Brute

Part 24

Jay

The light was blinding. I closed my eyes back. My throat felt dry. I tried one more time to open my eyes, slowly this time. I heard voices around me, one, two, or maybe three? Couldn't digest the sound fully, still.

"Luk, could you blink your eyes if you hear me. It's mae", I turned my head to the side and blinked slowly. My mother touched my cheek with shaky fingers, and her eyes were wet. I tried to search for por, among the faces of people not familiar to me, except the doctor who was following my case since a few weeks ago. My mae moved a little away, giving the medical staff enough time to check on me, making notes and then talked a little bit away from my hearing. I waited till everybody was gone, leaving only my mae that looked too tired.

I had always felt guilty to both of them. They were good people that were left with such a burden; a sick person such as myself. Sometimes, I wished God could take my life earlier, just to not make a mess in this kindhearted angel's life. Mae had slap my mouth once, though she felt bad about it, but she said never to mention about death when life was so precious. They had lost a child at birth, and then was never again gifted with another one.

I was actually born by her sister. But, since her husband had passed away, not long after she had me, and she was already burdened with three other kids, she couldn't handle a sick baby. The money was not enough. So, Mae offered to take care of me, saying God was gracious enough to send me to them. My mother remarried, to a foreigner and left this country with her new family.

Mae and Por were not rich,but they had a stable life. But, when I reached my varsity years, my sickness had gotten worse, that I couldn't finish my study. All the money they'd spent on me, I'd lost count. The medic said, the only way was to go for surgery; medication alone couldn't be of help anymore.

Por was already in debt, the enormous medical bill kept adding on. But yet, both of them never felt that I was a burden, they always said, I just needed to focus on getting well, not to worry about how to pay the bill. First they sold the house, and moved to a smaller, rental flat, enough for three people to live together. Then, they sold the car, and Por just bought a second hand motorcycle. Until, there's nothing more to sell, it started to become difficult. Still, he told me that everything would be alright. I was worth all the treasure that they had lost.

For the past two months, something had changed. Por work on the day, and sometimes, went out to work at night too. Mae said, Por told her, that he got into fat business venture with a well known family. Mae also didn't know the detail, but all Por left with her was a number and a name, only to be called for emergency, not for anything else.

Now, while I looked at the old face, so beautiful even with some grey hair showing, I wonder, how they would pay for the surgery. The amount was not cheap, that was for sure, together with the hospital stay, I couldn't help but feel sorry, that once again, I was their pain, rather than the treasure they wanted me to believe.

"Mae, Por got to work again tonight? Will Por come to see me tomorrow? Or, could you call him, at least I could hear his voice first...", Mae just looked at me, her eyes looked swollen, she must had cried too much for me. She hold my hand tight, and not answering my question.

"Rest first, luk, you just woke up, and your wound is still healing. Mae will hold your hand, just close your eyes and sleep, alright".

I didn't want to, but it seemed the painkiller that they'd given me, caused me to feel drowsy and though I wanted to look at Mae for longer, I fell back to sleep.

***

"Luk, what are you thinking about, you've been rubbing Por's hand for quite some time, the skin is already red", Mae tapped my hand to stop my movement, and took the wet towel from me.

"Sorry, Mae. Just thinking about the old days", I said with a smile, "Por looked good today, right? His skin looked better, the blood flow must be better with the new medication".

"Yes. We must thanked his generous benefactor. The hospice still not telling Mae who is it. But, as long as Por is in good care, Mae is just grateful to whoever that is. How about my son? Worked well and pay your gratitude to Mr. Archen, Luk. He refused to accept when I wanted to pay back the surgical cost when the insurance we invested in, had matured last year".

"You went to see him?", I asked, a little surprised.

"No. Who would entertain an old lady liked me, going to that big company. I tried to call the same number, and it seemed, it still work!".

"Mae, did he know, that I work there, at his company?", my heart was  thumping.

"Oyy, of course luk. I felt a huge guilt, that he had helped us in every way. He saved your life, then gave you work, even when you just finished your study belatedly. Mae never thought that there is still such kindhearted, rich people. Ah, you said you got something to do, Mae want to be with Por, since this is Saturday, they allowed for longer visitation. Fetched Mae on the way home later".

I walked out of the hospice with a mixed feeling. Joong did know, he knew everything, and yet never once showed me any sign of it. I punched his number and after a few rings, he answered.

"I'm on a date", Joong grumbled, he must be feeling annoyed.

"Alright, then enjoy the day first, Joong. After it ended, and Nine is safely resting at home... then we need to talk", I ended the call, and drove to the office.