Twenty nine

KATIE

My eyes fluttered open and I was confused about where I was, it took me a moment to realize that we were in the hospital when the nauseating smell of spirits and saline hit my nostrils.

I was laying on something, a bed. Why was I laying on a bed in the hospital? Last I remembered, I had come here to see my mother who had an accident.

That’s right! My mother. I sprang up from the bed at the thought of that and my veins flooded with urgency. But my eyes caught the presence of someone, no, two people. Katrine and my mother, sitting on the bed opposite the one I laid on. I halted.

Hold on? My mother? How come she’s sitting and I’m the one laying on the bed? Wasn’t she involved in an accident?

I was puzzled and confused. I stared at her from top to bottom, she looked fine to me. Not like one who had just gone through a ghastly accident. Oh wait, there was a bandage on her arm, but still, that wasn’t what I was expecting.

“Mother! They said you were involved in a serious accident.” I said to her, really, really confused about what was going on.

“I was involved in an accident, I don’t know anything about it being serious. I was on my way home from work and someone ran into my car. I sustained an injury but I never said it was serious. I’m fine as it is, you’re the one who fainted.” My mother said and my mouth fell agape, what’s the meaning of this? It wasn’t a serious accident? And they made me panic like that?

“But the nurse said—”

“I was there when the nurse made the call, Katie. I was the one who told her to make the call and tell you about the accident and have her tell you to rush here because I needed to see you. But the accident wasn’t serious.” My mother further explained and I was speechless, I turned to Katrine and she gave me a confused look too.

“So you mean the accident wasn’t serious and you sustained just a minor arm injury?” I had to clarify, and she nodded in affirmation.

What the heck? Does she know the mental trauma she put me in? Why didn’t she tell the nurse to tell me that it wasn’t anything serious? I can’t just believe how dramatic my mother can be sometimes.

“What? Mum! Do you know what you put me through? Why didn’t you just let me know that it was nothing serious so I could calm down.” I asked, snapping. Why would she do a thing like that?

“Because if the nurse tells you that, you won’t come here. You’d just assume that I’m okay and you won’t come to see me because you’re distracted with your numerous boyfriends or parties.” Oh my God. Here we go again. Does she know that I missed planning my girlfriend for a date because of this? If she knew that, then she would retract that statement. However, I think it’s better she doesn’t know that.

My mouth fell open, and I shut it back, opening it again to speak but no words came out. My mother can be so unbelievable sometimes, why would she do this?

I just shook my head at the pathetic decision she made, “Mum, you’re unbelievable.” I simply say and get up from the bed.

“Please, don’t do that again, mother. Katherine and I were worried sick and I almost had a heart attack when I heard it.” I stated matter–of–factly.

“That’s true.” Katherine nodded in confirmation.

“And I want to assure you that I don’t have numerous boyfriends and I’m very focused on my studies. I spend most of my time with Katherine.” I explained to her for the umpteenth time. But my mother was strong–headed, she would believe that explanation the day that pigs fly.

“I don't trust you Katie, I might trust Katherine but you, I don't believe you" She shot back and I cringed at that. Again, my mother can be so dramatic especially when she caught me at a party with a guy and was literally having the time of my life, giving him a lap dance. Since then she has been suspicious of me.

“Mum, please you have to believe me. And don’t ever think I would neglect you because of anything. If you had simply told me the truth about your condition, I wouldn’t have been so worried and I would’ve still come to see you anyways.” I said to her, candidly. I would never abandon her because of anything. I love and appreciate her so much, even though she can be a handful.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed and it made a hint of a smile play on my lips, the woman just wants my attention and it’s kind of amusing the lengths she’d go for that. I went over to where she sat and wrapped my arms around her in a hug, careful not to hurt her injured arm.

“I love you so much mother, don’t forget that,” I said to her, truly.

She wrapped her uninjured arm around me, “I love you too my sweetheart. Please just stay focused on your studies and make sure you maintain your high grades and be like your best friend who is innocent and smart" Here we go again with her constant talk about grades and studies, but I’d let it slide for today.

“Alright mother, I won’t let anything distract me,” I assured her, really hoping so. But a few hours ago, I made the decision to forfeit my study session just to help Katherine on her date with Alexander.

I disengaged from the hug, “How’s the car?”

“Bad. It was damaged a lot. It’s a miracle that I only sustained a minor injury.” She answered.

“Well, unfortunately, Katherine and I came here in a cab. I will call you a cab to drop you home and I'll come to see you tomorrow after school.” I said to her and she smiled.

“Thank you so much, girls.”

“No problem, Ma'am,” Katherine said and rose from the edge of the bed.

“Alright mother, let’s get you home.” And then Katherine and I helped my very dramatic and attention seeking mother up, and all three of us left the hospital.

I love her endlessly, but she can be a lot sometimes.

And I want nothing more than to get good grades and be the woman she had always envisioned for me.

KATHERINE

I arrived back home at some time past nine pm. The time for the date is long gone and I’m sure Alexander is very furious with me.

I checked my phone for the first time since I answered the call from the Nurse and saw about ten voicemails from Alexander and about fifteen texts. I would call him once I get into my apartment.

We had waited for the cab to drive my mother off first before getting a cab to my hostel. I waved to her as the car drove off, entering into the building and met the surprise not–so–surprising presence of Alexander Walters at my doorstep.

Oh, I really have my shit cut out for me tonight.

He was dressed for the date obviously, the tucked-in shirt and dress shoes he had on was the complete opposite of what Alexander usually wore and it gave me a sense of happiness that he had actually stepped out of his comfort zone just to put an effort for this date. And I was also feeling a tad guilty for missing it too, but I had to be there for Katie and make sure she was okay.

He was furious alright, and he had an angered and impatient scowl on. “What the fuck Katherine? Where the hell have you been?” He thundered at me and I sighed, conjuring up all the mental energy I needed for this conversation.

“I’m so sorry Alexander. I didn’t intend to miss the date or leave you hanging. My friend's mother was involved in an accident and I had to go follow her to the hospital. I know I should’ve called to cancel, but there was so much happening and I just couldn’t. I’m so sorry.” I rambled out the apology, hoping he’d believe it. He should know better that I won’t lie to him or blow him off for someone else, he’s the only boy I talk to.

A great fraction of his anger seemingly died down at that, “Really? Your friend's mum had an accident? How’s she now? Shit, I’m so sorry Katherine and I’m sorry for yelling at you without hearing your explanation.” He apologized. There he goes with his sweet apologies again.

“It’s fine, Alex. Her mother is fine, it wasn’t very serious and she’s okay. I’m sorry for missing the date again.” I render an apology of my own.

“I understand Katherine, and I’m not mad anymore. I know what happened couldn’t be helped and you needed to be there for your friend and her mother.” Alexander said and I smiled, nodding. “So, can we reschedule the date then?” He asked and I sighed.

The least I owe my mother now is to pass the upcoming tests with no distractions and with the best grades. Alex is a distraction and a date with him is a bigger distraction, I’d be thinking about it all the time until the day arrives and I don’t need those thoughts occupying the space I’m supposed to be used to store chemical formulas.

I need to pass the test. And he needs to pass the test too.

“Actually Alex, I don’t think we can go on the date so soon.”

Disappointment spreads on his face, “What? Why?”

“I need to study for the upcoming tests and I won’t have time for dates. And also, I want you to study too so you can ace the test.” I said to him.

“Oh? What do I get if I ace the test ,Katherine?” He asked and I was shocked by the question. He wanted something in return for passing a test for his own good?

“A date,” I answered. But then, my mind thought up another answer. “And a kiss. If you pass the test, you’d get a date and kiss Alex.”