~THE DEVIL ON THE ALTAR~
CHAPTER FIVE
The end of the semester came and students were so eager to go back home to see friends and relatives. Patricia was also very excited since she would be going back home to see her mother. Her mother’s health had improved and she was eager to go back home and see her.
Parting with each other was not so easy for Patricia and her bosom friend, Celestina, they held onto each other in a tight hug until the honk of the car forced them to let go of each other, they promised to stay in touch with each other all through the period of the one month break. Patricia entered the bus heading to her village while Celestina entered the one heading to Lagos.
Patricia got home towards the evening and was welcomed by a very quiet and deserted house. She was surprised to find the house empty and wondered where everyone had gone to by that time of the day. She looked everywhere and called names but got no reply. It was at that point that her wonders began to turn to fear and anxiety. She ran out of the house and went to her neighbor’s place.
“Good evening, ma’am,” she greeted as she stepped into the house.
“Good evening, my daughter,” the old woman replied staring at her, “You look so much like Patricia, the headmaster’s daughter,” the woman said, still looking at her.
“I’m the one ma, I just returned from school this evening and I’m here to ask if you know anything about my parents’ whereabouts.”
“Hmmmm!” The woman sighed heavily and beckoned on Patricia to have her seat.
“I’m okay like this, ma’am. I just want to know where my parents are so I can go to them,” Patricia replied impatiently.
“Your mother’s condition got so bad last night that she passed out and was rushed to the community hospital. Your father and Mr. Wale went with them and we have not seen them till now.”
Immediately Patricia heard this, she ran out of the house and didn’t even wait to hear all the woman had to say.
Patricia was so anxious and agitated that she didn’t even bother to take a taxi or at least a motorcycle to the hospital, she ran all the way there. The community hospital was the only hospital in that town and it was situated close to the entrance of the town. Patricia got to the hospital sweating all over and panting heavily.
“Please ma’am, I’m here to see the woman that was rushed here last night,” Patricia said to the nurse at the reception.
“Please, calm down and give me her details.”
“She is Mrs. Adams and she was brought here last night.”
“Hold on let me check,” the nurse said and began to look through the register, “oh! She is in rm14 but…” Patricia did not wait to hear the rest she dashed away in search of the room.
“Please ma’am you can’t go in there,” a voice said behind Patricia, she turned back to see a young man, who might be the doctor looking at her.
“And why is that?” She asked.
“The patient is in a very delicate condition and any contamination can worsen her case so all unsterilized equipment can’t be taken into the room,” the doctor explained.
“I’m her daughter and I would really like to know how she is doing.”
“If you are so concerned about her then you can bring the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira for her surgery,” the doctor said and walked away.
Patricia was left perplexed; she just stood there and was looking at nothing in particular. She knew the financial status of her parents and knew that two hundred and fifty thousand naira was impossible for them to raise even if they should sell all they had including themselves.
To be continued…
© Grace Olayemi
