JOAN'S POV
A taxi stopped in front of me, and I entered it without hesitation. I didn't bother negotiating the price with the driver. All that was important to me at that moment was my mum.
The possibilities of what might have happened were playing in my head. "What could have gone wrong." I mumbled to myself.
I hoped it wasn't what I was thinking. I shuddered at the mere thought of death. Anybody who saw me would think I have a mental disorder.
My heart was racing as I gazed out, my thoughts swirling. I wished I hadn't gone to that party with Anita.
Life felt cruel and unforgiving,like it was conspiring against me. My mother is the only one I have got, and I will do everything with my power to protect my mum. I was desperate to save my mother, and I'd do whatever it took.That was why I gave in to Bradford spending the night with me.
The taxi came to a halt, and I didn't notice until the trees outside seemed to freeze in my gaze.
That was when it dawned on me that I had reached my destination. I got down from the taxi, rummage through my bag, and tossed a wad of dollars onto the driver's laps. I didn't care about the change.
As I came to the gate, there stood crowds of people in front of my house. I stared at a minority of them, and their faces were irked with sadness.
I hurriedly entered the house, and before me lay my mother. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, stinging my skin as I struggled to hold back my sobs.
"Mum, wake up! Mum, wake up! Mum, wake up!!!" I let out a raw, anguish cry that seemed to rip from my very soul. I collapsed onto my mother's chest, my blank as I struggled to process what was happening. she's the only one I have got in this life's journey.
I wondered why the crowds were just standing offering no words of consolation. "Is this how life is?" I mumbled, staring at them one after the other.
So if I hadn't arrive soon enough, this is how they would have looked at her body. I quietly stood up, and close the door.
Immediately, I heard them disperse, their footsteps fading away. I returned to the floor where my mother laid and held her face.
"You are my life's biggest joy and I couldn't do anything without you. If you could just wake up, and call my name, I'd appreciate it, mother." I said, not knowing if she heard me or not.
I waited for her to at least open her eyes but all to no avail. I carried her to her bed and dressed her up. I was preparing to go to the hospital to deposit her body there.
My mind flashed back to the previous day's event, and I was consumed by regret. If I hadn't gone to that party, I would have been with my mother to say my final goodbye.
But I didn't want to blame myself for anything, as I was trying to raise funds for her medical check-ups so they could perform surgery.
What if I had stayed to watch her, she might still be alive. There was no one to take care of her. But it was just one night. These thoughts kept running through my head.
I took my phone from my bag, and considered calling Anita, but then, I thought better of it. I had a lot of things to do.
I tried calling my uncle to break the news to him, but his line was unreachable. I went outside to flag down a cab so I could take my mum to the hospital.
Luckily, a man saw my distress and agreed to help me carry my mother's body to his car.
He came inside with me and helped me carry my mother's body to his car. After laying my mother in the car, we got in and drove off.
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"What happened to your mother?" The doctor who had been treating my mother ever since she got sick asked.
"Someone told me that she collapsed." I said rearing up again. I ran my hands through my tangled hair, feeling the knots and snags. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and was struck by the lines etched into my face. Nothing interests me anymore.
"So nobody could tell you what happened?" The doctor eyebrow furrowed, and he leaned forward, his eyes searching mine.
"No, I was called by our neighbour, and she told me that my mother was lying lifelessly on the floor when she came in to see her." I replied.
"Something is wrong somewhere. I will check on her to see what prompted her collapse." The doctor said with a sense of pity in his voice.
"Okay doctor." I replied reluctantly. What's the point of confirming what caused her death when she is already dead? Nothing would be done if the cause is known.
"Where were you when all these were happening?" The doctor asked, jolting me out of my thoughts.
"Wh-at di..d you say?" I asked, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks as I realised I had zoned out.
"He is asking you your where about when the tragedy happened." The handsome man that had driven me all the way to the hospital said.
I had forgotten that the man had been with me here all these while. Facing the doctor, I replied, " I went to look for money for my mother's operation."
"Oh, I see." The doctor snapped, his eyes like that of an ancient wizard who was thinking with his head shaking sideways.
"I will be right back, let me run some clinical autopsy on your mother." The doctor said as he left for his office.
"May I know your name, please?" The man who had carried me earlier in his car asked.
"I'm Joan." I said curtly, hoping he won't get further with the discussion.
"You have a lovely name." He said. I caught him staring at me from the corner of my eyes. You didn't ask me for my name, or did you already know it?
This wasn't the best moment for me, and I wish he would understand that. I was supposed to be mourning my mother, not engaging in worthless conversations.
"Joan!"
I looked up to see the person who called my name. How did he know I was here? Who could have told him?