In Between.

#24

Not Edited.

I rubbed my palms together for the umpteenth time that day and had to once again fight the urge to root my legs into the white marbled floor and not walk towards the door of the doctor's office.

"Hey... Where's mummy." I heard her voice and my breathing ceased. Laura. Who on earth told her?

I turned to see my older sister who had a squealing Mofe around her neck and a smiling Micheal hugging her and my heart sank when she stared into my eyes.

I could hold my emotions but not my sister. She was quite emotional and the tears that had pooled into her eyes were enough for me to lose it.

Anna walked to her and gave her a hug and I just stood rooted to the spot. Me touching her would make the tears I'd long managed to keep under perfect control to spill out so I just nodded her way and resumed my former position of looking at the door.

I inhaled when I felt her presence beside me and before she could speak, my dad walked out with Anna's mum who was looking at ground. My dad's appearance was the same as before and I looked at him intently trying to get something out of his expression but it was clueless.

"She has regained consciousness." Was the first thing he said when he reached us, giving me a pointed look and a wave of relief rushed over me, making me exhale, realising that I was holding my breath.

"But... I sighed. I had rejoiced too soon.  The story was never complete without a 'but.' ...she is going to be admitted and I don't Know when she is ever gonna come out." My dad finished and as if he knew I needed it, pulled me into his arms.

Here was the time to let the tears come, but I fought it, holding it in as the doctor came out and he released me. "You can come and see her now." The man that looked like he was in his early thirties smiled at my dad and added before we could even move an inch.

"3 at a time please. We don't wanna overcrowd her." He had a slight Igbo accent and we all nodded. The first set already preparing to go. My dad, Anna's mum and Mofe, the last born followed the doctor, leaving the four of us and Anna sighed.

"How did it even happen?" Laura turned to me, and I explained once again, ignoring every question Anna asked me.

"It's our turn." Micheal was already walking towards the door of the room and we all followed suit. As I entered, a lump formed in my throat when I saw my mum. She was looking pale and her eyes were swollen and red like she had been crying.

As Laura, Anna and Michael broke down in her hands, I just stood, blinking back tears fighting the urge to scream out loud and free myself from the pain in my throat, in my heart.

From the fear of losing her.

"Itu mi." She smiled and opened her hands as I walked into them, burying my face in her arms and then I knew I couldn't hold the tears anymore. I didn't even try to hold them back from falling as I sobbed quietly in her arms, not minding anything at that moment.

Finally I was done crying my eyes out and my mum was also done with her speech of how she was okay and not dying, lightening the atmosphere.

"Laura why are you dressed like this?" My mum released me and everyone turned to Laura. My eyes widened when I took in what I was seeing and I burst into laughter.

She was in a short yellow gown that looked like the ones worn for nights, more like a night gown and her hair was packed up in a very messy bun. The Dunlop (bathroom) slippers that graced her feet, completed her almost suitable asylum look.

No offence but she looked mad!

"Mummy abeg (please) leave me o it was even Micheal that woke me up and told me all that happened. Do you now expect me to dress as if I'm going for a party, wó (please) me I just came like that." She wore a careless look as we all laughed at how she looked.