Chapter 13. Aria pays

“Can you tell me where my mom is?" I was yelling already.

"I'm so sorry to inform you, but your mom is at the hospital fighting for her life," he said. For some few seconds, I couldn't feel my legs again. The world seemed unfair to me “Omg! Which Hospital?” I cried. As soon as I was given the information I walked away.

Mum was fighting between her life and death meanwhile, I was out there fucking strangers. That took me by surprise. I didn't expect her sickness to degrade so quickly. I don't know why but I couldn't stop blaming myself.

I wiped out the tears, which were already dripping down my eyes and decided to go to the church as my neighbour told me.

It wasn't a long walk, but at that time, It felt like trekking to Israel. The sun was too harsh and the thick clothes I had on made matters worse.

As I walked down the road, passers-by were all staring at me.

Married men, like unmarried men, where getting lost at the sight of me. It was just an annoying situation.

From a few meters away, I could see the church. Not only that, I could see a large crowd outside. That was very strange, the church was a very deserted place. The scene of seeing people outside alone gave me goosebumps.

I summon the courage and walked toward the church. As I got closer, everyone's eyes were fixed on me. I could tell something bad had happened or was going on.

"Aria! where have you been for the past days?” one of the church's elderly men asked. “Sorry, sir. I have been out of town, I had some things to do" I lied. “Where is my mum?" I asked, with a teary voice.

“Your mom was rushed to the hospital" an elderly woman answered as she moved toward me. “What!!!" I screamed with shock for the second time in the day. Indeed, I was still in shock.

“Yes, she collapsed in church during night Worships and we took her to the hospital" the priest added as he moved out of the crowd. “Which hospital is she," I asked. “The city Hospital," an elderly woman said. “Thank you, ma'am” I bowed.

I was about to leave when a hand-held my back. I turned back, with tears in my eyes, “We contributed some money to support her but it isn't enough. I think you should contact your family members, she needs more money for her treatment" a tall, fresh man said and that was the priest

"Thanks, father," I said and zoomed off. I walked as fast, as my leg could carry me. I ran to the hospital although my legs were hurting, I wasn't ready to stop. I kept on running, till I got there.

When I got to the hospital, I could see a lot of people there. Immediately, I ran to the receptionist and inquired about my mom. I was given directions to where her room was.

When I got there, I was stunned at the state of my mother. I couldn't believe, all that happened while I was away from home only for three days. That means if I spent two more days I would have found her death

At the sight of my mum, tears flooded my eyes. I was in pain, with no one to console me, no sister, no friend, no boyfriend. I was alone. If only mum was healthy I would have probably been sharing my traumatizing experience with her.

As I walked in, I discovered mom was awake.

"Aria, where have you been?" mom asked. She looked so worried. “Mom, you don't need to worry, I am here," I said, as I moved closer to wipe the tears which were already flooding mum’s cheeks. That was so heartbreaking I couldn't help but cry. I had a lot on my mind.

"What's wrong, Aria, you are crying?" mom looked more saddened as she saw me weeping “Aria, I didn't mean to hurt you, or is there something I need to know?” she added. “No! Nothing, mom, everything is fine. I'm just worried about you” I replied, as I held her hand.

"You look pale and exhausted, Aria what's going on?. Don't you dare lie to me" mom warned as she asked again? And I chuckled with tears fueled in my ears. She was dying yet she could still see through my soul. I wiped my tears and I fake a smile at her “Nothing, mom you don't have to worry, I am fine". “I hope so!” she frowned.

As we were speaking, the doctor walked in.

He greeted us and asked mom, how she was doing. She replied, that she was feeling better than yesterday. He did some medical checks and wrote down something on a notepad, which he carried in his hands. While I was impatiently glaring at him…

Then he passed it to the nurse who came along with him. When he was done, he asked to see me privately. I was afraid, I looked at mom and gave her a reassuring look, that all will be well then I walked out of the ward and followed the doctor to his office.

When I got to his office, he offered me a chair to sit on. I sat down, and I looked straight into his eyes. He smile at me, and I knew it wasn't a genuine smile. It was a smile to comfort me before getting the bad news… I was prepared… I mean that was what I thought.

He adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat before he spoke. “Miss Aria, as you can see, your mom is in a delicate situation, and she needs to be attended to, as fast as possible" he paused and continued.

“And for us to start effective treatment, we need you to pay for it, even if you don't have it all now, you can pay subsequently," the doctor said. “Sir, how much are we talking about?" I asked.

“I am not in the position to tell you when you get to the receptionist, she will read the details of your bill and the earlier you pay, the better her chance of staying alive. If you don't pay, you know the consequence" the doctor said and stood up from his seat.

“Let the treatment start now! I will pay" I exclaimed.

The doctor smiled and replied “We don't do this like that ma'am, I will kindly advise you to see the receptionist first" he said, and left the office.

Immediately, I stood up and ran down to the reception. I made enquires and to my biggest shock, the bill was much more than what I could ever imagine. I just couldn't believe it, I thought the money, I had could fully cover up the bill, but no I was wrong.

I looked at the small blue piece of paper containing the details of the bill and my heart melted. Though, I was glad that the money I had with me, would be enough for them to start the necessary treatment. While on the other hand, I was thinking about how and where would I find the balance.

I took the little piece of paper and dipped it, in my pocket. I walked back to the ward where my mom was and I could tell she had been waiting for me.

I stretched my hands towards my bag and brought out the money.

My mom was so shocked to see me with so much money. She asked immediately, "Aria, where did you get this money from?”. I smiled and replied to her, "I worked for it".

I brought everything out and counted the money, to know how much it was. When I was done counting, there was a little bit of hope in me that, everything would be fine. I was about to leave when I felt a warm palm on my elbow, I knew it was my mom and she could easily detect if I was saying the truth or not from my expression.

"Aria, where did you get this money from?" she asked with a low tone.

I knew, that if I looked at her, she would know, that I was lying. I faced the door without turning back and I said, “I worked for it, mum”, I didn't wait for her to say a word and I raced down to the receptionist.

When I got there, I told her I wanted to make payments.

The receptionist was so shocked, I could tell from the look on her face. Well, I brought out the money from my bag and was about giving her, when I felt a hand on my left arm. It couldn't be my mum because she was laying in bed unable to move.

With fear, I turned to back, with my heart pounding faster than ever, only to find out that it was...