All I Have To Live

Chapter 3: Fly

I didn't understand what happened. It was way too fast. All I remember was the phone call and the remaining time on the plane. 

"WAIT! What do you mean get off the plane? I can't leave now! We're still in flight." I said.

There was a quiver in his voice as if a knot of guilt stuck in his throat

"It Comp--"

But I was listening to dial tone. 

"The next ten seconds, I heard a ringing. Like a clock. I don't remember anything except waking you up and...and..."      I couldn't go on. What was supposed to be a normal flight, turned into a nightmare. I just wanted to go to college, get a degree and live happily ever after, like in the books. But no, I had to be on a bombed plane. 

 "Em, don't. I know how much we both wanted this. College, Canada..."

"No, I wanna go on, I want people to know my story. One day, my kids will need to know." I said

  "Go on." She was lying on a bed beside me, her jaw purple, a foot was broken. In her shoulder, she had a piece of glass sticking out. Her beautiful blond hair now lost its softness and became dirty and black with rubble and dust.

"When you were sleeping, the ticking grew very loud, and I was surprised as to how you didn't wake up. I got a call. It was from my Dad. He told me to get out, but I didn't know how, but I also didn't understand if it was just a joke. apparently, it wasn't. I didn't have time, the ticking was going on for two minutes, not enough time to think about what to do. I woke you up, but the last thing I saw was a bag of coal and bricks fall on our heads."

Ava recovered faster than me, and within days was able to sit up and think straight. All that was going on in my head was why I felt broken inside. "Maybe I have a concussion. perhaps an internal blood valve popped. Maybe The doctor knows.Why maybe? Definitely." I thought.

The doctor walked in our ICU room, a tall dark skinned woman, with the prettiest eyes I have ever seen. Dark emerald green with flakes of spring leaves in them. 

 "Right, Emilia? Oh, that's you, isn't it? I'm the doctor, Soniya. I'm very sorry to say, darling, but you're not progressing at all, and I have bad news. Very bad news."

"I thought so. How bad?"

  "Well... You have... I really don't want this to break your heart, but...You have..."

"Please... Just say it. Something like this is bound to happen anyways."

 "Cancer. We've informed your mother, father, too-"

"No. I don't want him here. Ever," I said, tears piling up all the way from my lungs. Air was quickly leaving my lungs and I couldn't take it. I didn't faint like I thought I would, but just in time, an oxygen mask was placed over my nose. 

   "Look, don't worry, you're still more or less safe. You will need chemotherapy, and unfortunately, you will lose your hair...all of it. you will not be allowed a wig since you have a minor, but recovering concussion and any pressure on your head will be severely painful. You have cancer stage one, and it comes from the source of radiation you recently experienced, Sweetheart this is a lot to take in, but this isn't all."

"Please, list my problems." She was right. This was too much to take in. 

 "Okay. It's very overwhelming.  Cancer stage one, a minor but recovering concussion, a bruised elbow, You have a fractured knee as well, which by the way, will need surgery."

"So if I have all of the above...I'm going to what? Survive?"

 "There's no guarantee, but we will be able to start treatment. This is a private hospital. All your treatments will cost thousands of dollars, and I understand you are in college, girl?

"Yes, she is," Ava answered for me. 

 "Yes, ok, Emilia your parents will be paying for your treatment."

"My Mother lives in Dubai. My father is dead to me."

I can't believe my eyes when the first person I see is my father.

"Get out. GET THE HELL OUT!"

  "Thanks, sweetheart. thank you so much when I'm the one who warned you about the explosion. that's how grateful my stupid daughter is. You don't understand that I flew all the way from Russia to Canada, a 14-hour flight, just to get to this, right? 

He wanted me to believe the lie.

"All I know is that YOU bombed the plane! You are the one that.How did you know? You work in the military! who else would have a RUSSIAN bomb?"

 "Roy, get out." My mum hollered. Thank goodness for her.

After a long explanation, my Mum called dad in. I didn't want him here, but Mum insisted. "He needs to pay for what he's done. Literally and expression based." Yes, I can agree with that. 

 "What does she have? Is she okay?"

My mom explained everything from start to finish.

  "Well, she has a fractured knee which will need surgery, she has a badly bruised elbow, a recovering concussion, and last but not least, stage One cancer. Although I haven't mentioned any prices, have I?" I nodded My head. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Cordell, May I have a word with you outside?" The doctor said.

  I cleared my throat. "They're not Mr. and Mrs., they are Mrs. Cordell only."  My mother looked at me with disappointment. "Baby, he's your father, he's paying for this. he needs to know and he has the right to it too."  This set me off guard.

"Hey, I know you're upset, babe, but maybe you should hear him out. Maybe he has a point. I mean, how do you know for certain that HE'S responsible for it? How do you know he had no power against it? Listen to the second side of the story."

I didn't want to use Ava's advice, but she knew me better than the back of her hand, and I could trust her. Plus, what would happen if I failed to give a crap? there's nothing to lose. 

Doctor Sonyia entered our room. Silence and tension was breaking me apart. "So, Doctor?" 

She explained to me that I have breast cancer, and the broken cells were multiplying fast. If treatment was not done soon, I wouldn't survive.