Saving Andrew

Chapter 10

Chapter 10
2020: Finding faith in the storm

                            The world was struck by a deadly pandemic, forcing us into prolonged confinement that seemed to stretch endlessly. In this new reality, I stayed connected with my family limited to video calls and text messages, as physical distance became a necessary precaution. The vulnerability of my father's condition meant that he had to remain within the confines of his home, shielding him from potential exposure. The strict protocol for entry into my parents' house, although necessary, felt excessive. However, one fateful night, my sleep was abruptly interrupted by a desperate call from my mother.

The news shattered my heart—my father had been taken to the hospital and tested positive for the virus. The cruel reality hit me hard: We were not allowed to visit him, and uncertainty hung in the air as we didn't know if we would see him again. Overwhelmed with emotions, I was overcome with a sense of helplessness and anguish. Despite our tireless efforts to protect and care for him, fate had dealt a devastating blow, leaving us grappling with the unknown.

As the days dragged on, my father's condition showed no signs of improvement. The shortage of ventilators added to the grim reality we faced, and despite his placement on one, it proved futile. With heavy hearts, we received the heartbreaking call we had dreaded. My father had lost his battle.

I felt faint. Andrew rolled his chair over and grabbed me by the waist. My world started spinning even though I was still, and my chest tightened with terror. The news hit me like a devastating blow, leaving me engulfed in sorrow and disbelief.

"I'm so sorry, my love," Andrew said, his voice thick with emotion as tears streamed down his face, joining mine.

What was I supposed to do now that my father had died? He was the only one besides Andrew who kept me grounded and genuine.

    The weight of grief bore down on us, leaving an emptiness that felt impossible to fill. Despite all our best efforts and the doctors' interventions, we had to face the heartbreaking reality that nothing could save him. Anger and frustration consumed me, so much so that I lashed out at my husband, who patiently waited for me to release all the pain I carried inside.On the other hand I was afraid that my mother's fragile state overwhelmed her, and as expected, she fainted for  moments, exhausted and sad.

    Aunt Carmelita, desperately tried to make her react, but the anguish enveloped us all. Our hearts shattered into a million pieces, and the weight of grief felt suffocating. After a couple of days, anger still surged within me, and my faith shattered once again, leaving me questioning the very existence of a benevolent higher power. I longed to unleash a torrent of screams, but a sense of powerlessness consumed me, leaving me unable to even shed a tear.

The circumstances imposed by the pandemic took away from us the chance to bid my father a proper farewell. Instead, his remains were cremated going against my family's beliefs. Unable to offer him a traditional funeral, I reached out to the Pastor of the church I regularly attended, hoping to arrange a virtual memorial service gathering in my mother's living room. So thanks to technology, we connected with the Pastor and others who joined the online meeting, striving to honor my father's memory and find solace in shared remembrance.

As the year unfolded, tragedy continued to strike our family. Lola, my cousin, barely escaped from the clutches of her abusive husband. While the world was in quarantine, Lola fought alongside a crew of doctors and nurses at the hospital but one night, when she returned to the hotel she was staying in, her husband surprised her from behind. He had snug in the hotel wanting to have her at home. According to the witnesses, their argument lasted less than five minutes. Shattered glass and terror screams could be heard all over the floor forcing the guest to call 911 but her ordeal was far from over. Rushed to the hospital for treatment, she began the long road to recovery, not only physically but emotionally while her husband faced the consequences of his actions behind bars.  However, fate did him justice and he tragically succumbed to despair, guilt and loneliness in prison and ended his own life, finally liberating Lola from the torment of ever considering taking him back. We all offered her our support and love, even me because that's what families do, no matter what.