Chapter SIx: Reminiscing

       

I have no idea what time Dylan finally left last night. I was so overwhelmed by sleep that I couldn’t stay awake any longer; I didn’t even care if he was still in my room or not, as long as I managed to get some peaceful rest.

 

I dragged myself out of bed feeling sluggish, then took a quick shower and got ready for the day.

 

My stomach suddenly growled, so I left my room to grab some coffee and breakfast.

 

I found Mom already at the dining table, just finishing her meal.

 

I walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

 

"Good morning, Mom! Where’s Dad?"

 

"He’s at the office," she answered simply. I sat down across from her and immediately reached for a sandwich on the plate. "You seem rather reluctant to go in to work today, don’t you?" she said, looking straight into my eyes.

"Mom, you know exactly what state our company is in right now. You also know that every single day I walk through those doors, the very first thing waiting for me in the morning is one problem after another."

 

"Hmm, then why aren’t you rushing ahead with your marriage to Dylan? And why does it have to be in America? Are you hiding something or planning something behind my back?"

 

"Mom, Dylan is the one deciding when and where the wedding will take place. After all, we’re the ones who practically begged him to do this for us. We have no right to make demands of him. We just have to respect and go along with whatever he decides."

 

"I’m aware of that. But remember, there’s another reason he agreed to marry you. His mother owes me a huge debt of gratitude. That’s why, as soon as Diana and Armando learned about our company’s situation, they immediately offered their help."

 

 

"Wait, Mom… I’m really confused. How did you even get to know Dylan’s family? And what exactly does his mother owe you for?"

 

"Sweetheart, you know I used to be a nephrologist," she said, her voice suddenly turning sorrowful—which only made me even more puzzled.

 

"So? What does that have to do with—"

 

"Twenty-two years ago, his mother underwent a kidney transplant."

 

"What? Are you kidding me, Mom? That was such a long time ago. How does that even mean that now—"

 

"Shh… quiet. Let me tell you the whole story."

***

flashback...

(twenty two years ago)

"Mrs. Anderson, don't be surprised...but I think I need to refer you to a nephrologist." The doctor seriously said that. "Your kidney is in worst condition and you need to undergo for a kidney transplant. Hmm, by the way, this is Dr. Elizabeth Miller. She is one of the best nephrologist that can be able to help you."

"Doctor, I don’t have any money," the patient protested weakly. "I can’t afford to pay for the surgery," Mrs. Anderson added, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

"Is there any family member we could speak with about your situation? Even just one person?" the attending doctor asked gently but insistently.

 

"Doctor… my husband left me right after I gave birth to my son. He’s the little boy sitting outside the room right now, crying all alone. I don’t have any parents or relatives left either—there’s no one I can turn to for help," she explained.

I looked at the patient. She's very thin and she's also having a hard time everytime she speak.

"Uhm, Dr. Perez...can you leave us for now? I just want to talk to her thoroughly. Maybe I can convince her."

Once the other doctor stepped out, I spoke softly to the patient. My heart ached for her, especially whenever I glanced at her little boy crying just outside the room. Looking at him instantly made me think of Freya—he was such a sweet, handsome child, and I was sure he and Freya were around the same age.

 

"You know… you have such a lovely, handsome son," I told her sincerely.

 

I felt her hand shift, then gently rest on top of mine.

 

"Dr. Miller… there’s something I’d like to ask of you. I know I’ll never be able to have the surgery. I have no money, and there isn’t a single family member or friend I can turn to for help…"

 

"Mrs. Anderson, it would be my privilege to help you," I said firmly. "I promise you, I will find a suitable kidney donor. I will cover every single cost, and I assure you, everything will be alright. You’ll see, once you’re well enough to leave this hospital, your son will be the happiest little boy in the world.

"What? A doctor like you is going to help me?" she exclaimed in disbelief followed by a series of cough.

"Yeah. Hmm, be careful. Talk slowly and-"

"But how can I pay you, doc? How can you-"

"Ssshhh, I won't charge you. I am offering you this help and it's coming from my heart. I am also a mother and I know how painful it is for a mother to see her child in pain and suffering."

"Thank you so, so much. I swear I’ll find a way to repay your kindness one day, Doctor. I only wish every doctor could be as good and generous as you are," she said, tears streaming down her face.

 

"Saving every patient’s life is simply part of my duty. Please don’t ever think I’m doing this just to charge you money later on."

 

"But finding a compatible donor costs millions, and the surgery itself is incredibly expensive too. That’s why I’m so deeply grateful to you, Doctor. I still can hardly believe this is happening… I keep thinking I must be dreaming," she whispered.

"You don’t need to keep thanking me over and over. Just save your gratitude… and say it once later, after your surgery is a complete success."

 

Three days went by, and her condition grew weaker by the day. The kidney donor was scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning, and I could only hope that everything would go smoothly during the procedure.

 

When the day of the surgery finally arrived… I felt a mix of happiness and intense nervousness. This would be the very first kidney transplant I had ever performed. That was exactly why I had been brave enough to offer her my help, even though it would cost millions. I knew this was the only way to prove to my father that this profession was truly where I belonged. I never wanted to be a businesswoman, nor did I want to inherit his company. I knew deep down I would never find happiness working in that kind of environment.

 

My work is exhausting, yes, but it is truly my passion. Even though people’s lives rest entirely in my hands, I would still choose this career over anything else. I truly enjoy what I do, and I feel completely at ease and confident whenever I am performing surgery.

 

Mrs. Anderson’s surgery lasted over four hours. Afterwards, she remained unconscious for what felt like an eternity, and I began to feel anxious. I prayed earnestly for her safety, hoping this procedure would save her life and also be the turning point I needed.

 

Then, after another hour had passed, she finally opened her eyes.

 

"Thank God! I did it!" I exclaimed in relief.

 

I went to the recovery ward where she had been moved after the operation.

 

The medical team finally gave permission for her son to come in and see her.

 

And there, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, I saw a young boy.

"Hello there, little one," I said as I walked over to him.

 

"Thank you, Doctor… thank you for saving my mommy! You’re the best!" he exclaimed excitedly.

 

I couldn’t stop myself from bending down and giving him a warm hug. "You’re very welcome, sweetie. What’s your name?"

 

"Dylan… Dylan Anderson."

 

"That’s such a nice name!" I smiled at him. "Take good care of your mom, okay? I hope we get to see each other again someday."

 

The little boy simply nodded at me. Then I stepped closer to his mother’s bedside.

 

"Thank you, Doctor," she whispered, her voice rough and hoarse.

"Actually, I’m the one who should be thanking you. Because of you, I’m now able to pursue my true passion and dreams."

 

"I still don’t fully understand why you went so far to help me… but I promise you, if our paths ever cross again someday… I will do absolutely anything to repay this kindness—"

 

"Shh… you really don’t have to do that. Like I told you before, I helped you because I truly wanted to. Besides, performing that surgery was also a huge milestone for my career."

 

After our heartfelt talk, I said my goodbyes. I needed to get home early so I could tell my father all about what had happened.

end of flashbacks...

***

I covered my mouth in shock as I listened to Mom’s story. "Oh my goodness… you did all that just so you could follow your passion and dreams?"

 

"Yes, I did. But everything changed when I met your father. I gave up my career and chose instead to be a good wife and a mother to you, Freya."

 

"So does that mean Dad and I were the only things standing in the way—"

 

"Of course not! You two were never an obstacle to my career. I chose you because you matter far more to me than any job could ever be. That’s why my heart aches for what you’re going through now, my dear. I know this is asking too much from you—"

 

"There’s no use dwelling on it now. I’ve already agreed to this marriage, and we really don’t have any other choice. But wait… if Auntie Diana was just an ordinary woman back then, how did they suddenly become so wealthy? And what about Uncle Theodore? Is he just Auntie Diana’s second husband or something?"

 

"No. Theodore is Dylan’s real father."

"Auntie Diana went through so many hardships back then, which eventually led her to divorce Theodore. But your uncle never gave up on them. He searched everywhere until he found Diana and Dylan again, and worked hard until they were finally a happy, complete family once more."

 

"Really? But then… how did Dad and Uncle Theodore end up knowing each other?"

 

"They’ve been business partners for nearly ten years. Actually, you never even got the chance to meet Dylan before because he lived and studied in Florida with Diana all this time."

 

"Oh my goodness! No wonder he’s so arrogant! He must have picked up that rude, cocky attitude from other people in America," I blurted out. Then a thought struck me. "Wait a second… don’t tell me you actually knew who Dylan was way back then, like that day I thought I’d lost my wallet?"

 

"To be honest with you, I didn’t. His first and last name did sound somewhat familiar, but I never realized he was actually Diana’s son until recently."

"Tsk… what a small world!"