45| The Struggle Within

It was about 7 in the evening. After taking a brief nap in his house, Travis reached the hospital again. Inside his Dad's room, he found that his mother was taking a nap as well. Both of them had been awake since last night and it was only reasonable to take a break from this stress.

Without bothering to wake her up, he went to his father's bed and stared at him briefly. Underneath his rough exterior, he was still the same man who loved his family before an accident changed him seven years ago, the man who provided Travis with everything he wanted, the man who always made his mother smile with his remarks. Even in all those years, Travis couldn't hate him for his aloofness because he knew he was suffering too, maybe more than him.

"Wake up, Dad." Travis said and ran his fingers along his forehead. "Please."

When he didn't move, his lower lip trembled and he left the room before he could burst into tears at his father's condition. He went straight to the cafeteria and bought a cup of coffee. The first sip refreshed him and he sat down in a corner, watching the doctors, patients, nurses and other people pass by.

All he wanted was some normalcy in his life, to be like other students in his class. He was tired of always being the mature one, the one who has to worry about handling his father, making dinner, working for money and be responsible. At his age, other guys were busy doing drugs and making out with girls but he always had bigger things to worry about. Some days, he just wants to get out of this whirlpool of troubles and run away, as far as possible but he couldn't, because of his mother.

After finishing his coffee, he made his way back to the room and when he reached there, he found his mother standing outside. Rushing towards her, he looked inside the room where a group of doctors were gathered around his father's bed.

"What happened?" He asked, looking at his Mom's worried face.

"He woke up, gasping." Rose replied, leaning against Travis to support her trembling body.

Travis hugged his mother back and looked inside, his stomach became a nervous mess with worry. He tried to analyze the situation of inside but he couldn't figure out what was happening.

After a while, a doctor came outside. "Mrs. Anderson, your husband is now awake. You both can see him." He said and they both let out the breath they were holding.

Travis rushed inside, followed by his mother and the doctor and nurses one by one left. Travis kept staring at his father who had his usual blank expression on his face.

"How do you feel, Duncan?" His Mom asked. Instead of replying, he just responded with a slight nod. Rose exchanged a glance with Travis and sighed in frustration.

Travis walked forwards and seated himself on the chair by his bed. "How did it happen, Dad? How did you fall from your wheelchair?"

He waited for him to say something but when he didn't, Travis balled his fist in anger. "Talk to us, dammit." He groaned.

"Travis," His mother reached him and patted his shoulder. "It's okay."

"No Mom, it's not okay. He could have died for God's sake." Travis snarled, looking at his father's face.

"But he didn't." Rose said.

"Maybe I should have." They both heard Duncan mumble under his breath.

••••••••••

Zoey made her way inside the hospital for the second time in the day. She had her fingers tightened around the bag that contained lunch boxes. Maya told her that his father was awake now so she wanted to congratulate Travis in person on the good news.

As she entered the room, her eyes first fell on the sleeping figure of Travis' Dad and then on Travis who was sitting on the bench.

"Hi." She reached him and sat down beside him. "Here, I brought food."

Travis' eyes settled on the bag and he sighed. "You didn't have to. Mario's mother had already sent so much in the lunch."

"It's been hours since lunch. You both need energy." She said and placed the bag on a side.

"Thanks." He passed her a smile. It was one of those rare moments when he wasn't using any sarcastic comment.

He looked better than morning but there were still bags under his eyes. The smell of hospital was masking his usual delicious scent and his hair was sticking to his forehead. She wished she could do something for him other than just bringing him food, something that will ease his tensions.

"I heard he woke up." She said.

"Hmm." He mumbled.

"You don't look so happy." Zoey pointed out.

"I am happy. I just..." He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. "I don't know."

She figured that maybe he wanted to be alone so she stood up to leave. But the minute she turned around, she heard a muffled whimper from him.

"Travis," she sat down beside him, her eyes focused on the tears rolling down his cheeks. She felt a muscle in her chest clench on his sight. "What happened? Why are you crying?" She asked in panic.

"Zoey," he opened his eyes and whispered slowly. "I don't know what to do. I am exhausted."

"He is fine now. You should be happy." Zoey moved forwards and rested her arm around his shoulder, letting him lean against her. He was tall and their position was uncomfortable but it didn't matter.

"The insurance doesn't cover everything." He said. "We... We might have to use my college fund for the hospital costs."

Hearing this, Zoey went silent for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. "You can't do that." She muttered under her breath. "You are like, the smartest person I know. You have to go to college."

"It doesn't matter." He replied.

"Of course it does. You don't deserve this. This is not fair to you." She said.

Travis pulled away from her and glared into her eyes. "That's life, Zoey. It's always unfair." He said.

She didn't know what to reply because she has never been in such situation before. Maybe she could ask her Dad to help him. But when was the last time she asked him for anything?

No, this was bigger than her ego. Travis deserved to go to college more than anyone else she knew and he couldn't use his college fund for the hospital dues. She has to do something for him.

With that thought in mind, she excused herself and made her way out of the room.

••••••••••

Ethan was silently watching Zachary play videogame on his playstation. Every now and then, he hopped out of the bed, did some pushups and jumped right back in the bed.

"I am bored." He chucked the pillow at Zachary's back.

"What do I do? Dance for you?" Zachary replied. "Let me play."

"Let's play basketball." He offered.

"I am not leaving this game anytime soon. You go and play." He replied and Ethan groaned.

But then, an idea flickered in his mind on seeing Zachary's mobile placed on the night stand. He subtly pulled out his mobile from his pocket and dialed his number, which resulted in ringing of Zachary's phone.

"Who is it?" Zachary asked, his eyes still on the game.

"Maya." Ethan replied, picking up his phone. "But I'll cut the call. The game is obviously more important."

Hearing this, Zachary leapt towards him and snatched the phone off his hands. But when his eyes fell on Ethan's number, he aimed a punch at his shoulder.

"Admit it. You are whipped." Ethan said.

"I am not whipped." Zachary groaned.

"What is it about her? Is she a good kisser?" Ethan lifted his eyebrows.

"She is just a friend." Zachary groaned again.

"And I am Rihanna." Ethan smirked, annoying Zachary even more.

But before he could do anything, his phone rang once again and this time, the screen showed Maya's number. Zachary gave Ethan a warning and then walked towards the door connecting his room to the balcony.

"Where are you going, man? Talk to her in front of me, unless you want to have phone sex." Ethan said.

"Fuck off." Zachary gave him the middle finger and closed the door of balcony behind him.

Few seconds after he left, the door to Zachary's room knocked and without waiting for any response, Althea barged in.

"Mute your game, Zachariah, unless you want to give me a heart attack with these gunshots." She screamed and when she noticed that it was Ethan instead of Zachary, her lips stopped moving. "Where is he?"

"In the balcony." Ethan replied while his gaze slowly travelled down her body clad in the fluffy bathrobe. Her hair was sprawled all over her shoulders and her face was free of any make-up.

"And what are you doing here at midnight? I thought you had a girlfriend now." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and asked.

"Is it a rule that I can't visit my friend once I get a girlfriend?" He asked.

"No. But I thought we will get rid of you once you get a girlfriend." She snarled back.

"Well, guess what princess, girlfriend or not, you are still stuck with me." He responded with a smirk.

"As if." She rolled her eyes and turned around to leave.

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