Two
1775 Words
“Miss Melissa Gomez,” Doctor Paul said, a solemn look on his face.
“Doctor,” A heavy sigh escaped Melissa's lips as she stared up to him with a hopeful gaze. “You said my boyfriend could get surgery as long as I brought the deposit. I gave you more than a thousand euros you fucking..”
Melissa ran her fingers through her hair irritatedly, trying to calm her anger.
Doctor Paul leaned over the desk and looked at Melissa seriously, “You put off the surgery for too long and the situation has gotten worse.”
“WHAT?!”
Melissa eyes blurred due to the tears that were forming, “What is going on now?”
“He needs to undergo a kidney transplant.”
Without thinking, she stood from the cozy chair she was sitting on and held the doctor by the neck.
“You quack,”
“Miss, you cannot do this.” Doctor Paul tried to remove her slender hands from around his neck but failed. Her grip was deathly. Far more than deathly than he'd liked.
“That's not what you told me before!”
“Miss, please understand that any patient's condition can worsen over time if they don't quickly get the treatment they require.”
Melissa let go of the doctor with trembling hands.
She barely got away with stealing a few euros and now she had to get more.
Getting a kidney transplant was a fortune.
Where could she get the money?
She knew better than to ask the doctor the cost. It was best to donate hers.
“I.. I'm willing to offer my kidney—”
“—Think about it carefully before coming to a conclusion Miss Melissa.” Doctor Paul interupted, “To be honest with you, I think you should get the boy's parents. You've done a lot these past months. You cannot continue to carry the burden for a man who doesn't even appreciate your kind gesture.”
“I appreciate your concern Doctor, but I've made my decision. I.. will give Marcus my kidney.”
“Think about it—”
“—I don't want to!” Melissa snapped, “My parents are gone! If I give up on Marcus..” Tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably, “I will have no one left.”
“And I probably won't go on living if I lose him! So.. just do your job and give him my kidney, I've already paid you a few thousands. If you need me to pay more, then I'll give it to you after the surgery!”
Doctor Paul stood from his table, his stare determined. “Fine!” He walked around the desk and headed in the direction of the exit. “Come with me.”
Melissa let out a sigh of relief. Finally..
They both walked out the door and Doctor Paul led her towards a room by the corner.
He fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number.
“Hello?” He plainly said, “Prepare for a kidney analysis test.” Without another word, he ended the call and opened the door.
“A kidney analysis test?” Melissa piped in and scoffed, “Just conduct the damn surgery.”
“Excuse me miss, the hospital has its own regulation to follow in regards to organ transplant so if you could just let me carry out my duties..”
Melissa sighed. “I'm sorry if I was disrespectful in any way. I..”
“I understand.” Doctor Paul said with a small smile. “Go on inside and make yourself comfortable. I'll go and make preparations for the test.”
Melissa nodded with a small bow and watched as the doctor turned and walked down the hall.
She sighed and entered the room, closing the door behind her.
She looked at the plain room containing a bed with rough bedsheets and two chairs. Her heart raced. After the surgery, she probably wouldn't be able to drink alcohol anymore.. The last time she drunk was two years ago. She and Marcus were In a bar where Marcus worked and the drinks were on the house.
By the time, things were great even though he sometimes complained about his stomach feeling heavy.
Melissa sighed again and took a seat. She suddenly felt very anxious.
“Get it together, Mel.” She consoled herself. “You're doing the right thing. Yes, you're amazing. Marcus can family be saved and we can go back home together. We'll be a family again soon.”
The door opened.
Doctor Paul had arrived with a slender woman with short hair and oversized glasses that were sliding over her nose. She was holding a box and Melissa couldn't guess what was inside.
“Are you ready?” Doctor Paul asked kindly, his eyes determined.
There was a streak of determination Melissa always saw in Doctor Paul's eyes after he said something he really meant. It somehow set her mind at ease.
“Yes,” She smiled, “Doctor Paul.”
The nurse pulled a bowl out from the box and handed it towards Melissa.
“Pee in this.”
Melissa blinked, her cheeks turning pink.
“What?”
“We need to run a test on your urine.”
“Why?”
“Urine testing is important. Please listen to nurse Aura, the earlier we run the tests, the better.”
Melissa placed a hand on both of her cheeks, flustered.
“I'll leave you two now.” Doctor Paul exited the room leaving the two females alone.
Melissa sighed and accepted the bowl from the nurse.
Three tests later, she felt exhausted. She hadn't had any meals since the previous day.
She yawned and strecthed herself. Doctor Paul had told her the results would be clear in two days and she didn't need to worry. Marcus could hold up untill next week.
She dropped by his room first to see how he was doing. He was laying flat on his back. He looked deep in thought.
With a smile, she pushed the door open and Marcus gaze wandered towards her. He sighed and looked away from her.
“What did the doctor say this time?” His voice was coarse and lacked vigor.
Melissa looked across the room and spotted her best friend, Laura holding a cup.
Without thinking, she raced towards Laura and gave her a hug.
“Oh my dear friend,” She let out of long sigh of relief. “I am so glad you're here.”
Laura was bronze-haired with pretty green eyes and slender body with just the right amount of curves. She was both pretty and reliable.
She pulled away from Laura and looked at her, “When did you get here? You should've told me you were here.”
“Uh— I got here not long ago, I thought you left so I was worried.”
“You should've called if you were worried. I was around, talking with Doctor Paul.”
“Doctor Paul?” Marcus scoffed, “What would you be discussing with that pork head doctor? It's his fault I'm in this situation..”
Melissa sighed and looked at Marcus, “Don't worry, I discussed clearly with him and he said you can have a surgery in two days.”
Marcus eyes widened in surprise.
“Really?” The surprised look on his face turned to that of excitement when he noticed the lingering smile in her face.
“Come here.” Marcus sat up on the bed and Melissa grinned, walking into his embrace.
“You're kidding right, Mel? I.. I'm finally going to live healthily without looking at blank hospital walls.”
Melissa nodded, “Yes don't worry.”
Laura pursed her lip and said, “Mel let's talk.”
Melissa slowly pulled away from Marcus embrace and said, “I'll be right back.”
Marcus nodded and Melissa smiled, moving away from the bed while Laura grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her out of the room. She did not stop outside the door, she pulled Melissa down the hall untill they were almost out of the hospital.
“Laura, what's going on?”
Laura exhaled, “You.. What deal did you make with the doctor this time?”
Melissa looked at Laura's intense gaze and smiled softly. “Not much, he just pitied me and—”
“—You're going to give him your kidney, aren't you?”
The smile on Melissa's face disappeared.
“H-how did you know?”
Laura ran her fingers through her hair in frustration, “I guessed. Turns out I'm right. You're even willing to throw away your life for someone you're not married to!”
Melissa nervously fumbled with her fingers. “I.. I have no other idea. If I don't give him one of my kidneys, he'll die.”
Laura looked around the hallway and held Melissa's hand when she saw that they were alone.
“Then let him die.”
Melissa was astounded, “What?”
She snatched her hands from Laura.
“What did you just say?”
Laura sighed, “Marcus doesn't deserve you.”
Melissa eyes became blurred with tears, “Laura.. what are you saying? Marcus is your friend too!”
“You think I don't know that?!” Laura yelled out in frustration, “That's why I donated everything I could. It's been a year Mel, he won't get better. You should give up!”
Melissa ran her fingers through her hair in annoyance. “No. I'll forget you ever said this Laura. If you've given up on Marcus, I don't blame you but don't try to convince me to give up on him because I won't!” With that, she ran down the hall back to Marcus room.
“What happened?” Marcus asked as Melissa walked in with a different attitude.
“Nothing my love.” Melissa faked a smile, “I'm just a bit nervous that's all.”
“You don't have to. Even I, am not nervous. In fact I want to get the surgery quickly so I can go back home with you. We'll make a family together when all of this is over.”
That was all it took for her mind to settle.
Marcus was going to mary her anyways so giving him her kidney felt like the right thing to do.
Two days later**
“Miss Melissa Gomez, I am sorry to inform you that your kidneys aren't a match with Marcus Fransisco.”
- Writer
