I paid a virgin

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

She was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago. Had undergone total mastectomy with both breasts. But the prognosis of her condition is getting worst. The doctor advise a great dose of chemotherapeutic drugs. Her hair isn't there anymore even her eyebrows and eyelashes are gone. She looks so thin, so sick and fragile. I was afraid of even giving her a hug. Her skin was dry and brittle when I kiss her cheek.

Valerie isn't getting better the last time I visited her in the hospital. 

It came as a shock to us when she dropped the bomb one day after she found out her medical reports. At first she thought it was a benign tumor. But biopsy came and it was confirmed as malignant. 

"Hey" I greeted her; my eyes glaze with emotions. She told me not to cry for how many times now but the traitorous tears just keeps forming. 

"How's Myles?" Just hearing the raspy tone almost made me want to cry as hard as I can. This is one of my friends who helped and supported me this past years. Seeing her like this was just putting daggers on my chest. "Oh don't cry honey I'll be fine. I told you so many times to be brave like I do."

I smiled a bit at her attempt. "She's having her third birthday next month. And you know what she wants to wish?"

Valerie grin. "A ticket to see Disney princesses?"

"No. She wish that her aunt Valerie will get better and take her to Disney land, " I chuckled. I was seconds from breaking down from my daughter's thoughtful wish.

She actually smiled happily when I told her my Myles's birthday wish. "Ah sweet little girl. Tell her I'll do that for h-" she stopped,  her breath turned to ragged as she clutches her stomach. 

"Val Val are you okay? NURSE!" I shouted at the corridor. The Oncology department was littered with nurses checking their patients. Two female nurses came barging in the room. Syringe in the hands of an Asian nurse.

"This is a pain medication, Ms. Curry" she informed at the puffing Valerie. The medication was injected along with her IV lines. "We'll come back for your afternoon drugs later."

"Ok, thanks" she whispered, her breathing labored. 

"You should rest Val, you needed it." It just hurt to see her struggling this hard. She's not doing any strenuous activity yet her body seems to think differently. "I'll be back tomorrow again,"

"I'll be in reverse isolation room tomorrow. Doctor Mallor wanted to test a new drugs for me, said I was a candidate for it. It is still like he usual drgs the gave me but this one is more aggressive. It will kill the cancerous cell together with the healthy ones. That effect might last for a week until my healthy cells are strong enough to withstand it. But my immune system will deteriorate much faster for three days prior to procedure so he will order a face mask from all my visitors. Mom and dad had their updates. They be here first thing tomorrow."

"I'll be here as soon as I can too. I want to see how it goes,"

"You have a job, Sum and a daughter to take care, it's okay for you to miss a day" she teased.

"I can make time with my job, my daughter and you Val," I insisted. "Have your rest now," the flutter of her eyes told me she was tired now.

"I'll do....that..." she mumbled before her eyes close.

I exited the room quietly, my mind stayed somehow thinking of Valerie. The cancer was just so aggressive it spread out so fast in her entire body. I pray to god for Valerie's health. This treatment better be successful. Val just suffered too much already. The hospital bills are reaching one hundred thousand now. Her supposed to be college fund and her parents saving are now running out. Their properties in the mercy of the bank. Mom too placed a donation box in front of the counter in our cupcake shop to help the Curry.

After my visit in the hospital, I drive immediately to work. My eight hours shift in the Goodfood restaurant is about to start. 

"How's she?" the assistant chef ask as soon as I joined them in the kitchen. 

"She's fine" I lied.

"The manager finally approve your request to put a donation box in the counter for Valerie. Poor girl, I hope she'll survive this," he sniffed. Emotional every time we talk about her. 

"She will" I told him.

"Costumers in! Welsh get their order!" the manager boomed.

I rolled my eyes at his glaring eyes. He's still hate me for nagging him to help Valerie, inducing guilt trip and fake tears just to stir humanity in his cold heart.

"Hi good afternoon," the generic greetings flew out of my mouth.

Nine o clock drop and all staff are cleaning things up for closing. I checked my phone for message, smiling when my daughter's voice greeted my ears. "Mommy, gandma made me...me...cookies...lots of it.... I...I save some for you."

There's nothing sweeter in the world than to hear your daughter's broken sentences entertaining you after a tough day at work.

At home, Mandy's room was still bright when I passed her door. I knock to see what's up with my little sister.  "Hey"

"Hey Sum, Myles's in your room, mom put her earlier.  Thank god she didn't have sugar rush, dad just fed her cookies after cookies after dinner," she chuckled. "He couldn’t resist her puppy eyes, the little cheater." 

"Just like you when you're her age,"

"Hey you gotta do any moves to get what you want," she waved her hand like she doesn't have a problem in the world. "I think I'm a good influence to her, don't you think?" she mused.

"Ah huh?" I mocked.

We playfully exchanged soft punches on the shoulder. "I'll better take a shower and rest," I sighed.

"You do that while I'll pretend to study," she winked before closing her door.

When I open my room, Myles's sleepy figure greeted me. Her pink pajamas made her even adorable. No wonder dad was just weak rejecting her request,  with that cuteness, I think it's heartbreaking just to think of it. My opinion anyway.