Chapter 43 - Chapter 42

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((( CLAIRE )))

The nurse from earlier emerged and handed me the clipboard she was holding,

"Please fill in the details. And the medicines in prescription I handed you is needed five hours from now."  

I scribbled fast and nodded. My mind has flown somewhere else and the remaining strength I have was slowly draining as the time passed by.  

Where in the world will I get that huge amount of money?  

Unknowingly, my feet took me again to the old chapel.

I let my tears flow freely and fell down my knees.  

"Claire…" a sweet voice said from behind me.

I knew it was Sister Ema. I turned to her and hugged her tightly.

"Whatever you're going through is carefully planned by the Lord. Don't give up and remain faithful to Him."

"Then…why is He making me suffer this much?"

"Shhh…I know something good is waiting for you behind all your troubles."

I walked back home still dazed at everything that was happening. But before I could reach the house, I caught Amy sneaking out. She walked away unaware of my presence that followed. She stopped at the end of the cul-de-sac and entered a dingy apartment to the rearmost room.

I followed.

It was quiet for a few minutes until some clamor erupted from inside.  

"I'm pregnant," she yelled and began to throw things there and there,

"What are we going to do with this?"

"What else?" the guy replied coolly ", Abort it."

I could no longer endure their conversation so I forcibly opened the door.  

"S-sis?" she stood wide-eyed before me.

I slapped her with all force I have and faced the useless bloke that impregnated her.

"You piece of shit! Can't you claim responsibility like a real man? If you can't, don't ever show your face before me or I'll make you miserable."

He was speechless.

"Go home!"

I grabbed Amy's hair in anger and dragged her out with me. She tried to struggle and her whimpers echoed in the night as we passed the neighborhood. She stood wordless, face down, when we reached our house.

"Don't ever try to abort that child," I said in ballistic vigor.  

"And who'll raise her? This kid will suffer in poverty like we do," she yelled in response.

"I want an abortion!"

She tried to leave once more but I was able to grab her by the arm. I slapped her repeatedly until my tears fell out of control,

"You're going to turn your back from a responsibility that you yourself did? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"I..I'm scared sis," she said lowly and cried harder than earlier,

"I don't know what to do."

I hugged her tight.

"I too doesn't have an idea but keep the child. I'm here so don't be scared. I'll stay by your side and help you…"

She tried to speak but I hushed her up. All the uncertainties she have will be cleared once she thought of it deeply. We remained in a cuddle while my mind leisured to the thought of Dexter's hospital and medication fees.  

I didn't tell anything about Dexter's condition to Amy and let her sleep for tonight with her own little concern. I went to Pa's room after and saw him in tears. I felt bad knowing he heard our argument and fervently hugged him.  

"Claryita…" he tried to speak despite the struggle of muscle paralysis.  

"Someday everything will be alright…"  

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