Life Had Just Become Hectic

The reality hit hard when Aiden went to pay for the emergency treatment and hospitalization fee for the first time the next morning. 

He had the money, of course, but the single payment was enough to cause a dent in his pocket.

Aiden was so preoccupied with the sum of money that he just paid that he almost didn't hear what the nurse asked him.

"Mr. Thompson, have you decided to go through with the biopsy?"

"Hm? Yes." Aiden answered absent-mindedly. His eyes were still glued to the string of numbers on the receipt. 

The receptionist pushed another sheet of paper toward Aiden. It contained details of payment for the biopsy.

When Aiden saw the amount of money he had to pay,  the young man started to get dizzy. 

"Um, must I pay for it now?"

The nurse nodded.

"I... I don't have enough money with me."

The young man lowered his head in shame.

The nurse's heart softened when she saw the young man in front of her.

It would be such a hassle to go back home for some money and return to the hospital to pay.

"You know what? I will schedule the biopsy for now. Please pay on the day of the biopsy."

"Yes, thank you very much," Aiden replied full of gratitude.

The young man stumbled out of the hospital into the bright morning sun in a daze. He could barely believe it. He had just spent enough money to pay for their daily expenses for six months.

His grandmother was right. They could not afford the costly treatment. 

The government sponsored an occupational health insurance program that covered all medical expenses of a full-time worker and registered family members one hundred percent.

The problem was that none of them was part of the workforce, so they were not able to enjoy the benefits. Without insurance, even a small treatment at a hospital was sure to burn a hole in anyone's pocket.

Aiden could barely focus on his lectures for the next three days.

Between lectures, he was busy browsing for available job advertisements.

He no longer had the luxury to handpick the jobs. Forget about exclusively working at the university. At that point, any job that could pay for his grandmother's medical fees was worth considering.

Thankfully, Aiden did not have the habit of eating at the university canteen.

The food was exquisite, and so was the price.

There was an old white oak tree on campus that recently became Aiden's favorite place to eat lunch. James happened to see him sitting alone during lunch break and decided to join him for lunch.

"Hey, man. How is it going?"

James gave Aiden's upper arm a light punch.

"Oh, James."

Aiden was holding his tuna and egg sandwich in his hands in a daze without taking even a single bite. James put down his bag on the grass and eyed Aiden from top to bottom.

"What's wrong? You look so... lost."

James' family was pretty much the same as Aiden's. Both of their families were not covered by health insurance. Aiden thus shared the bad news regarding his grandmother.

"Oh, no..." James replied full of concern. "What are you going to do?"

Aiden looked down at his sandwich and pressed his lips together. He did not have any miraculous solution for his problem. All he could do was press ahead with his plans from the beginning.

"I need a part-time job. I have been searching for a while now, and I attended some interviews too. Hopefully, I'll get one soon."

James nodded a few times in apprehension. 

"I see. Listen, man. Keep me updated, alright? If ever you need any help, I am just one call away."

Aiden smiled and patted James on the upper arm a few times.

"I will. Thanks, James. Well then, my friend, I have to get going. I have another interview in thirty minutes."

James watched as Aiden wrapped the untouched tuna and egg sandwich back into its brown paper wrapping and stuffed it back into his satchel. He most likely did not have any appetite in anticipation of the upcoming job interview.

"Bye, James," Aiden said.

He slung his satchel over his shoulder and rose to his feet.

"Bye, Aiden."

Aiden turned around and waved at James.

James grabbed at his left lower arm thoughtfully as he gazed at Aiden's retreating back. Under the long-sleeved shirt that he wore day in and day out lay a secret that he had been hiding from everyone.