Chapter 2

Vienna wiped her tears as she remembered these things and drank some water. Her mother was back in the hospital again.

Her phone rang, and she picked it up.

"Vienna, where are you right now?" Nisan asked.

"I'm just around the hospital. I will soon join you there," she answered and cut the call. She quickly finished up and went toward the direction of the hospital.

She entered and went straight to her mother's ward. She met Nisan and Vanessa at the entrance, pacing up and down.

She walked up to them and tapped Nisan on the shoulder.

"You're finally here!" he exclaimed and stopped walking.

"What's the situation right now?" she asked anxiously. Vanessa also moved closer to them.

"The doctor is examining her. We will know more about her situation once the doctor is out," Vanessa answered. Vienna nodded her head and waited with them.

The doctor came out a few minutes later, and they rushed over to him.

"Doctor, what's the situation?" they asked together.

"I told you the last time that she needed to get surgery, but you didn’t make any attempt to do it. Now, her condition is very critical, and if she doesn’t get the surgery before two weeks from now, she won’t make it," he explained. Vanessa started to sob quietly.

They didn’t even have the money to eat a normal meal, she thought sadly.

"So, how much are we talking about here?" Vienna asked and held her breath to hear his answer.

"For a start, we don’t have enough facilities here. So, we will have to transfer her to a bigger hospital. Ten million should be enough for a start," he answered. The three of them turned to him, shocked.

"Did you just say ten million?" Nisan asked again to be sure.

"Yes, you heard me. Also, it would be better to get it done soon and transfer her. You also have to pay your bills; they are piling up," he told them and left.

Vienna slowly went down, and Nisan quickly moved to hold her before she fell.

"Calm down. I will do everything possible to get the money for you," Nisan assured.

"Are you kidding? Do you think ten million is a child’s play? We don’t even have up to five thousand with everything on us. Where do we get ten million in two weeks?" Vanessa asked.

After checking on their mother, they all left the hospital together and went back to the house.

"So, what are we going to do now? We can’t just let her die," Vanessa said.

"I seriously don’t know. I’m lost right now," Vienna replied.

"You’re lost? If you’re lost, then find yourself from wherever you are. Everything that has happened to us so far is your fault, and you know it. If not for your stupidity, we wouldn’t be in this mess," Vanessa said.

"Can you stop bringing up this issue all the time? You keep blaming me at every little thing, and I didn’t ask for any of this..." Vienna said.

"Of course, you didn’t. At first, it was Dad, now it’s Mom. I’m sure I’m the next person," Vanessa spat.

"Vanessa, are you nuts? What rubbish are you saying?" Vienna yelled at her.

"Did it sound like nonsense to you? If you hadn’t argued with her over something so stupid, then she wouldn’t be in this situation. If you hadn’t insisted on being with that man back then, Dad wouldn’t be in this situation either," Vanessa argued.

"Shut your mouth!" Vienna screamed angrily.

Nisan quickly stepped in to stop them from getting physical.

"Why do you two always fight like cats and rats? What you should be worried about is how to get money for the surgery and also how to move her to the city," Nisan snapped at both of them.

They both stopped for a second and rolled their eyes at each other, turning their backs to one another.

"Guys, this is about your mother. You shouldn’t waste time at all. Time isn’t on our side," he said again to persuade them.

"I’m going to the city tomorrow to meet my father and see if I can get some amount from him. Hopefully, it will cover some of the expenses," he told them.

"Are you for real? Your family doesn’t want to see you at all, and you want to go meet them for help? In your dreams," Vanessa said and sat down.

Vienna stared at her in disbelief, shaking her head.

"What? He is an illegitimate son, and they have a real son. Why do you think they will want to lend him money?" she shrugged.

"I suggest we go meet Dad at the prison and see if he has anyone who can help us," Vanessa suggested.

"Just shut your mouth and go back to your school," Vienna scolded.

"What? I was sent back home from school yesterday. Have you forgotten? You haven’t paid my f*e for a session now, and I’m in my final year. You’re just not capable," Vanessa said and went inside.

"That rude brat," Vienna said and sat down, dejected.

"I’m tired," she said with tears forming in her eyes.

"Don’t cry now. You have to be strong now more than ever. I’m sure Vanessa didn’t mean those harsh words she said. She’s also frustrated," Nisan said to comfort her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Vienna turned and buried her head in his arms.

"I really wish there was a way out of all this," she said with tears.

"It’s going to be okay," he said.

"Nothing is going to be okay. There’s nothing going right at all. Everything is just falling apart. Mom is in the hospital; she needs money. Dad is still arrested without any hope of getting out soon. Vanessa is missing out on school because of me," Vienna recounted and took a second to recall other payment issues they had.

"The house rent is due by next week, and I don’t even have any money to feed us at all, not to talk of paying for the hospital bills we’re still owing."

Just then, Vanessa emerged from the room again, changed and with her bag and some books.

"I’m going to the library to do some research and read for a bit," she told them and turned to leave, then turned back to them.

"Take this and use it to take a bus to work; don’t walk again. Also, use the rest to get something to eat. I’ll also eat before coming, so no need to cook," she said and left.

Vienna raised her head from Nisan’s shoulder and looked at the money on the table.

"Where did she get money from?" she asked, surprised.

"She’s not a kid, and she surely has some savings," he replied.

"I should go to work now. I’ll inform the boss that you’re not feeling too well," he said and got up.

"What do you mean? I’m coming with you. I can’t afford to miss a day of work in this kind of situation. I should work harder," she said and went inside to quickly change.

She came out dressed, and they left together.