A Wife’s Duty Despite the Pain

Henry quickly carried Fulvia and laid her gently on the bed.

“Someone bring me water now!” Henry shouted, taking out his phone and calling their family doctor.

“Hello, Dr Mack, please, it’s an emergency. My wife hit her head and she’s unconscious.”

“I will be there shortly, young master,” Dr Mack replied and hung up.

Mia, a maid who had been in the mansion for years, hurriedly brought water into the room.

“Young master, you asked for water. What’s wrong, sir? Oh my, what’s wrong with madam?” Mia went close to Fulvia, touching her forehead to feel her temperature.

“She tripped and fell. I think she hit her head on the bathtub,” Henry said, his leg shaking as he patted his phone nervously.

Mia splashed a little water on Fulvia’s face. Fulvia opened her eyes slightly just as Bella, one of the maids, came into the room.

“Young master, the doctor is downstairs looking for you. Should I bring him here?” Bella asked, standing in her black maid’s dress like the others.

“What else? Bring him in. Why did I call him if not to come and treat someone, fool,” Henry said, his expression stressed and angry.

Bella hurried out of the room, her footsteps light and quick to bring the doctor in.

“Madam, are you okay?” Mia asked Fulvia, placing a white towel in water and pressing it on her head.

“I’m okay,” Fulvia said, her voice breaking and slow.

The doctor came in, treated the injury, and packed up his stuff. “Young master, it’s just a minor injury. Nothing serious. She just fainted because she hit her head, so relax, Mr Henry.”

“Thanks, doctor. I really appreciate it. Do you need a lift? It’s late already.”

“No need to bother, young master. I came with my car. And before I forget, madam has eaten or taken something she’s allergic to, so let her be careful in the future.”

“Thanks, doctor,” Henry said. “Mia, see Dr Mack off.”

“Okay, young master,” Mia answered. She took a duvet cover from the wardrobe and covered Fulvia with it.

Outside the mansion in the compound.

“Hey, Mr Josh, open the gate. The doctor is about to drive out,” Mia shouted.

“Thanks, Miss Mia,” the doctor said, closing his car door and driving out of the compound.

“Bye, sir, and thanks for today,” Mia replied. She was about to walk back into the mansion when she suddenly remembered madam needed to change her clothes. But wait a minute, there were no clothes for madam in the wardrobe. Suddenly Mia’s eyes looked straight at the driver sleeping on a chair in the compound.

Mia went close to the driver and tapped him.

The driver stretched and yawned to loosen up his muscles. “What is it? You are always disturbing someone, you this lady.”

“Why is madam’s luggage not in her room?” Mia asked.

“So that is why you disturbed my peaceful sleep? The luggage is over there in the car. It’s not much, you can take it in yourself,” the driver said.

“Mr Lucas, is your job to sleep? All you know is to eat. I’m supposed to tell on you. I think you deserve punishment like the head maid.”

“What do you mean? Mia, is the head maid being punished? Tell me about it,” Mr Lucas whispered.

“You can ask her yourself. I’m doing my job, which is to take care of the mansion, not to be a blabbermouth. I’m not here to gossip,” Mia said and raised her eyebrows. “Now come help me with the luggage.”

“Um, if you won’t tell me, I will eventually find out myself. Let’s go pack the luggage,” Mr Lucas said, slightly frustrated and annoyed, gesturing towards the packing area.

“Better find out yourself,” Mia said, walking to the car.

After a few minutes, all the luggage was packed, and Mia and Mr Lucas headed into the mansion.

As Mia and Mr Lucas were coming back from outside, Zina and Molly crossed them to ask Mia what was wrong with madam and to see if their plan had worked.

“Hello Mia. Mr Lucas, you may keep going. We don’t need you,” Molly said with a smirk and a dismissive wave.

“Mia, you look stressed. What’s wrong? Is anything wrong with madam?” Molly whispered with a sly glance and a curious tilt of her head.

“Oh, I look stressed? When have we ever looked settled in this mansion? You should just go straight to the point—you want to know what happened, right? You two, Molly and Zina, are always peeping to know everything,” Mia said, a small smile playing on her lips.

Zina asked anxiously, “Yes, we want to know. Why was the doctor here? Is anything wrong with madam or sir?”

“Okay, I will tell you guys so you can rest. Madam just had a little fall and hit her head, that’s all. Bye,” Mia whispered.

“Come, Molly, drag Mia back,” Zina said nervously. “It’s not a burn?”

“Yes, of course. Burn as in how? She just slipped, as you can see. She’s blind. I have nothing more to say, so I’m leaving. Take care,” Mia replied and left.

Molly and Zina glanced at each other, their soft voices filled with disappointment. “Our plan backfired.”

*****

A week later

Fulvia tried to come out of her room, using the wall to locate the stairs and almost slipped.

Mia shouted, her eyes widening. She ran and guided Fulvia. “Ma’am, what are you doing? You could have slipped and fallen just now.”

“Thanks. I was just trying to get to the kitchen,” Fulvia said, balancing herself.

“Ma’am, are you hungry? You could have called one of the housemaids to get you something to eat instead of putting yourself at risk,” Mia said, holding Fulvia’s hand.

“No, it’s not that I’m hungry. I want to go and cook for Henry. It’s my duty as a wife,” Fulvia replied, moving forward, using her hand to check if the road was clear.

“Madam, you mean you can cook without seeing anything? Have you been the one cooking since four days ago?” Mia asked, furious and surprised.

“Yes, I can cook despite the fact that I can’t see. My dad taught me that even if I can’t see, it’s not the end of the world. He guided me on how to cook,” Fulvia answered as Mia held her to the stairs. “And I’ve been the one cooking the food since four days ago. You’re surprised, right?” Fulvia asked.

Mia answered, “Yes, totally, madam. I’m very surprised. No wonder the food seems different and young master’s behaviour to the food…”

Fulvia’s voice shook as she asked, her eyes wide with fear, “Did Henry not like the food? Does it taste unlike what he’s used to?”

“Madam, calm down. In fact, young master had never finished a bowl of meal before, but to my surprise, he ate more than a bowl of the meal you prepared for him.”

“Really? Then I better go prepare a meal before he arrives from work. What’s your name?” Fulvia asked.

“I’m Mia. I’m the maid who came to take care of you in your room the day you were hurt,” Mia said softly.

“Really? Thanks so much, Mia. I really appreciate what you did that day. You seem nice. I can see through you,” Fulvia replied appreciatively.

Mia looked at Fulvia and spoke calmly, “It’s my job, ma’am. Let’s go, madam. I will be helping you today so you won’t get hurt.”

“No need, Mia. You can just guide me to the kitchen so it will be a little faster for me rather than me wandering around,” Fulvia spoke softly as they walked.

“No, madam. I won’t feel at ease. Let me stay with you and help you,” Mia said, holding Fulvia tightly.

“Okay, as you wish, Mia,” Fulvia replied.

*****

After 10 minutes

“Ah, my hand,” Fulvia shouted in pain.

“What’s wrong, madam?” Mia rushed to Fulvia, leaving the vegetables she was chopping. “Madam, I told you to be careful. You just burned yourself. I’m coming, let me get the first aid kit.”

“Mia, it’s just a little burn. No need to panic. Let’s continue what we’re doing,” Fulvia said, continuing what she was frying.

“Madam, what do you mean? Stop for a moment. Do not do anything till I come with the first aid box. What am I even saying—let’s go out to the living room,” Mia said, holding Fulvia to the living room.

“Mia, it’s really okay,” Fulvia said.

“Madam, sit. You are quite stubborn. Listen to me, madam, stay here. Let me get the box. I will be back shortly.”

“Okay, I will listen to you. I will be waiting. Return quickly.”

Bella ran out of the kitchen, her footsteps light and quick to bring the first aid box.

After a few minutes.

“Mia, what took you so long?” Fulvia asked.

“I’m sorry, madam. On my way, I heard your phone ringing. I think it’s the young master. Let me help you call back,” Mia said, dialling Henry’s number and handing the phone to Fulvia. “Ma’am, stretch your fingers forward. Let me apply the medicine.”

The call connected.

“Hello, Fulvia,” Henry said on the phone.

“Henry, is there anything wrong? You called me.”

“I want to inform you that my mother is coming to the house today, so get ready and tidy up before she arrives.”

Mia’s grip on the first aid box failed, her thoughts already a thousand miles away.