Trent's POVFrom the expre ssion on her face, I knew the call was a serious one.I watched Alina pace as she made hasty enquiries in her supermom mode. She looked admirable doing this. Who would imagine that this woman, despite all the pain she constantly relives every day, could still take charge when it came to her son?"But nothing was wrong with him this morning! He was actively protesting not to want to go to school. Please, take him to the hospital, I'll be right there."She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. One look at me and I knew she was using her best effort to keep herself from crumpling into a puddle of tears. "It's Niguez. Something's wrong," she said as she stood still for the first time in a while. "I- I have to go." She lunged for the door that led back into the building.I held her back by her wrist and looked purposefully into her eyes. "Breathe, Alina. He'll be fine. Niguez is a strong one, just like you."She closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath.
Alina's PovI felt the heavy morning breath in my mouth as I yawned and stretched. The natural light of dawn peeked through the louvred blinds. My lower back ached like crazy. The posture I had slept in over the night was a tangled mess. When I arrived at the hospital yesterday and saw my baby looking so pale and in discomfort, I was distraught. I had to insist that they allow me to stay with him. The process was tedious. They took some minor tests and said they found nothing wrong with him. But the instincts in me told me something was wrong. His burning fever and his constant wailing pricked so hard at my heart. With tender fingers, I worked my way through the mass of hair he was sporting on his head. His face looked blissfully blank. At least, now he was asleep. The doctors had given him a mild tranquilizer that helped him fall asleep. I looked at my phone and realised that my battery was down. Oh, boy! I was so gonna get it from my workplace. Just how many more excuses wo
ALINA’S POV“Wh-what did you just say, doc?” I laughed. Of course, it had to be a joke because what did he mean by that? “Alina,” Trent called out, his hand holding mine, and I turned to him.“Did you hear what he said?” I asked; maybe I was the only one with a hearing problem. “Calm down, Alina. Listen to me. Niguez will be fine.” Trent raised his hand to stroke my hair. I chuckled slowly, and it morphed into sobs, “Of course, I know he'll be fine. He's a strong boy, and you said he was right?” I couldn't even control myself at this point. The news was slowly settling into my head. My little boy, my sweet innocent son, had acu…“No, no, no, no, no, there must be some mistake somewhere. Perhaps you must have mixed it up with someone else's result.” I said to myself and turned to face the doctor, “Why don't you try the test again? I'm sure you'll realize my son is as healthy as a horse. Huh?” “I’m sorry, ma'am, but the results are correct. I also–” That did it. That was the key
AUTHOR’S POVTime was of the essence for Niguez and Alina knew well she tried all possible means to get the money for the medication and surgery.She tried going to her workplace to ask for an advance but it didn't work as well as she thought.Alina could not blame her boss for refusing to give her the money as an advance anyone would refuse to give a staff that large amount of money.With each passing time all Alina could think of was the pain her son must be feeling and each time she thought about it she broke.After the day's work she managed to raise a thousand dollars from her savings and all. She headed straight to the hospital to check on her son.As she was alighting from the cab her phone rang and it was the doctor,“Hello ma’am, I called to speak with you about Niguez, will you be coming to the hospital today?”Fear gripped Alina's heart she was to scared to think or talk all she could mutter was “Yes”The doctor hung up and Alina rushed to the elevator with different kinds
Trent's POV “I’m curious about something.” “What's that?” Alina looked up at me. Her brown eyes were swollen and weary. She hasn't been getting much sleep, looking after Niguez and constantly worrying. I wanted to pull her into my arms, rest her head on my shoulder and stroke her wavy hair until she fell asleep. She cocked her eyebrow at me. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, suddenly aware of my thoughts. “You wanted to ask something, didn't you?” She stifled a yawn. “Uhmm.. Right. I did.” Gosh. I felt like a high schooler in front of his crush. “La Casa dos spiritus.” “What?” She stared at me in confusion. “The house of spirits? It's a place in Salamina, right?” “Ohh… La Casa de los Espíritus. Yeah, it is. What about it?” “Is it really haunted by spirits?” “Definetly!” “Really?” I sat up in my chair. “Have you been there? You've seen them? Heard them? Tell me all about it.” I rattled off like a 3 year old who had too much ice cream. Alina giggled, he
Trent's POV I walk down the hallway, taking a right turn towards the visitor's room. I think I saw a coffee vending machine there. I hate hospitals. The smell, the white walls, everything about it. It leaves an ugly taste in my mouth and brings back unpleasant memories, a past I want to forget. I've avoided hospitals for most of my adult years except important occasions like supporting Alina. I grab a plastic cup and fill it. I bring the cup to my lips, take a sip and spew it back into the cup. Hospitals can't even get coffee right. I wipe my mouth and sit on their uncomfortable chair, setting the cup beside me. My mind starts to drift back to the ward. Alina's eyes locked in mine. I saw something in her eyes. I saw fear with an hint of desire? Want? Need? My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket bringing my mind back to reality. I pull it out of my pocket and decline the call. It rings again and I turn it off. I wish the woman would leave me alone. I don't know how she found out w
Alina's POVNigeuz is getting discharged today. I stop to look at him as I pack the bags. He's playing with an action figure Trent got him. He's still a little pale, but he's bubbling with energy. It's so nice to see him up and about again. Watching his weak little body on the hospital bed for the past few days have been torture. No one told me being a mom was this hard. My heart aches thinking of my mom. I don't remember ever seeing her complain. We didn't have much but she gave us the world and I failed her. A crash brought me out of my thoughts. “Niguez, be careful.” I rushed to his side, checking to see if he was okay before squatting to pick the broken toy. “Sorry, mama.” “It's okay, baby.”“Good morning!” Trent's voice filled the room. “Hey, Niguez. Uhhh… where's your mom?” “Right here!” I declared, standing up. “Whoa! You scared me. What were you doing down there?” He creased his brows looking puzzled. “Picking this up.” I gestured to the broken toy. “Sorry, uncle.” Ni
Alina's POVI hurried Vanessa inside and headed off to find Niguez. Goodness knew what he was up to now. Not that I didn't trust him, but I wouldn't want him to turn my friend's house into a circus.I was about to head into the room when I looked back at Vanessa.She stared at me, giving me a weird look, then shook her head with a small smile.“What?” I asked, cocking back my head with a frown.“Nothing,” came her default reply.Why did she look like she was desperately trying to hide a smirk?“Good,” I said, refusing to dwell on it.“If I didn't know better, I would think that you didn't want me near Trent,” she called after me.God, no... She wasn't going to bring this up.I felt grateful that Trent's car had already pulled out of the lawn and he was probably halfway back to his house by now.I looked back at her and sighed. The truth was, I didn't even know why I did that in the first place.It just came naturally, I guess... And I wasn't even going to think of the implications beh