It's been a year since I found out Vladdy has cancer and things have only gotten worse. He's been getting sicker and sicker as each day passes and at this point, I don't know what to do. I've been trying to do all I can to make things easier on him. I've taken on more shifts at Subway, I do the dishes and the laundry and whatever else that TJ doesn't have time to do around the house. I started riding my skateboard to school when it isn't raining. Dyadya still tries to act like nothing's wrong but everyone can tell he started to reach the point of no return.
"Papa, let me cook tonight. You should go sit with Danni, watch some TV." I hear TJ tell Vladdy in the kitchen.
"Son, as much as I appreciate what you're trying to do, just let me enjoy the last few things I can. Okay? Let me cook this dish, after all, I am the one who showed you how to make it. Right?" the old Russian says tiredly. TJ nods and sits down at the counter, waiting around in case Dyadya needs to rest. I melt into the couch and let my mind wander.
I wake up an hour later, only to find TJ shouting for me to call 911. Vlad collapsed on the kitchen floor as soon as he finished cooking. I dial 911 as fast as I can, which doesn't feel fast enough even with a three digit phone number. "911, what's your emergency?"
"M-my uncle. He just collapsed in our kitchen. Please send someone as soon as possible! W-we live at 0228 Turnpike lane." I blurt out. The next 15 minutes are a blur.
Suddenly I wake up and notice that I'm in the hospital waiting room, TJ pacing in front of me. "W-what happened? How did I get here? Where's Dyadya?" I ramble as I attempt to stand.
"You must have blacked out or something from the stress, but you got in the ambulance with me and Papa. H-he's going through testing right now. They don't think he's coming home." TJ whispers.
"What do you mean he's not coming home?! I-is he gonna die in here??" I throw my hands over my face. TJ rushes over to me and wraps me into a hug.
"No no no no. The doctor said they're gonna set up a private room for him to stay in until further notice. He needs care that we can't provide for him anymore. Don't worry Danni, he'll be taken care of. After all, Papa has donated quite a bit of money to this hospital. The administration isn't just gonna let that go unnoticed." the lanky boy explains gently. I nod and bury my face into his chest.
~~~~~~~~~~
I peek my head into the secluded, yet comfortable, room in which Vladdy has been placed. "Golubka, don't think I don't see you trying to be sneaky over there. Come sit." Vlad requests. I shuffle to his bed and gingerly climb in beside him. "Talk to me, Dannika. Tell me what's going on in that intricate little mind of yours."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, dyadya? This isn't the type of thing you keep to yourself." I cover my face and try not to cry. He reaches a shaky hand out and pats the top of leg.
"Malen'kaya zvezda, I kept it to myself because I did not want you to worry. I know you overload your mind with worries and stress and I did not wish for you to overload your mind with this. Our family, it is....it is full of fighters. And I promise you Dannika, that I will not stop fighting. I intend to be there for you through all that I can be. Family sticks together, no?" he states, attempting to wash away all of the negative thoughts running through my head.
"I know, Dyadya. It just scares me to think about the possibility of you losing this fight. Other fights? Pfft, I know you could win those without a doubt. But this fight? This fight is life or death. Literally." I cry.
"Every fight we go through in life can be life or death. It all depends on how you deal with the fight. Dannika, I want to give you something. And I know you'll want to fight me on this, but please don't. Not this time. I want to give you my necklace. Your Aunt Anastasia gave it to me after she had Terrance. She knew she didn't have much time left with me and she wanted to give me a part of her that I could always keep close to my heart. I have already given your cousin my most prized ring." he says softly. I try to contain my tears, but they just keep gliding down my cheeks.
"W-what does it say, Dyadya?" I hiccup. He smiles as he takes my hands and gingerly places the necklace in them.
"Lyubit' drugikh, kak YA vozlyubil vas." he tells me.
"Love others as I have loved you." I whisper mostly to myself.
"That's right, golubka. Carry this message close to your heart and it will help you get through even the toughest times. It might even help you find your soulmate." he states. I nod and slip the necklace on, holding the coin close to my heart just as my uncle instructed. I stand up and kiss him on the cheek.
"Rest now, Dyadya. You need to save your strength so you can get better and come back home. Living with TJ is okay but I think we're both ready to have our favorite person in the whole world back." I say quietly. Dyadya nods as he closes his eyes and slips into a deep sleep.
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I wake up the next morning and check my phone. Six unread messages from Hazelnut. Ten unread messages, four unopened snaps, and sixteen missed calls from Bug. I listen to one of the voicemails from Bug and decide that the rest probably sound the same. I quickly dial his number and call him back.
"DANNIKA CHRISTINE REYES. WHY HAVEN'T YOU ANSWERED ANY OF MY CALLS OR MESSAGES?!" he yells into the phone.
"Because I've been asleep. Good morning to you too, Beetlejuice. Look, I've been a little bit more concerned with my uncle's condition than with being on my phone waiting for you to contact me." I drawl grumpily. Bug sighs on the other end.
"Hazel and I are worried about Vlad too, ya know. We are also worried about how YOU are doing. And before you even try to lie and tell me that you're fine, TJ told us that you blacked out between your house and the hospital. I think you need to take it easy for the next few days. Maybe get some sleep in an actual bed. Vlad is in good hands. He donates hefty amounts to that hospital every chance he gets. They're not gonna let that go unnoticed." my best friend says.
"I know that you're right...but I just can't bring myself to leave. Can you bring my work for the day to me? I promise to make it up while I'm here. I'll even shower and come to school tomorrow. You have my word." I beg.
"Yeah, of course. But if you even think about skipping tomorrow, I will show up to that hospital and I will drag you to school. Showered or not. Am I understood?" Bug states sternly. I chuckle to myself and nod before realizing that he can't actually see my nod.
"Yes, Mama Bug. I understand. Love you, bud. I'll keep you and the hazelnut updated." I tell him before hanging up the phone and letting my head fall back against the back of the chair. I sit in the chair for about five more minutes before I decide that maybe I should get up and check on Vladdy. I pull the curtain back only to reveal an empty bed. Cautiously, I stalk out of the hospital room and walk up to a passing nurse. "Excuse me, but could you tell me where Vladimir Petrikov is?"
The nurse looks at me with a worried glance. "His condition became critical at about 5:45 this morning. They took him into the OR to see what they could do. He should still be in there now." she says before scuttling off. I pull my phone out of my sweatpants pocket and call TJ.
"Where are you? Did you know they took Dyadya into the OR? Why didn't you wake me up? Why was I left to sleep in the goddamn hospital chair??" I scream.
"Danni, calm down. I'm in the waiting room. They wouldn't let me go in with him. I knew you were exhausted. It was my fault nobody woke you up. But listen, now isn't the time to get pissed at me. It's time to be there for Papa. A-and.. It might be a good idea to think about saying your final goodbyes." he says shakily.
"W-why would you say that?" I ask as I begin my route to meet up with my cousin. He sighs defeatedly. "TJ. Why would you say that." I repeat angrily.
"Because the doctor is walking towards me and he doesn't look like things went well." TJ admits quietly. He hangs up the phone as he notices me approaching at the same time the doctor makes it over to him.
"TJ, Danni. I, uh, I don't really know how to tell you this but...Vladimir.. he..he didn't make it. We tried everything but..he just..he wasn't strong enough."
YOU ARE READING
Starlight and Soulmates
Genç KurguEveryone in Danni's life seems to have already met their soulmate. She just wants to know when she's going to meet hers. And when she does...will it be everything it's cracked up to be?
