Chapter 7
Continuing its depth of silent the night made Sila’s mind jumped around, but even with chaotic thoughts running wild he kept glancing at Minta every now and then. The way she snuggled against the door acting like it was her safety net, if she goes any further, she’ll probably find herself in the street. He played back to that moment when she was so afraid for her brother, she almost cried in front of him. And in that instance, he knew he will not give her the chance to ever do so. Because those tears will be detrimental to him than any words that would ever leave her lips. How did she of all people walking the earth can make his heart fall to the ground with a single tear? A question he couldn’t come up with an answer for the last few hours. He was frustrated and a degree mad at himself that a mere girl that is related to the man that killed his dad could make him feel in any way.
He wanted to drive faster but his foot just couldn’t put pressure on the gas pedal for some reason. In the corner of his eyes he noticed Minta stirring but before she came about, he pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, sitting there for a couple minutes, he stared into the night knowing it was a turning point for them. It isn’t his life that’s going to changed because he did promise he’ll see to it hers will, turning to Minta he tapped her on the shoulder.
“Hmmm….” That was the extend of her answer as she became even smaller in her seat.
Sila tried again only harder when her eyes flew opened, sitting up she looked around and more alert when her eyes came back to him.
“We are at the hospital go see your brother.”
She didn’t ask how she got to his car, but it doesn’t matter pulling the suit jacket from her body she folded it nice and neat and handed to him, taking it from her he threw it to the backseat. She didn’t wait for anything else opening the door she ran out trying to find her brother’s room.
Sila followed her slowly knowing he would not have a hard time catching up when he saw that she has her brother’s information and turned to walked off he called out her name, but she didn’t slow her pace.
“Wait a minute, I have a proposition for you,” Sila didn’t have to raise his voice to make her stop where she’s at.
Minta knew in her heart without him going into details, it was going to be like a knife finding the perfect place to stab her, basically at the core of her being, the heart. She turned and when she faced him, he has a card in his hand, almost dangling it in her face.
“How much do you love your brother?”
That question again, the first time was does she love her brother, and now it’s how much? But the meaning is the same. What is evidently clear, Nat suddenly became a pawn in Sila’s twisted plan.
“If you love your brother, the deal I have for you shouldn’t be hard to accept.”
His relaxed face almost made her want to slap him.
“I don’t have time for any of your games.”
Minta learned a while ago, that there’s no reasoning with him. The more she tried to the less it made sense to Sila. She offered no reply, instead she quietly saw his eyes glistening in whatever thought that’s roaming in his head. She has never hated anyone as much as she grew to hate him.
“A life exchange for another,” Minta remained unmoved by his words. “I will take care of your brother’s medical bills and find him the best doctor out there to treat his asthma. You’ll never have to worry about your brother again. If you spend one night with me.”
One night.
One night.
That’s all her mind could absorb. He’s basically playing with her life and has no shame in doing so. To spend one night with him equals to what? It was so hard for her head to wrap around such a thing, she couldn’t even come up with a word to truly define it.
She wanted to laugh in Sila’s face if it wasn’t for the fact they are at the hospital and her brother’s lying sick in a room.
He handed her his card. “You know where to find me.”
Minta smiled in such a painful way, it’s a somber reminder that little by little he managed to chip away of what small freedom she has. He knew that her brother means the world to her. To used him in such a way to get to her, she couldn’t even fathom just what kind of person he is. Her tears gathering around her eyes but just like all those times, it never quite left them. She promised long ago he would never see them fall, and right now is no different. He didn’t have to force her to look at him to erase the lingering tears this time, they’ll never fall for him regardless of what he does to her she’ll see to it until her last breath. She straightened herself and took the card from his hand, but keeping it was another story. She looked at the card with disgust and lets it drop to the floor as it landed between their feet.
“Go to hell.”
She didn’t wait for his respond but turned and ran to Nat’s room without looking back. Sila eyed his business card then looked up in time to see Minta turned a corner disappearing from his view. He too turned to leave but knew in his heart, she was not going to refuse his offer, it’s when she’ll seek him out is the question. The corner of his lips moved almost forming a small smile but stopped short. And as much as she wanted to refuse him and think his offer is despicable, it’s not her life she’s wagering against it it’s her brother’s.
Minta gathered herself before entering her brother’s room, the moment she pushed the door opened Milan got up and rushed to her.
“Oh, sweetie you are finally here. Just look at him. He doesn’t look good. They said he has developed pneumonia as well.”
Minta walked over to the side of her brother’s bed, staring at him with sadness that she’s unable to help him ease the pain. His pale face as he lay there sleeping broke her heart. Just how much more can his small body handle him being this way? She reached out and softly touched his hair.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, nothing at all,” Those words echoed insider her, playing it over and over in her mind until she realized the reason for it.
Minta backed away from the bed almost knocking into Milan.
“What’s wrong?” She asked with concern seeing Minta’s face.
“Nothing…nothing. I am a little thirsty and wanted to go get a bottle of water, do you want any?”
“No, go get what you need and if you want to go home and rest take my car I will sleep here tonight.”
Minta knew she couldn’t let her Aunt stay the night, she nodded and aimlessly walked out the room. She stopped as soon as the door closed and leaned against the wall, lifting her head she finally accepts how daunting her future is going to be, her world has fallen to her feet. A life exchange for another. Sila’s words rang in her ears so clearly.
How much do you love your brother?
She loves him enough to give her life up for his. If it meant spending a night with a man that’s sure to make her life a living hell, she’ll endure it for his sake. If one night is all it takes to give her brother a fighting chance, then wouldn’t it be worth the risk? She lowered herself to the floor, dropping her head with her knees up she wrapped her arms around it.
Is this what it’s like to feel completely hopeless?
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” She kept repeating those words until there’s no more doubt in her decision.
Minta sat on the floor not knowing how long she’s been there when she felt a hand touched her shoulder, looking up with misty eyes she got up hugging Milan tightly. “He’ll get better I promise.”
A promise that Milan wanted to believe so badly, but she didn’t say anything.
The morning came accompanied by a relief to Minta that another day had passed, nothing can’t be overcome when she’s granted another day. Obviously going forward some things will not tilt in her favor, but what has? She didn’t think she’s as weak as she felt but if Sila hasn’t break her to the point of drowning in her own tears then she’ll keep fighting to stay unbroken no matter what the circumstances may be.
She moved slowly at first, unable to open her eyes though the pain from sleeping in the chair made her wrinkled her nose. It was a tired night made worst by the ache she’s starting to feel all over her body. Stretching her arms out she got up only to sit back down when the pain wouldn’t let her move any further.
“Hospital chairs sucks, huh?” Nat said through hooded eyes. He was still weak and just didn’t have the energy to sit himself up.
“It’s not the best, but not the worst,” She massaged her back then her neck. “How are you feeling?”
“A little better, I guessed.” Nat’s voice came out a little raspy. “I hate these episodes you think having many in the past that I’ll get used to it, but I never do.”
Minta forced herself to get up this time with pain or not. She made way to her brother’s side. “You’ll get better, promise.”
It was soft spoken words to her brother but the strongest promised she has ever made to anyone. Her heart has stopped questioning itself when she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep the night before. She has a purpose and no amount of suffering on her behalf was going to deter her from seeing Nat having a normal life, like a kid deserve.
Nat smiled, even if it’s just a little crack between his lips but he felt the sincerity of his sister’s words and the love she has for him didn’t go unnoticed. “Thanks, I couldn’t ask for a better sister.”
“Don’t mention it, there’s no one on this earth I wouldn’t walk to the end to protect. I just need you to get better so we can one day go travel to the places we’ve always wanted,” Minta reached and playfully messed with his hair.
“Yes, I would love that,” His eyes weakened and the next thing Minta realized he closed them and went back to sleep.
She didn’t know just how long she kept at her spot looking down at her brother sleeping form. Her expressions were many to cover in a few minutes. It is up to her now to alter her brother’s future. And there’s nothing more precious in this world than to give him his life back.
“How is he?”
“A little better,” Minta smiled seeing her Aunt carried a handful of bags, that she knew it was food. “When Nat wakes up, he’s going to be very happy.”
Minta spends a few more minutes with Milan before heading home to freshen up. There’s no sense in procrastinating the inevitable. An early start of her deal with Sila the faster she gets it out of the way. Not that she’s eager to face him but she’ll face him a hundred times over if that meant the cause is her brother.
Pulling into the parking space across from Sila’s company she knew this was it, there’s no turning back. There’s no room for feeling sorry for herself because if she found just a little space to do so, then carrying out her side of the deal with Sila wouldn’t be achievable.
Minta fumbling with her purse looking for her phone when she bumps into a figure, apologizing she looked up only to see a familiar face, but couldn’t remember exactly where she has seen him previously. She searched hard into that mind of hers when she saw a tiny smile from the man standing waiting patiently for her to recognize him.
Finally, it dawned on her. “I know you,” They both blurted it out the same time.
still working on the next chapter. I was trying to keep the story as close to the original but somehow it became an entirely new story lol.
