ISABELLA

❤Chapter 9❤

"...so he says they have ...to amputate...her legs." my dad forces the words out of his mouth.

"What?! " we all exclaim

"Both...legs? " I say slowly.

My mum walked out of the house with her both legs, this morning. Now, those legs have to be amputated.

"Yes, both legs" he nods. He looks like he is about to cry.

I go back to where I was sitting. My mum's legs are going to be amputated. Both. Wow

Tears start falling from my eyes.  She would never be able to walk again with her own legs. I look at my dad, my brother and Dave. They were talking. I can't even hear or make out anything.

"It's okay, Bella. It's for the best, okay? I just had to give them the permission...He said that's the best thing to do." dad says as he sits beside me.

After what seems like hours, we were finally allowed to see my mum. She is smiling brightly and looks as beautiful as ever. "I'm fine" she says to us. I sit on the bed with her, trying so hard to stop tears in my eyes from falling. Harrison and Dave sit on the chairs around her bed too. We spoke and Dave made us laugh at intervals while we wait for Dad to finish his 'talk' with the doctor.

Around 9:30pm, dad comes into mum's ward. "you guys must be hungry and tired by now. You should go home, okay?"

"I want to stay with mum" I say, calmly.

"No, you have school tomorrow. Besides, you look like a mess now. You need a shower and food. I'll stay with her" he says.

"Harrison will drop Dave at his place before you guys head home, okay?"

"Alright"

"Drive carefully, Harry" he says, stressing the 'carefully'.

"No problem, Dad"

We say goodbyes and leave the hospital. Dave and Harrison spoke throughout the journey while I just kept to myself. Leo had not returned my calls which was not unusual. He has been doing that lately. He doesn't return my calls when he misses them. When he picks, he would always say he is busy and would call later but would not. He doesn't text anymore and always says he needs to sleep or he is busy when he finally replies my numerous texts. This is not my Leo.

I sincerely hope he would at least create some time for me as time goes on. He has been busy with his photography thing and well, I kind of understand.

"Bye, Bells!" Dave says as Harrison parked in front of his house. His younger sister, Lucy, was standing outside their gate with his older sister, Karen. I was surprised to see Karen, though. She was supposed to be in school. She probably came home for something . I thought.

We greeted one another and said goodnight.

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School was just there. I wasn't even feeling it. I just wanted it to be closing period already. Dave continued acting strange today. He looked like he is worried about something. I am more angry than bothered that he isn't telling me whatever is wrong with him. I decide not to talk to him. Leo still hasn't called and there are no texts as usual. Everything is just fucked up.

A tear roll down my cheeks and I quickly wipe it off before Mr Akingbade, our Maths teacher, will notice it. I don't know why his period is looking like three hours instead of forty minutes. As if the time keeper was reading my mind, the bell rang signifying long break. Then, I realise it was Mr Akingbade, he would surely use our long break.

I roll my eyes as he pretended not to hear the bell. I guess he saw me because..."Bella, come and solve this question for us". I don't like this man.

I stand up and look at the board. The question is a simple longitude and latitude problem. I collected the whiteboard marker and solve the question. "Go back to your seat and concentrate in class"

I obey him. As he is about to continue, the principal's secretary comes into our class. "Ah Mr Akingbade. I've been looking for you" she says.

"The principal wants to see you urgently." she adds. Thank God.

"Oh." he says and leaves with his things immediately. The class becomes noisy just immediately he leaves.

I put my head on my locker and try to get some sleep but someone tap my back almost immediately. I look up to find Dave smiling at me.

"What?"

"Ahn ahn. What do you mean what? Let's go to the cafeteria."

"I'm not hungry" I say, bringing out my phone.

"Is it about mum? Or you are mad at me? What's wrong?"

"You want to know what's wrong when you don't even want to tell me what's up with you."

"It's not like that" he says

"Go and eat alone. Or go back to your class. I'm not hungry"

"You never say no to food. This is funny"

I ignore him and look at my phone. There is a message from Leo. I smile at my phone like a fool. Dave tries to peep into my phone but I swat his chest and he groans a little.

Babe, I'm sorry I've not been available. I really miss you. I missed your calls yesterday. Hope you're fine?  Call me when you get this. I know you'll be in school. Don't wanna disturb. Love you ❤

"So it's because of Leo." he says.

I roll my eyes and ignore him as I dial Leo's phone.

"Hey babe"

"Hey babe. I'm busy right now. I'm so sorry. I have a shoot. I'll call you, later" he says and my heart sank.

"Okay. Love.." I say but the line goes off before I can complete it. "..you" I say, after I drop the phone on my laps.

I sigh. I know he isn't going to call back. He sounded busy. We are too young for this to be happening in our relationship. He hasn't even resumed school yet. I miss him too.

"What now? You were smiling just now and this?"

"I really don't know. Leo has been so busy. I wonder why a 18 year old would be this busy for his girlfriend. He doesn't even have a job yet and he hasn't even resumed school. I understand but it's really pissing me off already"

Then, Dave laughs. This isn't funny, yeah?

"You know it's not funny, right?" I say, frowning.

"I know. You know he is busy with photography na. You too face your book. If you are missing him or you need someone to kiss or make out with, there are fine boys everywhere including myself" he says, adjusting his collar.

"Eww. I'm not going to cheat on my boyfriend, you know that?"

Dave rolls his eyes. "I know I know. Holy Mary"

"Now this is the Dave I know" I say, laughing

"You're welcome" he says and I shake my head.

"I'm going to eat. See you after school?"he says, standing up.

"What about me?"

"You said you are not hungry na"

"C'mon, I'm starving" I say, standing up immediately.

"Ahn ahn. So you were only forming vex for me abi?"

"Abeg. I was actually mad at you" I roll my eyes and we laugh.

*My sweetest readers😭😭.
    I know I have wronged some of you, if not all. But I swear it was not intentional. I miss writing too. I've been fucking busy. School😒. Well, I'm back and I'm not disappearing anytime soon, good news?😻. Please please don't give up on my story😭😭. I promise not to delay again(if school permits). So y'all know what to do right? Then, let's do it. Tap that yellow star and comment. Pleaseeeeee voteeeee. It makes me happy🤗*