THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

The doctor's new decision.

Lila slumped on the couch where she had been sitting for the past one hour as her eyes found her mother's figure again. This couch had been her bed for almost 64 hours and even though it wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, she had grown fond of it.

Besides it allowed her sleep so close to her mum and made her available in case something came up.

It had been a rough 64 hours for them both, Lila acknowledged as she fluffed the pillow the nurse had given her. A very rough one that could have gone terribly if the results of her mother's diagnosis had been different.

The diagnosis wasn't favourable still, she reminded herself as she rested her head on the pillow. No, the doctor had said in very simple words that there was nothing he could do for them because Ellen's case was beyond their control.

India. The doctor had mentioned that there lied the solution to their problems. Ellen would have to go to India if she wanted treatment for her illness.

The cancer, the doctor had said was in its fourth stage which was the most critical stage. All they could do was give her medications to dull the pain.

But not for long, Lila reminded herself. Probably tomorrow would be her mother's last dose.

And then what? She wondered as she rose up and walked to her mother's bedside. What would she do when that happened? Ellen would be in so much pain.

She wiped at her eyes furiously scolding herself for crying. Ellen wouldn't want her to cry. No, she thought sniffing Ellen would want her to live her life despite everything. She wouldn't want anything in her daughter's life to be affected because of her.

She remembered how upset she had been when the doctor had told her Ellen had cancer. It had felt like she couldn't breathe. Her heart had stopped.

Ellen had kept such a big secret to herself and for what? Because she didn't want to be a burden.

How could she think she'd be a burden to her own daughter? Lila had wondered after the doctor had administered Ellen's first dose of medications that knocked her out. How?

She looked up and took in her mother's figure. From an outsider's point of view, there was no way Ellen would recover because the doctor had been clear.

But she was her daughter, Lila. If there was one thing Ellen had taught her, it was to never give up no matter what.

Was it easy? Of course not. Lila had been so close to breaking down a number of times but she was still her by her mother's bedside holding onto her hand and speaking to her every chance she got.

"How's sleeping beauty doing?"

Ema!

Lila jumped from her place and flung herself at him. They both staggered a bit but he was able to stand his ground and now she was crushing his body in a hug

He didn't mind though, Ema reminded himself, he would do anything for this 5 feet 3 inches woman in his arms.

She knew this but she pegged it all as the loyalty of a friend. Yes, Ema admitted he cared for her as a friend but underneath he had stronger feelings.

He couldn't tell her though, he had accepted that. She wouldn't understand and would take it as a joke.

He was content just being in her life, he reminded himself as he carried her in his arms all the way to the couch he knew had become her bed, he could help her this way. She was now sited in his laps like a baby.

"Did you miss me this much?" He teased chuckling when she slapped his chest lightly.

"Why did you take so long to get here? She asked pulling away to stare up at him and he sucked in a breath.

Her face was so close to his..he could smell her toothpaste. "Some of us have to work atnd besides I knew Mum would still be napping so.."

"So what about me? I was bored here." Lila glared at him.

"Well that's why I am here, I came as soon as I could."

"That boss of yours doesn't care about anyone but himself. Always thinking about his work." She ranted as she got up from his lap.

Ema suddenly wanted to pull her back but he stopped himself. "He's not that bad Lila, you don't know him."

"I've heard more than enough from you."

With a sigh, Ema shook his head.

It was hopeless.

"Okay I won't argue with you." he sighed.

Lila opened her mouth to say something but she was cut off by her mother.

"Lila.."

Lila raised her head up and stared at her mother. "Mum."

***

"She's asleep." Ema noted as he slumped on the couch—Lila's bed—and stared up at her. She was looking so tired he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and force her to rest but he held back.

Lila was glad her mother was asleep again. She knew that before she had complained about her mother sleeping so much but now it was the only solution they had.

Ellen was in so much pain that staying awake would worsen her condition. The doctor had done as he had said, he had taken Ellen off the medications.

"I can't keep watching her like this Ema, I need some money. I've used all my savings and all the money that Mum had kept."

Ema sighed and sat up staring at her. "I think you should get a job."

"A job? Emmanuel how do I get a job at this time? Who will look after Mum?" Lila asked pacing about the room. "Imagine I end up working for someone as selfish as your boss who only thinks about himself and his company then how would i take care of Mum?"

Emmanuel opened his mouth to defend his boss but changed his mind. There was no point, it seemed he had not helped matters because he was always complaining about work. Now Lila was only willing to see the bad side. "But you'd have money to hire a nurse that will look after her."

Lila sighed and stopped her pacing taking a sit on his lap . "You don't understand. The doctor..the doctor cut Mum off her medications today because our stay in this hospital is over. I don't have the money to pay for her stay here any longer and since it's not a charity organization, we are getting kicked out." She said and sniffed using the back of her hand to wipe her face. "And before you offer to pay for it, my answer is no. I don't want to inconvenience you, I won't be a burden to you."

"I didn't want to be a burden to my own daughter." Her mother's voice rang in her head and she laughed despite feeling so sad.

"What's funny? I mean as much as I love seeing you laugh, this situation is pretty serious." Ema was frowning now. "Are you okay?" He asked touching her body.

"Of course I'm fine. I just sounded like Mum right now. She had said the exact same things to me too when the doctor told me about her health. Now I understand what she meant." Lila started laughing again and Ema joined in.

It was nice seeing a smile on her face again, Ema thought as they joked.

Just as Lila made a move to stand up from his lap, his phone rang.

She groaned hitting his chest with her hands. She glared at the phone in his hand.

"It's probably your boss calling, just answer it." Lila pointed out sounding irritated and Ema laughed picking up the phone.

Please be quiet Lila, I don't want to get fired because of you. Only one of us is allowed to be unemployed." He ducked as a pillow made it's way to his face laughing loudly.