Chapter 325 - The Second Patient

The next day, Gao Rou and Deana headed to the second patient who fell a victim of the disease. Her name was Editha. It was just last year that she got Kimya Disease. 

According to the local hospital, she was diagnosed in town but instead of going to the Mwanza; they opted to go to Dar es Salaam. Most of the patients who went to Mwanza found it was more affordable to be confined in the said city than in Dar es Salaam. Furthermore, the facilities were nearly the same. 

They drove an hour to her home right after getting breakfast. Editha was apparently married to a French national and lived well following their wedding. This was why they managed to get treatment in Dar es Salaam. 

At first, Editha's husband did not allow anyone to come inside their home but after Deana's pleading, they gave their sympathy and granted the interview. Gao Rou, however, was not allowed in their home. Only Deana came inside the gate with her. 

Gao Rou was uncomfortable with the idea and Editha could tell he was merely looking out for Deana. Thus, they spoke in the garden where he could see them within meters from the gate. Editha's husband went back inside their home and Deana was left with her. 

"Please, take a seat," said Editha while pulling out a chair for herself. "Can I get you anything?"

"No, it's fine. We just had breakfast, Editha. Thank you," Deana politely declined. 

Taking a deep breath, Editha started officially started their discussion, "I am sorry to hear that your friend caught the disease." 

After sitting down on the wooden chair, Deana turned to her and saw Editha paused sadly. She heard her say, "One of my friends died of the illness. That was three years ago. That was how I became familiar with the disease."

"It must have been hard for you," Deana said with concern on her face. 

"And… it was because of me knowing that I sought treatment immediately in the main city. We have already heard about those who went to Mwanza. They all died!" Editha said while getting emotional. "If I had gone there, I might have died myself." 

Deana nodded before responding, "Editha, yes. It's true. You were very fortunate to survive, which is why I am asking for your help. Do you remember what treatment you received? Did you drink anything differently or do anything differently?"

The woman was in deep thought, looking into her memories, trying to find what was it that cured her.

"It was immunoglobulin. The cure. I got better right away after being treated with it!" Editha excitedly told Deana after having remembered. "That was it... Come to think of it, how come no one knew about this? Surely by now, those who got the disease this year should have already been treated with it."

"Wait… you are telling me that after you received immunoglobulin treatment, you got better?" Deana asked.

"Yes, within just a week, I was sent home from the hospital and me and my husband naturally celebrated it. We were just newlyweds back then, and we never got to leave for our honeymoon. We left for France two days after I got discharged from the hospital."

"In the three weeks that followed, I thought I got sick again, but it did not get worst. I only had mild dizziness. We figured, I was just tired," Editha added. 

Deana asked more and more questions, but the woman before her revealed that she did not receive any other treatment aside from the immunoglobulin. However, unlike Adila, Editha could afford more expensive kinds of supplements which she also took. She noted them down and sent it over to Lu Fang immediately, for the man to consider.

"Editha, maybe you were just very lucky. There were women who went to Mwanza and was also treated with immunoglobulin, but they still died," Deana reported to the woman. 

Editha's story contradicted the findings at Mwanza hospital. She thought perhaps; it was an isolated case. That because Editha was aware of the disease, she was given immunoglobulin immediately and it helped her immune system. 

Once again, Deana was empty-handed. Nevertheless, she thanked Editha for her time and bid goodbye soon after.

Just as she stood up from her seat, she saw Editha's husband come out, carrying a small baby. 

"Honey, Clara is hungry again. It's time to feed her," the man called out. 

It made Deana ponder for a second and asked, "Oh, you have a baby? How old is she?"

"She is five months old…She was a result of our honeymoon in France," replied Editha. "Excuse me, Deana. Motherly duty calls. You can find your way out, my husband will be the one to close the gate," said Editha.

Deana smiled at the husband and wife before walking outside the gate where Gao Rou was waiting for her. 

"Well, how was it?" He asked. 

"Nothing. Dead end," Deana said before elaborating to Gao Rou her exchange with Editha. 

Seeing the sadness in her expression, Gao Rou offered a hug, and she willingly accepted it. 

Deana felt worst. Not only were they far from finding the cure, she was being embraced by the man she loved but did not love her back. She told herself, 'I am so pathetic, taking advantage of this situation to be in Gao Rou's arms.'

Still, Deana savored his scent, having missed him for months. 

Slowly, she pulled away, and a tear fell down her cheek. She quickly wiped it with her hand and Gao Rou did the same. "Shh… Don't worry. Maybe we will find the answer in the next town. Let's not give up."

Deana rarely saw this soft side of Gao Rou, but to her, he was unpredictable. When they were together, he was sometimes sweet but most of the time, too occupied with work that he barely gave her sweet words. 

The two walked back in the van hand in hand. Deana felt like they were back together but felt maybe Gao Rou only wanted to comfort her. 

They were once again on a road trip to the next town, but unlike their last drive, Deana allowed Gao Rou to sit next to her. She even slept in his arms and used his lean chest as a pillow a few times. 

Deana woke up still in Gao Rou's arms. When she looked up to him, he was fast asleep. She took the time to appreciate his handsome face before turning away. She wanted to let go from his hold, but the moment she held his hand; he pulled her even closer. 

She turned her gaze at him once more, but what met her was his cold lips. Gao Rou embraced her tightly while his other hand held her neck from behind. 

Deana's eyes grew wide at him as he forced his mouth against hers, but upon looking at him, she saw his eyes closed. He leaned over, much nearer that she had nowhere to escape to. 

"Deana, I love you. I really do. Please, let me kiss you," she heard Gao Rou softly release the words she had longed to hear. 

As she had not responded to his kiss, Gao Rou went for her cheek then gradually down to her neck, giving gentle pecks.

Deana merely froze with his actions. She had been trying to forget him for months and here he was, kissing her then finally, she heard him say he loved her? She asked herself silently, 'What should I do?'