Mpop Fever

21: Hospitals. Really, my favourite place to be.

When I woke up, I was alone, in the middle of the night. I did not know where I was, how I got there, or why I was there. Gosh it felt like when I woke up after the accident with my parents.

With the beeping, the terrible smell and the needle in my inner elbow, I was certain I was in a hospital. I moved my free arm around to try to find the button to call a nurse, or anyone. I was thirsty. My throat was dry, I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. I found the remote on the side of my bed and pressed it. Once. Twice. Ten times.

A nurse walked in looking worried.

"Miss Nhlanhla, you're awake?" No, shit.

"Thirsty," I whispered, that small activity worsening my throat. She nodded and left the room. She came back some seconds later with a glass of water.

"Your throat must hurt too," she stood in front of me, "can you drink on your own?" I instinctively shook my head. She sadly smiled at me as she pressed the remote to make the bed move up so that I could be in a sitting position. I lifted my hands to take the glass and she used one of her hands to support me. I was not drinking water. The liquid was bitter, but made my throat wet again. She took the glass and looked at me.

"You'll feel better after this." I nodded, already used to being in a hospital without actually knowing the reason. "It's ten p.m. and your brother fell asleep. Should I wake him?" I shook my head as my eyes drooped closed, but I forced them to open.

"Where's my..." I cleared my throat, because the first time my voice came out scratchy, "Where's my boyfriend?" She shook her head.

"Only your brother is here. He did not come with anyone." I nodded, feeling disappointed.

I let my eyes close, realising that I was probably sleepy because of the liquid that the nurse had given me.

💖🎤💖

I woke up a while later with Duncan by my side. I gtatefuly smiled up at him and he seemed ready to cry. He didn't though.

My body was sore everywhere, which worried me, but I did not feel like asking why I was in the hospital or why it was sore. I just wanted to get out of the hospital and get back home. I wanted to go back to work and be with my colleagues again. I wanted everything to be back to normal. My life had been filled with so much drama lately that I just did not want any part of it anymore.

Duncan spoke, I listened. Or rather tried to listen and not zone out multiple times because I was wondering where Derek was.

"Why aren't you asking?" He asked and I blinked a couple of times trying to understand the question that was asked.

"What?"

"You did not ask me anything ever since I got here." I pursed my lips at the statement as I looked away from Duncan. "Tell me what you are feeling, Sedi. Please," he held onto my hand and I looked up at him, holding back tears.

"Have I ever told you about what I saw when I was in the coma, Duncan? After the accident." He shook his head. "I saw mum. When I woke up, I convinced myself that it was just a dream because she told me that I was still needed here." I put my other hand on Duncan's hand and he turned it so that he could hold onto my hands. "I uh..." I glanced at the ceiling and then back at him. "I saw her again." I took in a deep breath, which did not stop a stray tear from rolling down my cheek. Duncan wiped it away. "Sorry," I said and he shook his head, "I saw mum again. She told me that I have been through a lot. She told me that she wouldn't hate me if I... I decided not to carry on anymore. If I decided to go with her."

"To heaven?" I shrugged. Like hell I knew where my mum was referring to when she suggested that I go with her. She could have meant Unicorn Island for all I knew.