BURN for Better or Worse (COMPLETED)

Chapter 46

BHEKIZIZWE...

“Excuse me, sisi.” The nurse turns with an attitude that does nothing but piss me off further. Bulelwa was taken into the theatre room hours ago, I haven’t heard anything yet. The nurses keep passing here as if they are on patrol and ignoring me like I’m invisible. I am aggravated by their attitudes, plus the amount of people that are on this hall way. Hospitals should not be this crowded.

“Bhuti, I said wait over there, the doctor will update you once he’s done.” The same story she told me when we first got here. 

“So you keep saying, I want to know if my…” Irritation claws under my skin, it has me scratching my head vigorously. 

“Haibo bhuti, I have work to do. I can’t be here entertaining you.” Wrong choice of words.

“We-nurse, I have been waiting here for hours and no one has come to update me.” The nurse scowls, clearly I’m getting under her skin. Her eyes run through my body from head to toe followed by a tongue click. 

“The doctors are going to be long,” She starts with her down sided mouth, her eyes probably cussing me out. “You might want to run to the canteen and buy fat cakes and tea, I’m sure they have Joko too. You’re going to be here for a while bhuti.” I want to retort harshly, but Lilian’s face distracts me. Hard and flushed, she’s marching down the hall leading her husband. His expression is easier to read, he’s devastated. 

“Where is my son?” Lilian’s question is commanding and cold, her voice disregarding the nurse who looks smaller and almost invisible in front of the flashy Lilian Msibi. Her pupils kiss me for a second and her shifty eyes dash back to the nurse. 

“This hospital is big mama, there are many sons here. Go to the reception and inquire about your son there.” It’s shocking that Lilian lets her finish the road to rudeness. 

“Don’t piss me off you stupid girl, I will have you mopping floors in this hospital before your shift is over.” This is the Lilian I know, arrogant and mean, the world doesn’t really know the lion disguised as a lamb. 

“Lalela nurse, my son was brought into this hospital today. He was stabbed and…” The father jumps in, pushing his wife under his wing. I’m not affected at all, she means nothing to me. She hasn’t stopped stealing glances at me though, what puzzles me is how dubious her eyes are. The nurse, seemingly humbled explains how the doctors are trying to save Bulelwa’s life. 

“Follow me sir.” The nurse flies across the hall and disappears into one of the rooms, she hardly acknowledged me because I don’t come with shiny clothes. The husband is the first to move, his eyes did not see me. He is followed by a woman I hardly noticed was there. 

Lilian doesn’t make it far as I pull her back, she dips her eyes in anger, yanking her hand away. Her other hand hops towards my face, I see the slap coming. Denying her to practise her authority on me, I block the insult and grab her by the neck to pin her against the wall. 

“What are you doing?” Through stifled teeth a grumble bubbles out as she questions my anger. How have I been so blind? This has her name written all over it, Lilian has her son’s blood in her hands. 

“You heartless bitch, I could kill you right now.” Sharp words spring forth wrapped in a blanket of threat. “How could you do this to your son?” 

Lilian’s eyes amplify, tears gush into them as she struggles against my hand.

“You’re hurting me, Bhekizizwe.” I want to do more than hurt her, I want to watch her lose to life. 

“Believe me, Lilian, you would know if I were hurting you.” A passive cough escapes her throat, if only she would choke on it and die. My ears send a warning, there’s a pair of footfalls that force me to pull my hand away. I have to compose myself and act natural as two nurses walk past, Lilian places her hand on her neck and falls into a series of coughs the moment they are out of earshot.