His Dilemma
While on the bus on his way home that night, Kevin kept on thinking about Carlos’ proposal. He was at the rock end as he didn’t know what to do. He felt Ellie was wronged and she deserved justice but at the same time, he also felt that his sister has the right to see the world around her, just like every other person. He looked at the contact card in his hand and clenched his fist. He was frustrated and confused no doubt, and he could only vent his anger on the contact card he was holding in his hand.
On getting to his bus-stop, he alighted from the bus and made his way to their neighbor’s house, who Carla was staying with. Thanking the neighbor, he and Carla headed to their house. On getting home, Kevin prepared dinner for Carla and after making sure she was well fed, they sat under the moonlight to have a heart to heart conversation. It had been long they both sat together and shared some sibling moments together. Kevin was admiring the beauty of the moon and at the same time, lost in his thought of Carlos’ proposal.
“What are you doing, brother?’, Carla, who had noticed how silent Kevin was asked, pulling him out of his thought.
“Nothing. Just admiring the beauty of the moon”, Kevin said in a hasty manner, trying not to make Carla suspect something was going on.
“It must look so beautiful. I wish I can see it but unfortunately, I can’t”, Carla said dejectedly, being weighed down by hurt and disappointment.
“You will see it one day. You will see it soon. The doctor said you will be able to see soon”, Kevin lied, trying to ease his sister’s worries and pains. But the look on Carla’s face, showed that she wasn’t convinced.
“One day? That day will never come”, Carla said, with a painful expression on her face.
“What do you mean by that?”, Kevin, who seemed confused by Clara’s statement asked, paying full attention to Carla, whose eyes were becoming teary. This state of hers got Kevin worried, making him wonder what was going on in her mind.
“I know I can’t see again. The other day at the hospital, I heard all what the doctor said”, Carla declared abruptly, making Kevin’s eyes widened.
“You knew all along? You heard everything that day?”, surprised Kevin asked, looking straight into his sister’s eyes and all he could see there was sadness and devastation.
“Yes, I did. I heard everything and it was since then I gave up on my dream of seeing the world around me once again. Do you know what my biggest wish is, brother? To be able to see once again; that is it. But sadly enough, this wish of mine won’t become a reality”, Carla said dejectedly, with tears streaming down her face. Seeing his sister in such a heartbroken state, made his heart bleed.
“I am sorry I lied to you about what the doctor said but I did that so as not to make you sad. But I am promising you now that you will be able to see again. I will make sure I get the money and make you undergo the surgery. It’s a promise”, Kevin said, holding Carla’s hands in his, trying to reassure her that she would definitely be able to see once more.
“Stop deceiving me brother. I know I won’t be able to undergo the surgery. How will you be able to source for $300, 000 within two days?”, Carla queried, not convinced by her brother’s promise.
“I will definitely get it. You do not have to worry about that. Just prepare your mind about getting a surgery in few days. I will do anything to fulfil your wish, Carla”, Kevin said in a determined voice, which made Carla realized that her brother was serious about his promise. This confidence of his, made Carla wondered what he was up to and how he would be able to raise the required fund within two days, but she decided not to question him further.
As he watched his sister lay on the bed after petting her to sleep, he wondered on whether to go for Carlos’ offer or not. He had always love his sister right from birth and would do anything to make her happy but on the other hand, he was also in love with Ellie, although, he hadn’t told her about it. He didn’t want to hurt the two women he loved but the situation at hand, warranted him to choose one of them. After thinking about it all through the night, he made up his made and decided on who to save. As he laid on the bed beside his sister that night, he held the contact card given to him by Carlos in his hand and allowed the cold hands of sleep to take him away.
He woke up very early the following morning, and after making sure to have taken care of Carla, he dropped her at their neighbors’ place, with him, promising Carla that he would get the required fund for the surgery that day. Hence, he took out his phone after having left the neighbor’s place, and called the man he had relied on to get the fund from.
“Hello, this is Kevin”, he said to the person on the receiving end, just for the receiver to know who was on the line.
“I knew you would call but never knew it will be this early. Seems like you have made up your mind on what to do. So, may I know your decision?”, Carlos asked, smiling.
“I will give you the recording in exchange for the money. But hope I will get the money today?”, Kevin said, clenching his fist, fully aware that he had just betrayed granny and Ellie’s trust.
“I know you will make the right decision. As for the money, it will be given to you immediately you hand over the recording. So, are you willing to meet up now?”, Carlos asked, feeling satisfied.
“Yes, I will like to do so”, Kevin responded.
“You can come over to my place. I will be waiting for you”, Carlos said, hanging up on Kevin and laughing hysterically. This laughter of his caught his secretary’s attention which prompted him to ask if he was fine.
“Yes, I am. Just find it funny how people who call themselves family, can betray each other for money. Anyways, get $500, 000 ready and call the hospital to get our best surgeon prepared for an eye surgery tomorrow”, Carlos said, walking away from his study room, with a satisfied smile on his face. He knew he had successfully taken away his hindrance and that nothing would stop him from becoming the Senate President anymore. His secretary obeyed his orders by getting the money ready and also, calling the hospital to pass his order.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Kevin finally got to Carlos’ place and their deal was strike. Kevin’s phone was collected as the recording was on his phone.
“This is $200, 000. The sum of $300, 000 has been removed from the agreed amount for your sister’s surgery and the surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow. The surgery will be carried out at my hospital by my best surgeon”, Carlos said to Kelvin, who was sitting with guilt etched on his face and he look unsettled.
“Thank you”, Kevin managed to say, despite his unsettled mind.
“Can I take my leave now?”, Kevin asked, when he noticed Carlos was quiet.
“Yes, you can but I hope you know you have to keep the granny and the girl in question in control. I wouldn’t want any rumor coming out about this issue after this. Hope you understand what I mean?”, Carlos asked Kevin, in a way that sounded like a warning rather than a question.
“Yes, I understand”, Kevin said, nodding his head and heading towards the exit.
“Also, if you will love to work for me in the future, you can get in touch with me. I think we will get along well”, Carlos said, making Kevin halt in his steps.
“Thank you. I will put that into consideration”, Kevin said, holding the door knob.
He opened the door and made his way to the front gate. As he stood in front of Carlos’ mansion, he wondered if he had done the right thing. He felt guilty but he thought that was the best thing he could have done for his sister. He headed to the hospital with a heavy mind, not knowing how to face granny and Ellie. As he stood in front of the hospital’s entrance, he wondered whether to go in or go back home and the question, “What if granny and Ellie’s find out about what he had done?”, kept on repeating itself in his mind.