“Have a seat, Angel.” Angelo places two cans of drinks as he sits opposite me. He opens a can of a bottle and hands it to me.
“Thank you.”
“What do you want to talk about? Does it concern your mom or Margarette?”
I heave a sigh after sipping a drink. “It’s mom. One of her doctors talked to me during mom’s third chemotherapy session.”
“Well, is there any progress in your mom’s condition?” Angelo asks happily.
I nod no. Angelo’s facial expression dulls upon seeing my response.
“What are our options? Did the doctor tell you of some therapy besides Chemo? What are the things the doctor discusses with you?” Angelo asks too many questions as he seems puzzled about mom’s condition.
“Dr. Wang told me, cancer has spread in mom’s body and it’s too late to save her.” My voice is brittle as I say it. “It wasn’t the kind of news I expected to hear yesterday. The first chemo was good, mom regained her strength after a few days but not the second and the third chemotherapy.”
“Oh, God. Angel, this is the best hospital and the best team of lung cancer specialists. They are the team of specialists recommended by my Singaporean friend.”
Angelo combs his hair, desperately. “We must do something. Probably consult different doctors. Angel, what do you think?”
“If that’s what you think would be good for mom, let’s do it.”
“Of course, we will. I will talk to some of my friends here and arrange it as soon as possible. We don’t have much time.”
“Thank you, it gives me hope to continue fighting.”
“We will get through this together. I think we should talk to your mom about this. She has the right to know, we cannot keep this from her.”
“That’s what the doctor told me but I don’t have any idea how to say it to mom. I can’t…” I said as I broke into tears.
Angelo is so fast to come beside me and comfort me. “I’m here, sweetheart, you’re not alone. I know this is hard for you but we will get through this together, okay?” Angelo holds my hand as he says it. He gets a handkerchief from his pocket and wipes my tears.
“For so many years I wasn’t able to do this for you and your mom. Let me do this now. Let me help you lessen your burdens. I’m staying here with you and your mom no matter what happens.”
“You can’t. You have companies to run, that’s your responsibility. We don’t want to be the reason for your unproductiveness. That’s one of the reasons Margarette hates us and came to warn us.”
“Don’t worry about Margarette, I explained everything to her as well as our children. I have responsibilities to you as your father. Margarette might be hard to deal with sometimes but our kids are easier. They understood you needed me.”
I wipe my tears and compose myself. “Wow, that’s amazing. I didn’t think they’ll understand and I didn’t know I had siblings.”
“You have. One day soon, you’ll meet them. The girl is 10 and the boy is 6. They are as lovely as you are.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait to see them in person.”
Angelo opens his phone, scanning his photos. He stops and shows it to me. On the screen is a beautiful girl, and a handsome little boy. They have fair skin, and both look like Angelo.
“Jamaica looks like you, pretty girl. Jordan looked like me when I was a kid.”
“I think they both look like you as well; beautiful and handsome.”
"And that's because you look like me as well. If you were just a boy, we could have uncanny similarities. Isn't it lovely that all my children look a lot like me?"
"It's beautiful, I guess. You are so handsome." Looking straight at Angelo's eyes as I say it.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Remember, I love you just like I love Jamaica and Jordan," Angelo says as he tucked my hair.
"Thank you. Hmm... How about we go to mom's room and talk to her?" I divert the topic as the atmosphere between us is getting awkward.
"Let's go."
Thankfully mom is awake. She smiles the moment she sees us enter the room, making the crease in her face visible. Mom's skin is even saggy now after the third chemotherapy, she loses too much weight. Her eyes are still wrapped with dark circles and she still wears a turban in her head as she continues to lose more hair.
“Mom, are you good at talking right now? Dad and I have something important to discuss with you.” I ask, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Sure.” Mom adjusts herself in the bed so I help her and put a pillow in her head for her to feel comfortable sitting. “What is it Angel, Angelo?”
I reach for mom’s hands and gently squeeze them. “Mom Dr. Wang talked to me during your third chemotherapy session.” I start as I look at mom in the eyes.
“What did he say?” Mom asks in between coughing.
“Mom, here’s your water.” I help mom take her water. She only sips a little and then she gestures for me to stop.
“I’m fine. Continue, Angel.”
I look at Angelo sideways before I answer. “Dr. Wang told me that your cancer has spread...”
“Athena, you don’t have to worry that much. We will talk to other doctors and ask for a second opinion. I will arrange it later and schedule an appointment tomorrow.” Angelo assures mom as he cut me to what I was about to say.
“Do we have to do that, Angelo, Angel?” Mom asks.
It's no surprise for her to hear the news; like she accepted her fate. It pains me thinking mom has accepted that she would eventually leave me alone.
Angelo walks over and reaches for mom’s hands. “Athena, trust me, there is hope. We will just talk to new doctors and ask for another option. Angel and I are here for you. You have to be strong. I’m staying with you and Angel. I’ll come to your check-up tomorrow.”
“Angelo, you can’t stay here for a long time with us. You have responsibilities in your businesses and your family.”
“I have decided and I know it’s the right decision. There’s nothing to worry about; I can take care of my business and communicate with my family while staying here in Singapore. So, do you agree on seeing another doctor?”
Mom nods her head slowly. "If that's our option, let's do it."
"Mom, it's going to be okay. You're not alone." Mom squeezes my hand in response.
“Athena, Angel, I'll head to my room and fix my schedule with my secretary since I’ll be staying here for a couple of days. I'll also fix the schedule of our doctor's appointment tomorrow.”
Angelo kisses mom’s forehead and then he kisses my cheeks before he leaves.
Angelo, mom, and I, including Candace and Lucy, share the same dinner served by our private chef. We are done with our delectable and sumptuous dinner, I accompany mom to the balcony to see the city view. It helps mom relax a little. I'm happy to see mom smiling even for a few minutes as she enjoys the city lights at night.
Not until she asks to go to our room as she's not feeling better and she's tired already. She feels like vomiting. What happens next is something I didn't expect.
The chemo side effects are getting worse. Mom is having a hard time breathing, making it hard for her to sleep. Candace and Lucy stay in our room to help me take care of mom. Even Angelo never leaves. He holds mom's hand almost all throughout the night.
We end up not having sleep as mom's condition is getting worse. Almost 5 in the morning when mom relaxes a bit and eventually sleeps.