Can you mend my broken heart?

Clara~

I came down from the slinky bus so tired since I was just coming back from high school. Just a glance at my face would define my mood.

My school bag hung helplessly on my left shoulder as I held my parasol with my right hand. Heading straight towards my street, I saw a young man who was trekking towards my destination.

A glance at him coupled with the fact that I was tired just got me angry. Truly, he was innocent of my feelings, but whenever I, Clara, remember the incident between my parents, it pushes bad blood down my spine.

Generally, it forced me to hate that gender even without a course. I do know not whether to think of the trauma my so-called father caused my mom or the one he caused to me.

I was already a step away from him before I realized that he greeted me even not minding that he was older than myself, while I didn't say a word to him. Rather, I kept straight my head and walked straight home."Hello, mum!"I whispered gently as I entered the house and detected a grave silence in the house.

Mum couldn't reply to me. I repeated twice, but couldn't hear her say a word. Though I was tired, hurriedly kept my bag and rushed into her room. "Jeez! What's wrong?No one was there to hear me screaming except my mum, who lay helplessly on the floor.

I touched her body it was warm but mummy could not give a response to my multiple questions. As I held her head up, she couldn't hold herself.

No one was there to hear my outcry. I tried all I could to carry her, but she was heavier than I imagined. Luckily, I looked up and saw her handset on the couch beside her." Hello! Hello!! There's an emergency at..." I paused abruptly as I realized that no one was replying to me from the other end.

I could hear my heartbeat and breaths. "Hello, this is emergency services, calm down and report the situation"Someone finally replied from the other end."My mum is on the verge of dying and no one to take her to the hospital." "Your location, please.

"In a few words, I told her my address, and just in a short while, an ambulance arrived at our house and took my mum to the hospital."You need to can down, Clara, let's do our job!""She's my mum! Please help me out."I kept lamenting, not minding what they were saying.

While in the emergency room, all I could do was keep caressing my mom's hand. I could see nurses running helter-skelter applying one technique and the other."Doctor! Please save my mum. She's all I've got.

I continued seething, but they weren't concerned about my words.While my heart was palpitating continuously, at one point, I realized hot fluid rolling down my chin. It could be confusing to determine whether it was tears or sweat. I was almost soaked with sweat. I wasn't concerned about that, but it caught my attention when it finally entered my eyes.

Continuously, the nurses would be testing her with one gadget and the other..."Don't tell me that my mother is dead. Save her, she's all I've got. Mum, you can't die....""Young lady, please be calm, let's do our job. Would you like to wait for us outside the building?"A nurse interrupted me from yelling at them.

Not just her words, but the way she acted, and what she said, made me realize that I was becoming a distraction to my mother's health. But in all, I want her alive again. I couldn't just watch my mum, and she would die like that.In a short while, just like in a dream, I overheard my mother sneezing.

Such a long-awaited joy. I hoped that it would finally arrive, but always doubted my hope since my mum was unconscious for some while. How best would I express my heartfelt appreciation? I was still lost in thought when I realized hot tears rolling down my chin.

"Mom, stay with me! Nothing will happen to you!"With ecstasy of mine, I hurried to hug her on the gatch bed."Thank God you're ba...!"Unfortunately, I got interrupted by a nurse."Take it easy! She's yet to recuperate.""That's fine! Continue your work, ma!"Just as the conversation between myself and the nurse was going on, I realized that the doctor was quietly gazing at me."Clara!" He finally spoke up.

He forced a grin on his face, though I needed no one to tell me that it was faked."Yesss sir!"Already my heartbeat changed."We require some money to carry out some dialysis on your mammy. And she needs urgent attention""I know it. Where will I start?

We don't have up to 100 Cents in that house."I intruded with my horrible voice and expression."Please, you people should help me. She's all I have. I'm an ordinary part-time bartender.""That's all I can say for now. If we can get up to a thousand dollars or so, we will start."The doctor continued, not minding my complaints.

Shockingly to me, he pulled the hand gloves and left me with the nurses in the emergency room. Looking at the nurses, I could see it written all over their faces that they can't explore any option of theirs.

They are bent to obey the doctor's verdict. Already they've raised the work. I could see them communicating with their facial expressions.

While my mother lay helpless on the gatch bed. Instead of waiting and thinking of how to get the money, I had to start from somewhere in search of it.But in all sincerity, I have no idea of making such an amount in that period.

Even my 10 months' salary might not sum to that. While I have no relatives to help me out."Anyway, Clara! Something has to be done.

And you have the options. To either save your mum or leave her to die now that we need you most"I whispered to myself though it sounded as if someone said it to me. Reflexively I zoomed out of the hospital, having nowhere in mind to get the money.

In a beach bar was a young man dressed in beach wear. His shirt wasn't buttoned down and his Tommy and chest could be seen as it was heavily tattooed. His arm was exempted, though the glittering effect of the golden watch he wore would magnet anyone's attention to it rather than his body.

His stature looks more athletic. Considering his tuxedo, it could be easy to conclude that he's of the wealthy division of society. His beard was well-shaved, and he did compliment his fair-skinned nature with transparent eyeglasses that made him look more English. The gentle breeze that blew on the beach never failed to brush his well-trained hair, even though he was sitting on a couch.In all his costumes, it could be spotted that he wasn't relaxed. The ashtray that was on his table was almost half-filled, and he was roughly smoking the stroke of a cigarette in his hand. On his table were two emptied bottles of dry gin, while the third was half filled. As he grabbed the half-filled gin bottle, he bent it to pour it into the innocent glass cup. Not minding that the cup was already filled to the brim, he still poured and that was just on the table."Wow! Not meant to waste it" He screamed as he realized that it was pouring on the table. Coincidentally, he heard a beep on his phone he kept beside him on the couch, and that drew his attention to it. While still having his cigarette in his left hand, he kept the bottle and picked up his phone."Hi, Floyd!"He growled while having the phone closer to his ear."Greetings man. Lucifer, what have you been up to?"A voice echoed from the other end."Honestly, this whole scenario is weighing me down. I can't tell what's happening in my company...!" He mumbled pitifully while shaking his hand in expression to his words."You're at home?"Floyd questions, interrupting I'm from giving his lengthy explanations."At the beach,"Lucifer replied and gulped a mouthful of the gin he poured into the glass cup."Meet you there!"Floyd concluded and ended the call abruptly. Lucifer kept the phone on the couch and tapped the cigarette as it poured ashes into the tray.Just in a jiffy, an elegant young man dressed in jeans and a T-shirt arrived at the beach and walked majestically to where Lucifer sat."Young man, you ain't killing yourself under my watch"He whispered as he walked closer to Lucifer."Floyd, I don't think you understand what I'm talking about"Floyd said with such seriousness."So, I need to get drunk like you are now just to prove that I understand what you're talking about? Young man, wake up!"Floyd commanded authoritatively.His words forced a smile on Lucifer's face"You gonna beat me up?"He jokingly asked Floyd."If your offense deserves such"Floyd replied and they both continued to smile."Wow! We're leaving here asap. You've stayed here as long.""To where?"Lucifer intruded in opposition to Floyd's proposal. "To anywhere! Follow me!"Floyd commanded, and Lucifer got up and followed him.

***********************

After searching our house, I couldn't lay my hand on any tangible amount to pay for my mother's dialysis. I won't say that I've exhausted my options, but I had no option at the first go. After breaking my saving box, everything I had was $75 while the doctor requested $1000. Tears never ceased to bathe my face, but I had to overcome it and find a means to save Mum. I looked around to see that I had already scattered the whole house, but couldn't lay my hand on one-tenth of the amount requested. Though I had the urge to collapse, I could only reciprocate that with tears since no one would be there to ask, "Clara, what's wrong". I sat on my mummy's old couch and poured out my sorrow in tears.It was as though I were tapped on my shoulder, and I recalled that I had to check whether I could get help from my place of work. Instantly, I freshened up and changed into another frock, then hurried to "Adams' Site", my place of work.At "Adams' Site" I narrated my mum's situation to my head of department, but he couldn't help since he had his reasons. I literally walked around the entire firm seeking help, but that didn't come. And a minute never passes without me remembering that I have a dying mother on the gatch bed. It was already dark at night, and I was yet to respond to the doctor who said that mummy needs urgent attention. Gradually I was running out of options, but watching mummy die gradually had never been an alternative.I entered the bar where I used to work and registered my attendance. Already, my coworkers knew about the storm blowing off my feet. They covered for me, even though we were together."You can do it, Clara!""No, that's not me.""What about mum?"This slight discussion was echoing in my mind as I saw a young lady who I used to address as a whore going into the clubhouse with her dress almost exposing her genitals. I got puzzled whether to obey the little voice I heard within or not. If never been the type but my mum is all I have and I wouldn't like anything to happen to her. Considering reality, I'm the only one in the best position to save her, though nothing to prove the thought, I could only imagine such. The urge to do what was in my mind was getting stronger than I could ever imagine. But I never lose my senses to ignore that it's something I despised." Nah! I'm not doing that!"I whispered to myself while shaking my head."Clara! Do you wanna kill yourself? Stop tearing up. Your mum will be fine!"I was shocked by the way my colleague scolded me. Though I knew she meant not to scold me, her tune was outrageous. Then I realized that hot tears were gushing down my chin."A decision must be made, but in all, Mum must be saved"I concluded as I began to wipe the tears with my bare hands.

Chapter 3

After being puzzled for minutes and perspiring in a quiet place, I finally manned up and decided to continue my job. Having in mind that whichever thing may ensue, let it be, I cleaned my tears and wiped the sweat then joined the other bartenders. I noticed that two elegant men entered the bar. Majestically they stood in a table of two and they could be seen conversing unceasingly. Since our protocol is to welcome any customer and serve them the menu. I took the men and gently walked to them.

Moments would pass without me remembering my mum and her condition. I could still notice that my heartbeat hasn't restored to normal.

"Hello! Good evening gentlemen. You're welcome to" Adams' Site".

"Wow! Seems this one will make a difference!

I overheard one of them mumbling to each other, not minding that I could hear their conversation. They ignored the fact that I did compose myself to sound friendly to them. The words I overheard already had a negative influence on me. It already refreshed my hatred for that so-called gender.

"Thank you!"

The one in short replied.

Just as he spoke, I perceived the aroma of cigarettes, and I was closer to him. He stretched his hand to collect the menu I was offering him. His fellow still decorated his face with smiles, while the man in short, whose skin was fairer than the other, already got serious.

In a few seconds, he handed the menu back to me. Even though whenever he talks, the air he breathes out smells of cigarettes, he still orders more. Since I must give customers whichever thing they desire, I had nothing to say. Just as I was about to leave their table, bi's colleague collected the menu for my hand. Just as if he read my mind, he canceled the cigarette and gave it back to me.

While I went to get what they requested, I knew not what they were discussing. Majestically, I carried their order to their table and then dropped it gently. The man in shorts was quietly smiling at me while I was lost in thought since I knew they did discuss something in my absence. With Bi's right hand, he signaled me to draw closer. I guess, there was an external force that pushed me to him.

"How much do you need?"

"A thousand dollars, sir!"

I replied to his question without knowing whether he was referring to me.

"For a stinky whore like you? Nah!

His fellow intruded. The words alone were intuitive, but his expression was more. Immediately, as he said his words, I realized the root of the young man's question. Instantly, I felt as though my heart raced out of its portion in my body. I did that, and I then began to breathe heavily. To apportion some respect to myself, I turned to leave the scene. But the young man grabbed my hand.

"Sir, please, I'm sorry. I can't tell how I said what I said. If you don't mind, please ignore the response. I apologize for intruding in your conversations"

I continued to explain since I need to clear the air.

"Mention not again! Money is not my problem. I like the way you're wired"

He began to compliment me, not knowing that I already have this unquantifiable hatred for gender.

Inwardly, I wasn't the one standing with them anymore. The man is disgusting. But an instinct in me kept compelling me to find out the outcome of the whole thing. While still with them, I heard a beep from my mother's phone. It refreshed the memory of the entire incident of the day in my memory.

"Hi? This is Clara and not my mum"

I replied to the caller as I made a few steps away from the men.

"We're yet to hear from you, and your mum is lying helplessly here."

The caller said from the other end.

"I, I, I will soon be there. Please take care of her"

I managed to make the response without tearing up. Giving hope while I was hopeless.

Just after the call, the young man brought out a room key and flung it to me. As I saw the key and the number attached to it, I noticed that it was a key to one of our hotel rooms. Already, I grabbed the key before realizing what I was doing. Instantly, I developed cold feet. I wasn't at peace because what I was about to do was against my norm. But I had to explore it as the last option to save my mom. The unfortunate question that kept stroking my mind was whether he would pay after playing such disgusting cards with him.

"Anyway, anything for my mum. Not as if I would continue it after saving her life. But she's unquestionably important to me. And she deserves all I have and can." I found it difficult to make the decision, but I had to.

I managed to settle a few customers who were waiting for me and walk clandestinely into the room. He must have been following me because just as I opened the door, he also got in.

In a few minutes, he was done with his gymnastics and acrobatics. All my concern was money. Luckily, he opened his wallet and gave it to me. While the money was already in my hand, a sense of guilt came into me, but that couldn't count since I got excited that finally, Mum would be saved. Not minding that he was still in bed, Hurriedly I dressed up and left the room, and rushed to the hospital with the money. On my arrival, Mum was already tired. Though the nurses never left her alone. I could notice that she's been undergoing one treatment and the other. But in all, my mother wasn't in the best condition. They directed me to where I made the payment, then they began the necessary arrangement for the dialysis as they said.