DECEIT (short Story) By Amponsem Akosua Episode 1

CHAPTER 1

After receiving a call that my mother was rushed to the
hospital early that morning, I picked my phone,
my car key and my purse. I was in a hurry to get to the hospital. I met a nurse at the reception and I requested to see my mother but I was told the doctor wants to see me in his office. After so many scolding from Doctor Komolafe who happens to be our family Doctor, he told me my mom's blood pressure has increased and after given me so many warnings 2 months back about my mom's health all he wanted were improvements but unfortunately its getting out of hands. I asked him to let me see her but he said she can't see anyone yet. I felt guilty within me knowing that I caused my mom's poor state of health. I went back to the reception pacing up and down waiting for me to be told my mom can now have visitors.
After my 2hours of waiting, praying, crying and thinking I was finally told to go in and see her. I was devastated and I couldn't help but feel guilty. "mom I'm sorry" was all I could mutter beneath my breath. She felt sorry for me too.


*****
My name is Aderola Adeola, I'm 33years the only female child of my parents. I was born into a family where four boys were already waiting for my arrival. My dad passed on when I was 3years I barely recognize him but for pictures and my eldest brother look exactly like father. My dad was rich and he made sure he settled everyone financially before he passed on. We are independent. After I graduated at age 22 I started my own business and at age 30 I was already a multiMillionaire. But I've never been lucky when it comes to guys and I've chosen to be single ever since I got severely heartbroken by my so called fiancé. ever since then I've been happily single but my mom is not convenient with it and she kept on hammering it into my ears that I must get married and that I'm the only one left because my brothers have all settled down. Our last argument turned out bad and that's why she's lying helplessly on the hospital bed.
I went home to get her some food and called my brothers inform them about our mother's state of health. I was the only one in Nigeria so I will be the one to take care of her. I finished the cooking and dished the food into a flask, I blended some fruits to make juice for her. I called my manager to tell him I will be off work for some days pending the time my mom will get back to her feet so he can control everything on my behalf. I got to the hospital, parked my car at the parking lot. I picked up the basket that was sitting at the back seat and went into the hospital. I bumped into someone and only said sorry without looking back at the person, I was so in a hurry. I got to the ward where mom was admitted and fortunately she was awake. I spoon fed her, she was only able to eat little and the fruit juice and I'm very sure that will be sufficient for her medicine. In no time she slept off. I went to sit at the reception so that I won't disturb her sleep. I was on a call when I noticed someone was staring at me I was through with the call and the person was still staring so I stopped looking at his direction. I thought that was all not until I noticed him coming towards me, I stood and walked towards the parking lot he was still following me. I would have drove out instantly but my car key and my purse were left in the basket I brought which was in mom's ward. So there was no point in running from him. I summoned courage and spoke up.
"I noticed you've been staring at me for a while now and u even followed me out here, any problem?"
" not at all, I've been looking at you since you came in here earlier today, at some point you were crying, pacing up and down and when you were coming in with food you bumped into and you didn't seem to care" he said
"I said sorry earlier so just let me be for now, I don't need any more drama in my life for now" I said leaving him where he was standing. With that I hoped he would just let me be but I was mistaken.
later that day I went into the doctor's office to ask for the latest update about mom's health. He insisted on talking to my brothers to so he called them and conferenced the call, they were all listening to the doctor at the same time . The doctor proposed she stays off stress for a very long while and anything that will make her think excessively with that the call was brought to an end. He told me mom was responding to the treatment so I became relieved because I can't stand loosing my mother. She's been the best thing that as ever happened to me. She is my confidant, helper, best friend, soulmate name it. She would be set for discharge in 5days she still need to be observed by the doctor.


****
I stayed at the hospital with mom everyday I only go home to freshen up and prepare something for her to eat. I couldn't avoid seeing the man whom I bumped into so I had to be friendly enough with him I started noticing he was a nice man, we got talking and he told me a lot about him, we exchanged numbers. His name is Chukwuemeka but he told me he preferred Chuks
After 6days mom was discharged from the hospital, I had to go stay with her at home so I took some of my things and went to our house, the maids and servants won't be able to keep her company as me. Mom was back to her normal and radiant self and we both avoid anything that would be detrimental to her health. 2weeks after her discharge one of my brother said she should come to Canada for a brief visit at least to ease her off the stresses she face here. That was an opportunity for me to go back to my house and face my business squarely without having to worry again.
The man at the hospital became an history. I was at one of my supermarkets one day when I saw a familiar figure, this person was looking at me too and later he walked up to me.
"you are...Adeola right?" he said
"yes but I don't think I remember this face" she said
"we met at the hospital 6months back but lost your contact, nice meeting you again"
"you must be chuks" she said amusingly
"you are here to shop right? Let it be on me" he said
with a smile on her face"no, its one of my supermarkets, I came here to see how things have been since its been long I came here"
"wow, you such an hardworking woman, my type of woman, this is my card" he said handing it to her.
It felt awkward when I wanted to put a call across to him the following day but I shrugged and did, we fixed a time for lunch that same day.
****
Our friendship blossomed and we became best of friends. I never bothered to visit his home, I felt it would be so indecent of me so during the 5months of our friendship I never cared to visit.
Mom called me one day and our former discussions ensued, I told her I've gotten a man that we were still trying to see if we would be compatible. Hmmmm! I lied, he hasn't ever asked me out, I was only wishing he does. Mom was happy and said she would come home very soon because she must meet the man.

TBC