CONTINUATION. . . COMING TO LAGOS. . . EP 15
As I sat on the bed, staring at the wall, I tried to think of all the possible scenarios that could have landed my mother in the hospital. She had no history of any medical conditions, and she was always so careful about her health. I just couldn’t understand what could have happened.
The minutes ticked by, and I felt like an eternity had passed since my brother had called me. Finally, the phone rang and I grabbed it quickly, hoping it was my brother with some news.
“Hello?” I said, my heart racing.
“Sister, the doctor said it’s cancer,” he said, his voice breaking. “Mama has cancer.”
My heart dropped into my stomach and I felt the tears start to fall. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My strong, healthy mother, with cancer? It didn’t seem possible.
“What type of cancer?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“The doctor said it’s colon cancer,” he replied. “They’re running some more tests to find out more information. I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.”
“What about money? How much are they charging?” I asked praying it’s something I can take care of.
There was a pause at his end before he spoke.
“Someone has paid. One brother Samuel. Mummy asked me to call him.”
I was surprised that Samuel had paid and a bit angry that mama had called him instead of me.
“Please once she’s awake, call me. ”
“Don’t worry, sister.” He must have sensed my fear and worry. “Mama will be fine. The doctors said it’s a bit early so we don’t have a problem.”
I tried to reassure myself with what he had said, but I still felt so worried and scared. Even though he had said the doctors thought it was early, I knew that cancer was still a very serious illness, and I was afraid of what the future might hold for Mama. I tried to focus on the positive – that the doctors were optimistic and that Samuel had helped to pay for her treatment.
I thought of taking a leave but no, it’s too early to talk about taking a leave. I just started working with them.
I just have to be positive and pray everything works out well.
I decided to call Samuel.
“Hello, Blessing. I was about calling you.” He said as soon as he picked the call.
“Hi, Samuel. I just got a call from my brother. How did you know about mummy. .?
Samuel sighed softly. “She’s my mother too. We were talking last night when she complained of abdominal pain. She mentioned that your brother just arrived yesterday too. I spoke with him such lovely young man. He called me this morning and told me how mama was struggling with pain and I asked him to take her to the hospital.”
“I’m grateful, Sam.”
“On more thing.” He said as I quietly listened. “Mama will be fine. You need not worry and don’t count this as a bait to get you or whatever. Take care of yourself. Go to bed, you have work tomorrow.”
I was touched but calm.
His words were able to calm me to some extent as I struggled to get a little sleep. By 4am, I was up.
I called Daniel to know if mother is awake.
“Blessing, my dear. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure, mum?” I asked still bothered.
“Yes, dear. God will bless Samuel for me. You know, I was thinking it’s just all these small stomach pain.”
“Mummy please o. Anything at all, call me and also go to the hospital.”
“It’s waste of money na.” Mother said. “And why are you up early?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I was bothered and I also have to start preparing for work. I leave by 5:30am.”
“You need to be resting o.”
“I’m supposed to tell you that, mum. Take care of yourself.”
“Wait.” There were background voices before she continued. “Your brother wants to speak with you.”
“Hello, sister.”
“How are you, Daniel? You didn’t tell me you’ll be returning.”
“I’m fine. I decided to come stay with mummy small since you’re not here.”
“That’s thoughtful of you so. . .”
“Who’s that man?” Daniel asked cutting me half way through my statement.
I wasn’t caught off guard entirely by his question. I knew he would ask.
“He’s a friend.” I answered.
“A friend? You’re not saying the truth, sister. Don’t worry, I’ll ask mummy.”
“No o. Don’t ask mummy.” I don’t know what mummy will fill him with. She might say he’s my fiancé when that’s not entirely true.
“I’ll talk to you later, bye.” I said trying to dismiss him, hoping he would accept.
“Ok, sister. Don’t forget I’ll come and visit you soon and then I’ll start living in Lagos.”
“See his mouth. Bye bye jor.”
I said a little prayer and went about my chores. Left for work and luckily, the road seemed free.
I arrived to find Timothy packing his stuffs.
Stella cornered me and whispered.
“She asked him to marry her but he refused.”
“What??” I nearly screamed as Stella covers my mouth with her palm. “Weren’t they in a relationship? She was even pregnant for him. I thought he has engaged her?”
“My dear, Timothy was after her money and you know Timothy as well as I do, he’s not ready to settle down. He thought he could eat his cake and have it back.”
I pity I felt for him dissipated as I went about my duties only waving him goodbye when he finally left.
“There’s a new guy.” Stella broke the news to me over lunch.
“So fast?”
“Applications come in everyday. This one is hot. I pray he’s not like Timothy o.”
I let out a soft laugh and answered. “Good luck to you o.”
I tried to get my mind together and work without worrying about mama. Samuel called few minutes before I got home that mama has been discharged. I was so happy that I went to bed without eating dinner. That night, I had another dream that confirmed my answer to Samuel’s proposal.
To be continued. .
