At the hospital.

"Are you Dare?"

The chubby nurse dressed in the normal nurse gown, but blue instead of white, asked in my native tongue.

"Yes."

I replied, trying to read her intentions through her expression. I couldn't get enough. I waited for her to speak on. She did.

"She's in ward five. I don't think we will be able to take care of her for now, the doctor won't work else you've --"

"You ain't the doctor, Tola. Let him go to the ward."

The other nurse next to the one called Tola interrupted. The chubby Tola reluctantly looked away from me giving me some silly signals. I shook my head in disbelief and walked off.

I hurried towards the ward, seeing several patients lining the passage or say aisle between the walls of wards. I shook my head in displeasure.

I caught the sight of a man who had mucus drooping from his nose. A thick mucus which endlessly drooped. There was an eight years old girl seated next to him. I could see the man breathing heavily and felt pity, but the doctor in charge didn't even bat an eye. I understood too well, money comes before health here.

I got to Ward 5 and barged in. Of course I didn't need a formal welcome or something of such sort.

In the ward, there were several patients. Some were on the beds, some lying on the floor. Even two patients who obviously hadn't met before in their lives were sharing a hospital bed, demarcated by mats. That's my country for you.

"Where is she?"

I muttered trying not to blame myself for not asking which position precisely my mother was placed.

After making a few minutes tour, I caught a sight of her. She was at the extreme end of the ward. But I sighed in relief when I noticed that she was spared a bed.

Twas a general hospital. We can't possibly afford private hospitals. The bills are suicidal. And even this general hospital where treatment should be free, because the doctors are being paid by the government, kill the poor with bills. You should wonder why many are left unattended to, with doctors wining and dining.

"What happened, Iya Dare?"

I asked as I got to her. She turned to me in the bed. She was all by herself and shivering. She mouthed the words but the air was generous,

"ókó mi."

[My dear]

Well, the phrase she had used in my mother tongue word for word is [My Husband], but African parents and elders use it as an endearing phrase.

"What happened to you? I was told by Iya Soji that she ran into you in the hospital."

She tried to move her head in response but I touched her to prevent it. But my palm almost sizzled at the contact. It felt like she was a metal boat which had just returned from Mercury.

"You're boiling, mom! Is it fever or malaria? What did the doctor say?"

She moved gently in the bed, trying to turn to me.

"I returned from the market yesterday and made to make a shade and portions of the Pepper and Tomatoes that I bought. Then I felt weak from within, and decided to sleep. But when I woke up, I was boiling. So, I talked to Iya Sidi's son who brought me here. I didn't even want you to know. I hate the thought of being a burden to you, my gem. I know you're trying hard..."

She paused and reached out her hand to touch mine,

"Don't worry about me. Sooner or later, I'll be well. Sickness is a visitor. It comes and goes. It'll go if it realizes that I pay it no attention."

I felt vexed at that. I knew that was what she was going to end it with, "Don't worry about me." How could she say not to worry about her when she was dying?!

"You don't know what you're saying."

I let go of her hand and turned to walk away but she called at me. I turned back to her,

"I will go and see what I can do. I can't possibly leave you here. You're all that I have left and when I become great, I don't want to spend millions of naira on your remembrance. I want to spend it while you're seated and enjoying the moment. So let me go."

She shook her head lightly and muttered,

"Call your uncle. Tell him about my condition. He should help."

I scoffed and moved closer to her.

"I'm glad you said 'He should'. Because even you doubt the kindness and generosity of your godforsaken brother. I don't need his help. Even if it takes me borrowing from my worst enemy to get you out of here, I will. To hell with your brother."

I stomped out of the place. I could hear her calling back at me but I didn't care. How could I care about the fucking uncle, whose only sister and sibling dines and wines in penury while he has several companies and travels to several islands as though he was using the restroom.

All the sons and daughters of the uncle were born abroad. Two in USA, two in England. Well, he does have several wives in every place he moves to. I'm sure that as soon as he gets to his own grave, he would find himself a wife amongst the dead.

Well, I'm not mad at him because he's rich. Of course he knew what he did and passed through before acquiring the luxury. But how could you be even blinded to your only sister? Fuck! Well, some already said if you engage in a money ritual, you wouldn't fancy helping your family. Not even his mother.

I entered back into the hospital after withdrawing from PAGA (Pay as you go). I walked into the doctor's office and smacked the money on his table.

"This is what you asked for. Go treat my mother."

I didn't care about the fact that he was addressing someone else. He looked at me bedazzled as I opened the door and slammed it.

I walked back to my mother's ward and got to her.

"I've paid him. He should treat you before I return from work. I'm already late and if I'm lucky, nothing will be deducted from my salary."

She held my hands,

"Where did you get this from? Won't it affect you?"

I could hear her voice breaking. I sat next to her on the bed and stroke her hair,

"Never to mind. It's just the last fund for my international passport. The clearance. I'll get the money back soon. And I didn't borrow it."

She sighed and muttered,

"I don't deserve you, Dare."

She began to cry. I hated it. Why does she really have to cry now?! Coupled with her state?! Twill only harm her more.

"It's the other way round, Iya Dare. Who keeps a child with severe sickness from birth?!"

I smiled and stood up,

"I'm already late. I'll be back."

She didn't want to let go of my hand as though I wouldn't be back. I left her and walked away without looking back. When I got to the door of the ward, I almost bumped into the doctor.

He had a guilty face and was going to talk but I ignored him. My phone beeped as soon as I walked out of the whole building of the hospital.

I removed it from my pocket and looked. The notification read,

A MESSAGE FROM TOPFACE.

"The right person please."

I bit the words. I hesitated to unlock the phone. I've been getting nonsense messages in annoying languages. But then I thought, what did I have to lose?

I unlocked the phone and opened the app. My jaws dropped at the message,

DO YOU HAVE A BIG COCK?! I HEARD THAT MOST OF Y'ALL AFRICANS DO.

"Blood of Jesus!"

I shouted, not sure of what to say.