JUNE BREAK
Episode 61
By AMAH’S HEART
“Hey.. Mom, is me..is me April. I’m home..” I quietly said while bending over to her, with her frail, skeleton bonny hands in mine.
I try to smile as I battled with tears clouding my eyes.
She turned to look at me, her lips curved in the other direction, I assumed she was trying to smile.
“… I’m home Mom. Please hang in there, you’re going to come out of this. I may not know how but I know you will
She said some inaudible words that sounded like gibberish to me
“… Mom, do you recognize me. Is April… your daughter. I’m home..” I repeated while tapping her hand gently
She closed her eyes, opened again before looking straight at me
But it appears she was lost, her eyes seems to be focused on me but her mind was far distance.
“She can’t remember you now April..” my Dad said while standing by the door
“… she suffered memory loss late last year as the sickness advanced and can hardly remember anyone.
“Oh my God!!”
“…is there nothing we can do to help her apart from she lying hopelessly on this bed with all this uncountable drugs and tubes..”
My Dad was quiet for sometime. “There is only one thing left to do and it cost a fortune, this process is fifty fifty which means she may or may not make it..”
“Atleast we can try. Even if her chance of surviving is slim, let’s still give it a shot. I believe she will survive this Dad because God has néver failed me and he won’t start now..”
My Dad led me out to the living room
“April, I know you want to see your Mom get better but you won’t understand when I tell you all the stages, different things, best hospitals, drugs and different special therapist that have tried, administered and that have attended to your mother. She got a little better early last year but after two months, she fall back again and it became even wørst. I can’t start explaining it all…”
“…. your brother David who’s abroad had contributed to making sure she gets better. He got family too you know. He said if she can come over to the US, from there she will be transferred to India where he will get the best specialist that can attend to her case. All hope is not lost and even though the stage she’s in is critical but we can only hope. The only issue right now is how to fly her out of this country right away. Money is the major prøblem now, Alot of millions is required. Your brother with all he has spent so far, he said he needed to gather up a bit. We should give him till next month end. I hope it won’t be too láte by then. I don’t know where to borrow from to get her out of here immediately. Her health has eaten deeply into everyone’s pocket. I have virtually sold my properties and every valuable I got just for this same sickness that has refused to go…”
“…I must confess that right now, I’m exhausted from it all. I don’t even know what to do anymore. The doctor that’s assigned to her, comes three times every week to administer treatment and check her up and he’s being paid monthly…”
“… the doctor will be here tomorrow again. Mark is building up his engineering career but he still contribute whenever he has. Your sister Rachel is in school and will be rounding up next year. It has not been easy over here as you can see and the worse is that your Mom can’t remember anything. Dementia, lack of appetite added up to the cancer..”
“… I’m sorry that you came back to all this. We’re supposed to gather as a family, rejoicing over your return, celebrating together as a family that after all this years, God brought you home to us. Is something to truly rejoice over. I wouldn’t say is wrong timing, I’m deeply grateful to God that I can look at the face of my daughter once again..”
He looked at me and began to smile broadly.
“…I haven’t been able to smile in a long while. I can’t even remember when last I smile like I did today after seeing you and still doing because is like a dream. Is a big relief, one part of my heart is rejoicing to your home coming and the other part hopes for a miracle over your Mom…”
“….She’s been my strength and back bone all this years. We’ve been through so much together and just when the land was getting greener, calamity struck. I’m not giving up hope on her yet. I’m not very religious man, but deep down I believe in God and have come to seek him more often during this past terrible years. After your disappearance and your mom’s illness, I thought God was trying to punish me for my sins. I know he’s a merciful God and if he can lead you back to us, he will also bring healing to your Mom, even in dèãth bed..”
I nodded quietly as I wiped out tears multiple times from my face.
After spending that evening with my Dad.
I checked the kitchen to know if there’s anything to cook.
I left to buy things, which I prepared for my Dad and I
My Mom has a special food which was very light, so watery.
I watched as my Dad prepared it and also watch as he went to scoop few spoons into her mouth.
The house wasn’t very conducive for me but I managed to stay that night.
I try to make sure I helped Dad in anyway possible
Phil didn’t call until in the night when I was getting ready for bed and was planning to call him too
I told him that I was finally home.
He asked how it feels like to be back home to my people, I told him it feels good but it would have been better if my Mom was well.
He wanted to know what happened to her and i updated him
While during that I broke down and weep again
The burden was too heavy for me just in one night.
I can’t even imagine how it has been for my Dad and siblings who saw her draining off every stage, all this years
Phil said he wish he could help in taking her out of the state to get the treatment she needed in another country
I told Phil that it was 50-50 anyway. She may probably not survive it but I’m hopeful.
He said he invested a large sum into a business and the turn up will be by next year, that’s why he can’t help out as much as he really wanted to do.
Taking her to US and from there to India will cost lots of millions and what if at the end she couldn’t make it
I thought within me.
However, Phil said he needed to speak to his father first
He will give me feedback the following day.
I thanked him before the call ended but I had my doubts.
Since Phil couldn’t do anything due to his investment, I’m not sure he’s Dad will want to do that.
That’s like charity work that may probably still go down in drain if my Mom didn’t get better.
Denis later called as I was in a deep thought since I couldn’t sleep.
I told him that I was home, he seems excited and wanted me to gist him how it all seems.
I told him there’s nothing special though, if my Mom wasn’t sick maybe it would have been more exciting.
Denis also wanted to know what happened and told him of the cancer stage.
I also let him know of the huge amount involved for her to leave the country.
He promised to help but wanted me to come visit him the next day so that we can talk better.
The promises was too quickie and suspicious but I was ready to give it a try.
Maybe I will wait for Phil to give me a feedback first before going to see Denis tomorrow.
I hope he does because I’m desperately in need of solutions for my mother.
(
JUNE BREAK
Episode 62
By AMAH’S HEART
I didn’t know that my Dad called Rachel and Mark, he informed them that I was around but they didn’t believe it.
They said they will only believe if they see me with their eyes.
And they were left breathless when they finally saw me.
“Jesus Christ..” is this really you April? Mark exclaimed with his eyes opened wide.
I nodded with a smile because my own emotions was chóking me real hard.
I have cried most part of the night because of my Mom, I didn’t want to cry again.
“You look different April, I can’t believe I’m looking at you live. I was afráid that I will never see you again..” Rachel said calmly while trying to keep her distance.
Rachel has really turned into a very pretty lady, she can passed for a model.
Pretty face, slender body with hips, her body figure is so beautifully carved, her long athletic legs can’t be unnoticed.
Mark rushed up before I can say anything and threw his arms around me in a very tight hug.
“Try not to squeeze life out of her..” my Dad said to Mark with a joking tone
Mark loosened up and I can see him struggling with his emotions as he tries to blink back tëars
“You’re trying to be tough guy huh!? I said while struggling with my own emotions
“I can’t help it sis, I so much miss you. This are tears of joy..” he said as he wiped off his eyes.
Rachel quickly wiped out something from her face too but I saw her even though she did not want anyone seeing her doin that.
“…Welcome home April. I don’t care about the circumstances behind your disappearance in the first place, the search and so many troubles we’ve been through ever since. All that matters to me…to us is that April is home..”
He threw his arms again around me but more gentle this time around.
Rachel maintained her distance.
“…You’ve seen Mom right..? I know it must be very devasting..” Mark said.
I breathed in with a nod.
I was too emotional to speak.
“..let me check up on her..” Mark said as he started moving towards mom’s end with Dad.
“Hey..are you alright? I asked a quiet Rachel
She heaved a sigh “not really..”
“Is it because of Mom? I’m trying to see if there’s a positive way for her. It most be super hard for everyone, for years now and I was just here for a day and still finding it hard to digest it all in. I’m positive that miracle will happen on her behalf..”
“I’m positive too April but after all this years, I don’t know if miracle can save her. I’m used to Mom’s illness and is not because of her that I feel so sad,”
“… don’t get me wrong April. I’m very happy, seeing and knowing that you’re alright. I know I was the reason you left the house and ever since, I have fought with guilt, I wasn’t really the junior sister you wish to have..”
“No.. you maybe a pain in my neck back then.. occasionally offcourse but it feels good to have a sister..”
She manages to laugh
“I know you’re trying to cheer me up April. I regret everything and wish I could go back in time and be there for you and with you Like is expected from little sisters rather than causing trouble and getting you into Mom and Dad’s bad book all the time. I know they prioritized my needs above yours and I’m sure they did it ignorantly because I wanted all the attention and care. I’m sorry April..I was stûpíd and føôlish. It was too late when I realized it and have lived with regrets ever since..”
“Is all good Rachel, come here..”
She took few steps and walked towards me “can you forgive me? She said as tears settled below her eye lid.
“Offcourse Rachel. I can forgive you anything..is all in the past now and I’m so happy to finally be home and meet you and Mark, Dad and also Mom despite her current situation. Is a relief to be back..”
I drew her into an embrace and we remain that way for a while.
She didn’t loosen up and I wasn’t ready to let go.
We remain so until Dad and Mark returned back to the sitting room.
We sat talking before Rachel and I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood
I told her about Phil and how he has been a God sent to me.
We talked about things that are not so deep as she opens up to some of her own deep things that she haven’t been able to share with anyone.
Denis called me again asking me when I will be coming, I told him that evening.
He asked if I will like to stay a little while so that we can talk, I told him I will but it depends on what he wants us to talk about.
He mentioned that he just wanted to hear how it was getting home after all this while and everyone’s reaction when I showed up.
He added he likes me and wish I can be his friend, he wasn’t asking for a relationship but my friendship.
I had to remind him of my boyfriend and also let him understand that we’re just ordinary friend and he will be helping me on that ground and nothing more
And I was going to pay him back whatever I take from him
He said there’s no prøblem that he understands.
I try calling Phil but he didn’t pick up.
He later called me back that he will call me later that night
I urgently needed financial help for the sake of my Mom.
Since Denis is willing to help then I better not waste time going right away.
I asked Rachel to go with me the following morning and she agreed immediately.
We took a cab and went to see Denis.
Denis had his own place and that’s the address he sent to me.
When he saw Rachel and i he seems surprised.
“,I thought you will be coming alone, you didn’t tell me that you will be coming around with somebody..”
“,Does that change anything now..” I asked annoyed
He looked over at Rachel
“Nothing changed, I’m glad that you both came…”
“…Wow, your twin is really beautiful. I never knew you have a twin sister..”
“We’re not twins, she’s my elder sister..” Rachel said as she sat in the well decorated sitting room.
“Really! This is very interesting. It’s very obvious, the resemblance is strong. Welcome to my home.. what’s your name pretty one. ” Denise said as he extend a handshake to Rachel who took it before telling him her name.
“You’ve a nice place. Do you stay here alone..” Rachel asked him looking around the house
“I do with few of my staff. it get lonely in this big house and that’s why I sometimes go over to my brother’s place and spend time with them..”
He asked what he can offer us and I said I didn’t want anything
He brought a drink anyway and served us in a fancy glass cups.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom..” Denis said to Rachel and i
He turned to me
“… coming back to such news and seeing her in that kind of state must be hard on you April. I don’t know the state she’s currently in but I’m hoping to help in anyway possible…”
“Thank you Denis,” Rachel said.
“…how do you intend to help us? April still believes in miracle for Mom, but I really don’t know what to believe because her current health state makes us hopeless..”
“Don’t give up because miracle from God is the exact thing your family need. God will come through for her..”
I was begining to like his sense of reasoning but I only nodded without a word.
All I could imagine is my Mom getting well again
“You’re a religious man right? You keep mentioning God but what if God has equally given up on Mom..” Rachel asked Denis
“Don’t say that Rachel. God can’t give up on Mom…” I said to Rachel.
Hope is all I’m holding on to, I don’t want anyone to squash the tiniest hope left in me and won’t want Rachel to say anything negative.
“God has your Mom in his palm and will breath his life into her again. until sickness is defeated all you have to do is to continue trusting God…” Denis said
“…I came from a very religious home. My Dad is a Minister and my Mom is a Gospel artist. I have seen God work wonder in the lives of people, I have witnessed so many miracle and have also been saved from things that could have consumed me. I grew up wanting to also be a minister but along the line, I dropped that desire to pursue a career. I believe in God and there’s nothing impossible for him to do.. absolutely nothing..” Denis said
“I believe too. Your words have rekindled my faith even more. Thanks Denise..” I said and meant every word
Denise later said he won’t be able to afford even half of the money but he will give what he has and maybe with a collective effort from others the money will be completed.
He said he actually planned to invest the money into his business but there’s no greater lose than loosing a love one because of unable to pay medical bills.
His business can always wait but saving life may not and he was helping in the ground of friendship.
I thanked him again.
Maybe I misinterpreted him, misunderstood where he was coming from.
Denis wasn’t that bad after all.
I wondered why I was nursing such ideas in my mind.
He’s nothing like Louis and talking to him opens my mind to a whole new thing.
Rachel watched him in admiration and didn’t stop smiling all the while he was talking
I begin to wonder if she was even listening to anything Denis was saying or she was just living in her own imagination.
He sent the money into my account after I gave him the account details
After seeing the alert I was speechless.
“Thank you so much Denise. This was way more than I thought..it means a lot to me and I will definitely pay back this kindness. Even though we met not too long ago, not even up to a month and you agree to do this without wavering…I deeply appreciate…”
I hugged him for the first time.
Rachel did too
He decided to drop us and I watched as Rachel jumped on the front seat.
I sat quietly at the back and was just thinking and hoping to get a good feedback from Phil so that my mom’s abroad medical treatment can begin.
Tbc