Chapter six : The promise 2

Kevin's POV

"What!" I screamed as the doctor broke the news to me. It sounded like a ticking time bomb to my ears. The whole scenario felt like a bad dream to me. I just wanted to wake up from it.

"It can't be true doctor. Can you please diagnose her again?" Shawn pleaded with him, shaking with fear and disbelief.

I took a look at Purple who sat in a corner, holding her knees to herself as she wept.

The doctor placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. "That is the truth about her health situation Kevin. That's the truth."

"A stage 3 heart cancer?" I said like a maniac.

"What of the chairman?" The doctor asked, referring to my dad.

"He went on a trip with my mum. I have called them and they will be back to Los Angeles any moment from now." Shawn responded.

The doctor nodded and signaled to me. "Let's talk in my office Kevin." He said and led the way.

"Kevin, like I said earlier, your grandma has a stage 3 heart cancer." The doctor told me when we got to his office.

I became confused. "But how doctor? How did this get to the third stage? The last time you diagnosed her of cancer, we made sure she regularly came here for her medical check-up and she never missed her medications. We made sure of that so how? How did this happen?"

"Kevin, heart cancer is not a disease that can be easily treated. Granny is in her early eighties. Her immune system has grown weak with age to fight against this disease."

I slowly nodded. "Tell me doctor, tell me all about this disease. What do I need to know? What do I need to do? Can it be treated? She won't die right?"

"Kevin, it was diagnosed by echocardiogram, a cardial ultrasound. We also had to use further non-invasive imaging with computed tomography for a more accurate diagnosis.

Heart cancer results from a heart tumor like angiosarcoma which spreads to the heart. It occurs when diseased cells grow out of control near the heart. These cells form a tumor and causes heart failure, pericarditis and arrhythmias. Granny's case is very rare. The best solution in this case is chemotherapy." The doctor explained.

I opened my eyes wide in shock. "Chemotherapy?"

"Yes Kev. We need to operate on her as soon as possible in order to prevent it from reaching the fourth stage." He revealed.

I held the doctor's hands in sullenly. "Doctor Mark, you have been the family doctor over the years. Please do everything possible to make sure that Granny survives. You know how much she means to the family. We can't lose her." 

Doctor Mark patted my shoulder comfortingly, "We will do our best Kevin."

"What are the chances of her surviving this surgery?" I wanted to know.

"To be honest with you Kevin, the chances of survival is 60 percent. She might last longer for few more years. Let's be positive."

I bit my lips in pains. "It is okay doctor. We will discuss it with my parents when they arrive but for now, how is she doing? Can I see her now?"

The doctor packed a few documents into a portfolio and looked at me. "She is awake but you can see her for just four to five minutes as her body is still very weak. You are the only one that will be permitted to see her for today. No other person will be allowed to see her." He told me as he signaled to me to follow him.

I met Purple and Shawn right in front of the doctor's office. They were obviously eavesdropping on my conversation with the doctor. They looked at me with questioning gazes. 

I placed a hand each on their shoulders. "Guys, we will talk when I get home. I need to see her now." I felt a jab of pain in my heart as I looked at their gloomy expressions. I pulled them closer to myself and hugged them.

"It is going to be fine guys. She will come back to us. We need to be positive and wish for her safe recovery. This is the time she needs us most." I disengaged and spoke to Shawn. "Take Purple home and make sure she is fine. Hmm? I will soon be home." 

Shawn nodded and help Purple's hands as they walked out of the hospital, escorted by their bodyguards.

"Let's go doctor" I said to Doctor Mark.

The hospital room smelt of disinfectant and medicine. It was an exclusive ward so there was no other patient in the room. It was specifically designed for a person. There were two nurses in the room, tending to her.

"Granny" I called in a low tone as I ran to her. She was lying down.

Drips were connected to her body and I would never forget the look of pain and death on her face.

"Son" She called out in a very feeble voice and held my hands.

"Grandma" I responded, my voice almost breaking down. "You will be fine granny. You will get surgery and you will be fine. You will no more be in pains."

"No son." She slowly shook her head. "I will not give my consent to be operated on."

"But Granny, you can't...."

"Listen son, I have lived a fulfilling life. I need to rest. My soul needs that eternal peace. My time is so short. I will not spend the rest of my life on this bed with drips connected to my life and feasting daily on drugs. I only have a wish son. Before I take my last breathe, I need to see your woman. You are not getting any younger."

"My woman?" I asked, confusedly.

"If I die before you get married, at least I deserve to see your fiance."

"But Granny, I don't even have a girlfriend." I protested.

"It's my last wish son. I have watched you grow with so much love and affection radiating from you. You deserve a wonderful woman, an amazing woman who is just like your mother. Before my eyes close in death, I want to see her. I want to die surrounded by my loved ones." Grandma said with a tone of finality.

"But grandma..."

"Promise me son, that you will make me happy, even in death." She tightened her hold on my hands.

At that point, I knew that she wasn't joking with her words. I needed to make her happy.

"Promise me"

"I promise you granny. I promise that I will bring her to you soon."

She smiled and patted my head with affection. "Thank you son."

I looked at her and smiled wryly, wondering how I was going to fulfill my promise to her. Little did I know that my promise to her would forever change the course of my life.