The surgery day drew closer and all the necessary tests were carried out to ensure that the surgery would be hitch free. Both Amber and Tom were following up with all the process till the surgery date was set.
When she got the surgery date, she knew she would be at work so she told the nurse in charge of her mother to call her when the time is drawing near. She had to turn in her proposal and handle some meetings so she could not just skip work completely.
She finished everything and went to brief the staffs, was about going back up to her desk when Anita came around and she offered to take them around the mall so she would catch up with her since it has been a while they both saw each other.
“Is it because you came back? My son have been bright for some time and I love it because he has always been cold for years. It feels so refreshing to see him this way and I want it to stay that way” Anita said to her, full of cheerful smile as they went from one shopping session to the other.
She was happy to hear that Tom was warming up not to only her but to his mom also because he was always uninterested in everyone. That was one of the reasons they couldn’t get closer for years but with that wall broken, everyone was feeling the effect even at work because he now communicate lightly, makes some random jokes during meetings and acknowledge everyone’s presence.
“I am happy to hear that he has changed even at home, I guess he’s getting more matured right?” she joked and they both chuckled.
“Well I don’t know if its maturity but he told me he has a girlfriend now and I think she might be the one that changed him. I am so grateful to her and I cannot wait to see her, thank her, cook for her and give her a warm hug for helping me melt that stone hard brick Tom had guarded his heart with” Anita stated, gratitude very evident in her words and even expression.
The mention of his girlfriend did make her heart skip. It has now occurred to her that she will have to meet Anita someday as her daughter-in-law someday, sooner or later. She became unsure if she should tell her right away since she was feeling guilty of deceiving her but she also knew if Tom haven’t told her then there must be a reason behind it.
She was about to change the topic when Anita suddenly grabbed her hand, “You are the closest one to him, do you by chance know the lady? No! You must know the lady so could you please just hint me? I will not tell him that I know or you told me so just do me this favor” she pleaded and Amber was too stunned to speak.
She was expecting her to attack her that way, she was not prepared and doesn’t know the answer to give to such a sudden request. Even though her heart was beating like crazy, she dared not mistakenly spill the truth. With a flash speed, she shut her lips and shook her head in denial.
“I might be the CEO’s secretary but I know nothing about his private life and also he might have a valid reason why he didn’t tell you that part. Why not wait for him to reveal it to you himself? It might not take that long you know” she tried persuading her but Anita doesn’t seemed to believe her.
The staring competition went on for a few seconds before Amber diverted the attention to their aim, shopping. “You should see the new collection of bags that just came in, I can reserve one for you since it’s a limited edition” she stated with a chuckle and a wink.
Anita had no choice but to drop the issue and they finished the shopping before the drama at the counter happened. Amber was there witnessing everything from a distance and she was so proud that Anita had cut off the leeches who loves to ride on their relationship whenever they come shopping.
She had even forgotten about the surgery for a bit and was heading to her desk to get other things done when the call came through from the nurse that the surgery would begin soon. Tom was out of the office when she came to pick up her bag so she just left him a text that she’s heading to the hospital to be by her mother’s side.
She arrived just in time as the nurse were present in the room to wheel her away to the theatre. “Mom!” she cried out, running to her bed side.
She quickly held her hand tightly in hers as they gazed at themselves. They have a lot to say but their minds were the ones communicating instead of their mouths. She was scared that might be the last time she would see her while her mother was also scared of the same thing.
The doctors had assured them that it would be successful but a surgery is never successful until it is complete and the patient recovers. All she could do at that moment was to pray for the process to end well as she clutched her hand to hers tightly.
“Don’t worry, I will be fine so don’t be a chicken” her mother joked to lighten the mood. She fought the tears rushing to her eyes and put on a smile façade as she replied to the joke. “We should get some chicken when you are out”. Her mother also played along and told her that they surely will.
Her mother was wheeled into the theatre where the surgery lasted for few hours. She kept pacing up and down, not knowing the God to pray to but she kept assuring herself that everything will come out fine. Tom was also sending his support from his own end, he could not come to the hospital because of a hectic schedule but was making sure to call her every hour to check up on the progress.
She was finally wheeled out of the theater and Amber rushed to hear the outcome of the surgery which thankfully was a success, nothing went wrong and all the process was perfect.
“She should wake up in few hours, everything went fine” the doctor assured her and left her to stay with her like she wishes.
She had dozed off while waiting for her to wake up and placed her head on the little space beside the bed when she felt a hand movement on her neck. With a loud move, she jumped back. Her eyes glistening with fear due to the suddenness but soon calmed down when she realized that it was her mother’s touch.
“You must have been tired while waiting for me, I am sorry for troubling you” her mother apologized but she hurriedly ran to held her hand.
“Why would you apologize? This is the biggest day of my life because I can’t believe you have done the surgery and you are here talking to me with your health fully restored. You don’t know how much I have waited for this day to come” she cried hard like a baby but her mother understood that they were tears of joy.
Mother and daughter pulled themselves into an emotional hug as they journeyed through the memories of their struggling. She had come to Chicago for greener pastures when her dad died but soon she had to bring her mother who had developed a kidney disease.
Things have never been easy for the both of them as the mother felt like a burden to her and she was also strained financially that she had to take the club work. Thanks to the quick intervention of Tom and also the raise in her family, coupled with her share of the painting contract, she became financially comfortable within the past few months.
Tom finally finished his meetings and rushed to the hospital to check up on both of them. He entered the building and was about taking the elevator when he sighted Amber rushing out of the other elevator. He followed her to see where she was headed till they both stopped at the dark empty park in the deeper side of the hospital.
“I am free! I am finally free! Thank you for making me happy! Thank you for setting me free and keeping my mum alive” she shouted into the silent night and he sighed in relief before bursting into a smile.
He was worried that something might be wrong with her with the way she sprinted but it was because she was too happy. He gazed at her silently from behind and smiled proudly until she turned to see him there.
He moved closer to close the gap between them while she also ran to meet him halfway, “I almost thought…” he started but was shut up with a very hot and deep kiss from her.
His eyes grew saucers at the suddenness of the kiss but he finally relaxed, enveloped her in his arms and closed his eyes to enjoy the softness of her lips.