Emotions
I was relieved that he decided to drive me to the hospital and kept offering words of encouragement. My mother's medical condition had been deteriorating; she had been having heart issues, and I feared it was getting worse.
"Don't worry, she will be fine," Henry said for the millionth time. I simply nodded.
As soon as we arrived, I rushed inside and, luckily, found my brother at the reception.
"Where is Mom?" I asked the moment I saw him.
"She's sleeping now," he answered weakly. The whole situation had drained the poor boy. He had chosen to school from home so he could take care of Mom. They knew my job wouldn't allow me the time, and I felt ashamed leaving our mother for my brother to look after. But we needed the money I earned to survive. Our father was gone, and it was just the three of us—two boys and me. I was the eldest, so I had to take responsibility, at least until Emeka graduated. Thankfully, he was already doing his NYSC. Chuks, the one with our mother, was the last born, still in his second year at university.
"Let's go see her, then we can talk to the doctor," I said, and he nodded.
I gently walked into the room, and there she was, peacefully asleep. She had suffered so much to put me through school. After our father died, no one stepped in to help us. She took care of everything without a single complaint.
"Let's go see the doctor now," I said, wiping my tears.
"It will be alright," Henry soothed, rubbing my back. I had completely forgotten about him. I would introduce him to my brother later.
"Thanks," I whispered.
We stepped into the doctor's office after he invited us in. He had been in charge of my mother's case.
"How is she doing?" I went straight to the point. She was just 52; she still had a long life ahead of her.
"Is it alright if I speak in front of him?" the doctor asked, nodding towards Henry. I glanced at Henry, and he gave me a reassuring look.
"Yes, it's fine," I said. My younger brother had decided to stay with Mom, so I needed the support Henry provided.
"Alright. Truth be told, your mother's condition is not good. If something isn't done soon, she may not make it through the year," he said, and my heart dropped.
"So what do you suggest?" Henry asked since I had lost the ability to speak.
"She needs open-heart surgery, but this facility doesn't have the required equipment."
"Okay. So the surgery can save her?" Henry asked, while I kept looking between the two of them, struggling to process the conversation.
"Yes, but it's not a cheap procedure."
"How much are we talking about?"
"100 million naira, maybe more. It's best done overseas."
I tuned them out the moment I heard the cost. Even if we sold everything we owned, it wouldn't amount to 10 million.
"Rose? Rose?"
"Yes?" I answered, snapping back to reality.
"Stay with me," Henry said with a small smile.
"How will I save my mom? What will I do?" I sobbed, feeling utterly helpless.
"Don't worry, dear. I will take care of it," Henry said.
I hiccupped. "What?"
"I will take care of it," he repeated firmly.
"The money is no joke," I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
"Don't worry. Just give me a minute to make the necessary calls," he said and stepped out. This still felt so surreal.
He returned in less than five minutes, and I stood frozen like a drenched chicken, waiting to hear what he had to say.
"I've made the arrangements. Your mom will be leaving the country in the next two weeks—"
I hugged him before he could finish his sentence. He truly was my guardian angel.
"Thank you, Mysterio," I whispered. The words left my lips without much thought. He had been there when my heart was broken, and now he was here again. God, what did I do to deserve him?
"Well, someone will have to accompany her and take care of her while she's there," he said as he broke the hug.
"I don't mind going with her," Chuks said. I hadn't even noticed him enter. He looked more alive now than he had when we arrived. I supposed that was what hope did to a person.
"Alright, it's settled," Henry said with a smile.
"I don't mind working the rest of my life for you to pay you back," I said, meaning every word.
"You're hilarious. Don't worry; what are friends for?" he said with a chuckle.
I still couldn't believe all of this.
"Mom is awake. She wants to see you," Chuks said, and I nodded.
"Go be with your mom. I have some things to discuss with the doctor," Henry said. I nodded and left.
"Wow, you have a super-rich boyfriend," Chuks teased.
I smacked him. "He's my boss."
"I never knew bosses held their employees' hands and paid their medical bills," he said with an exaggerated eye roll.
I chose to ignore him. The more you denied something, the more Chuks would talk about it.
"Mom," I called the moment I entered her room. She managed to sit up, and I rushed to hug her. An IV drip was attached to her arm.
"Hope you're fine?" She peered closely at me, always worrying about others even in her condition.
"Better than you," I said.
"Mom, you won't believe what happened," Chuks interrupted. He sat down and began telling Mom everything. I wondered how he even knew all the details.
"Wait, when did you enter the doctor's office?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
"When your boss walked in," he emphasized the word 'boss.' "I heard him make the call as I was coming to get you, so he filled me in. We entered together, but you were too focused on him." He feigned hurt.
"So, your boss is really doing this?" Mom asked, sounding like a child.
"Yes, Mom."
"Let me go greet him," she said, already trying to stand. I quickly stopped her. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, we all knew she was in pain.
"He'll come in," I assured her.
As if on cue, Henry entered.
"Good day, ma," he greeted with a small bow. I was surprised. The proud Henry could be this humble?
"How are you, my son?"
"Fine, ma. I see you're fighting the sickness."
"It's God, my son. I heard of your kindness, and only the good Lord will bless and reward you endlessly," she said.
"Amen," we all chorused as she continued her prayers for Henry, and we kept saying, "Amen."
"Rest well, ma. Please, can I borrow Rose? I have something to tell her," Henry said, and Mom agreed.
We stepped outside. It was a private ward, so there was no disturbance.
"I know this might sound selfish considering your situation, but we were in the middle of something before all of this happened. So, I'll ask again, even though it feels selfish—what about my proposal?" he asked, looking desperate.
Was this love for him? Was it love for me? Right now, I wasn't sure if it was love or overwhelming gratitude. Whatever it was, it consumed me.
I took a step closer and pressed my lips against his. It was funny—I could still taste the rice we had eaten earlier. His lips were soft, and we moved in sync.
"Does this answer your question?" I whispered as I pulled away.
"Can you answer me again?" he murmured, leaning in for another kiss.
We were rudely interrupted by Chuks.
"Sister, Mommy wants to know if she can go home today," he asked, completely oblivious to what he had just walked in on.
"Am I the doctor?" I hissed at him.
Henry laughed, and we all walked back inside.
I guess the CEO was now my boyfriend.