Nicholas POV
THAT SAME EVENING
“You sounded so urgent on the phone Nicholas. What is the problem?” Aunt Ella asked, sitting on the couch as Uncle Karl walked behind her
I had called everyone close to Monica and me because I wanted to inform them about what was happening.
It would be unfair to keep this piece of information to only ourselves though Anthony already knew about it.
I saw Clara’s gaze fixed on me and I knew she was trying to figure me out “Where is Monica?” she asked, her eyes scanning the whole living room for her daughter.
“She is fast asleep,” I said, then breathed in and out deeply, preparing myself for what I was about to say.
“Why did you call us here son? What’s the problem? You don’t look happy?” Uncle Karl asked, sitting beside his wife Aunt Ella, and holding her hand.
A small smile appeared on my face, seeing uncle Karl and aunt Ella show of affection. It’s been years since they got married, but they still show how much they love each other every time.
“I called everyone here because of important and devastating news” I started then fixed my gaze on Mrs. Clara who was already stiff in her seat “It’s about Monica”
“What about her?” Mrs Clara asked instantly.
“Monica is sick mom. She isn’t healthy” I replied and Mrs Clara frowned.
“Is it a fever or headache or is she pregnant?” Aunt Ella asked.
I chuckled at her response and wished that was the case. It would have been better if she had a fever or headache or if pregnancy was the case but the worst was what the case was.
“Far from it aunt. Monica has a tumor in her brain”
“What!” They yelled in unison with Aunt Ella rinsing to her feet, staring at me in disbelief.
“How is this possible Nicholas? When did you find out?” Aunt Ella asked.
“I found out about it the day Monica was rushed to the hospital. The day Greg shot at her” I replied.
“Oh my God” Mrs Clara gasped, using her hands to cover her mouth.
“Why are we just hearing about this now Nicholas? Why keep this sort of information from us for this long” Uncle Karl asked, glaring at him
I couldn’t respond because I didn’t even have the strength to. I didn’t call them over to scold or yell at me but you tell them about what was happening to Monica.
“There ought to be a cure right? She can be treated and_” Mrs. Clara said.
“There isn’t any cure,” I said, interrupting her.
“What!” Uncle Karl said, shocked by my words as Aunt Ella began to sob silently “That’s isn’t possible Nicholas. I don’t believe you” he added.
“There isn’t a cure for her illness. No medication or therapy. Nothing at all” I responded, my heart very heavy as I uttered each word.
“That can’t be possible. There ought to be medications or something for her illness. Surgery can also be done to_”
“There isn’t a way for her to be cured. I’ve sent emails and contacted many surgeons laboratories researchers and even hospitals and they keep saying the same thing.
Her condition is a rare type and it hasn’t been found cure” I explained, staring at my feet as I managed to utter each word
My only hope was the call from surgeon Rudolf but I was beginning to lose hope for that also. The fear of the fact that I might never get a solution to keep Monica alive was greater than the hope I had.
“How long has she had this tumor?” Uncle Karl asked, his sad gaze fixed on me
I went mute instantly as I hesitated and fought an inner battle about telling them. A pang of guilt seeped into my heart as I realized that Monica had this illness for more than two months and I had no idea
“Nicholas say something,” Uncle Karl said, his voice sharp with a frown on his face.
“She has had this tumor for more than two months now,” I said and Mrs. Clara crashed on the floor, tears streaming down her face as she stared into thin air
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God” Aunt Ella uttered repeatedly, slowly sitting on the couch with her hand covering her mouth
“More than two months?” Uncle Karl’s asked, his voice low and laced with shock
“I’m sorry I’m just informing everyone about this now but time isn’t on our side anymore. Monica had just a few days to live and I don’t know what to do anymore” I said, my heart racing in fear over what would become of Monica days from now.
I’ve reached out to so many hospitals and laboratories and they can’t and won’t come up with a cure.
Some said they tried coming up with a cure but they couldn’t while others are sadly saying they can’t be of help and that I should just spend my last days with Monica.
As each day goes by, the tumor is increasing and causing more havoc. Monica has lost hope and I’m beginning to lose hope also but I can’t just relax and watch things go from bad to worse.
I’m going to do my best to keep her alive. I can’t watch Monica die and leave me alone in this world. The thought of losing her sends chills down my spine whenever I think about death.
“You shouldn’t have kept this to yourself. You should have informed us sooner” Mrs Clara yelled, glaring at me while tears continued spilling from her eyes
“It wasn’t long before I found out and if I hadn’t found out, Monica would have kept this to herself. Informing you all about it would have caused lots of worry and panic and I didn’t want that. I just wanted to do things my way” I said.
“Then why are you telling us now?” Uncle Karl asked and I went mute, unable to answer his question.
Why was I telling them now? I had no answer to that. Maybe because I was slowly realizing that there was nothing I could do to keep Monica alive or I was scared about how they would react when they discovered one day that Monica was no more.
“I don’t know,” I said sadly, avoiding their eyes as I sighed deeply and leanedmore on the couch. Things weren’t going as planned and I don’t know what to do about it.