Chapter 10

CRYSTAL

"Mama!"

It seemed like everything became dark as a black hole when I saw my mother laying almost lifeless on the floor. I almost stumbled when I rushed to her. Although my hands were trembling uncontrollably, the way I tapped her checks was very delicate. 'Oh, my God! She's so cold. Why is she so cold?'

"M-mama, wake up! What happened to you?" I asked, although I know she wouldn't be able to answer. But at least. I felt a bit relief when I touched her wrist. Her pulse was still throbbing, thank God! However, the rhythm was so slow and weak like it would fade anytime soon.

'No! I can't lose her! She is the only one I got!'

My whole system was in great panic as though a stampede was occurring in my system. But I needed to do something, and my first instinct told me to seek for help. Too bad I wasn't able to run to my neighbors because they had their own businesses on their own. Their doors were always closed. Maybe because they were afraid of getting intruded and robbed by thieves roaming around the city.

So I have no choice but to call him—Erik. I had his phone number anyway because he left his business card on the table in the living room. I just noticed it when I was dusting the couches after Mama and I got a confrontation just this morning.

The next thing I knew, I was dialing his number while I rested to the floor beside my unconscious mother. Seconds later after I stuck the phone to my ear, I heard he responded and I halted my breathing.

"What do you want?"

Erik's voice was serious and a bit cold. I couldn't blame him, though. My mother just embarrassed him in front of me, and now I was reaching out to him.

"E-Erik…" I drew air in short breaths, loud enough to be heard. "I… I need your help."

"Are you crying, Crystal? What happened? Did you and your mom have an argument?"

'We indeed got ourselves into an argument'. My chest tightened to the thought that I was the one to blame for all of this. "I'm… I'm sorry about a while ago, but please come over." God, I couldn't even say him directly why I needed him right now. I was too scared to label my situation here.

He sighed. "Look Crystal—if you want me to intervene between you and your mother, I'm sorry but I can't. I'm only here to represent your father and—"

"I need to rush her to the hospital, Erik. She passed out and I don't know what to do!" The tears that I had been holding back for a few seconds ago had eventually streamed down my face.

"Okay, stay calm. I'm coming in a minute."

'In a minute? How will he arrive in a freaking minute?' Before I could ask Erik what's in my thoughts, the other line had already ended.

***

It was more than an hour later.

Erik was with me and we were sitting next to each other. We were both silent and glancing at the door from time to time.

"Do you want something? I think you haven't eaten yet." Erik was the one who broke the lingering silence between us. "Why don't we go to the cafeteria while the procedure is taking place?"

I shook my head slowly and turned to him. "Thanks but I'm still not hungry, not that my mother is still in that room."

He shrugged off. "Alright, then we'll wait for a minute more. But after an hour and still the door isn't opening, I'll pick you up and bring you to the cafeteria against your will." He wink.

"Really? You're going to force me? Still arrogant, eh?" My brow raised up but not due to irritation.

"Well, if it's for your own good, why not?"

"By the way, thank you for helping me to bring my mother here. I don't know what to do if you didn't rescued us." I gave him a small smile which he reciprocated with a more generous one.

"That's not a big deal, Crystal."

"Wait, how did you arrive so soon when I called you?"

"I was in my car in the parking lot of your apartment building, that's why." He winked at me again. "Good thing I have extra shirt with me to replace my suit that have been stained by coffee."

'Oh, that's why he's wearing a different shirt. In fairness, the semi-casual look made him even more…' I shook my head to dismiss the thoughts in my head. This wasn't the right time to be amazed by some attractive guy. But Erik wasn't just a random guy. He was the one who helped Mama and me. He was also the one who was serving as bridge between my parents.

"I couldn't thank you enough, Erik," I whispered. "I don't know where you get your patience, but I am really grateful that you didn't leave. I also want to apologize for Mama's treatment toward you."

He patted my shoulder. "Like what I said, it's not a big deal. I'm the family's friend, remember?"

"Yes, you are," I chuckled.

Minutes passed by until they became an hour. The longer I waited on the bench, the faster my heart raced, and the more I got scared. Balling my hands into fists, I stood up, my eyes staring straight at the ER door. "What's taking them so long?" I could hear the irritation in my voice "That's it. I'm done waiting!"

"And what are you planning to do?" Erik asked, looking up at me.

"I'll enter the ER and see for myself what's going on in there," I said, clenching my teeth. But before I even make a single step forward, Erik grabbed my arm and yanked me back to the chair. I almost squeaked when my butt hit the metal bench.

"Let go of me!" I warned Erik as I glared at him.

"You can't just interfere with the medical procedures, Crystal," he said. His grip on my arm tightened even more. "Your mother is with the doctors and nurses. They know what to do and they deserve enough time to check her real condition. All we can do is wait and pray that everything will be fine."

I stared at my feet. Actually, he didn't need to explain those things to me. Only I was so scared of what the outcomes would be.

"I won't forgive myself if something happens to her. This is all my fault! If I didn't talk back to her, if I didn't say those harsh words to her, she wouldn't take them in her heart. She wouldn't be here and fight for her health! I'm a bad daughter. Mama doesn't deserve to have a stupid thing like me!" I wanted to scream all my guilt and all my frustrations on top of my lungs. Moreover, I wanted to hurt someone to lessen the sickening pain that wrapped my heart. But in the end, I chose to hurt myself, hitting my cheeks with both of my hands. "I'm so stupid! I don't deserve to be her daughter!" I continued to slap myself and I wouldn't stop even I could no longer feel the pain.

"Enough!"

I paused, suddenly feeling a huge body wrapping around my small frame. I just realized that Erik was embracing me, and his mouth was only an inch from my ear. "Stop blaming yourself, Crystal. No one expects this to happen. If she collapsed, she might be suffering from a certain condition and not because of you. I know you're such a kind lady. And you will never wish to hurt the one's you cared so much for."

For some reason, my nerves got calmer. I wasn't sure if it was due to the soothing deep voice or the uplifting meaning of his words. Or maybe the close space between us. I'd never been embraced by someone other than my mother. But this one—the feeling might be unfamiliar, but it was so good. I almost wanted to believe that Erik really cared for me.

"You're an amazing young lady because you inherited the good hearts of your parents. That's why you will never cause any harm to anyone, especially to your mother. Always remember that."

"Am I?" I whispered, closing my eyes. Oh, God, why was his embrace feel so good? "C-can we just stay like this for a minute more."

"Yes, sweetheart."

I gasped. Oh, goodness gracious. What the hell did I just asked him?

"Wait a sec!" To my shock, I jumped from the bench. I couldn't look at him because my cheeks started to burn. "Forget about what I just said. I'm just desperate to see my…"

Everything that I wanted to say dissolved in my head when the door opened. The doctor came out afterwards and my feet automatically rushed towards him. He looked gloomy and upset as he met my gaze.

"Are you the family of the patient?" the doctor with a stethoscope clinging around his neck asked me.

"Y-yes, doctor." My lips trembled as I mouthed my response. "W-why? What happened to my mother?"

He shook his gray head. "I'm sorry, but the cancer cells have spread to other organs."