The Contracted Bond

“Miss Nelson, can I see you in my office please?” Hannah heard the doctor’s voice as she raised her head a bit towards him and nodded to him. Deep down she already knew what he wanted to say to her. She walked calmly out of the room as if she was going to wake her mother up if she made a sound. “Please have a seat” Doctor Hopkins said while showing demonstrations. “Is there a problem, doctor?” Hannah asked, as if she was hoping for something else. “You know Miss Nelson, you know we have tried.” Doctor Hopkins let out a sigh before he continued. “We have kept your mum here for about two months now, free of oxygen, but I am afraid not we can’t continue with that again…” “I understand Doctor, I just need a little more time please” Hannah said cutting him short. “Look I don’t want to discourage you, I know you have faith. But if you fail to deposit the money for her oxygen, then..” “I will get it done, just give me 2 weeks”. “2 weeks you say miss Nelson, remember you said that two months ago”. “This time around, I promise. Hannah's face was puffy and swollen with grief as tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn’t know what to do anymore. Her mother was all she had, she couldn’t just give up now. Hannah left the office, went straight to the ward, stood there, facing her mother. Misery was written all over her face. She paused and wiped her nose off her sleeves and grabbed her bag as she left for the door. Hannah Nelson was facing a difficult situation. Her mother, who meant everything to her, was in the hospital, fighting for her life. Hannah’s dreams of starting her own business had to be put aside because she had to focus on paying for her mother's medical bills. She had very limited options to get the money she needed. She had managed to go through college, graduated and thought of using her remaining savings to follow her dream. But her dream shattered after her mother got involved in a hit and run. She had to put all her money into the hospital trying to save her mother’s life.. Hannah left the hospital for her night shift at the bar, where she works. “Maybe she could even steal a drink or two”, she thought. The pay there wasn’t even enough to raise half a day of the oxygen payment as she had devoted every penny to save her mother’s life. She thought she needed to find another job, a better job. As she rushed down the lane trying to catch the next bus, luckily for her she was just on time. She arranged her bag pack as she took a seat close to the window. She looked through the window, the weight of her emotions was palpable as she grappled with the unexpected turn of events. Her dreams seemed to crumble before her eyes, overshadowed by the pressing reality of her mother's condition. The struggle was real, and she felt the weight of it all on her shoulders. Her mind was filled with what she could do in order to get money fast. “Or maybe I should rob a bank”. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t hear when the bus driver mentioned no her stop destination twice, and before she knew it, she ended up at the final bus stop. Her jaw dropped, eyes widening in disbelief and her mouth opened in a silent scream. Clutching her arm to her chest, “Oh sir I missed my stop, I was heading towards light-mood street ” she complained to the bus driver, Mr Sam. “I passed there, I remember I even called the street twice, didn’t you hear me?”, Mr Sam asked calmly. “I’m done for the day”, he added. There is the next bus that’s loading, pointing in the direction. “There it is”, he said, as he tried to direct her to the next bus which was about to load. She nodded and thanked him. She walked to the bus and her mood changed immediately as she noticed it was not even full. She rocked back and forth worried that she would be late for work and this might be the end of her job. What will I do now, the job I am trying to manage?I want to lose it, she said to herself. As the bus finally filled up, she layed on her seat for the journey. She was so anxious as she was scared of losing her job. How will I face my manager? Miss Titt. Her heart raced as the thought of facing her came into her mind. Finally, the bus arrived at her street and she felt a bit of relief. In her haste to get up she quickly grabbed her bag, jumping down the exit, she slipped on the wet asphalt on the floor, causing her to fall on her face lying on the floor. As she struggled to get up a sharp pain shot through her knee leaving some scratches and she winced in agony. Her heart pounded as tears welled up her eyes as she tried to shake off the pain. She wondered why nothing seemed to go her way. With every step feeling like a challenge, she limps toward the bar where she works, trying to hide her pain. Reaching there, she slowly walked and sneaked in unnoticed. As she peeped, she noticed Miss Titt's car was not in sight, she sighed in relief, “at least something good”, she said to herself. As she quickly limped towards the back door, stressing her hand towards the door handle, she felt a touch at her back.