Chapter 16: "The Distressing Call "

With much belief in his heart that he could overcome whatever comes his way, Alex journeys through a lot in order to get everything right by combining both his studies and his Job. And as he hoped for better days ahead, he worked day and night with all humility to grab every opportunity that came his way.

After a lot of activities done by Alex in making things better for himself on campus, he wakes up very early to observe his daily routine, it was another story different from what he had ever thought off.

It all started as a normal day for him. The sun had just begun to shine in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets of the city. With purpose in his steps, Alex made his way to the university. He was eager to tackle the difficulties that may await him in the journey of the new day. But little did he know that this day would be far from ordinary and beyond his expectations.

As he jogged into his morning routine, Alex's phone rang suddenly, disrupting the peace of the early morning with its high-pitched tone. With a furrowed brow, Alex grazed at the caller ID. His heart rate increased when he saw the name of the university flashing on his phone screen. With fear, he answered the call, his mind racing with thousands of questions.

"Hello?" Alex's voice was reserved, tinged with a hint of anxiety.

"Is this Alex?" came the voice on the other end of the line, crisp and authoritative.

"Yes, this is Alex," he replied, his pulse quickening with each passing moment. "What's going on?"

The voice on the other end of the line belonged to the university official, who wasted no time in getting to the matter. I'm calling to inform you that there's an emergency on campus," the official said, his tone weighty. "We need you to come over as soon as possible.”

Alex was afraid, and his heart submerged at the news. Without another word for him, he hung up the phone and ran out of the building. His mind was not at rest, spinning with worry.

With each day passing by with tribulations and trials, the distance to home seemed to lengthen forever, each step heavier than the last. Finally, as he reached the familiar streets of his neighborhood, Alex's heart beat increased, a dread gnawing at the edges of his consciousness.

And then, at last, he got home, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pushed the door to open it. But the event that greeted him on the other side was beyond what he expected.

There, his father, Anthony, was lying on the couch, his face drawn with pain and exhaustion. Alex's heart was closed tightly at the sight, an inrush of fear coursing through his veins. "Dad?" he speaks in a quiet voice.

Anthony turned to look at him; his eyes were filled with pain and resignation. "Alex," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I'm sorry."

With bodily suffering in his chest, Alex rushed to his father's side, his hands trembling as he got close to touch him. “What's wrong, Dad?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear.

But Anthony obviously shook his head as tears rolled down his cheek. “I'm sorry, son," he says in a quiet voice. "I'm so sorry.”

And as the words of his father sank in, Alex felt desperation wash over him, believing that their lives would never be the same again. At the same time, he realized that the future was uncertain and that the challenges and obstacles before them would test their strength and resilience in ways they could never have imagined or thought of.

With a heavy heart, Alex kneeled beside Anthony, his father, his mind racing with a windstorm of emotions. He stretched out to hold Anthony's hand; the touch was a reassurance in the midst of uncertainty that gripped them both.

"What's wrong, Dad?" Alex asked again, his voice trembling with fear and desperation. "Tell me what happened."

With a deep breath, Anthony's gaze was fixed on Alex's face with a decree of strength that spoke volumes. “I've been feeling chest pain for some time now," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't want to worry you, but...it's gotten worse now.”

A knot formed in Alex's throat as he gave ear to his father's words. He was encircled with helplessness, washing over him like a tidal wave. He had always looked up to his father, Anthony, as a pillar of strength, a beacon of light in darkness. And now, to see him hopeless. It was more than Alex could bear.

As fear disturbed him, Alex knew that he couldn't afford to give in to despair. He had to be strong, for his father's sake, if not his own. With a far-down breath, he pushed aside his own fears and focused on the task at hand.

"We need to get you to the hospital," Alex said, his voice firm with resolve. "We'll figure this out, Dad. I promise."

With that, Alex sprang into action, his mind racing high with millions of thoughts and plans. While he called for an ambulance, Alex's hands were shaking as he tried to dial the number, giving the details of Anthony's condition. And then, as they waited for help to arrive, Alex did all he could to comfort his father with words of encouragement and support in the face of conviction.

Finally, the sound of sirens pierced the air, signaling the arrival of the ambulance. With urgency, Alex assisted his father onto the stretcher. His heart was filled with worry as they were moved to the hospital.

The journey to the hospital appeared to take forever; each passing moment was filled with fear and anticipation. And when they finally got to the hospital, Alex was relieved of the worries that were washing over him, with a great belief that they were one step closer to getting the help that Anthony seriously needed.

But as they entered the hospital using the entrance door, Alex's relief quickly turned to awareness. He believed that the journey ahead of him would be longer than he could ever think of, with uncertainty filled with limited obstacles and challenges. But with a resounding sense of belonging, despite the uncertainty that lay ahead, Alex refused to give up hope. Trusting that as long as they had each other, they would find a way to overcome their challenges and obstacles that stood in their way.

And so, as they made their way through the hospital corridors, Alex clung to the hope that had held them through the darkest of times. For his rest assured that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, father and son joined in their determination, to overcome whatever challenges came their way.