Chapter 3: Fate

Aurora's POV

The phone slid from my hand and fell flat on the floor, I was sure that the screen had shattered, but I didn't care.

Without another word, I grabbed a bottle of water and ran down the stairs, but Sara tried to stop me.

“What was that all about?”

“Get out of my way, Sara! I have to leave, now!” I slightly pushed her out of the way, but before I could step out, I heard Aunt Jema's voice. Has she been around all this while?

“At least put on a bra, and smoothen your hair, Ro! You look homeless.” I couldn't tell if that was a smile or a mischievous smirk that I saw on her face, but I waved it off. It was very strange seeing her act like she cared about me.

She had on a small top that exposed her cleavage, and shorts that revealed her butt cheeks.

She was a small woman in her late thirties, as she had Sara when she was a teenager.

“I don't have time for any of those,” I shouted over my shoulder.

It was hard finding a taxi in this area, and even if I did find one, I had no money on me with which to pay; hence, I resulted to running. Luckily for me, the hospital wasn't as far as I thought.

Frantic and confused, I scanned through most of the wards, looking for the emergency ward that held my Mama.

“Can't you watch your steps?” A heavily built, tall man, who looked like he had been lifting weights all his life yelled at me, and for a moment I stood still, with my mouth slightly opened in shock.

It wasn't the supposed bodyguard that caught my attention. It was this beautiful snack in front of me.

Forgetting that I was in a hurry to see my mama I stared in awe. I wasn't sure if the increase in my heartbeat was a result of my worry for my mama's well-being, or if it was from the many sweet things the sight of this man was having on me.

He had thick black hair that was somewhat curly and full, and his grey eyes could seduce any lady. His chiseled jaw was perfect, and beardless.

…And, his body? My God! He had a beautiful, broad chest and a body to die for. I had the impulsion to run my fingers on his chest, and trace beautiful lines… Saying he is hot was an understatement.

How did this man belong to Sara, and she messed up such an opportunity? This man was literary a work of art.

I pinched myself, willing myself to come back to my senses. I have a boyfriend. I shouldn't be harboring such thoughts.

My mama! Oh no! I need to go and check on my mama!

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry,’’ I finally blurted out. I dropped the opened bottle of water on the desk beside me by the hallway, searched my bag, and brought out some tissues.

As I proceeded to wipe the water off his suit, he held my hand, preventing me from doing anything.

What am I thinking? How can I use a tissue to wipe off the water? I'd only ruin his suit further!

Get a grip on yourself, Aurora! You need to think straight.

…But, I couldn't. How could such a strange fine man have such an effect on me? I haven't felt this way in forever. Even Dan wasn't able to send such electrifying, delicious chills down my body.

“Stop,” he said, as he took a step backward, as though I irritated him, “there's no need for that.”

“I'm in a rush,” I said as I put the tissue back inside my bag, “I will make it up to you someday.”

I dashed off, not trusting myself to stand for even an extra second in his presence.

*******

I finally located my mama's ward and started out for it. She was slightly unconscious and she looked as though she had a seizure some minutes ago before I arrived.

Her eyes were closed, and she lay still on her bed, intermittently giving off heavy and deep breaths.

“What happened?” I asked the doctor who had a worried expression on his face and was already trying to set up an IV line.

“She was brought in on account of a motor accident, which had her severely injured and paralyzed. She's been majorly unconscious, and has sustained severe brain injury as her GCS is 5/30…

“... She needs to be operated on urgently, or she might lose her life…” Having successfully fixed the IV line and ensuring that my mama was a little bit stable, the doctor pulled me to a corner where we conversed in low tones.

“You'd need to deposit the money needed for the surgery before three hours so that we can get the necessary items and commence treatments immediately.”

My heart skipped a thousand beats and I began to visibly shiver. Where am I supposed to get such an amount of money from?

I knew I couldn't ask Aunt Jema, and neither could I ask Sara. My Papa was out of the question.

I began to pace to and fro in the room, unsure of what to do. I sat beside my mama's bed, wondering if this would be the last time I would see her

She was breathing with some difficulty. I leaned closer and kissed her wrinkled forehead. My mama was no ordinary woman. She never had it easy, and I couldn't let her go like that. I had to do something. Anything… do anything at all to save her life.

Just then, I looked across the room and noticed the same man I had seen on the hallway sitting beside an elderly man. The man's appearance screamed of luxury.

I let my thoughts wander freely, taking into detail every part of him.

He had on a blue suit, and I could still see the stained part on it, just below his breast pocket. His brows were furrowed, and he seemed to be lost in deep thought.

His hands were intertwined with the older man's, and he bent his head slightly as if he were about to say a prayer.

I imagined those same fingers against my bare skin, and I shivered. He was probably married as he looked to be in his late twenties. I was just eighteen years old and was getting ready for college. What do I know about love?

How about Dan? We'd broken up, yes, but I still honored the possibility of getting back together with him.

I noticed the strange handsome man kissing his grandfather's forehead, then proceeding to close his eyes. The elderly man must have died. My heart skipped and I sprang up.

Mama! I can't let the same thing happen to my mama.

I sprang up, but just at the same time, began to shake vigorously, and a white foamy substance was drooling from the corner of her mouth.

I began to scream hysterically, calling for the doctor's attention.

When the group of doctors finally came, my mama was already still, and it appeared as though she wasn't breathing.

I could hear the doctors muttering, but I was already beginning to feel dizzy. The last thing I remember was the strange handsome man running towards me before I passed out completely.