Mom's Health

Elisa's POV

The taxi stopped in front of my mom's house. This place was so far away from Alex that I found peace of mind. There was no way he could figure out my present location. Right inside the taxi, I was thinking about how to restart my life.

"It doesn't matter how many times I fall, what matters is my ability to stand up."

That was the motivational quote I said to myself before coming out of the car. Life wasn't fair. Even not fairer to people who do what is good. I was ready to dust off all the pains I have gone through. Probably, my mom's prophecy was about to manifest now. She told me to establish myself here after college, but I rejected her offer.

"I love to go to the bigger city," I told her some years ago. But in the bigger city, I was treated like a rag. Used as if I didn't have a feeling. As I pulled my right leg out of the car, I could feel the home breeze.

"Hmmm… no place like home." I thought. I turned my eyes to the most familiar building, my mum's house. This was where I was born, the place my dad fell in love and out of love with my mum.

As I was pulling my bag out of the car, I heard my brother's voice, saying,

"Mum, Elisa is here."

His voice and the feeling of seeing my mum was a wake-up call of happiness. These were the only people who would not betray me. I love my family with all my heart and I am ready to build this home with Mum.

My brother was the first to jump on me. His name was Kenneth. There was great joy on his face. He took my bag and as I turned my eyes, I saw Mum battling each step with a walking stick.

"When did you start using a walking stick?" I thought and walked faster to help her.

"Mum?" I looked at her from head to toe. The nerves in my eyes could not remain stable. It was a shock to me.

"Mum, why were you hiding your illness from me?"

I didn't know when tears gathered in my eyes.

"I'm fine."

"Fine like this? No, no." I shook my head.

"Please let's go inside." She said and I held her waist and put her right hand over my neck. City life had hidden me from my mum. It has been a long time since I saw my mum. Though, there wasn't a day I didn't hear her voice.

Gently, we climbed the two steps in front of the door and went in, and sat down. I kept looking at my mum. She had deteriorated. This was not what I was expecting.

"What is the doctor saying about your health?" I asked. I needed an instant solution. I wished I could do it myself. I wasn't comfortable at all. All the parts of her body looked very weak apart from her mouth. Her mouth was sharp and healthy the way I left her. She spoke without stress.

"Forget about my health for now. How about your life? When are you going back?"

Her questions reminded me of what happened to me.

"Mum, I'm fine. I don't think I will be going back for now. I want to look after you."

"What about your job? Do you want to ruin your life because of me? I have my life to live. I don't want to be a burden on you. You must go back. You need to continue your work. I have my life to live. That reminds me, how is Douglas?"

I turned my eyes and saw Kenneth looking at us with all eagerness. I didn't want to say what Douglas did in his presence.

"Mum, can we talk about that later today?"

"My darling, is anything going wrong? Tell me, I'm your mother."

I closed my eyes, tightened my lips, and dragged my breath all at the same time.

"Please, can we go inside your room?"

We stood up and at my mom's pace, we walked into her room leaving Kenneth in the sitting room. As we left, Kenneth took his phone and made a call.

When we got to her room, she coughed as she sat on her bed. I waited, allowing her to stop coughing.

"We need to go to the hospital tomorrow. I'm very unhappy with your health."

"What happened between you and Douglas?" She asked again. She was so interested. I thought talking about her health would change the topic. At first, I didn't know where to start. Should I start in my house where he came and blindfolded me or at the hotel where he sold me to Alex, the drunk beast? It never occurred to me I was delaying in replying to my mom.

"Elisa…?" She drew my attention. I couldn't hide my feelings, and I burst into tears.

"Is everything alright?" She asked as she put her hands on me and I buried my face in her lap. She gave me time to weep away the strings of pain in my heart. It reminded me at that moment, how Douglas destroyed all I have built. My promotion was on its way. Someone among the board members had tipped me that sensitive information. Mom thought Douglas must have cheated on me.

"Cheated on you? Why must he do that?"

She concluded. She must have said it because of what my dad has done to her. Moreover, nothing will cause a lady to weep if not for cheating.

"He did something worse than that. Whenever I think of what he did, I feel like cursing the day I knew him. He devastated my life. He was the reason I lost everything I have worked for."

"What exactly did he do?" My mum interrupted me. I was ashamed to say it to my mum. I felt like a fool reflecting on how to put it in words.

"Mum," I looked at her as she cleaned my eyes. "We have broken up. I don't want to hear his name again."

Mum could feel my pain. There was no need for her to persuade me to tell her how it happened.

"Everything will be alright. Trust me."

"I know Mum. Thank you so much. But we need to go to the hospital tomorrow." I cleaned my tears and continued,

"Did you hear anything from my dad lately?"

"I don't want to think of him or hear from him. He is now a puppet to his new mistress. I don't regret knowing him because, through our union, I gave birth to you."

My mum's words were like drinking cold juice during high summer. It calmed me down and I held her tightly.

"I love you, Mum."

"I love you too," she held me and there was silence until we heard the opening of the door.

"Mum!..." Kenneth entered the room.

"What's it, Kenneth?"

"Sam has been waiting for you in the sitting room."

"Who is Sam?" I asked and wanted to follow Mom out of the room.

"Please don't worry Elisa. Sit down and relax. You are just coming from a long journey.

My mum left the room and went out. I was curious to know who Sam was. Kenneth was about to follow my mum when I called him.

"Sit down," I touched the bed and he sat down. I waited and wanted my mum to go far before I asked my brother.

"Who is Sam?"

"Is our next-door neighbor, also known as Henry. You know him. The father of Paul." He said.

"Okay," I replied. I knew the man. One of the richest men in our neighborhood.

"But he lost his wife some months ago."

"What a pity!" I shrunk my eyes and looked at my brother as he stood up and went out of the room.

After fifteen minutes, my mom came back. She looked disturbed. This wasn't the kind of face she had when she left.

"Mom, what's the matter?"

She stood for a while before sitting down. This time, some inches away from me.

"Mom!" I called and waited. "What's happening?" I asked.

"I have been thinking of the request of Mr. Sam, I don't know how to tell you. He is presently the wealthiest man in this environment, and he lost his wife months ago." She paused and looked into my eyes.

"And…?" I tried to force out more words from her.

"He said he will pay for my hospital bill and employ Kenneth in his company if his request is granted."

The first thing I thought was that Mr. Sam was having a crush on my mum.

"What's his request?" I asked.

"I have been hiding it from you. He wants to have you as his wife."

"What?" I stood up. "That advanced man?" I pointed at the direction of his house. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"He must be a joker."

"He is dead serious. What should we do? Should I continue to bear this pain or should we do something about his request?"