7

“I said no! Have you gone crazy? I'm not going to abandon my nani just because I look a little tired."

“You have to convince her," she looked at the little girl, "maybe she will listen to you."

“Come, Lucia, we have to talk," she took me by the arm and took me aside, "listen, my girl, you need to rest. You look too exhausted, and you can't go on like this because you could get sick. You know well that it's not convenient at this time."

“But my nani has to have a relative present. We can't leave her alone with that nurse."

In the end, the doctor said that it was necessary that a family member be present even if the nurse was there. Lina decided to stay with the condition that tomorrow I would have to stay all day even though the lady they had hired was going to arrive.

“Very well, I will stay without any problem. But for today, you will stay."

The chaparrita and Lina came in to see my nani. After the visit was done, I went to the house accompanied by my dear aunt. I was in my corner when she came to see me.

“Tell me what you have to say," I looked at her knowing she wanted to tell me something, "I know you well enough, always remember that."

“It's about Carlos. I ask you not to get upset with this I'm going to tell you and don't go tell him anything."

“Now what the hell did he do," I snorted annoyed, "he really is an immature kid who always gives trouble. I let him overlook that he doesn't want to visit my nani, but if he is screwing around I plan to scratch his eyes out."

“It's nothing bad. The day my mom was hospitalized, he came to the house with a woman. She's too overbearing and haughty. He introduced her as his girlfriend and even brought three girls that were hers."

“We can't get into that. I guess the news took both Lina and you by surprise," she nodded, "no wonder, it came at the wrong time, but well, there's not much to do about it. Right now the priority is my nani and no one else."

That day I fell asleep as soon as I touched the pillow. The next day I was summoned by the university, but I could not go, as I had to go to the hospital. I missed a forum that was aimed at the specialty I was studying, however, I did not find a solution to be able to attend. The chaparrita could not think with a clear head in case an emergency arose so that was definitely null from the start.

“Hello," I greeted Lina and the lady who would take care of my nani, "you can go now. What did the doctor say?"

“The fever is down. I'll come with your aunt for the visit," she took her things to leave, "anything else let us know."

Lina left the hospital and I stayed with the nurse. I checked my cell phone, since it would kill time for a while.

“Excuse me," I spoke to the nurse, "I have to go to the bathroom. If there is anything you need to tell me, use my cell phone."

“Yes, don't worry too much. I'll be here," I gave her my number, "it's saved. You can go."

I ran off towards the toilets which were a considerable distance from the intensive care ward. It was a public hospital, so you couldn't expect much from it. I was on my way back when I bumped into a man.

“Sorry," I looked down and fancy shoes were in front of me, "I didn't see him."

The man was with a bushy beard, white complexion, curly hair. His eyes I couldn't see because he was wearing sunglasses, and some stripes coming out of one of his pecs from what I assumed was a tattoo. There was something about him that was familiar. However, I couldn't remember where he got that familiarity from.

“Don't worry. It's something that can happen to anyone. Are you okay?" I said yes, "very well, goodbye."

He left without saying anything else, and I ran to the ICU. While I was there, a lady arrived with some food packages and distributed them among those of us who were here.

“Excuse me," I spoke to the woman, "Who brought this?"

“It is a man who brings food to the hospital every month. He asks to give it to all the caregivers and patients as well. But since none of the intensive care patients can eat this, we only give it to you."

The hospital employee left. The moment I opened the package, I was surprised to see a pretty good meal. Usually, when people do such a thing, they try to look for the cheapest and most profitable. But this was not the case. I ate with great appetite, and when the night came, they gave us the same portion they had given us at noon. I was asleep when I heard the nurse calling me. I quickly got up, and despite the pain I had all over my body, I simply ignored it. I waited for the doctor who was on duty to come out, but she asked me to tell her daughters.

“What's wrong, doctor? If it is something serious, I have the right to know. Please tell me what is wrong with my nani."

“The lady had a heart attack. I need you to tell her daughters, since the probability of survival decreased considerably with this event."

I felt my world collapsing with those words. I took my cell phone to call the house and ask them to come right now. Carlos was the one who answered, so he promised to tell Lina and the little girl.

“Aren't you coming? For the hell's sake Carlos, you have to."

“Don't start with your stuff. Consider yourself served by telling Lina and Beti what you ask me."

He hung up on me without any remorse. I kept hoping that he was going to get out of this, but deep down, I knew that if he had a second heart attack, he would not survive. It hurt me, but it was the truth. Finally, they arrived, they were late because they couldn't get a car at that time of the morning.

“Well," said Lina, "tomorrow I will come to relieve you. I guess you don't want to go with me and leave my mom in the nurse's care."

“Have you lost your mind? If I didn't want to leave my nani before, I don't want to leave her now. I'll see you later."

They finally left. I went to the bench where I was sleeping, and even though the anguish was growing in my chest, I couldn't help falling asleep. The hours passed, and I had to go home, but something in me told me that I had to hurry, so I just took a shower and brought breakfast to eat at the hospital.

I was arriving when I saw the nurse walking in my direction. I was ready to tell her to leave, that I was going to stay, however, the doctor called my nani's relatives, and I left running. As I entered the small room inside the intensive care unit, the doctor looked at me, and I prayed from the bottom of my heart that it was good news.

“The lady had a second heart attack," she told me, and I mentally told myself over and over again that they had managed to bring her back, "we resuscitated her for 17 minutes, but unfortunately, we could not revive her."

When I heard this, I felt that a part of my heart died, and I just screamed, refusing to believe what they were telling me. I started to cry because it was the only thing I could do. In spite of the hard news they had given me, I was still standing up.

“May I see her," I said to the doctor, "please."

“In a moment, we are going to disconnect her," she told me as I was unwound, "I will call her when I can come in."

“Okay, thank you, doctor," I said and left.

I had to call the house to tell them what had happened and to bring everything they needed.

“Come now, bring the box, my nani passed away," I told them trying to hold back my tears because they needed me strong, a heartbreaking no was heard, "listen, you have to bring the coffin because if you don't bring it they won't deliver her."

“We are coming," she told me, "we won't be long."

The next number I dialed was Carlos', the phone started ringing.

“Hello," he answered, "Now what the fuck do you want...?"