Her Mistake

∆ FIFTY SIX ∆

Dedicated to  Pacesetter12

The hospital monitor didn't stop the irritating beeping sound. As much as I hated the sound and wanted to turn it off, I couldn't. The beep was our only confirmation grandma was still breathing. She was still unconscious, an oxygen mask connected to her nose. A drip pipe was inserted in her right forearm and something that looked like a clip was on a finger. Her eyes were still closed since she collapsed yesterday and her face was looking pale.

The doctor wouldn't give us any information about her illness. All he told us was she had sliped into a coma. I was her only family here but I was underaged so I called my parents to inform them about the whole situation.

My stomach rumbled and I shifted in my chair. My head was placed on the edge of grandma's hospital bed. It was impossible to sleep here. Throughout the night, I had to deal with mosquitoes making deafening sounds in my ears and them feasting on my flesh. And I'm sure it's very impossible for one to sleep on this white, plastic chair.

Sighing, I sat up and stretched out my legs. They were starting to ache. My stomach rumbled again, louder this time then the baby moved. Poor foetus. The only thing I had eaten since the incident yesterday was a spicy Jollof rice and egg Jazz got for me at some buka outside the hospital.

When my stomach growled again, I went to the water dispenser next to the door to get water because it seemed the stupid baby had started to feast on my organs. I gulped two cups of water then someone knocked. I pulled open the door to reveal Felix's mom.

The huge, middle aged woman had on a fitted Ankara gown and a lunch bag with her. I greeted her, collected the bag and sat on the edge of the hospital bed then unzipped the bag. I brought out the big food flask, opened it and began to eat the yam and egg sauce. I would have preferred bread and tea but I was too hungry to care.

Shutting the door, she chuckled and walked to the plastic chair. "I brought food for you." She sat on the chair. "I hope you aren't too hungry?"

"I'm famished." I replied, mouthful.

"Sorry." She murmured with a sad smile. I noticed her eyes flicker to my protruding stomach. The blue polo T-shirt made it worse because my protruding stomach was very obvious in it. "Has the doctor said anything about her?"

I shook my head. "He only came to check on her early this morning. The nurses gave her some shots of injection. That's all."

There was silence as I ate. Felix's mom looked like she had something to say, her facial expressions were uncertain and even though she stole glances at my stomach, it was very obvious. She shifted in her seat multiple times and the yam wouldn't just go down my throat anymore. Did she poison me?

I covered the flask and returned it into the bag. "Thank you for the food, ma." She gave a smile. It was supposed to be a warm one but she failed miserably at it. I moved to the water dispenser and poured myself a cup of water.

"How about Jazz and Felix?" I returned to perch at the edge of the bed and took a prolonged sip from the styrofoam cup.

She crossed her arms. "They're doing fine. Felix has gone for his lessons." Her thin framed glasses slipped from her nose. She scrunched her nose thereby pushing her spectacles in place.

I took another sip from my cup and began to run my fingers on grandma's toes. The skin on her legs, just like the rest of her body had ridges. Gently, I pulled the skin and was awed by how much old age had caused her skin to crease.

"Speaking of the boys..." I raised my head to get a look at Felix's mom face but I still continued playing with grandmaster toes. "Your pregnancy."

I raised an eyebrow waiting expectantly for her next words.