Chapter 3: What If?

DAHLIA'S POV

“I'm really sorry, officers. I must go.” I hurry to the ambulance as a young doctor is about to lock the door and tap.

“Excuse me. I've to go with him. I'm his guardian!” I shout loud enough for him to hear and open the door.

“Okay. Climb in. You must be his wife?” He looks curiously at me as I settle into the car.

I only nod as I take Jer’s hand and squeeze gently. He must've been in a great shock when the fire broke out. I don't know how the fire started yet and I don't think anyone else can explain it better apart from the man lying unconsciously in front of me.

“Let's go!” The young man notifies the driver and the sirens take off before the car goes into motion.

“I'm here now, babe. I'm so sorry that I had to leave you alone, all by yourself. I'm such a terrible wife but I have no choice and I really don't know what to do to fix all of these.” I break into soft sobs, kissing the back of his hand.

“He's going to be alright, ma'am. He lost consciousness because of the shock from the fall. I can tell from the swelling of his left elbow, and apart from that, he has no serious physical injuries anywhere else. At least, none that our team from the hospital can't handle. So, you don't have to cry so much, just pull yourself together.”

Lifting my head, fascinated by the gentle words from the young practitioner, a smile tugged at my lips. He's a great comforter and with that communication skill, it won't take long for him to get promoted if the country still considers such qualifications.

“Thank you. Which hospital?” I ask, hoping it'll save me the trip to another hospital.

“JR Well’s.” He responds quickly and a sigh of relief brushes my nostrils.

Four minutes drive, but as I come down from the ambulance to give room for the doctors to do their jobs, I feel like I have been sitting in a train for forty hours. My whole body screams for a massage, but that feeling of relaxation is history for me except a miracle twists my life for the better.

I follow the stretcher as three doctors rush Jerome into the hospital, knowing I won't be allowed to enter the ICU, I stop at the reception to get a pass card to the Children's center.

I spend extra time waiting for the nurse behind the counter to check my information as my husband's guardian and that of my daughter before she prints a slip and hands it to me with a little smile.

“I heard she's awake. You should hurry.” Doctor Freda pats my arm as I return her smile.

They've all seen me come here a lot to visit my daughter after she was transferred into the hospital because I couldn't afford to keep her at the first hospital she and Jerome were admitted to. This is a private hospital, but it's surprisingly the most affordable in the City although it's fully equipped with the best doctors.

I go into my daughter's ward, deciding to stop by the office of the doctor in charge of her afterwards. A nurse is checking her eyes while another inserts a syringe to an IV tube.

“Hey, my baby!” I go to her side immediately and grip her hand, kissing her forehead and cheeks.

Unable to hold it back, I let a tear slip out of my eye, sniffing as the doctor steps aside and I take a closer look at her. I had two adorable children, twins. A sweet boy and a charming girl, now I have to explain to one of them that she won't see her brother ever again.

“Cleo? Can you hear me?” The female doctor asks, moving her fingers over her face.

She doesn't move or say anything, but her eyes follow the movement of her hand.

“If you can, please, lift a finger?”

I hold my breath, wondering if she's okay when she stares only at me, then glances at the nurse and does nothing else. I let her hand go, it feels lifeless and her face looks so white like she's going to faint.

“Cleo, my lovely baby.” I call, sniffing back a tear as I try to break into her dull brain. She's been sleeping for such a long time and it's no surprise that it'll take time for her to come around.

“She hasn't said a word since she woke up and we've carried out tests that show there's absolutely nothing wrong with her. She'll come around, for certain, but I just need to make sure she's not mute or something.” The doctor explains, pinching her cheek lightly.

“She must've been in shock. I'm so sorry sweetheart, I should've protected you. I should have done more. I'm the worst mother on earth.” I grasp her hand again, hoping to make her move.

“Who are you?”

I freeze, feeling air rush into my lungs through my open mouth and my hands fly up to cover my mouth. She just said something and what…?

“Sweetie, your name is Cleopatra Marina Salazar. I am your doctor and…” the doctor shows her fingers to her face. “If you can see me, tell me how many fingers are in front of you?”

“Three fingers.” Cleo’s tiny voice responds, her eyes searching the doctor's face in confusion.

“Oh, my baby! That's very correct. You're alright now.” I sit down beside her, sighing deeply with the feeling that she's recovering slowly.

“Is she also a doctor?” She asks and I stop moving again, now convinced that she's lost her memory.

Oh, my God. Why does it feel like something is blocking my chest and a finger is wrapped around my neck, squeezing so tight that I can't breathe. And I can't get away.

“I am your mother, Cleo. My baby, my world.” Tears stream down my face now as I look at her to see the slightest sign that she recognizes me. “I deserve this, but please, just…”

“Ma'am, I think this isn't the best place or time to do this. She's alright, it's a temporary memory loss and nothing to worry about. A familiar environment, friends and family will be all it'd take to remember.” The doctor's reassuring voice did nothing to calm me down.

I feel devastated and low spirited as I leave the ward and I'm so lost in thoughts thaaaat I don't remember my manners and just walk into the Chief's office.

“Oh, I apologize, I'm not in the right frame of mind. I'll just come back!” The words tumble out as I see he has a visitor.

“No, it's okay, Dahlia. Miss Nani was already leaving.” The doctor waves me in as the lady stands up.

She's tall and has flawless skin, her dress is an expensive designer brand that's hard to miss, but definitely hard to buy. She's just exquisite.

“I'm sorry.” I mumble as she walks past me with a smile on her face. How many times will I apologize in one day?

“I watched the news.” Doctor Lorenzo says as I sit down.

I nod, irritation clamoring at my face. “It's an interesting story.” I sniff, sighing into my palms.

“I don't know what to do for you anymore, Dahlia. I won't be able to touch Jerome again if you don't make a payment. The lady that just left here is the director of this hospital and her brother owns it. These are superior management that I send daily accounts to and I can't keep running charities with a business that isn't mine anymore because if they suspect me, I might be replaced sooner than I expected.” He explained, opening files in front of him as if he's searching for something.

“I know, and I appreciate everything you've done for me. But you know I can't just take them home.” I start to kneel, tears well up in my eyes.

“Hey, no. Don't do that, Dahlia.” He stands up and holds me back from going down on both knees. “If you have to beg, I think you should run after Miss Nani. She must still be in one of the wards,”

“You think she'd listen to me?” I start to wipe my face as I stand up.

“We'll find out when you try.” Doctor Lorenzo picked up a file and led the way out of his office. “Good luck, Dahlia.”

I nod as I go back to the reception to ask one of the nurses where the woman entered.

“There's a situation at the ER, so she must be in there right now.” One of them points out.

“What's going on in the ER?” I feel confused for a moment before I remember that my husband was rushed to the ER a few minutes ago and the head doctor just told me nobody will help him if I don't make a deposit.

I don't wait for the answer that I already figured out and rush down the hall, bumping into a few patients and caregivers, apologizing repeatedly and I am about to run into the emergency room when a hand grabs me.

“Dahlia!” Sunny draws me to a halt and hugs me. “I heard about what happened and I hurried here from work. Today should be the toughest day of your life, best.”

I don't say anything, I just break into sobs, and let myself cling to her for a while. She's right, it's one of the toughest days of my life and I wonder if I am getting punished for what happened that day.

“I saw in the news, the house is a total ruin. You can come stay at my place. I'll arrange…”

“Cleo woke up, Sunny.” I say, pressing a hand to my forehead as I feel a headache coming. “But my daughter doesn't recognize me. She doesn't even know her name. This was all my fault.”

“That's not good.” She holds me so I don't slump. “Don't beat yourself over this, Best. At least she woke up, she came back to you. How's Jerome? What started the fire?”

“I don't know yet. He's…” I stop talking as the ER door opens and a mobile bed is being dragged out from the room by two doctors. “Jerome?” I call, bursting into tears as I follow the bed.

“Go away! Don't touch me!” He struggles when I try to hold his hand. I almost drop to the floor, but Sunny is right behind me, holding me up.

I feel sick to my stomach, my eyes turn involuntarily and I know that I could've fainted if Sunny didn't come.

“He's your husband?”

I jump at the voice, not realizing the woman from Doctor Lorenzo's office is standing there, watching us. I stare at her for a while, then nod sadly and go down on my knees.

“What if I make you an offer?”