I will forever remember "April 3, 2007"

April 3, 2007, 1:58AM - I was awakened by a text message: "Te, nasa perpetual si Pa2, ICU. Na-stroke."
That shakened me for a while...I hurriedly called my mother. Asked the whole story. Yes, as I've said in my previous post, my father was rushed to the hospital due to sudden numbing of the right portion of his body including the arms and legs. I was supposed to wake up @ 4am then to get ready for my interview with the US Consulate for my L1 visa. But the news I received that midnight did not let me fall asleep until the clock struck 4am.

At 4am, Randy and I took a shower already and hurried off to the US consulate. On our way, I called again my mother...another bad news hit me.
Mama: "Wag mo muna kami isipin, magconcentrate ka dun sa interview mo. Kasi medyo mabigat tong lagay ni Papa. Pagkatapos na nung interview mo, saka ko sabihin."
Lei: "Sabihin mo na, Ma...di rin ako matatahimik."
Mama: "Eh kelangan daw operahan sa utak si Papa..."
At that moment, I wanted to stop everything in this world...I wanted to scream. But instead, I just cried and prayed. I thank Randy for being there...he's always there.

At 5:30 am, we already reached the Dubai World Trade Center where the US Consulate is located. I was interviewed by 7:45 am..I was the 1st one to be interviewed...and also the 1st one who got approved!!! It was supposed to be a good news...but I can't feel any excitement at that moment. The world remained still.

Because I haven't slept that much, Randy & I decided not to go to work on that day. On our way home, I called again my family. My elder sister told me,:
Ate: "Te, P200,000 ang hinihingi nung neuro-surgeon na mag oopera kay Papa..professional fee pa lang yun.Merong nirefer sakin yung madre sa Mater na doctor sa PGH. Mas mura sana dun, kaso ayaw magpakausap nung attending physician ng Perpetual.Kaya di pa namin mailipat si Papa."
Lei: "Eh bakit ayaw magpakausap?"
Ate: "Ewan ko. Ang huling sinabi nya lang, di pwede itravel si Papa baka mamaga yung ugat at pumutok.Gusto sanang kausapin nung Doctor sa PGH, ayaw naman magpakausap nung doctor dito sa perpetual."
Lei: "Grabe naman sila! PERA-petual talaga yang mga yan!"

So that's the gist of our conversation. I was fuming mad then. When we reached home, I called again...my sister's husband told me: "Te, medyo makakahinga ka na...hindi na ooperahan si Papa. Nagrespond sa gamot yung utak nya...so dito na lang sya. Baka malipat na sya sa Ward."

Then I started to cry...it was really an answered prayer. Though my father is still sick, I am somehow relieved knowing that my father will no longer undergo an operation. I then called our relatives in US...told them the bad news about my father and at the same time good news (but still bad news for me) that I would be able to visit them in just a matter of days.

After a few minutes, I received a call from our office administrator. She told me that my boss called up to inform me that I might be leaving for Chicago on Thursday or Friday, depending on the arrival of my passport with visa stamp. Another bad news, that is!!!

Some people would do everything just to reach the soil of the United States (some would react to this, I know...but let's face it. People see "USA" as the solution to every single problem in the world!)...but ever since, I am not that eager to go there. First reason, I don't want again to be separated from Randy even for just a single day. I have experienced that twice already. Second reason, at this moment, I still need a shoulder to cry on...because of my father's condition. And to be in a strange land during these times would be harder for me. I am not sure if I would survive all alone feeling depressed every single day. Third, I don't want a complicated life...talking about visa approvals, visa changes, petitions, etcetera, etcetera. Fourth, I hate TAXES!!!! Here in Dubai, I enjoy each centavo, rather fils of my hard-earned money. I can buy stuff without worrying too much about the tax to be imposed. Fifth, the airfare of going back to Pinas is very much cheaper...(right now, the Singapore Air is offering Dhs1390 for AUH-MNL-AUH flight...great deal! if only I have enough leave credits). So I prayed very hard that my flight be postponed even just for 1 week.

Thursday, just after lunch...I again got an answered prayer! My passport arrived already...but lo and behold, instead of having an L1 visa stamp, I got a B1/B2 visa!!! It was a mistake! To cut the long story short, I need to appear again to the US Consulate and apply for my L1 visa. So, I scheduled an appointment...and guess what? the earliest available date is April 22nd. So that means, I won't be leaving until after the 22nd! yey! I still have more time to cope up with my life...and with Randy. But wait, I think that would mean I will again celebrate my bday out of the country...and without Randy...sigh...when will I have peace of mind? When will the problems disappear completely? Now, tell me...please.