4

The first stop I made after leaving the Williams mansion, was the hospital.

Not even daring to go home.

People were seen scrambling about, while the hospital remained in a state of chaos. I could see a crowd hovering over a figure that was laid on a stretcher, while some nurses dragged the person in, screaming for the way to be cleared.

That blaring of siren which gets me worked up every now and then, that particular sound which turns my hands clammy, blasted all around the vicinity, adding up to the discomfort of noise.

Growing up, I was taught the siren meant danger, rather than rescue. For it was only heard whenever there was trouble. Be it the police siren, ambulance, fire brigade service, whatever it was, you would only hear that sound when a life was at stake, hence I never grew fond of it.

It still gave me the chills, even till now.

Hurrying my way past the number of figures, I moved over to the room where my mom was kept.

Her figure was laid on the bed, wires of all sorts attached to her body.

She looked up immediately I walked in, a smile growing on her cracked lips.

I pushed forward, rushing over, wrapping her in a hug, the smell of medications shooting up my nostrils.

Arms went gripping onto her form tightly, the tears dropping from my eyes.

It happened two weeks ago, when she slumped in our apartment.

On getting to the hospital, we were informed she had complications of the heart.

Being told it was very serious and that a transplant had to be done immediately, didn't help matters at all. I had taken all the family's savings but it wasn't enough.

The doctors said they couldn't commence treatment without her paying up cause she needed a new heart.

"You were gone for hours. I was worried." mom uttered in a shaky voice.

"I went out in search of a job. Fortunately, I found one. Everything will be fine now mom. I promise "

I only wanted to make her feel better, wanted to see her smile.

"I don't want you stressing yourself for me. You're too young to go through this." Came her response.

"Mom, I can't stand watching you suffer every single day. This is something I wanna do. There's no one to help us. It's just you and I now." I uttered, while holding her hands.

"Be careful, Nia" Her words were low, eyes intent in mine, while her hands went caressing my cheeks.

"I'm always careful" I followed with a smile, wanting to return every vigour back to that face.

The bursting open of the door had managed to snatch out attention, with the sound of a voice breaking into the room.

I was familiar with that voice.

It belonged to the doctor who had received me that day we arrived at the hospital. He had a file in his hands, eyes peering into it.

The moment my gaze rested on him, I shot up to my feet, hurrying over to his side.

"You have to commence treatment!" My utterance had jolted him.

"I have a job now, I swear I'll pay in a few weeks" But those eyes belonging to the man away, only peered on at me with utter disbelief, and perhaps sympathy?

Who would believe a girl with no one to turn to, no place to go, would come up with such huge amount in such little time.

"I know how you feel" His voice was low.

"No you don't!" I had snapped at once, moving away from his figure.

Every minute my mom spent on that hospital bed, got me angry. I wanted her to get better. I wanted to see her move around with ease and joy.

"Please, do the transplant already. She's getting weaker day by day. I don't want to lose her" I begged.

His hands soon came resting on my weak shoulders, the sound of his voice breaking into my ears.

"I also do not want anything happening to your mother, dear. But we can't carry on with the transplant without you paying up"

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do"

"You either pay up, or there will be no transplant" With that, he had walked out of the room, not giving me a chance to go on with my pleas.

I couldn't tell when my form had dropped to the floor, the tears pouring out my eyes immediately.

"Nia"

The voice of mother had snatched my attention. Low, raspy, yet audible enough.

Her hands went motioning for me to come over, with that ever-bright smile taking her lips.

Figure inching to hers, he hands gave me a light  squeezed, pulling me even nearer to her chest, as I remained in her embrace.

And all that lingered were the sound of my sobs filling the area, while I was pulled into the cold clutches of sleep.