They Say, I'm a Liar

Evelyn's Disease

After nearly four hours of waiting, the doctor came out of the operating room. There's jasmine there. The elderly woman was contacted by Ivander minutes after Qeiza entered the operating room. Previously, the presence of jasmine was there to bring Qiana home. But, the little girl did not want to leave her mother and sister-to-be.

“How is my wife's condition, Doc?”

“Mother and child are safe and in good condition. You can see your baby in the nursery, in a few moments. Same with Bu Qeiza. Condition's good. Only, Ms. Qeiza is still unconscious. But all of his vitals are working fine. Maybe because of the anesthetic effect injected when Bu Qeiza was in a fainting state. Ms. Qeiza is still in the ICU room because she still needs medical observation. You can also see it from outside.”

“Where is his ICU room Doc?”

A nurse showed Ivander the way. The nurse wanted to show Ivander where the nursery was. But, it seems that the man is more worried about the condition of the wife.

Ivander's tears escaped when he watched Qeiza's body stretch with many medical devices attached to her body.

“I'm sorry, Qei. I'm sorry,” shriek Ivander.

While Qiana was already whining while watching the mother from behind the outdoor glass. “Mama,” light Qiana.

Ivander brought the child into his arms. It was as if they were strengthening each other through that embrace. However, in the middle of the day, Ivander's phone rang. It was from the hospital. They contacted Ivander because they wanted to let him know that Evelyn had been murdered. As the person in charge of the woman's condition, they wanted Ivander to sign a dossier, as well as talk about Evelyn's health condition.

“Sorry, Mom. I'm not who he is. I was also busy taking care of my newly born and unconscious wife. So, please ask the patient about the person who could be responsible for him,” Ivander said.

Ivander immediately disconnected the phone call. He no longer wanted to be bothered about Evelyn's business. He doesn't want to go back to the same mistake. He did not want to take care of his ex-wife and ignored her legal wife as he did earlier.

The hospital contacted him again.

“How many times have I said, I have nothing to do with that patient!”

“But, said the patient, Father is her ex-husband.”

“Iya, right. I am her ex-husband. Former. So, I have nothing to do with that woman anymore!”

“That's exactly it, sir. Because my father is her ex-husband. You also need to check your health condition. This has to do with the health condition of the patient and also the father. The patient has a disease that may be transmitted to the father. What else we get info, if you and the patient have just separated a few months.”

Health condition? Infectious disease? What diseases does Evelyn have and are likely to spread to her?

Ivander kept wondering. The man was worried. Should he return to leave Qeiza there? What if Qeiza was conscious when she wasn't there?

Ivander has decided. He would no longer leave Qeiza just to help Evelyn. Although the hospital repeatedly contacted him, Ivander remained in his position. The man said his position. If the health workers wanted to, they could meet Ivander there.

Ivander hasn't even seen the baby. But, now he must listen to the information about Evelyn's health condition.

“Mr please see Bu Evelyn's laboratory examination results. After that, you can come with us to do a check as well.”

Ivander followed the doctor's words. He read the conclusion of the complete examination of Evelyn. The woman was HIV AIDS positive.

“A few months before the divorce, I had already checked my health in full and the result was negative, Doc. I also no longer have sex husband and wife a few months before we divorced.”

“For more accurate results. Are you willing to take the full health test once again?”

Ivander had to nod his head. Although feeling heavy because he had to leave Qeiza again, inevitably Ivander followed the footsteps of the doctor.

Nearly an hour Ivander's been doing the check. Of course the results do not just come out. Ivander even took the time to meet Evelyn. Through the doctor, Evelyn wishes for Ivander to visit her. The woman wants to see Ivander. Although maybe this is the last time.

“Hon,” eloquently Evelyn, when she saw Ivander visiting her.

“Thank you for coming to see me, Hon."

“Please stop calling me that name. We are no longer husband and wife. And I guess our relationship is not okay so you feel familiar with me.”

Evelyn nodded her head. I want him to hold Ivander tight. He misses that guy very much. The shadow of Ivander who was carrying him before he was unconscious was so deep in Evelyn's mind. The woman did not want to erase those memories. Perhaps, it was Ivander's last straw for him.

“I'm sorry, Van. Maybe you could have contracted my disease. I've got HIV AIDS, Van. I'm sorry if you got infected. I hope your examination results are good. I don't want you to get infected. You're a good man, Van. You can't get that nasty disease,” Evelyn said.

Ivander let out a rough sigh. There was still a little bit of compassion in the man's heart, as he watched the woman he had once loved, the woman who had accompanied his life for many years, now lay weak as several diseases gnawed at his body. Not only HIV AIDS, Evelyn was also exposed to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and also cancer kaposi sarcoma.

“I've forgotten our dark past, Ev. I don't want to remember him anymore. Ever since I found out that you've been in contact with a lot of men. I've done a health check. Even I did several health checks and the results were negative. I even checked my health in Singapore. Same result. I didn't catch that vile virus.”

A written smile was imprinted on Evelyn's face. The woman gave thanks. Perhaps this was the first time Evelyn had given thanks. The woman had never had gratitude in her heart, ever since. But, this time he was really grateful for not infecting Ivander.

Perhaps, this disease has only been infected to his body for the past year. Who's the guy who contracted this virus that doesn't have a cure? What Alex? Or the men he was with in Bali, nine months ago?

“I'll excuse you. I hope we never see each other again. For helping you earlier, Qeiza I ignored and she was bleeding. My wife is unconscious now. I hate you even more, Ev. Why are you always present in my life and mess things up?”

“I'm sorry, Van. I'm really sorry.”

“Already. I don't want to deal with you anymore. Call someone who can take care of you. Don't think about hospital costs. I've endured it. It also has money to hold you. I sincerely hope your health improves, Ev. And hopefully we'll never see each other again.”

Along with Evelyn's sudden cry from hearing Ivander's words, the man stepped away. With a little run, Ivander returned to the room where his wife was.

Ivander smiled, knowing that Qeiza had regained consciousness. But, it seemed like the woman was staring annoyed at him

***

“Just brush with your ex-wife, Mas,” Og Qeiza while looking at Ivander with a growl.