What Dreams Are Made Of: Episode 29

Episode_29

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Life moved on. Chrissy focussed only on her work and her family. Every now and then she would hear what was going on at Swaroski House through Linda but she didn’t go there herself.

There was enough to keep her occupied at her shop.

Then one day, she heard he was back. Just like that. The hotel was to be started very soon and many of the staff at the Regency Palace was being appointed at the new place to oversee the operations. Linda was one of them. She was super excited. Most of the times she was working from Swaroski House these days.

Sometimes meetings took place at Regency Palace as well but not once Chrissy glimpsed Nikloi. Even their paths didn’t seem to cross ever. At times she was

disappointed at missing out all the excitement involved in the launch of the new hotel. But she knew this was for the better.

Her shop kept her busy and whatever time was left, she spent with her family. Alice was about to complete her High school and would be going to college soon. She was busy with reading loads of brochures to help her decide her career choice, which course, which college, which place. Money was an important criteria to decide the choices but Chrissy wanted her to decide on her own.

She didn’t want her to limit her options. She had been saving since last year and was hopeful her work would continue to support all her sister’s dreams.

She also met the specialist recommended by the doctor at Bath along with her mother. Dr Keaton’s consultancy fees were very high but he was also quite famous in his field. He ran a couple of new tests on her mother.

After going through the reports, he confirmed her mother had a rare form of nervous system disorder. While she appeared normal most of the times but under stressful or other limiting circumstances, her neurological sensors weakened, thus breaking the communication network across the body.

The most critical one of such failures could lead to paralysis or worse stoppage of heart. Medicines could control further deterioration of the synapses but couldn’t cure it. Brain surgery was the only way it could be treated completely.

He told her that her mother was responding well to the medicines as of now but it was difficult to predict future with accuracy in such cases. It was possible that she may never have a complete breakdown, or it could happen any time.

Chrissy had tried to explain the same to her mother, but she had laughed it off saying that she didn’t need surgery. Dr Keaton had told Chrissy not to push her mother since it was important for the patient to be ready on her own or else it may have detrimental effects. But he had asked her to continue working with her such that her mother was ready sooner than later.

Alice was also concerned about her mother’s health. One day she told Chrissy that she was thinking of working with her friend’s family business because she wanted to contribute to the family. She was not sure if going for higher education was a

good idea but Chrissy told her she should not worry. Alice was very good at studies. She had special interest in Biotechnology. Chrissy really wanted Alice to go for further education and get a professional degree, unlike herself.

After much convincing Alice was able to accept that she’ll be in better position to support the family once she completes her formal education. She finally applied for admission in the University which was known for its program on Biotechnology. Since this was a specialized course, the admission fees, etc were exorbitantly high but her college was one of the most prestigious institutes for Biotechnology. It also meant that she had to move to a hostel since this was a residential program.

While her grades were good, Alice would know the results about her admission in two months’ time. But Chrissy was certain, her sister would definitely make the cut.

With so much happening around and so many new decisions to be taken, Chrissy had not had the time to think about anythi

ng else. And she was more than happy with this arrangement. She didn’t want to face or even think about what would happen when she would face him.

They had not met once since that disastrous trip. Did he remember it? Would he remember it when they eventually meet? She didn’t know what to expect. Right now, Nikloi was too busy with his dream. May be he had forgotten all about her. May be there was nothing to remember in the first place for him.

All she knew was that the only thing that mattered to her was her family and that is how she wanted to keep it. But the pain she experienced late at nights was something she couldn’t avoid. It was there to remind her of all that could have happened but didn’t because of her decision. She had accepted her life but she didn’t know what was in store for her in the future.

It was almost a semester after Alice had moved to her new college and hostel when Chrissy received the blow.

Alice had got the admission in the university. She had to start in three weeks. Chrissy and her mother had to ensure they got everything together in that time for Alice to move in her hostel. It had been pretty hectic three weeks.

While Chrissy had been saving for the college but it was only then she realized she had to pay the annual fees all at the same time. Also since it had been a residential program, there had been additional cost of hostel, etc. It had taken some time to get all her ducks in a row. But she could manage by the time Alice had to move out.More interesting stories for you @ generalloaded.com. While it was still London but it meant that Alice would be meeting her family only on the weekends and sometimes not even on the weekends because of high amount of practice work she had to complete in groups over the weekends.

Alice had become busy with the program and her new life. She did visit them but it had been limited to only two visits since she had left. Mrs. Smith had accepted the change very quickly. Chrissy was worried for her being lonelier since both the daughters were moving on with their lives but she was more than happy for her daughters. She told Chrissy not to worry and focus on her work.

So one night when Chrissy had returned home after work and found her mother unconscious in her room, she was really scared. Not knowing what to do and feeling utterly helpless finding her mother so sick, she had called Linda. Both the girls had rushed Mrs. Smith to the hospital.

Doctors had immediately taken her to the high dependency unit. Linda was holding Chrissy’s hands, telling her to be strong but Chrissy had a bad feeling. Life had thrown many tests her way but she still wasn’t strong enough to take this blow. All she wanted at that moment was to see her mother healthy and strong, smiling back at her.

She prayed to the Gods all night, waiting outside the HDU. Linda asked her to get some rest but she didn’t. It was almost morning when the doctors told her that her mother was stable but her condition had accelerated the disorder. They could no longer defer the surgery and she need to be operated at the earliest.

Chrissy was crestfallen. She couldn’t control the tears rolling down her cheeks. Even Dr Keaton had softened up the communication. He told her that surgery was a good thing for her mother and they would do their best to see her recover from it at the earliest. But the key was in moving along quickly. He had told Chrissy to think about it and finalize the formalities with the hospital.

Chrissy knew she had to do everything for her mother’s well-being. She had gone to the hospital office to get the formalities completed. That’s when she was informed that she needed to pay a significant amount as an advance for the surgery. Further procedures and bills and other expenses would run into almost double the initial payment.

Chrissy was really worried. She didn’t know what to do. Things had improved for them but she was still not having that ki

nd of financial strength. Also she had already invested a large amount of her savings in Alice’s education. What remained would not cover her mother’s immediate bills. She needed another source but none existed. She would have almost fallen off, had Linda not been with her. Linda could see her friend was in urgent need of money and wanted to help her but she herself could not arrange that kind of money.

Chrissy didn’t want Alice or her mother to be worried about the money, so she didn’t share the details with them. She told her mother that it was a small surgery and they should be home very soon. When she asked about the money, she lied saying that she had taken a medical cover for her mother which would take care of it.

Her mother had visibly relaxed after hearing about the cover and Chrissy knew that her lie was for the best. She informed Alice to come to the hospital for the surgery but again didn’t share too much details.

While Alice was with her mother, Linda took Chrissy outside.

Chrissy didn’t want to leave but after a lot of convincing, she came out. Linda told her she needed to make arrangements and she had thought of a way to solve her problems. Once outside, Linda had suggested the solution. “I know sweetie, it is a

big sum. But there is one man who can help you immediately. You should go and meet him.”

Chrissy’s hope were all awakened at her words but they died quickly as soon as she asked, “Whom?”

“Mr Swaroski. You should meet him. He can help you and I am sure he will help you”

Chrissy was not so sure. “Why would he help me?”

“He has the money. And you work with him. When you tell him your situation, he will understand and would want to help you. He is a good man”, Linda said.

Chrissy was not convinced.

“Listen, we are talking about your mother. You have to try everything you can to make this successful. Even if this doesn’t work out, you must try”, Linda continued em-pathetically.

Chrissy knew she was right. She had to try everything possible. Besides, what other option she had. She knew no one would have that kind of money. But would Nikloi Swaroski give her the money?

Why would he give it? Especially after what all had happened, she thought. His actions had also confirmed that he wanted nothing to do with her. But she had to swallow her pride and go begging for his help.

She cringed at the thought of it, but for her mother she would do it. She had to do it.

So she went in to Swaroski House to meet him. It was only when she was reaching the place, she realized, she hadn’t even called up to check if he was in. What if he was travelling? Or worse, if he was busy in meetings all day. She had heard he was extremely occupied with the imminent launch of his hotel. He was too particular about his time. What if he said no to meet her. She should have at least tried to block an appointment.

She groaned inwardly at all the possibilities but it was too late to do anything of that sort. She was already at Swaroski House. She went straight to the top floor to his office. No problems at the reception, now that she was working with them. So that part was taken care of but would he be there? Would he actually meet her

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