13 A + tic

"Oh, you're awake, Miss Jameson." Doctor Armando was still standing in the doorway. Like awkward because of what he saw. Meanwhile Doctor Karl inched to his feet and was now standing right beside the bed.

Doctor Armando finally stepped in after making sure everything was safe. Doctor Karl had already walked away, letting his colleague do the work. This time he only checked the blood that was still two-thirds of the bag, then put the stethoscope to my chest. Asked me to lie on my side and examine the biopsy scars which still hurt a bit.

"Does this still hurt?" asked Doctor Armando, while gently pressing the side of the biopsy site.

"A little."

He then let me lie down comfortably. He had finished his work and was about to leave, but then turned around briefly with an unusual expression on his face.

"Doctor Karl, can you meet me in my room?"

Doctor Karl nodded then looked at me for a while, then followed Doctor Armando's footsteps and disappeared behind the closed door.

While I, after they left, I forced myself to close my eyes. This time I wanted to be closed from sleep, not fainted. I don't want to die. I want to live longer.

***

A nurse removed the transfusion tube from my hand. Without waking me up, she finished her work and then left. I was sober enough and feeling better, then took out my phone and scrolled through the rectangular screen again. This time there is no harm in contacting Clara. Moreover, I haven't read the chat messages at all. It's a shame if you let her worry about waiting to hear from me.

"Jenna? Where have you been?" Clara's shrill voice greeted me shortly after the waiting tone. She sounded very annoyed.

"You've been missing for days, you know?! What's wrong with you?"

I sighed weakly. I hope my voice gets there so she doesn't have to nag anymore, just let me explain everything.

"Jenna? Where are you now? I'm worried," she insisted, impatiently.

"I'm sick, Clara."

That's all I can explain. Others, I don't know ... I'm not in the mood to talk much. Unless she's here with me.

Click! Tut... Tut... Tut...

Turned off.

But not long after, a video call came in, from Clara. Without hesitation I received a video call from her before she got annoyed again.

"Hey ...," I greeted as her beautiful face appeared on the screen.

"OH MY GOD!" She was seen covering her mouth with her hand. "Y-you ... what happened to you, Jenna?"

Her face looked worried. I forced a smile to calm her down and no longer worry about my condition. But it seems in vain.

"Where are you now? I'll be there."

"Weston City General Hospital. Drive carefully, and don't speed!" I screamed, before she quickly ended the call. I already know the character of the girl. After knowing how I was, she would definitely come looking for me. And sure enough.

No problem. At least I don't feel alone, because Clara will accompany me. And Doctor Karl's problem, I don't know. I don't want to know what he and Doctor Armando are talking about. However, from his demeanor and facial expression, Doctor Armando looked displeased. Was it because he saw Doctor Karl hugging me?

Never mind ... Let them solve their problems both.

***

Clara burst out when she arrived at the doorway and saw my slumped state. Honestly, I was looking forward to Clara's arrival, but I didn't show her. I don't want to show my weak side to her. She has always known that Jenna Jameson—her best friend, is a tough woman. Although now in the end just being tough is not enough. I lay helpless now.

"Oh my God, my dear, look at you. You are so pale." Clara wiped the tears that welled up in her eyes. She gripped my hand tightly. "Why didn't you say anything? I was so worried!"

"I didn't expect it to be like this, Clara. Nobody expected it."

She glanced around and looked around, not really listening to what I was saying.

"Who are you looking for? If you look for a man here, there's no one. I'm really sick and I don't have time to make love to any man. I don't have the energy."

"That's not it ... where is that handsome Doctor?" Clara asked, either out of curiosity or with some purpose.

"Why do you ask about it?"

The girl just shrugged. And before long, the one she had been waiting for, appeared as well. Doctor Karl with a relaxed appearance—a T-shirt with a blazer, came into my room. His hand holds a paper bag. He stopped when he saw who was accompanying me.

"Oh, you're not alone. I can come back later then." The man was about to turn around, but I held him back.

"Doctor Karl, wait! It's okay, this is my best friend, Clara. She's also in your class, the smartest student."

The man finally turned around, placing the package on the nightstand. "I brought you pretzels. I pity you just eating boring hospital menus for few days ."

"You see, don't you, Clara? I'm not alone. Doctor Karl has been with me from the start. I'm fine."

"Thank God." Clara slammed her body and hugged me. "I'm still worried, though."

The man felt awkward seeing my closeness to Clara. Maybe he had the same thoughts as some who thought we were a same-sex couple. Not at all though. Clara and I still have a passion for men. Believe me.

"Oh, sorry. You must be feeling awkward. Have a seat, Doc. I'm going to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. This girl woke me up and ran over here. I haven't touched coffee yet." Clara put on her sling bag, kissed my cheek, then walked towards the door. Before closing it, she turned around.

"I'll be right back, please take care of her." The girl disappeared behind the door.

Doctor Karl sat in the chair that had been beside the bed. His eyes stared deep into mine meaningfully. He took a deep breath before starting the conversation.

"How is your condition?"

"As you can see. Fine but ... I don't know. Sometimes I feel better, but in the next minute it goes down again. What's the matter with me?"

"We'll find out in a moment. I've been to Doctor Armando's room before coming here, the test results are already on his desk. But, he's still busy. We'll just have to wait."

I looked down, fiddling with my knuckle. "I can't wait."

Doctor Karl took my finger and gripped it gently. It gave off a strange tingle in my heart. However, it wasn't long before there was a knock on the door followed by the appearance of Doctor Armando. This time he was not accompanied by a nurse as usual.

"Are you ready to hear the results of your biopsy?" the man asked. I nodded. The man scrolled through the tablet screen in his hand, muttering like he was casting a spell. I tried to wait patiently, but the more I tried, the more my heart started beating wildly.

"Not the outcome we expected, but not the worst either. You have severe aplastic anemia."

What? What did he just say? What anemia? I've never even heard that name in my entire life.

"A-am I going to—"

He again scrolled through the screen of something as big as a cutting board in his hand. My eyes turned to Doctor Karl who was standing beside me. The look on his face is now like a convict who received a death sentence. Pale. Isn't it me who is sick and probably going to die here? Why is he the one who looks upset?

"It's risky, but we can prevent it. We will provide the right treatment to improve the quality of your red blood cells, as well as improve your immune system and fight infection."

I just nodded hearing Doctor Armando's explanation. Don't blame me, even if I'm in good health, I need time to really understand the material given by the Lecturer, even more so in my current condition.

"What did you say?" Clara suddenly appeared in the doorway with a cup of coffee in her hand. "Didn't you misdiagnose, Doc?"

"Clara ...." I tried to stop her from talking and just listen to Doctor Armando's explanation, but to no avail.

"No, Jenna, don't tell me to shut up. You should shut up and listen to me." Her eyes turned to Doctor Armando who was still standing quietly. Waiting for what the girl who is currently angry will say.

"You said aplastic anemia? Did you get the diagnosis right? Investigations, marrow aspiration—"

"Clara, Clara ... hold your temper. He's a hematologist, he can't be wrong!" I screamed, trying to keep the girl quiet. Her mouth opened, and closed again. As if she wanted to say something but was held back. Her chest looks up and down. She took a few steps back, looking for a support then her body sag after leaning against the wall.

Her gaze was blank. The most painful thing I've ever seen compared to hearing the verdict from Doctor Armando just now. I reached out towards Clara who was still on the floor and quite a distance from me. Hoping she would come and hug me like usual.

"Clara ...," I called softly. She looked at me for a moment then got up and left the room. There was nothing I could do but watch her leave. She will definitely come back, if not, at least she will try to always be there when I need her. That's all I believe.

***