Back then, my mother never let me take any exams. The moment she noticed me preparing for one, she would do everything in her power to stop me and now, at over thirty years old, I didn’t even have a driver’s license.
However, we were in the middle of nowhere and of course, I couldn't get a taxi.
Who hadn’t been drinking? It was The Day of the Dead Festival, after all. Who did not drink but could drive?
It was Mateo!
Mateo had driven here in his brand-new car today, just to flaunt it in front of me. He wouldn’t have been able to resist showing off when I was at the house. This meant he definitely hadn’t been drinking.
I shoved my daughter into Tia’s arms and sprinted back into the dining room.
Mateo was currently cradling his girlfriend while pampering her like a spoiled child. When he saw me storm in, he barely spared me a glance before quickly looking away.
I knew he wouldn’t agree easily to help me, so I begged, "Mateo, can you please drive me to the hospital?"
He frowned. "Huh? Can’t you go yourself? I still have to take my girlfriend home later. Her family is very strict so I can’t be late."
He knew I didn’t have a driver’s license.
I clenched my hands together in front of me. Pride meant nothing, not if it could save my daughter.
"I don’t have a license… You haven’t been drinking. Please, I’m begging you .... please, help me just this once. Help me, okay?"
However, before Mateo could respond, my aunt stepped between us, blocking my way.
"Santiago," she said, patting my shoulder like she was comforting me. "It’s not that Mateo doesn’t want to help you."
You know how important his girlfriend’s family is. If something happens because he’s late, who’s responsible? We have to think ahead and avoid trouble whenever we can, right?" she asked.
My daughter’s worsening condition made me feel like I was going insane. I tried begging to Mateo one last time, "Mateo, please. I’ll find someone else to send your girlfriend home. Your niece, she’s been coughing up blood. Just this once ... please, have a little heart!"
Mateo just stood there and leaned lazily against the edge of the table.
"That won’t work for me. Why should I care if she’s not mine?"
Next to him his girlfriend, Camilla, handed him a glass of wine. Mateo took it and downed it in one gulp. He did it right in front of me. It was a deliberate act of mockery.
My heart shattered. They were cut from the same cloth, this family of mine. I knew my cousin and aunt never had any kindness toward me, so I could only turn to my mom as my last hope.
My mom was a nurse in the county hospital when she was young and she must have the contact information of the county hospital in her hand.
"Mom, call the hospital! You must have their number! Get them to send an ambulance!"
She stared at the blood on my shirt, frozen for half a minute. Then, at last, she pulled out her phone.
For the first time that night, I felt a sliver of relief. At least my daughter would be saved.
However, a hand snatched the phone away in a flash from my mother's hand. It was my aunt and at that moment, a chill ran down my spine.
My aunt locked the screen, waved dismissively and scolded my mother, "Sister, it’s not that I'm forbidding you but calling nine-one-one on The Day of the Dead Festival? What kind of nonsense is that?"
Her eyes darted at me and they were glaring at me. My body trembled uncontrollably and my teeth were clattering because of nervousness.
"Besides," she continued, "do you know what today is? Do you know what kind of destiny Mateo has? If an ambulance comes to the house, bringing in all that hospital bad luck, what if it ruins his future?"
Everyone froze. My aunt successfully made them feel terrified with her superstitious words. They did not dare to do anything.
My aunt smirked triumphantly. The same way she always did after convincing my mother to do something ‘for my own good’.
She had already ruined my life, but I would not let her ruin my daughter’s. Absolutely not!
While she was still gloating, I lunged forward and ripped the phone from her hands. I immediately dialed the county hospital.
Behind me, my aunt screamed in rage, pounded my back with her fists and cursed me over and over again. I just ignored her.
