heart was filled with worry for my dad.

What happen to dad?

What if something worse happen?

What if he wouldn't recover?

Questions clouded my mind. I made a promise to myself that I will make them proud and I still haven't done it. He hasn't forgiven me yet.

I locked myself in the cubicle for about 15 minutes. I already received a text warning from the team lead for not coming back on time. I tried but I couldn't pull myself together anymore. I couldn't concentrate on my calls and I couldn't take my head out of my dad's situation.

When I get back, I knew I will be reprimanded on this but I hurriedly logged myself out of the system and grabbed my bag. I come to the nearest team lead I saw and told my emergency. I was not sure if she understood me but I immediately left as soon as I told her the situation.

Along the way, my mind was fixated on dad. I didn't know how I get to the hospital but I did. I ran to the reception and asked for the ICU. I ran through the cold white floor of the hospital and took the elevator. As soon as the elevator door open at 5th floor, I saw mom standing at the ICU window where dad was. She was sobbing. I walked slowly towards her until I was about an arm length from her. I called upon her and she looked at me.

My mom had gone old for the last two years. Her eyes were swollen and dark lines circled it. More gray hairs had grown on her head. Her skin looked pale and wrinkled. He cheeks were soaked with tears from crying.

She cried even more when she saw me. I hugged her and she hugged me back. I felt the warm embrace of my mother I so long for in two years that I was not home. And at her back, I saw dad through the ICU window. He looked very lifeless on his hospital bed with several tubes inserted in his body. He looked very old and weak. His face was boney and all his hair turned gray. His muscular arms were now dried up, wrinkled and thin. I didn't know what happen to him but surely something had taken the life out of my dad.

"Heart attack.", mom said. "his been tiring himself at work ever since you left the house. He was stressed and over fatigued. He is coming home late every day and he seldom eat."

A stream of guilt built up in me upon hearing this.

"I sometimes woke up at night hearing your dad dreaming. He was crying and calling your name. It really took a toll on him when you left."

"But he was mad at me, furious even when I cannot be a doctor like he wanted.", I said.

"Your dad gets mad at you that night, that's true. But he happens to understand what you're trying to say after we talked in our room. We were about to talk to you about what happen over breakfast but...you left already.", she explained. "We love you Paul no matter what, doctor or not.", she finished.

I looked at dad with crying eyes.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I love you so much." I talked to him through the ICU window. He may not be hearing me there but my heart was shouting at him asking for forgiveness. Mom hugged me at the back.

"Dad, it's not yet late. Please, wake up. I'm still going to make you proud of me.", I was crying.

Mom looked at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sure you will Paul. I am sure you will.", mom said encouragingly.

I spent a few hours catching up with mom at the ICU. Asking about the last two years that I wasn't home and Henry. She told me it was hard but they managed. I told mom about my job and where I was living. She was happy for me.

I promised mom that I will come and visit very often. I told her that I just have to leave and take care of something important. I'd call them when I got home. I kissed her before I left. I touched dad's ICU window to bid goodbye.

I took the first cab I saw and hurried back home to prepare and start the promise I told them two years ago.

"Dad, just hold on. Soon, you will be proud of me. I promise.", I whispered to myself.