His sufferings (Seventh Chapter)

"Come in, honey. You wanted to talk about something?" Dad asked as he removed his glasses and placed them on the table.

"Er, umm, yeah," I hesitated a bit, "Actually, I want to ask something."

"Ask what?" Mom inquired as she looked up from the magazine she was skimming through. I sat on the expensive, embroidered couch that was placed on the edge of my parents' vast room beside my Mom and clasped my sweaty palms together as I began playing with my fingers.

"I was, er, wondering that...," I looked at their expressions as they patiently waited for me to continue, "can I get a…..nose job?"

A look of perplexity took over dad's expression while my mom's expression portrayed that she was in a process of thinking over my request. The room's environment became tense as they both looked at each other, trying to communicate through their eyes.

"I don't think that's a very good idea," my dad spoke after what seemed like hours. Disappointed, I shifted my eyes to my mom who seemed like she was processing what I just said and weighing the pros and cons.

"No, David. I think that is a good idea," she voiced her permission at last, "Don't you think she'll look prettier if her nose will be small? You've taken a good decision, Erica, but you'll have to prepare yourself for alot of pain."

"Thanks, Mom," I smiled lightly, even though all I felt like at that time was tired and miserable. Why couldn't they tell me that I was good the way I am? That I shouldn't change myself for some stupid people? That meant that I have really bad looks. They assured me of that fact, especially Mom.
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"Mom, I don't wanna go to school," I mumbled in my drowsy voice, trying to put an end to Mom's attempts of waking me up. I wasn't ready to face their torments, name -calling and mockery. I didn't want to go to school.

"Erica! Please wake up!" her voice sounded panicky and restless with a hint of worry tracing it, "Jack is not well. We need to take him to the hospital."

I jolted up from my bed when I heard about Jack and threw the covers off me. Running as fast as my legs would take me, my Mom on my tail, I entered Jack's room. He looked pale, more than before. His eyes had dark bags around them and his lips looked lifeless. I felt horrible at the sight of him so weak. My problems had caused me to neglect him, and I was afraid I'd never be able to make up for that.

I rushed towards him and jerked him a little. He looked up at me with a hint of drowsiness and I noticed that his cheeks had hallowed and his face had thinned overtime. Here I was, giving up going to school, and there is my twelve-year old brother, fighting something he knows will defeat him eventually with courage.

"Mom! Call the ambulance!" I said worriedly.

My Mom bolted downstairs as I carried Jack bridal-style in my arms. I carried him downstairs and sat on the couch and seated him on my lap. Waiting for the ambulance, I started murmuring in his ears about how much I love him, and that he had to stay alive, for my sake. It was too early, we both weren't prepared for this. My insides filled with guilt as I thought about how negligent I had been to him. I was so busy wallowing in my miseries that I hadn't given a thought about my brother, who was probably dwelling in his last few months.

After what seemed like hours, the ambulance showed up. With prayers on our lips and fright taking over, we went to the hospital. He was being admitted for the first time this month, and it was completely unexpected, which added to our reasons to be worried and scared.

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"Dad!" I darted towards him as he opened his arms, his eyes puffy and red. He enveloped me in his arms as my tears poured out unstoppably. He had been in Cambodia for some business-related project, and arrived as soon as he heard about Jack.

"David." Mom said lightly from behind. I stepped back as Dad crushed her into a hug. Both of them were sobbing quietly and murmuring comforting words to each other. Seeing them trying hard to be brave and hopeful made me even tearful. We couldn't lose Jack, not now. How will we live without him? How will I live without him? He was the only one who saw past my flaws and gave me a litle bit of courage to deal with the insults and names they called me with. Fearing the inevitable, I sat on the floor and rested my head against the wall, praying for his life.

Reviews

[WriterGirl247247]

Great and emotional chapter as we reach the climax.

Don't mean to sound repetitive, but be consistent with the italics.

The exchange with the parents was interesting. Although the dad would probably stand his ground against the surgery.

What's Jack dying from? It's never clearly said.

Ready for the last chapter.