Episode 4

Nayla had just stepped out of a patient's room when someone suddenly greeted her.

"Excuse me, Miss...," a woman's voice made Nayla turn around.

Nayla smiled politely. "Yes, is there anything I can help you with, Madam?" she asked kindly.

The woman extended her hand, introducing herself, "My name is Gabriella Mahesa, usually called Gaby."

Nayla accepted the handshake, introducing herself as well, "I am Nayla Ardiansyah, Madam. Nice to meet you."

After the brief introduction, Gaby asked gently, "Nayla, are you busy right now?"

Nayla, though a little nervous, shook her head politely. "It happens to be my break time, Madam. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Gaby smiled in relief. "In that case, could we talk for a moment? Let's find a comfortable place."

"Alright, Madam," Nayla replied, even though her heart wondered what this woman actually wanted to talk about.

They walked side by side towards the hospital garden. The atmosphere that afternoon was quite peaceful, only the sound of birds and the occasional gust of wind could be heard.

After finding an empty bench, they sat down.

Gaby opened the conversation with a warm tone, "You might be surprised why I, a stranger, suddenly asked you to talk."

Nayla smiled slightly, waiting for an explanation.

"Earlier, I accidentally saw how you treated the patient you were caring for," Gaby continued. "I can see your patience and sincerity when caring for them. Not everyone has that kind of sincerity."

Nayla bowed her head in embarrassment. "It's already my job, Madam. But honestly, I really like this job. Taking care of other people makes me feel useful."

Gaby nodded in appreciation. "You must be a strong person, Nayla? If you don't mind me asking, who do you live with?"

Nayla paused for a moment, then replied in a slightly trembling voice, trying to remain strong, "I live with my father, Madam. My mother passed away a long time ago."

Gaby's face also turned sad hearing that answer. She then asked, "Your father, is he healthy?"

Nayla shook her head slowly. "My father is seriously ill, Madam. He suffers from advanced kidney failure and has to undergo routine dialysis. While I'm working, my aunt—my father's younger sister—helps take care of him at home."

Hearing that, Gaby's heart felt touched. She could understand the heavy burden Nayla was carrying. Medical expenses like that were certainly very high.

After a moment of silence, Gaby finally expressed the purpose of their meeting.

"Actually, Nayla, there's something I want to offer," she said slowly. "My son, Leon, had an accident about a month ago. As a result, he suffered paralysis. So far, I've tried hiring several nurses, but none of them lasted. Leon has become very temperamental since the incident."

Nayla listened attentively.

"I need someone patient... like you," Gaby continued hopefully. "I want to offer you a job, to be my son's personal nurse at home."

Nayla was surprised. This was clearly unexpected.

"And I really have hope in you, Nay," Gaby added quickly, catching the doubt in Nayla's eyes. "I will give you a very decent salary. Regarding your job at this hospital, let me talk to the management. And one more thing, I hope you can live in my house, so you can always be there for Leon."

Nayla was silent. Many things swirled in her mind. She realized that this offer could help with her father's medical expenses, but of course it wouldn't be an easy job.

Carefully, Nayla said, "I'm sorry, Madam Gaby. Before I make a decision, please allow me to talk to my father and aunt first."

Gaby nodded understandingly. "Of course, Nayla. I understand this isn't an easy decision. But I hope you'll consider it."

Gaby then took something out of her bag and handed a business card to Nayla.

"This is my business card. You can contact me anytime after you've discussed it with your family," Gaby said with a gentle smile.

Nayla received the business card with both hands. "Thank you, Madam Gaby. I'll get back to you soon."

They parted with different feelings. Nayla carried new hope for her family, while Gaby carried a little relief, hoping God would open the way for Nayla to be the answer to her deadlock so far.

After work, Nayla immediately went home to her simple house.

The small house might not be much, but for Nayla, that was where all her childhood memories were stored. On the living room wall, there were still some family photos that had begun to fade in color, bearing silent witness to the love of a mother who was now gone.

Now, the house was only inhabited by Nayla and her sick father.

Nayla's aunt's house, her father's younger sister, was located right next to their house. Since her mother died, her aunt had always been there, helping and taking care of them both without complaining.

That night, after a simple dinner together, Nayla deliberately asked her aunt not to rush home.

"Auntie, don't go home yet, okay? There's something important Nayla wants to talk about," Nayla asked softly.

The aunt, a warm-hearted middle-aged woman, nodded. "What is it, dear? Just tell me."

Nayla's father, who was sitting leaning back in a wheelchair, also looked at his daughter attentively.

Nayla took a deep breath, trying to organize her words.

"This afternoon, when Nayla was working at the hospital, someone came to see Nayla," Nayla began to tell the story. "She offered Nayla a job, to be the personal nurse for her son who is paralyzed due to an accident."

Her aunt and father listened carefully.

"Nayla had some doubts...," Nayla continued, her voice trembling, "because the job wasn't just about caring for him, but Nayla also had to live in their house, so she could always take care of her son."

The aunt asked gently, "What about your job at the hospital, dear?"

Nayla replied, "Madam Gaby—she's the one who offered the job—said she would talk directly to the hospital. So Nayla doesn't need to worry about permits or leave."

Nayla's father was still silent, his face looked heavy.

"Auntie..." Nayla turned to her aunt with teary eyes, "While Nayla is staying at the employer's house, I beg you... please help take care of Father. Nayla can't be at peace if there's no one to accompany Father at home."

The aunt, in a voice that trembled slightly as she held back her emotion, replied, "Of course, dear. All this time, Auntie has considered you like my own children. Auntie will help as much as Auntie can."

Nayla held her aunt's hand tightly, trying to hold back tears.

"Besides," Nayla continued, trying to smile, "if Nayla accepts this job, Nayla can get a bigger salary. Nayla can use that money for Father's dialysis costs, buy medicine, and also help Auntie a little with her needs."

The father, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, his voice hoarse and heavy.

"Forgive Father, dear... because of this illness, you have to struggle so much."

Nayla immediately knelt in front of her father, holding both of the old man's hands.

"Never say that, Father," Nayla said sincerely. "For Nayla, taking care of Father is an honor. This is Nayla's way of repaying all of Father's love since Nayla was little."

The father bowed his head, his eyes reddened, holding back the tears that were about to fall.

The atmosphere that night was full of warmth despite its simplicity.

The three of them, a small family who loved each other, strengthened each other in the midst of life's heavy trials.

After the atmosphere calmed down a bit, Nayla spoke again, "Tomorrow Nayla will contact Madam Gaby to inform her of Nayla's decision. Please pray for me, Auntie... Father..."

Her aunt and father nodded in full blessing.

With a firm determination, Nayla prepared to enter a new chapter in her life, with the hope that everything she did would eventually bring goodness to her family.

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