I woke up from sleep lazily. I could notice a slight headache but I could manage anyway. I looked around and I saw Jessica staring at me.
Then, I thought, where am I? Why is Jessica with me? Did I sleep in her house or what? I wasn't getting what was going on.
"Sonia, you're awake, oh my goodness! Thank God thank God. You don't know how worried I was. I am so glad you are awake finally.
Awake, finally? What is she talking about? I wondered deeply. "Jess, Jess, where am I? I don't know but, this place looks so odd."
Jessica stared at me strangely, but didn't utter any word and that made the situation worse for me. I saw someone walk closer to me. She must have been in the room all these while, but she didn't say anything.
As she came closer, I fixed my gaze on her, perhaps I would recognize her if I see her face clearly, because I still had a little blurry vision.
I saw a lady well dressed on a uniform. It wasn't just a uniform, it was a hospital uniform for... Oh my goodness! That was when it really dawned on me that I was actually in a hospital, that was the reason Jess refused to talk.
"Mrs. Sonia, you are awake already. Good morning." The lady said taking my left arm and checking my radial pulse. "Your heart rate is fine." Then she tried touching me on my forehead and I pushed her hand away.
The lady was stunned by that reaction from me and she held her hand up that way.
"Sorry for not introducing myself. I am Nurse Gift and I am the nurse incharge of taking care of you for the meantime. Except maybe if there is any change." She explained.
What she was saying wasn't what I wanted to hear. Good she introduced herself, but that is of no good use to me at the moment. I turned towards Jessica, she looked calm, but I knew her better than just outward appearance, so I was sure she wasn't, atleast not entirely.
"Jessica, please, tell me. What am I doing in the hospital. I am trying to remember why, but it seems it's not coming through. Please, tell me."
She signaled the nurse to leave us alone and give us some privacy, of which she nodded to her and left, saying she will come back later on.
"Sonia, before I answer that, do you mind telling me how you feel? Are you okay? Do you feel pains anyway?
"Well, yeah I do feel headache, slightly, but that's all." I answered.
"You're sure about that? Try getting up or sitting up. Wait, let me help you."
I tried to sit up with her aid, then I noticed that I could feel pain on my waist, but it doesn't hurt so much.
"Wait, I feel a slight pain on my waist, but it doesn't feel like it's lethal." I said.
"Okay..." Jessica answered and looked at me. She had something to say, but she didn't know how to spill it out or tell it to me.
"Jess, what is it? Is there something I need to know that you are not telling me? That aside, first of all, how did I get myself in the hospital? How did I end up here? What happened?
"Easy Sonia, one question at a time."
"They are the same question anyway, just in a different way." I answered.
"Wait, do you mean to say that you don't remember what happened yesterday?
"Uhmmm, I really can't. When I try to think, the headache increases and I get this pounding feeling as well. So, right now, nothing really." I replied, then tried to think and still got the same result, so I gave up.
"You fainted, last night so I had to rush you down here which was quite closer to your house. I didn't bother contacting your doctor, so..."
"Fainted? I asked quite surprised and taken aback by that revelation. Why would I faint? I pondered.
"Yeah, it threw me off balance, but I had to act fast at impulse. I'm glad you are better now. I was really scared last night."
"Which hospital is this? You know I don't fancy just any hospital."
"Sonia, when one's life is being endangered, sometimes we don't even have a choice than to make the undesirable an option."
"So, you are indirectly saying that this hospital I am, that I have been admitted is undesirable?
"This is the general hospital, don't take it too personal anyway." Jessica answered, rather coldly. I guess she was angry or something.
"Sorry about that, don't get angry. But, seriously, me fainting?
"You are surprised? Why? Last week, when I asked you to go to the hospital, did you? Because you didn't tell me anything about it."
"I did go to the hospital, but I haven't gone to take the result of the several tests I did. I literarily forgot about it. I was okay for a while, I guess that's why."
"Seriously, you know your health is more important than your work, but you attend to work better than you do to your health. Do you wanna die?
"Haaa! Die? And live my husband and kids for who? That's not possible, not yet. Hold on, my kids? That's true, where did they sleep last night? Did you bring them here as well?
** ** **
As soon as Sonia asked that question, I knew immediately that trouble was looming, but I needed to be careful and choose my answers carefully, but all the same, she needs to know the way about of her children so we can know the next step to take in finding them.
"I didn't bring them here yesterday, remember you fainted I'm the night. How were you expecting me to bring them here with you. Think about it." I said fiercely, so she doesn't suspect any foul play.
"Yeah, you are right. When will I be discharged? Have they told you anything yet?
"Nothing yet and it's still early, so don't be in a rush okay."
"But, what are work? Oh my goodness, I need to be at work by eight." She answered, then tried to stand up.
I held her down immediately. "Are you out of your mind, Sonia! You're crazy, I can see that. You are admitted in the hospital and all you can think of is work work work. You must be insane." I said to her almost screaming.
"Oh, calm down girl. You are screaming, you want the whole world to hear?
"Did you say scream? Did I scream? If I did you won't be th way you are right now and you know it."
"Come on girl, just reduce your voice, come on." She pleaded, hushing me.
I eyed her and sighed deeply. Right there I was, i could feel my legs shaking underneath me. I knew I wouldn't keep the truth or the other. She must find out what is at stake, sooner or later, she will. But, I was scared to break the news. Which person, which mother will remain sane when she is told that her only children are missing? At this point, the way she is now, she only needs good news, good messages so she would get better soonest and be strong on her feet again.
I was surprised that her husband hasn't called to check up on her, which was very rare. Coincidentally, she hasn't mentioned him as well. Is she suffering from amnesia? This isn't good at all.
"About work, I have called to inform them that you won't be able to come to work today. I mentioned that you have been admitted in the hospital, to show them how intense the situation is.
"Jessica, thanks for being a good friend to me. What would I have done without you?
"That's fine, I just want you to be okay and on your feet again."
"Yeah, I will, soon enough." She answered.
I thought of what to say to keep the conversation steady but not suspicious at the same time. But, it seemed like nothing was coming forth and I felt like crying.
Fortunately for me, I mean, fortunately, nurse Gift sauntered in again. She was all smiles when she came into the room.
I was so grateful, atleast for the meantime, I will be free from answering any forth coming question.
"Mrs. Sonia, I guess you are in a better position to speak for yourself now."
"Oh goodness me. I didn't know what I was doingI'm sorry about earlier, Mrs...?
"Just call me nurse Gift, though I am married, but that's how we are addressed here."
"Okay okay, that's noted."
"How do you feel now? Any sign of stomach disturbance?
"No, not really." Sonia answered.
Nurse Gift jotted something down and continued to Sonia ask the necessary questions she had to. This went on for a while, till the something terrible happened!