C15 THANK YOU, MUM

HOSPITAL

Aimscious stood beside her mother's bed,quietly as she watched her sleep off again, soundly.

“Why this sudden tragedies?” She thought to herself. “First I was attacked at school and then this fire outbreak– What's going on? Something doesn't seem right, here” Her subconscious mind clicked. “Or what Betty said about Lilia was true because I haven't set eyes on her after the incident.” She mumbled but then, shoved off the thought.

“No, No, Aims , don't think bad about Lilia. She's your best friend from childhood and can never hurt you. Maybe because of her trip, she was not able to pass by to bid me farewell” She scolded herself.

“I'l get to the root of this and find justice for my family.” She faintly mumbled.

“Miss. Aimscious?” A voice interrupted over her shoulders. With that, she deftly turned.

“Yes–” She responded with a furrowed brow.

“The doctor wants to see you” The nurse uttered and she bobbed her head in response.

“Okay, I'll be there in a minute” She replied.

The nurse then left. She turned and looked at her mum with a distressed face and sighed.

“I'll be right back mum” She mumbled as if she could hear her. With that, Aimscious patted her hand and left the ward.

DOCTOR'S OFFICE

knock, Knock, she gently tapped on the down and a soft voice called from the office.

“ Yes, come in.” She slowly pushed it open and stepped in, halting at the entrance as she stared at the young man dressed in a white gown– with his head buried in his files. Lifting up his head towards his guest, he smiled.

“Miss. Aimscious, please have a seat.”

The doctor urged her to a chair seated front of him, across the desk.

“I was told you wanted to see me.” She expressed and he nodded.

“Yes, I wanted to update you on your mother's health so we can see the way forward and measures to take.” He replied which made Aims brows furrowed.

“Okay, doctor –i'm all ears." She briefly responded and he went on.

“Your mother is fine now and she'll be discharged very soon but there's another development– Due to the shock and pressure she experienced, i has affected her heart in a way.” This flinched her out and her heart skipped.

“What? – how can this be ?” She cried with a distressed voice.

“Don't worry, we'll put her on medication and diet regulations to keep her in check– She'll be fine.”

The doctor assured. She thanked the him after which she sauntered out of the office in a daze– worried and confused.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Solidad and her daughter moved to the country side after the tragic incident. With the help of Mart, they were able to rise money for a small hut in which they stayed.

Although she suffered a severe heart condition after the shock, she managed to fend for her daughter by selling vegetables in the market.

“ Aimscious! , you're running late for school – Come down now, you can't stay all day up there.” She lamented. “ I've to get to the market early. " Solidad, exclaimed from the kitchen.

Aimscious rushed down and without the notice of her mother, she hugged her which made her chuckle.

“Thank you mum for not giving up on my education.” She softly mumbled and Solidad smiled with a kiss on her forehead.

“I'll make sure you continue your education till my death.” She replied but the word death got to Aimscious to which she didn't see as fun.

“Don't say that mum– Stop pronouncing death for yourself.” She fumed to which Solidad gave in.

“Okay– ok, I won't say that again but can you pass by the market after school and help me with the sales?” She asked.

“Sure mum” She readily answered and with a kiss on her cheeks, she sauntered off to the door. “See you later, Mum– love you..”She smiled,dashing out of the house.

“Love you too honey” Solidad replied. Just as she stepped on the street, she saw Mart coming towards their hut.

“Hey, Aimscious” He called with a smile as he raced off to meet up with her.

“Hi , Mart.” She uttered with a smile.

“How are you ? ” He asked and she swiftly replied, wearing a sceptical gaze.

“I'm fine ,how come you are here? ”

“ I was coming actually on my way to check if you're ready for school so we can go together but since I've met you here, let's go then; we're running late.” He added and she smiled. With that, they both hurried off to the bus stop.

AUSTRALIA

LILIA' S ROOM

Lilia sat on her bed with a moody, yet confused gaze– deep in thoughts.

“Was not able to get her out of Mart's life before leaving to the country. How am I going to deal with her now , I need a plan." She mumbled as she jerked to her feet, tapping her feet restlessly on the floor while she paces to and fro. Just then, a thought clicked in.

“Yes!” She exclaimed, wearing a sinister smile. With that, reached for her phone from the bed to which she dialed a familiar number.

Buzz, buzzzz , buzzz.." It rang for a few seconds and then, a voice came through.

“Hello?” A famine voice answered from the other end of the phone and Lilia mumbled.

“Yes–Vicky, how're you?”

“Good here, Lilian it's been a while– This one that you called this early, is everything OK?” Vicky asked a bit surprised.

“ Yes, Vic, all is well. I just need you to do something for me.”

“Okay, Li, what's it? – Spill it out, i'm getting late for class.” Vicky replied.

“I need you to keep an eye on Aimscious and Mart for me. Make sure you make her life miserable.”

“You have no problem with that–Be rest assured.” With that, they both chuckled and Lilia dropped the line afterwards.

“You can never escape from me Aims–I'll make sure I make your life a living hell.”

Lilia vowed and laughed.