In This Lifetime

Chapter 20: Certain Acquaintances

The drive going to the airport almost took 20 minutes. Good thing the traffic wasn't too bad and I immediately got here. I always carry my passport with me since I can use it as a valid ID sometimes, or for emergency purposes just like tonight.

My dad never had history of illnesses as far as I know. He never fails to go on checkups every year since it was also my suggestion for my mom and dad because we never know what really happens inside our body. But since their business trips and meetings became frequent these past few months, I'm guessing he skipped checkups regularly now. I'm just really nervous on what will be his diagnosis so I need to go to Chiang Mai immediately and be with my mom.

I was about to call my mom but my phone suddenly died. Really, now? But it's actually fine since she sent me the other details earlier. Our usual driver will fetch me there after an hour or two since there's a flight going to Chiang Mai at exactly 9:30 in the evening and it's about 5 minutes from now before final boarding.

With the ample time I have left, I already went to the boarding gate, waited for a couple of minutes, and entered the plane. The travel time between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is about an hour and 15 minutes nonstop. With this, I took the liberty to rest since I was exhausted from earlier. I'm guessing this will be a long night. Dad's firm needs someone who will supervise and manage it, and I know I'll take over temporarily since my course is aligned to the works done by his firm.

My mind is completely in chaos—from the exhausting academic workload, worrying dad's health, and now, the possibility of operating a large firm just so it wouldn't halt the operations it's currently handling. Just the thought of it makes me quiver, but I need to do this for my dad.

After quite some time, the plane landed in Chiang Mai International Airport at exactly quarter to 10. I immediately saw a familiar face from the premises and ushered me to a car in front of the airport exits with which I told him to immediately go straight to the hospital where my father is rushed.

"Uncle, can you please update my mom that I'm already here? My phone died when I was about to board the plane." I breathily asked Uncle Vincent as we're now leaving the airport. I have known him for quite some time now because he was always our family driver ever since I was born and my parents always take him whenever they go to business trips from out of town. I always insist calling him uncle since I consider him as a family now.

"Yes sir, immediately. I have a powerbank here, you can use it son." He replied as I immediately took it and plugged my phone. What a relief!

"What happened exactly?" I asked in response as I try to be as calm as possible.

"We just arrived at the house your mom and dad is staying awhile ago and Sir Eric suddenly felt a headache and he had vertigo. At first I thought it's just his migraines coming back since he's experiencing it for the past few days now." He paused and my breathing became hitched. "I was talking to him but then I noticed his words became slurred so I immediately informed your mom to call for an ambulance since it's far too risky if we take him by ourselves." Uncle continued as I massage my temples.

"Thank you Uncle." I said in a weak tone which made him smile at me sadly. I'm grateful he's with my parents when it happened because my mom would probably be taken over by her nervousness and won't know what to do.

"Your parents have been really busy recently because of their latest branch here in Chiang Mai, and I'm afraid it's the reason that triggered it." I sat in silence as we are now about to enter the parking lot of a hospital. We immediately went inside the building and as soon as I saw mom standing in the lobby, I quickly smiled at her and hugged her tight just so I can lift up her spirit.