DESIRES

THE NEWS THAT BROKE HER The nurse didn’t look at me when she spoke. Her eyes skimmed over the chart like it wasn’t real, like I wasn’t real. “Doctor what happened to my mom? Why did she collapse? Is she alright?” she asked series of questions nonstop with tears burning down her cheeks. “We need to rush her urgently to the theater. Kindly wait here we will get back to you”. The doctor assured Denise. “Theater? Why there? Mr. Micah, why are you bleeding? Is anyone here going to tell me what happened! She screamed. “She collapsed at the bakery shop and hit her head down the steps.” Mr. Micah explained. “I think she might have slipped and fell”. “But mom isn`t careless to have left the stairs wet”. She said in between sobs. She paced through the hospital lobby, her heart pounding. Minutes later, the doctor emerged. Denise ran towards him immediately to enquire about the health status of her mom. “Are you Mrs. Elizabeth`s guardian? “Yes doctor” she answered, her hands trembling. “She sustained minor injury and we had to suture. She`s stable now.” Denise released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding— until the continued. “Are you aware that your mom has being diagnosed with stomach cancer?”. “Yes”, Denise nodded. “she was diagnosed some days ago”. “Your mom`s condition has worsened and for that matter needs an urgent surgery. Stress appears to be a major trigger, which could weaken her immune system and accelerate the cancer. For the surgery to proceed, payment must be made in full.” And, it is something we're needed to avoid for a successful surgery. Payment must be made in full before we process.” “Doctor, please is…. there a payment plan? she dared to ask, her voice almost breaking. The Doctors lips pressed together. “No, time is critical.” She nodded politely, keeping her face calm. I will do anything to get money for the surgery. Inside, her chest burned. “Can I see her now”? The doctor nodded and walked away. “Denise”, her mother `s weak voice called. “Mom, you`re awake. “Denise said softly. How are you feeling now? I brought something for you to eat”. “I`m not hungry”. “Mom, you need to eat to regain strength.” Denise insisted, forcing a smile. “Mom this food is so delicious, try eating, please. Haaaa." "Denise, I have no appetite". "Mom, you need to continue your medication for that matter you must eat besides, I made this food with love". She said pursing her lip. "Fine, I will eat —for you." "Thanks mom." "Denise, she called looking down shameful.” I`m sorry for everything, making you to rush here when you only just started schooling. I’m so sorry.” “Mom, don't say that. You don't wish to be sick either. So don't blame yourself. Besides am not complaining, I only want your sufferings to end . We will figure it out ". She coughed softly, and then forced a smile. “Don’t worry about me, darling. You’ve sacrificed too much.” I`m fine mom”, she said, because lying was easier than crying. The mother and daughter hugged each other affectionately until a knock was heard. "Good morning, Mrs. Elizabeth, hope you're fine today?" the nurse inquired. "I’m much better now.” “You’ve been discharged to go home. You're to continue your medication at home." "Yes Ma.” The nurse educated her on her medication prior to discharge and was advised to come for review the following week for further assessment and treatment. After signing discharge papers and any other necessary documents, Denise packed her mom`s stuff and they headed out picked a taxi and went home. When they reached home, Denise prepared a hot water bath for her mom and went in to rest. PREVIOUSLY Denise stepped out of her room, fully dressed and organized, ready to begin a new chapter of her life as a medical student at the most prestigious medical institute. Three days earlier, after dinner and cleaning the kitchen and living room, she had been exhausted and eager to collapse into bed. She checked her phone — it was midnight — and quickly muted it, switched off her bedside lamp, and was just drifting into sleep when her phone lit up. She frowned and ignored it. A few seconds later, it lit up again. “Oh gosh, I want to sleep. It’s already late. Can’t it wait?” she groaned, reluctantly picking it up. To her surprise, it was an admission message from one of the most prestigious schools she had ever dreamed of. She rubbed her eyes, opened it, and read it aloud. Dear Denise Klein, You have been offered admission to Brooklyn School of Medicine Institute. You are to pay a non-refundable commitment fee of $2,000.Congratulations. She jumped from her bed with joy and shouted all the way to her mother’s room, forgetting the time. “Mom! Mom! Your daughter has made it — I’ve gained admission!” Elizabeth, her mother, rushed out into the corridor and hugged her so tightly that Denise could hardly breathe. “Mom… I can’t breathe,” Denise laughed, still beaming. “Oops, sorry, my love. I’m just so happy! Congratulations!” But Elizabeth quickly noticed the sadness creeping onto her daughter’s face. “What is it, Denise? Don’t you like the school? What’s wrong?” Tears filled Denise’s eyes. “M–mom…” she said between sobs. “We can’t afford the fees. We can barely afford one complete meal a day. The fee is too much.” “Denise, don’t tell me you want to let go of this chance like you did before because of my illness. You’re 23 — you should have been in your final year by now. Leave the fees to me. I’m your mother. I want to see you become the doctor you’ve always dreamed of my princess… don’t you want to take care of me before I die?” “Mom! Don’t say that — you’re not dying.” “Then stop crying, my personal doctor, and hurry up and give me grandchildren.” “Mom, not again! We’ve talked about this already. I’m going to bed. Good night.” “Think about what I said,” Elizabeth teased. “My only fear is dying without grandchildren — my ancestors won’t forgive me.” “I can’t hear you, old lady — and you’re not going anywhere anytime soon,” Denise chuckled. Both returned to their rooms, but neither could sleep. For Elizabeth, the thought of how to raise the money for her daughter’s fees kept her awake. For Denise, the guilt of having refused past opportunities because of her mother’s illness weighed heavily. Elizabeth had sacrificed everything for her daughter. Years earlier, her family had abandoned her for falling in love with a chef. They considered it disgraceful for a man to cook for a living, insisting she marry a wealthy old man they had chosen. She refused, ran away, and married the man she loved — Mr. Klein. Their marriage was happy, and business thrived. One day, Elizabeth fell ill and was rushed to the hospital, only to discover she was pregnant. Mr. Klein was overjoyed. Mr. Klein was a loving husband. He never once hurt her wife. He loved and cared for her regardless of what people said same as Elizabeth did. Luckily for them, Mr. Klein's business was booming and they were well off without and troubles. Elizabeth fell ill and was rushed to the hospital only to be declared pregnant surprisingly to them. Mr. Klein couldn't helped but leaped with joy. "I`m going to be a father, am a father, haha". Elizabeth curled on the bed shyly. The nurses couldn't helped but laughed with him. The following day, he woke up early, tidy the house and even prepared breakfast. "Why are you up so early"[yawning]. Elizabeth asked with a sleepy voice. "My love please, get some sleep if you're still sleepy. I will bring your breakfast later" "My lovely husband how can I sleep when my nostril is filled with the sweet aroma of the food. He's hungry babe". "He?" [They both laughed] "Who said it's a he?. Okay come here, eat your breakfast. Then get ready we're going for shopping". "Shopping?, No work?". She said raising an eyebrow." Besides what are we going for shopping for. My dressing room is literally a shopping mall". "Who said am going shopping for you. We are going to shop for my little barbie princess. [They both laughed again about the gender of the little fetus]. As for work, forget it for now. They employees got my back. I need to make time for you and my lady" "Ohhh someone is trying to take my place". Elizabeth spook to her belly. "Hey there, he is my husband, you're not here yet but he said he's not shopping for me, and now you're been called my lady?. You better stay off him. He's mine and mine alone" "Oh my Lizzbeth, come her. [He kissed her]. Don't be jealous. I`m all yours. They got ready and left in their BMW. They entered the mall and bought all kinds of baby items. From dresses to toys, shoes, baby's bath, baby oil, packs of diapers, baby food of different manufacturers. The car boot was full of items. After shopping, they had lunch at a nearest restaurant before heading home. As they were going home they chatted lovingly, teasing each other about the gender of the baby. "What do you think we should name, the baby" he asked. "I have not really thought of it. What do you think ". "What about Den-i-se " Unfortunately, a truck collided with their car and somersaulted into a nearby bridge.