Chapter 5

Sofia 

The doctor started moving around, checking other patients and finally arrived at my mom's location.

I was leaning on a wall. I pulled, went and met him. A very young doctor, dark in complexion, with a stethoscope hung round his neck. He was carrying a file.

“Good afternoon, doctor,” I greeted.

He never bothered to listen. He was busy trying to put on his stethoscope to check on my mom. 

He never altered a word.

I wasn't myself 

“Doctor, is she okay?” I asked calmly.

He raised his head and couldn't say a word for some seconds.

I became terrified!

“Your mom will be okay, but you have to act very fast, so that her condition doesn't get worse.” He purred.

“Doctor, do everything you can to save my mom. Money can't be the issue! ” I spoke calmly. Knowing full well I don't have enough money. 

But I can't let my mother die! Something has to be done! 

“I can't lose both parents in one year, no, doctor, please save my mom's life!” I echoed tenderly. 

He brought out a receipt from the file he was holding and gave it to me.

“Deposit the money you have there on the receipt to enable us to commence with other treatment her body needs urgently.” He spoke calmly.

He never waited a second for me to look into the receipt; he turned and left.

The amount was huge and shocking!

“Where can I get this huge amount of money from?” I was asking this question inside of me. Not letting Lizzy notice how I am feeling inside.

Lizzy collected the receipt from me and looked at the bills intensely. Her face veered as she scanned through.

“We are to deposit half the total amount before he can continue with the treatment?” Lizzy burst. 

Still staring at the receipt.

I don't want to let her spirit down, so I quickly collected the receipt from her.

“It's okay, Lizzy, Mom will be fine. Nothing will happen to her. Look after her, let me go and see how to get the money.” I encouraged her and left.

“Where do I get such a huge amount of money to foot my mom's medical bills?” I asked, silently standing on the roadside with random thoughts flooding all over me!

Miguel, who has been supportive before and after the death of my dad, has deleted himself from my life just because of Linda!

“Who do I meet to assist me?”

“I don't want anything to happen to my mom. Who do I run to?” I was contemplating not knowing the next step to take.

My five months' salary put together is not even up to the amount requested, and I have to deposit half the amount before he can commence with the treatment. 

Pinatech lubricant company, where I work, my boss gave me only a week to resume back after my wedding! We are in the second week today! 

“Is this not an ample opportunity for Mr Charles, my boss, to fire me?”

What excuses will I give that will make him believe me? He is such a wicked boss and an asshole, too pompous of himself.

Ever since I refused to yield to his sexual demands, he has become a thorn in my flesh. A demon who is after my life. 

A boss who wouldn't want to listen to others complain. At the slightest mistake, you are fired. Unless you agree to sleep with him. A married man with children.

Most of the female staff always fall prey to him 

No matter what, I will never open my legs for Mr Charles, never! I muttered. 

Then I looked around, and no taxi was seen.

Most of the staff are due for promotion 

But Mr. Charles has refused to acknowledge that. Once you get down with him, your promotion is certain. 

Always seen issuing orders, making policies that will never favor the staff.

Not as if the salary is encouraging.

If I see a more preferable place, I will write my resignation letter. 

I sighed as I snapped out of my reverie.

“I must resume work tomorrow!” I muttered. 

 While waving down a taxi that would take me home.

 When I got home, my eyes went straight to where my dad's bus was parked and covered with a tarpaulin. One of the tires has deflated.

A thought flashed in.

“Since I can't afford such a huge amount of money to foot my mom's hospital bills, I will look for a buyer and sell it off.

“This is a wonderful idea,” I nodded my head. 

“Let me go in and search for the documents.”

I took a picture of the bus, an 18-seater blue bus.

I will be posting it out there on social media with a tag, “For Sale.”

“My mom had wanted to give it out for commercial purposes. So that the bus can continue generating money for us.”

I can't watch my mom die without making an effort. I became so restless. My wounded soul flamed up!

“This is a very hard decision I am about to take!” I spoke calmly.

“Lizzy won't support it!” I murmured.

“I must save my mom's life, yes, I must save her life!” I spoke courageously.

“An hour later, Lizzy called.”

“Sofia, do you want to sell Dad's bus? 

That is wicked if you do that!” She burst!

She has come across the post I shared.

“How do we foot mom's medical bills?” I asked her calmly.

For more than a minute, she couldn't say a word.

“Go and take loads.” She finally speaks!

“Give them the bus as collateral.” She suggested. And hung up!

“Loan?” I murmured.

“The only bank capable of offering such an amount of money is the ETC Bank, where Linda works.

“I don't want to see Linda with my eyes again,” I screamed. 

The last time she visited me, I treated her with contempt! Drenching her whole body with water!

“How do I go and face someone who betrayed me, who shattered my heart and my dream and put me in the condition I am in?” 

“My mom's illness is a result of her treacherous action! No, I can't go for such a load.” I winced. 

“Once I see someone willing to buy the minibus, I will go ahead and sell it. I muttered.

My heart is pounding, clashing against my ribs. 

Oh my goodness!

My situation is dire.

“I can't watch my mom die without doing anything!” I hollered.

I scrolled through my phone. Lizzy has commented on the post I shared many times, repeatedly writing and reposting with a tag, “This bus is not for sale.., this bus is not for sale.., It is a family bus.”

When I saw it, I became so infuriated. What is Lizzy up to? Did she desire Mom to die?