MOTHERS.
CHAPTER 3: MOTHERS.
The doors of the hospital swung open, and the EMT rushed Melanie in. The nurses and a doctor took over carting stretcher, heading to the ICU. Melanie had been strapped with an oxygen mask around her face to assist with her breathing upon the arrival of the EMT at her residence.
Kane and Stephanie followed closely after them, watching their mother. But as the nurses got into the ICU with Melanie, a nurse shut the door from the outside and turned to them.
"I'm sorry, but you can't go in."
"But-"
"I assure you, she's receiving the best of care as we speak," the nurse interrupted. Stephanie still strained to have a peek into the ICU through the glass on the door, feeling restless.
"Just let us do our job. We'll do our very best. So why don't you both rest easy now, okay?"
"Okay," Kane nodded, still anxious anyway.
Stephanie hugged Kane tightly and broke down in tears.
"Hey, shh shh. Don't cry," he comforted her, hugging her tightly.
"Tell me mom's going to be alright," she requested.
"Sure. Mom's going to be fine. She's a fighter. Nothing can keep her down. Hmm?" he said assuringly, kissing her on the forehead, and hugging her back.
Kane had no idea what the matter was with his mother, and that was what scared him the most.
__________
An hour later, a doctor emerged from the ICU and looked round. Walking to the lobby, he found Kane seated, still looking a bit anxious, while his sister had fallen asleep on him, having sobbed for quite some time.
Seeing the doctor, walking towards them, Kane gently tapped his sister to wake up, and he stood up. Stephanie jerked awake, standing up too.
"You're Melanie's kids right?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, we are," Kane answered. "How is she?"
"The worst has passed. She's stable now, and awake," the doctor replied.
Kane and his sister sighed in relief.
"Can we go see her?" kane enquired.
"Of course! But be gentle with her," the doctor advised.
"Let's go," Kane said to Stephanie, and they hurried into the ICU. The doctor smiled and followed after them, as they didn't know where exactly their mother was.
Getting in, they looked round keenly, searching for their mother.
"There she is!" Stephanie pointed at a bed to their right, and they hurried there.
Their mother relaxed her back on the inclined bed. She turned and saw them coming towards her, and she smiled.
Stephanie was the first to reach her, and hugged her, sobbing softly. Kane also joined in the group hug.
"Hey sweethearts," Melanie said, smiling. They held on to her for a little bit longer.
"Okay, I think that's enough," Melanie said in a strained voice, as she was being choked.
"Oh! Sorry mom," Kane apologized.
"How are you feeling?" Stephanie enquired, tucking her hair behind her ears.
"I'm great. Nothing to worry about," Melanie replied smiling.
"What happened? Why were you unconscious?" Kane asked.
"It was nothing. I just had a terrible migraine. That's all," Melanie replied. "I guess the stress of work just took a toll on me."
"I migraine caused this?" Kane looked at his mothet, furrowing his brow.
"Yes. Severe cases can cause one to faint," the doctor replied, approaching them.
Kane looked away from his mother, wondering.
"If you hadn't found her at the time you did, God forbid, but it would've been a different story altogether right now," the doctor added.
"Guys, this is my boss, Dr Nicholas," Melanie introduced.
"It's nice to meet the both of you. It's unfortunate that we had to meet under such circumstances," Dr Nicholas said.
"It's nice to meet you too doctor," Kane responded, nodding. "Thank you for always being nice to our mom."
Dr Nicholas nodded in acknowledgement, smiling.
"Anyways, by morning, after running one more check on your mother, you all can go home," Dr Nicholas said.
"Really?" Stephanie asked excitedly.
"Of course," the doctor affirmed. "Well then, I'll leave you three. I have other patients to go check up on."
"Alright doc. Thank you very much," Kane appreciated. The doctor nodded and left Melanie's bedside.
Kane and his sister turned to their mother, smiling at her.
____________
Ava woke up the next morning a little bit later than she usually did. She was tired from all that happened the previous night.
Even though she woke up late, she wasn't going to let that stop her from carrying out her usual Saturday morning routines.
She got dressed in her workout outfit and hit the treadmill for twenty minutes, as she listened to an audio book via her headphone.
When she was done, she took a shower and fixed herself something to eat, and ate while she watched TV in the living area.
As she ate, her phone rang. She looked and saw that it was Lina calling. She hissed, ignoring the call, and continued eating.
Her phone rang again, and yet again, she ignored the call. After the second call, she noticed the phone didn't buzz again.
Not long after, her phone rang again. Angrily she grabbed her phone and answered.
"Can't you just leave me the hell alone? I don't want to talk to you!"
"You don't want to talk to your mother?"
Ava's eyes widened in shock, and she crossed her hand over her mouth.
"Mom! I'm so sorry. I thought it was someone else who called. I didn't check to see who was calling," Ava apologized.
"Did someone provoke you? You seem really pissed at that person," Ava's mother asked, having observed.
"Well, it's nothing," Ava shrugged it off, as she didn't want to talk about it.
"Anyway, I called to invite you over for dinner. It's been a while since I, your father, and you, had dinner together."
Ava's demeanor turned gloomy, hearing her mother's request.
"I already have plans for the evening Mom."
"Well, can't you reschedule for our sake? It's been a while we had dinner."
"Alright. I'll reschedule my plans and come over for dinner," Ava accepted.
"Thank you honey," her mother said happily. "I'll make sure the chef prepares your favorite. Bye."
"Bye mom."
Ava sighed frustratedly, setting aside her phone. She momentarily lost her appetite at the thought of what possibly laid ahead of her that night.
Left to her, she would not have gone, but she found it hard denying her mother of her request.