In The Hospital

"Miss Lucy, you father's health is deteriorating by day and there's nothing we can do about it if you don't deposit at least eighty percent of the bill," the doctor in charge of Mr. Edward's treatment said as he gently leaned back on his seat, swinging his pen.

Lucy felt a surge of desperation. "But doctor, I have promised to pay up before the month runs out. I have applied for several menial jobs, hoping to be called to start work. I promise, I will pay the money in full, just-

"No, Miss Lucy, our hospital has a policy and we can't go below that no matter how dire the circumstance might be," the doctor interrupted her sternly.

Lucy felt crushed as she had no hope of getting the money even though she had promised the doctor. She had been working nonstop, doing random jobs and going without meals to try and save the funds, but it still wasn't enough. Her father's life was slipping away and she was powerless to stop it.

Lucy pleaded, her voice filled with emotions. "Can't you make exemptions? My father's life is at stake."

The doctor shook his head in disapproval. "I'm afraid ma'am, my hands are tied. You'll need to provide the full amount, or I'm afraid we can't continue his treatment," the doctor requested.

Tears filled up in Lucy's eyes as she stood there, feeling completely defeated. She knew time was running out, but she had exhausted every option. Out of desperation, she opted to try her luck.

"Please, doctor," she said, her voice low and shaking. "I'll do anything. Anything at all. Just please, help my father." She looked at him, her eyes begging for mercy.

The doctor gazed at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry, Miss Lucy, but my hands are tied. Our policy is non-negotiable." He paused, then added, "However, maybe, there is something you could do for us in exchange."

Lucy's heart raced. "Anything," she said quickly. "What is it?"

The doctor leaned back in his chair, a calculating look in his eye. "Well, we are in need of additional help in the hospital now. Perhaps you could do the job of helping to offload hospital equipment from the warehouse to the hospital store. In exchange, we could overlook the payment of his one day dialysis."

Lucy felt a surge of hope. "Yes, yes, of course! I'll do it, whatever you need. Just please, help my father."

The doctor nodded. "Very well. I'll make the arrangements. Go see the head nurse, she'll get you started right away. But mind you, it's just for his one day dialysis." He waved a dismissive hand. "Now go, time is of the essence."

Lucy hurried out of the office, her mind racing. She couldn't believe the doctor was willing to make an exception, even though it was for just a day's dialysis, but she wasn't about to question it. All that mattered was saving her father's life for another day.

As she approached the nurses' station, she was met with an old nurse with a serious face. "Excuse me, the doctor asked me to see the head nurse. He's arranged for me to work here in exchange for my father's treatment."

The nurse eyed her skeptically. "Is that so?" she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Well, I'll need to verify that with the doctor."

Lucy's heart sank. "Please, you have to believe me. My father's life is on the line here."

The nurse scoffed. "That's what they all say." She picked up the phone, her fingers drumming impatiently on the counter as she waited for the doctor to answer.

After a brief conversation, she hung up the phone and turned her attention back to Lucy. "Alright, it checks out. Follow me, I'll take you to the workplace."

Lucy let out a relieved sigh and hurried after the nurse, her mind racing with the thought of finally being able to save her father.

As Lucy followed the head nurse, she couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety. She knew she was taking a huge risk, but she had no other choice. Her father's life was on the line, and she was willing to do whatever it took to save him.

The head nurse led her to a small, cramped store. "Alright, here's the deal," she said, her voice stern. "You'll be carrying items from the warehouse on the other street to this store. You have just two days to complete the job. That means you'll be here tomorrow as well. Understood?"

Lucy nodded, her heart racing. "Yes, ma'am. I understand."

The head nurse eyed her for a moment, then continued. "You'll make sure no item damages in your hand, because if there is a case of such, you will pay double for it. Whatever needs to be done, do it. No complaints, no excuses. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Lucy said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good. Now, let's get you started." The head nurse led her out of the office and down the warehouse, explaining the various tasks and procedures as they should be.

Lucy has made up her mind to do anything for her father's sake. She quickly started work after she had exchanged pleasantries with other workers she met there.

She carried the cartons to the store as instructed until she got exhausted. 

"Since it's a two day job, I'll have to come back tomorrow," she thought to herself as she walked into the nurse's office.

"Ma'am, I think I'm done for today. I will finish the remaining ones by tomorrow."

She stood up calmly waiting for a response and trying to hide her frustration. "Can I at least see him? She asked the nurse who fixed her gaze on the laptop in front of her.

"Of course, you can. The receptionist out there will direct you to his ward," she responded without taking her eyes off the laptop. It was obvious that she didn't want Lucy to continue her pathetic plea.

Lucy felt a pang of anger at the nurses dismissive attitude. Out of frustration, Lucy left the nurse's office to meet a lady who was sitting at the entrance of the hospital. "Hello Miss, please I want to see my dad." She asked the receptionist.

The stern-faced lady looked at her without saying a word to her, instead she continued with what she was doing, acting like she didn't notice her at all.

"Ma'am, please I'm talking to you," Lucy said, trying to call her attention again.

"I heard what you said earlier. Let me attend to people who have paid their bills before those that don't even have hope of paying," the lady cussed.

Lucy felt ashamed of herself as everyone seated at the waiting center fixed their gaze on her. She regretted ever meeting her in the first place but she had no choice because the other workers were busy.

"Please ma'am, have a heart," Lucy begged.

The lady sighed heavily. "Take this," she said, handing her a room card. "Go straight and you'll locate a room with the same number on the card. That's your father's room," she added.

Lucy, at that point, didn't care about the receptionist's attitude. All she wanted was to see her dad. She grabbed the card quickly and headed to the direction as directed.

As she walked towards the room, she was gripped with fear. Mr. Edward her father has been suffering from a fatal kidney failure for the past six months and his dialysis has stopped and there are tiny chances of survival.

After the shocking news of how his wife, madam Theresa converted his company and all his properties to her name and her daughters, he collapsed out of shock. 

As he was rushed to the hospital, the hospital conducted several tests only to discover that his both kidneys were failed. 

Neither madam Theresa nor Martha, her daughter, had visited Mr Edward at the hospital. Lucy was left to take care of all the expenses which had been pressing on her shoulders because she had no access to any of the family's property or account.

As Lucy entered the room, she was met with faint beeping of the machines. She saw her father lying helplessly on the hospital bed, his eyes sunken and his skin pale. Tears ran down her cheeks.

She walked closer to the bed to be sure if he was still breathing. "Dad, I'm here. Please wake up," she said, touching his hands softly, but he wasn't responding.