“You can’t go in there!” Rafael’s secretary’s words fell on deaf ears as Carson entered the office, just in time to see his friend popping some pill into his mouth.
Carson frowned at the sight. “You have to leave, sir..” The secretary said but stopped at the signal of Rafael’s hand.
Carson stood with a taut expression while the secretary retreated. “What are those?” He asked as soon as they were alone.
“Painkillers.” Rafael met his eyes, “Is there a reason you are in my office?”
Carson was close to hitting his friend. “Wrap up. You need to go to the hospital.” He ended up saying.
For two weeks he had tried to get in touch with his friend regarding his diagnosis but Rafael seemed to be evading him. Seeing him pop those pills told him that Rafael was in pain.
One of the symptoms of Pancreatic cancer was the stomach and back pain it came with. He also noticed Rafael had lost some weight from the last time they saw him. He couldn’t ascertain if it were a result of the sickness or the stress he placed on himself.
Nevertheless, he knew he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He was going to follow him to the hospital no matter what. He had taken a day off to see this through.
“I don’t remember booking an appointment,” Rafael said nonchalantly. “Neither did I invite you into my office.”
Rafael stood and looked at the time. “I have an appointment with someone. I suggest you take your leave.”
“I will tell her,” Carson said with a dead serious look. “I will tell June if you don’t let up and follow me to the hospital.”
Rafael froze and his shoulders squared. “Are you threatening me?” He asked in a cold tone.
“Take it however you will but I promise if you don’t follow me this instant to find out how to save your life, I will tell her.” Carson meant it. “Do not force my hand, Rafael.”
Just then, knocks came from the door and they were engulfed in silence. Rafael was having a personal meeting with Clarence for their mentorship. “Come in,” Rafael said, loud enough for her to hear and she came in.
As soon as she stepped into the office, she noticed the odd atmosphere and was forced to ask. “Is this the right time?”
“Carson needs to visit the hospital,” Rafael said before he could speak. “Think you can fix yourself for today?”
Clarence gave a small smile. “Of course. Hello Carson, long time no see.”
Carson felt at a loss for words. Who was this woman speaking to him in such an informal way? He stretched his hand for a handshake with a polite smile.
“Nice to meet you-”
Clarence burst into a round of laughter. “You don’t remember me?” She chuckled. “Are you kidding?”
Carson looked like the dunce until Rafael rid him of the debacle with one word. “Clarence.”
One word was enough to send Carson’s eyes the size of saucers. “I don’t believe it… Cara’s?”
“One and only,” Clarence said with a smile. “Thank you. I know I look beautiful.”
Carson smiled at her words. If he didn’t think it was her before, he certainly did now. He could never forget her level of confidence and snarky words. He couldn’t lie, she was quite the looker. Better than how he remembered.
“Yes, you do.” He said with a smirk.
Clarence turned to Rafael. “Since you are busy, I’d like to get some things from the house. Cara’s books. Did you file them in the house?”
Although Clarence spoke so innocently, it was all a game to see how he’d react to her casually throwing her late sister’s name out there. She needed to affirm he was over her sister.
Rafael didn’t blink. “You can go to the house. The housekeeper will give you everything you need.”
“Alright, thanks,” Clarence said after some seconds of silence. “I’ll let you both have your time then.”
With that, Clarence left the office and they were alone once again.
“Are you going to explain that?” Carson asked, referring to Clarence.
“I have a maximum of three hours,” Rafael said heading for the door. Carson followed and soon, they were on their way to the hospital.
Rafael was examined by a team of doctors, including Carson.
“You need to begin treatment. It’s still in its early stages and would be easier to tackle.” One of the doctors advised.
“Prescribe me some drugs.” Rafael persisted, “I don’t need anything-”
“Can I have a moment with him?” Carson demanded rather than asked.
The doctors who examined Rafael stepped out and they were left alone.
“Do you want to die?” Carson’s tone was sharp and cutting. “Do you want to make June a widow? Leave Luis fatherless? What exactly is your problem?!”
Rafael lost it. “Do not use that word on me, Carson! You know this is all a joke! My father had cancer and you all said it wasn’t a life sentence! You told me he would be fine after Chemotherapy and guess what? He’s not here!”
“I watched him go through Chemotherapy, become a shadow of himself and die! Gone was the vibrant leader I knew him to be and replacing that was a weak man who was beat up so badly by the darned cancer!”
“I refuse to do that to Luis! If I will die, then it will be on my terms. I will never go through chemotherapy. Get that into your thick skull.” By the time Rafael was done, his breathing increased and he felt a thick pain in his stomach. One that spread through his back.
His body suddenly felt weak and his eyes droopy. The next minute, Carson was a blur and Rafael welcomed the darkness that consumed him. For the first time since his diagnosis, Rafael wondered if this was the end of the road for him.
“Somebody help!” Carson yelled at the top of his voice and held Rafael up.
The nurses came rushing in and he was admitted to the hospital. Carson watched him closely, unable to rest until Rafael finally opened his eyes. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
“What happened?” Rafael asked, sitting up.
The pain he felt in his abdomen was terrible. It felt like his insides were razor cut and everything ached, much more than he was used to managing.
“The pills…” He muttered, “In my back pockets.”
Carson shook his head. “You have been given some medications. The pain would reduce in time. We need to make a decision fast. The cancer is quickly spreading.”
Rafael pursed his lips, refusing to speak on the topic.
“I understand you don’t want to go on chemotherapy. But that’s not the only option. We could go on surgery. I could arrange for the best doctors to perform the surgery in one month.”
“I can’t watch you die, Rafael. I refuse it.” Carson said with a determined look on his face.
His words swayed Rafael. He didn’t want to die. But with the recent development, it seemed like living a long life perhaps wasn’t in the cards for him. However, he was determined to make the best of what he had.
“Schedule the surgery for two months,” Rafael said and Carson’s heart leaped in relief, and afterwards, did a double take.
“Two months? That’s too far. We need to make it-”
“Two months and that’s it.” Rafael’s tone made no room for refusal.
Carson swallowed the protests at the tip of his tongue and agreed. “Fine. In the meantime, you will be on strict watch and medications.”
Rafael hmmed and the deal was sealed.
“One more thing,” He said when Carson made to leave. “Keep this between us. The surgery and everything else. No one hears a thing of it.”
Although Carson didn’t quite agree to it, he nodded and left the room. That day, Rafael didn’t go home, or show up at the office.
Meanwhile, Clarence arrived at Rafael’s home with her car. After leaving the office, she returned to her hotel room, thinking of the best way to execute her first step in getting Rafael.
She parked her car by the side of the house and walked into the building as normal. She met Luis seated on the floor with a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle.
“Oh, Luis! You’ve grown so big!” She made to touch him but he dodged her hand with a frown marred on his face as he inspected her.
“Who are you and why are you in my house?” Little Luis asked with a frown.
“Don’t you know me?” Clarence said in a sweet talking voice. “It’s me! Auntie Clara!” She feigned excitement and made to hug him.
Luis evaded her by getting up on his feet with a grotesque look on his face. “I have one auntie.” He corked his brow. “She is now my mother. Which makes you a stranger, and I don’t like strangers.” He pointed the door, “Get out.”