Chapter 3

Her heart stopped to ststopped. For about ten seconds. The ticking bomb exploded in such a way that she didn't realise she sat there gaping at him... like the proverbial freight train. It was fascinating, like a plane crash.

Brain tumor. She didn't know deeply about it but she's heard it was a deadly ailment.

"Hey, don't beat yourself about that", doctor Seth said in a jittery voice. "We're not exactly sure. We've got the doctors working on another brain scan just to confirm. I hope the tests are negative".

His words were inadequate to pacify Diamond. Had he known this whole time, even before he woke her up or when he showed up later in the ER?

"Diamond you haven't said anything. Are you okay? "He leaned forward.

After letting out a long breath, she met his gaze. "I really don't know what to say" she crooked. She didn't want to cry... she never did. The sudden news had scared her vocal chords away.

There was a guilty look in Dr Seth expression. "I'm so sorry to bring it to you like this. I'll be more selfish if I didn't tell you right away. I'm just honestly concerned... did your mother ever visit any Doctor?"

"No... I guess. I mean, were too poor to even consult a doctor". She mumbled "But doctor Seth how long has this been?"

"The tumor is three months old".

Oh. "Doctor, do you think I'm a bad person? " She looked into his eyes.

"Not at all, why do you think that? "His face was ashen. A thick fog enveloped her heart.

"How come I never noticed?"

"It's not your fault really. The tumor is just three months and the signs and not visible enough for a girl of your age who knows nothing about medicine"

"Doctor Seth was kind, she managed to think, trying to make her feel better. "And if it exceeds?"

A shady look flickered in his eyes. "Don't even thing about that. First thing is to get the confirmatory result before we conclude anything".

Diamond looked down at her sweaty palms.

Just then the door cracked open, a tall, thin, perky nurse entered into the room, holding a big brown envelop.

Diamond and the doctor exchanged a knowing look then looked at the woman and waited for what she had to say.

"The confirmatory tests are in here". She handed it over to him. He held on to it while Diamond felt like her heart had taken a dive in the ocean.

"How many?"

"Exactly two".

He nodded and thinned his lips. "Gracias".

When the nurse had left, He cleared his throat. He checked the envelop and read the tests.

He shook his head. "I'm sorry".

Diamond thinned her lips. She was numb. Then she threw her head up and exhaled.

He was silent. He waited for her to say the first word.

"I should go and see her".

He nodded.

Back in the ER, another nurse was attending to Freda. It was just a matter of twenty minutes and Freda looked much worse.

Diamond stood at the corner with crossed arms and did not say anything.

"Oh no, she's unconscious again" The nurse looked over at Dr Seth.

He sprang into action. He looked at the heart monitor then he put a hand on Freda's chest and applied a gentle but firm pressure, rousing her back to consciousness. He looked back to the heart monitor but her vital signs were not improving.

"This is getting out of hand. We need to admit her to a room now". He told the nurse after pushing at her chest one more time. The nurse nodded and tugged at the end of the gurney.

No one considered Diamond anymore, she felt invisible as they wheeled her mother past her.

Could this day get any worse?

Diamond had to consider staying with Freda in the hospital and missing the only thing that stood in her way to further her education... her exam, as she stood by the food stand outside the hospital. She didn't like the food options in the hospital cafeteria.

All her life, since she was ten she had aspired to be a lawyer and bring Justice to the world. She wanted to make her mother proud. Her mother had that same dream too but it was shuttered because of her father. Back when her abuela was alive she used to tell her stories about the family. Her mother was from an average family. Her abuelo had money and so did her abuela. Her own mother was the second child. Aunt was the first and Aunt Baylee was the last. Somehow the family separated when Freda married Bob and Freda was foolish enough to give her husband all the money she had in the name of love. He began to mistreat her and cheat on her. It was obvious he never loved Freda or Diamond. He was just after the money... no one told her the full story.

Diamond continued to ponder on these thoughts even after she handed the last cash she had to the woman and collected the tamales. She sat down in one of the hospital's cafeteria bend and gobbled up the whole tamales. Even after eating it she wasn't satisfied. Time was running out of grasp and she was far away from making a decision.

She hadn't even had a time for herself or personal hygiene. She caught a reflection of herself on the receptionist counter and instantly regretted it. Her hair was not combed and she had bags under her eyes. She had not brush her teeth and or had a bath and it was past eight.

Realisation dawned on her. Oh God, her exam was by ten!

She knew at this point that there was no other option. She was going to take the exam.

She searched every nook and cranny of the hospital for doctor Seth but he was out of sight. She knew people began to say she was crazy, going about asking people if they knew where he was. He was the only person she could tell about her plan. She decided to check the room where her mom was admitted but he was not there either.

Wasn't he supposed to be here? She looked at her mother whose eyes were shut "I'm sorry but I have to go. I'll be back before you know it". Then she pressed her hand and left.

[ OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL IN THE PARKING LOT]

The car refused to start.

She cursed under her breath. Why was God punishing her this month. Her skin began to burn and sweat because of the sun. She tried the car but it didnt didn't budge.

"Damn it!" she slammed the door and pulled out her hair and frustration. She wanted to scream. Where was she going to start from. The hospital was miles away and if she spent another moment here she'll lose her sanity for good.

She thought of entering a cab but when she dipped her hand in her pants pocket, she remembered she spent her last cash on food. She looked around, maybe she could ask someone for a help. Everyone seemed busy. She saw a woman entering into a car. She ran off to her, panting "Please Senorita, can you help me? I need to get to San Andres High School for an important exam. I have no money".

The woman was dressed in expensive clothes. She gave Diamond a contemptuous look.

"And how exactly do you want me to help you?" She looked down at Diamond disgustedly.

Diamond felt so ashamed and embarrassed, she knew she was very needy and she had to let her guard down. She got on her knees, clasped her hands together and gave her pleading eyes. She couldn't believe she was going to say this. "I know you're very busy... but, please, can you burrow me some money?"

The woman snickered. "Borrow or lend?"

Diamond breathed "Lend".

"Well I can't do that. I don't know you". She said an entered into her car. Diamond was embarrassed alright but she was also desperate. She grabbed the woman's leg. She was wearing an expensive shoe.

Thewoman's eyes widened in horror.

"Get your filthy hands off me, you wretch!" She shrieked bur Diamond didn't let go, she tugged harder. "Please I'm begging you. I know you can help me her eyes became moist.

She had already attracted a scene. As many people stood by to watch. It was fascinating, just like a movie but none of them knew what Diamond was passing through. Not even the man who had been in his car, in the corner, watching the same movie.

The woman inside the car gave Diamond a grave stare. She stop clearly looked put out by the nerve of this girl.

"Somebody help! help me!! " The woman screamed alarmingly.

Some men ran towards them and two hefty men grabbed Diamond.

Diamond looked up and shot them a glare. "Get your hands off me! leave me! I only want to write my exam".

They didn't listen, they lifted her up effortlessly and she began to kick her foot in the air yelling at them.

The woman drove off in a speed of light. Diamond stared back at the retreating machine and she knew she had lost her mind for real.

"Put me down you smelly bastards!" She barked furiously.

They did and left. The crowd of people that were watching her go crazy and left too. She was left in the parking lot and was going to miss her exam. Her life is going to be ruined forever.

After some minutes on the ground she got up. She didn't care if she looked retarded, the point was the shame she was going to face for the rest of her life after today. She was going to end like her mother... worse than her.

She crossed to the other side of the road and continued walking straight ahead. She didn't know what to do again other than to walk. She knew it wasn't possible because she was tired. And even if she wasn't, there was no time.

A car pulled up by her side. She instinctively looked to her right and saw the car stopped where she was walking. The car was tinted so she couldn't see who was inside it, but she knew the person stopped for her. She desperately stood by the door and suddenly the window was lowered down. In the driver's seat sat an elegant man. He looked like he was in his late thirties there was something definitely bizarre about him. Did it have to do with the fact that he wore sunglases inside a car or because she had never seen him before. His hair was black and was combed and gelled to the back and he was on a black suit. Literally everything about him was black. Diamond wanted to retreat but her desperation got the best of her "Who are you?" She asked shakily even though she tried to put on a pretentious dignity. He took off his shades to reveal a pair of dark predatory eyes and thick dark eyebrows that matched his features. He had a forbidding appearance that scared her a bit.

"I've been watching you. You look like you need a lift". His voice was chilly and even under the scorching sun, she felt goosebumps. Well that was really succinct, feeling even more creeped out she. He grinned. "Don't worry about my appearance or countenance, that's just how I choose to be. Really, I don't bite.

Maybe he was trying to make a joke and convince her at the same time but it didn't even matter, she really needed a lift.

"I'm late for an important exam and I'm pretty deserted".

He arched a brow. "An exam"

"Yes. It's a scholarship exam at Saint Andres High School" She was getting impatient and more worried. Was he helping her or not?

"Oh, okay. I'll give you a lift" He said in a kind voice and smile. The smile didn't get to his eyes and Diamond missed that. She yanked the door open and got into his car, sinking into them soft leather chair. The car smelt luxurious.

He didn't even use a key to start the car.He just pressed one button and the machine came alive. All he had to do was place his hands on the steering. He locked the window and turned on the air conditioner knowing fully well that it would be a big relief for his sun-burnt prey."

The exam is taking place at San Andreas High School. Please could you drive a little bit faster?" she hoped she was not sounding too demanding.

"Sure. And what is your name, darling?"

Diamond did not give her name to strangers but now, she is accepting a lift from a totally strange man. What did she have to lose, after all, he have saved her butt.

"I'm Diamond".

"Diamond". He said her name as if it were foreign. It tasted sweet in his mouth. He nodded.

"I'm so grateful for this. I wish there was a way I could repay you".

The corner of his lips curled up as he glanced at the tired girl. He definitely knew one way she could repay him but it would be better if she didn't know at all. Or just yet. "Ah, don't stress yourself".

Suddenly she gave him a sceptical look. How could he know her name and she doesn't know his.

"What is your name sir?" She asked politely.

He was still focused on his driving, looking straight.

"You can call me Hawk".