Saturday comes quick and Mark rides in a van, Al’s van to be specific. Roger’s hands are on the steering wheel, giving a visit to Mark’s only living family member.

  His Dad.

  “How are you feeling, Mark,” says Sam.

  Mark snaps from his thousand-yard stare and turns his attention to her.

  “Huh?”

  “She says, ‘how are you feeling?’, Mark,” says Justin who is beside him.

  “Oh… I’m fine,” Mark replies. He doesn’t say another word and looks down to his lap.

  Al clears his throat and says, “Mark…”

  “Yes, Sniper?” Mark attentively gazes at Al.

  “Call me, Al now. Or unc for short.”

  Mark gives a gentle chuckle with Al returning a smile.

  “The doctor called… He said that there are possible side effects of George’s body depending on how long his coma would be.”

  Mark attentively awaits what Al has to say.

  “He said that coma within days to few weeks would make George forget some and cannot move well for some time. Coma within weeks to months would increase risk of heart problems, increase the risk of brain damage, and can cause mental health issues due to the accident. And the last…”

  Al struggles to let the word out of his mouth and drops his eyes, unable to have the guts to say truth eye to eye. He rubs his hands, takes a breather, and readies to tell the truth about George’s possible future condition.

  “Your dad… If he is in a coma for months to years… He would forget you, Mark… He wouldn’t be able to move at all or say anything. He would be partially conscious for all his life or not at all while he’s awake.”

  Al lifts his gaze towards Mark and sees tears gushing forth from his eyes.

  Cesar, who is also beside him, puts his arm over his shoulders and gives him a comforting shake.

  “It’s ok, Mark. We’ll hope to God that he’ll be alright. He’ll make a way for you in every way. Just keep on holding on to Jesus, man. He will not leave you nor forsake you, same goes to your father, man. God will do it, I’m sure. Just keep on holding on to him.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Just then and there, Mark drops his head on his hands and sobs horribly.

  “God loves you, Mark,” Cesar continues. “If you feel like giving up and letting go from him, He will not give you up and He will not let you go. He loves you, Mark. He will get you through this, I promise.”

  Mark’s sobs continue horribly as if he’s barely hanging on to himself. As if any day now, he’s gonna lose himself from sheer grief.

  Justin also puts his arm over Mark and says, “You’ll get through this, bud. I know what you feel, I’ve been through this. It may be very difficult for you now but I promise you that God will get you through these trials. God will comfort you and give you peace, bud. He will make a way for you.”

  Mark’s agonizing bellows and groans fill the van. Nobody says another word anymore.

  They finally arrive at the hospital and Mark is the only one allowed in the ICU.

  Mark looks at his dad, motionless…

  He looks at the tube through his father’s mouth and the needle inserted into his hand.

  Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

  He sits on a chair beside his dad and holds his hand. He gently squeezes the hand that has taken care of him ever since he was a wee child. His lips quiver and his eyes water while staring at the unconscious man who cheered him on while he was down.

  “Dad… Wake up, please.”

  George lies motionless while breathing through the tube by himself.

  “I love you, dad. I love you, don’t you know that? I thank you for encouraging me when I was down, for giving me advice, for cooking me food. I thank you for everything, dad.”

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Tears finally find their way down Mark’s face.

  “Dad, if you can hear me, I love you. I’ll never leave your side, dad, no matter what. God will find a way for you to be well. God is with you, dad, I know that much. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Just hold on in there, ok?”

  He sniffles and wipes his tears.

  “Ahh. Sorry for crying, dad. Hehe. I know you’ll get well soon. I know God will make a way, dad.”

  Mark squeezes George’s hand once again, “Just hold on, dad. I’m always by your side.”

  A door opens in the ICU and in goes the doctor towards Mark. Mark looks at him as he expects him to say something about his father’s condition.

  “What’s the update of my father, doc?”

  The doctor nods, “Your father is in a stable condition, we just have to run a few tests and we’re transferring him to a private room. Maybe a few days from now and we’re transferring him.”

  “A private room, doc? I don’t know if I can afford it.”

  “Don’t worry. Mr. Macapobre insisted on transferring him to a private room since he will be covering the cost.”

  “Oh…”

  “You’ve got a great man helping you, Mr. Mercado. Mr. Macapobre is trying to save your father as best as he can.”

  Mark stares at his dad, “When can he wake up, doc?”

  “Your father sustained a severe injury in his brain. The vehicular accident gravely injured him so much so that we had to operate on him quickly. We found a hematoma in his brain; that is, a blood clot building up. We removed the blood clot and relieved the swelling; afterwards, we also stopped the bleeding. Thankfully, we didn’t have to cut some of the tissue.”

  “What do you mean, you didn’t cut the tissue, doc?”

  “Oh. Pardon me. It means we didn’t have to sever parts of his brain.”

  “Oh…”

  “It will be more likely weeks to months when he will wake up. But the longer he stays this way, there’s less chance that he will ever be the same. Only a miracle can make that happen.”