#Chapter 7# Dr. Stella

I opened my eyes and found myself on the hospital bed, with Asher holding my hand.

"She has woken up," Asher announced. "How are you feeling?" He asked. I could not talk. I cast my gaze around, trying to find my mother. There she was, sitting, looking straight at me in the eyes. The look on her face communicated to me that all was not well. She looked at me with pity. Tears almost flowed out of her eyes. I didn't know what condition I was in, but I knew it would be worse than before.

"Mother." I called out with tears rolling down my cheek. She couldn't withstand her watery eyes and had to let the tears flow down her cheeks also. She stood up from where she was sitting and walked up to me. She placed her hand around my neck and placed my head on her chin. She placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Tara!" she called out painfully. She placed her hand on my cheeks and looked into my eyes. She then hugged me back and cried more painfully. I knew something was wrong. something worse than before.

The doctor walked in, in response to the call of the nurse. She was a she. I was shocked to see a new doctor. My doctor has always been Dr. Antonio.

"Mother, what of Dr. Antonio?" I asked.

"Sweetheart, I am sorry to say this, but Dr. Antonio can't treat you any further. He referred us to her. Her name is Dr. Stella. Your present situation is out of his hands. She is more capable of handling your condition.

Good evening, Tara. My name is Parker Stella. I am your new cardiologist. I looked at her from head to toe and saw some traits of Anna. Her hair, set of teeth, color of skin, and the like. Then I recapitulated her name in my mind: "Parker Stella." Anna's surname is Parker, if I'm not mistaken. "Parker Anna." This is how the principal addresses her.

"Good evening, Doc." I replied.

"How do you feel now?" She inquired.

"Okay. I guess, " I replied.

I placed my head on Asher's chest to rest my head, and he patted me on the head. "Asher!" I called out.

"Yes, sweetie." Asher replied.

"What happened? Who rescued me from the toilet? " I asked him.

"I know you are curious to know. I brought you out of the toilet. You were already unconscious when I got there. But tell me, did you see anyone entering that toilet with you? " He asked.

"No one was there with me. But I did hear footsteps when I was calling for help. I replied.

"Whom do you suspect did this?" One of the nurses asked out of nowhere.

"I have no idea," I said.

"I think I do," Asher said.

"Who?" The nurse and I chorused.

"Anna! I was on my way to the toilet to check if you were there when I saw her coming out of the toilet. She tried to stop me.

"Why is she after my life? What did I do to deserve this? Does she have the guts and the mind to do this? I asked loudly, almost crying.

My noise attracted Dr. Stella, and she came closer to us.

" Sorry, if I may ask, what is going on here?" She inquired.

We all remained muted.

"Tara, are you okay? My mum asked me

"Yes I am." I replied.

Asher, is anything wrong? My mother asked Asher.

"Asher? Tara?" Dr. Stella said, amusingly.

"What school do you both attend?" She asked.

With the way she called us both, I could sense she was suspecting us to be her daughter's classmates. Probably, Anna did tell her about Asher and I. And maybe also told her she likes Asher but Asher likes me instead.

" Bersork high school." Asher replied.

"Do you guys know Anna?" She asked.

"Yes, we do," Asher replied.

"Oh, good. She is my daughter, "she exclaimed.

Asher was shocked to hear it, but I wasn't. It was all I had been waiting to hear from her. She looked at me with so much disdain and asked: "You are the 'Tara,' right?" She left the room immediately.

"What is she up to?" I asked myself.

"Mum! Put a call through to Dr. Antonio now! "

"Wait. Before I do that, can someone explain to me what is going on here? " My mother asked curiously.

"Mum, put a call through to him. I'll explain everything later. I said.

"No, you can't tell me what to do." She fired at me.

" This means my life, mum, do it!!" I fired back at her, crying.

She looked at me and dipped her hand into her bag to get her cell phone. She dialed the number and it soon started to ring.

"Hello," Dr. Antonio said.

"Hello, Doc." "Good evening," my mum replied.

"Good evening. How is Tara? " "Hope Stella is taking good care of her?" He queried.

"That's why I'm calling, Doc." Tara wants to speak with you. My mum replied.

My mum handed over the phone to me.

"Hey, Doc." I greeted

"Hey, Tara. How are you feeling? He asked.

" Doc, please, I need another cardiologist." I begged.

"Why?" he asked curiously.

"My life will be at more risk if she continues to be my doctor from now on." I replied.

I'm sorry to say this, but she is the only cardiologist in this country that can handle your situation best. Unless you travel out of the country. " He said.

I hung up the call.

"I'd rather die a natural death than die in the hands of Anna's mum." I said to myself.

"Can you tell me what is wrong?" My mum asked

"Mum!! Take me out of this place. " I said, commandingly.

"Tara? Asher?" She said, looking at both of us.

"Ma, please let's take her home. I promise to explain everything to you, myself. " Asher said begging.

"If that is what you want, so be it." My mum said

She got up and packed everything there. She inquired about Dr. Stella, but was told she had gone home. We signed out and went home.