A FALL

"Thank God they brought her here immediately. " said Dr. Charles.  He is the only Medical doctor in London clinic. Ever since we discovered my Mother had diabetes, I became more acquainted with Dr. Charles. I sometimes  go to the clinic to get drugs for my mother and while she was admitted few months back , I spent three days there with her while my siblings visited  during the day and slept in Mama Ajabo's home at night . When my mother had a heart attack that time,  we rushed her to the clinic with some neigbohors on a motorcycle. She looked lifeless and today when I saw her in such state, I felt empty. Eventually today, a customer came to the bar with his car so when she fainted, she was placed in the car before my siblings and I came running in tears. "She had another heart attack. " said Dr.Charles.  "Is there any older relative around?  Maybe her husband, sister or friend? " "I am her daughter. " I quickly replied. He looked at me and I knew what was going down his mind. He needed to speak with someone mature. An adult perhaps. "You can tell me everything Doctor. " I said while feigning confidence. Dr. Charles took me to his office. It was small and had two long benches made of wood. Opposite his steel chair was another chair where patients sit whenever they wanted to consult him. "Do you want water? " he asked. I shook my head signalling no.  "Okay Fetty. About your mother. " he began with his hands stretched on the table. "You are aware your mother has diabetes. She hasn't been taking her drugs regularly, she doesn't eat the proper diet and she fainted today because her blood pressure is low. It seems she has been thinking alot lately which is making her health deteriorate. She will be stable i believe. So be calm. She will be fine. "

As I sat close to my mother, I keenly watched and observed every breath she took on the hospital bed. Her eyes were shut. Tami was on my laps while Kiki and Osifa sat on the bench behind her. London clinic is very tiny. It could pass for someone's apartment in the main town. It had few rooms used as wards with the doctors office, a bathroom, a reception and a small pharmacy. "Fetty will mother be fine? asked Osifa. "Of course she will." I replied. "Sister I am hungry" said Tami. I looked at the clock hanging above my mothers bed, it was 23 minutes past 7pm. We haven't had dinner. I was confused, tired and hungry. Then Mama Ajabo walked in. I couldn't contain my joy when I saw her walking to the hospital ward my mother was admitted with a food container. I knew our dinner had come. "Good evening Mummy Ajabo. " I said while taking my eyes of the food container. "My dear how are you people? ".  Tami had come down from my laps and was running round the ward with Ajabo. "I brought food for you people. " she said while opening the container. "Yeah " screamed Tami. Mama Ajabo filled the container with Jollof rice and my siblings were excited. We ate together after which they left home with Mama Ajabo. They will be spending the night in her home. Before leaving the hospital, Osifa hugged me tightly and whispered "Mother will be fine. " She was getting older and was beginning to understand what is going on I thought. 

Throughout the night, I couldn't sleep properly. The power supply went off before 9pm so I fanned my mother and the moment I realized I was dozing off, I got up and continued. I cried throughout the night but I was grateful. At least my mother wasn't dead. There were no patients in the ward so I cried uncontrollably. While I was fanning my sick mother around 3am, I couldn't help but think about my siblings. Whether they had thier baths or slept well. Tami will miss sleeping on the bed. They will squeeze themselves on mama Ajabo's little mat. It didn't matter how they slept as far as they are safe I thought. I was glad Mama Ajabo was around else it would have been something else. 

"Good morning Fetty .... Please  can you come over to my office?" said Dr. Charles . I stood up and followed him. My mother hasn't regain consciousness yet and it was 8:00 am. "You can have a sit. " he said while pointing towards the empty steel chair opposite his direction. "Your eyes are swollen Fetty. It is obvious you haven't had a good night rest. I am sorry. " "It is alright sir. " I quickly replied. "Ehmm Fetty... I've been wondering. Don't you have any relative I can speak too. Someone older. By the way where's your father. " he said. "Dr. If you need any information pertaining my mother or you want to tell me anything about her ailment. You can go ahead. I  am all she has. " I answered confidently. He smiled and continued. "Aside your mother's low blood pressure, her sugar level has increased which is very risky. Fetty without beating around the bush, we need money. I need money to faccilitate your mother's treatment. The drugs, injections and drips need to be paid for. Not to talk of the ward fee. I know your having a though time but please we need something like a little amount to faccilitate her treatment. Do you understand. " he said. "I do. " I replied. "Dr. Like how much do we need? " I inquired. "If you can get like 10 thousand naira for now that'll be okay. I wouldn't have asked for this Fetty but my hands are tied. The drugs your mother needs are not in this clinic. I'll have to send the money to the big pharmacy in town.  I am very sorry Fetty. " I could depict the empathy in his eyes. When my mother was admitted few months back, Dr. Charles discharged her and requested for no ward fee. I knew what was at hand was beyond his reach. "Try and see if you can't money somewhere or a relative to borrow from so that once she regains consciousness and she's discharged, she'll sort them out. Dont worry about your mother. She'll be fine. I will look after her while you are gone". "Thank you Dr. Charles ". I said then left his office. 

I hurried home to take a bath. My siblings had gone to school. I wanted to cook lunch, put it in a food flask then take it with me to the hospital but there was nothing to cook. Only #200 was left from the money my father gave us so I bought pasta, made jollof out of it then turned it in our food flask. Before giving Mama Ajabo the key to our room, I told her to inform my siblings to change thier school uniforms to normal clothes then come directly to the hospital. I left home after having a bath. I didn't go to the hospital instead. I went to look for the money my mother needed to faccilitate her treatment. I went to GreenLand brothel.