Chapter 1: Life Issues
As she paces from right to left, her disorientation is palpable. She’s been anxiously awaiting feedback from the nurses and doctors who rushed her mother to the ward for treatment.
Memories of the incident that brought them to the hospital come flooding back, and her eyes well up with tears. Her mom had suddenly slumped and fainted without warning, leaving her in a state of panic. Now, as she waits for news, the uncertainty hangs heavy in the air.
The sound of her name, ’Miss Tasha,’ pierces through her thoughts, jolting her back to reality. She spins around, her movements abrupt, like a rollercoaster changing direction.
Her gaze locks onto the nurse, whose warm smile and gentle demeanor offer a sense of comfort. ‘Any update?’ she asks, her voice trembling with anticipation. Her ocean blue eyes remain fixed on the nurse, searching for a glimmer of hope, as her mind races with countless possibilities.
“She’s fine, Tasha,’ the nurse replies, but her words are tempered by a sorrowful smile.
Tasha’s eyes narrow, sensing the disconnect between the nurse’s words and her expression. She presses for clarity, her voice laced with concern. ‘If she’s alright, then why the sad smile?’ she asks, her ears straining for a response, as if the answer might somehow ease the worry that’s been building inside her.
The nurse's calm tone holds the weight of her words. ‘For how long will you continue rushing your mother here when you know the right thing to do?’ she asks, her gaze piercing. Tasha’s expression crumbles, her eyes welling up with tears as she lowers her head in shame. The nurse’s words strike a chord, and Tasha’s body language betrays her inner turmoil.
“For Christ’s sake, Tasha, your mom has leukemia. You know it, and I know it. The best option, the only option, is surgery. It’s the only way to stop this cycle of suffering,’ the nurse says, her voice firm but gentle.
She places her left hand on Tasha’s shoulder, her eyes filled with a deep sadness that mirrors Tasha’s own. The nurse’s expression is a mix of empathy and urgency, as she delivers the harsh truth with compassion.
But her gaze still lingers on Tasha for a moment, her expression a mix of compassion and trepidation. She knows the news she’s about to deliver will be devastating, but she must press on. ‘Tasha,’ she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tasha’s head slowly rises, her eyes meeting the nurse’s with a sense of trepidation, as if she knows that her world is about to be shattered.
With Tasha’s full attention, the nurse delivers the devastating news. ‘Your mother’s situation has taken a dire turn. Our tests today revealed that her systems are critically weak. If she doesn’t undergo surgery within the next 48 hours, she may not survive.’ The nurse’s words hang in the air like a death sentence, leaving Tasha stunned and speechless, her mind reeling from the heaviness of the situation.
She stands frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief, as the nurse’s words echo in her mind like a dire warning. ‘Tasha, you need to save your mother, or else you’ll lose her,’ the nurse says, her voice firm but laced with a hint of empathy.
With a final pat on the shoulder, the nurse turns to leave, leaving Tasha alone to grapple with the enormity of her decision. The silence that follows is oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of Tasha’s ragged breathing as she struggles to come to terms with the devastating reality.
She remains paralyzed, her eyes fixed in a permanent stare, her hands clasped tightly across her chest. But as Mira’s words suddenly thunder through her mind, she suddenly springs into action. ‘Mira!’ she exclaims, her voice shaking as she rushes out of the hospital.
Desperation drives her to find Mira, her only hope in this desperate situation. She hails the first taxi she sees and jumps in, her eyes scanning the road ahead as if willing the vehicle to move faster.
“’Drop me here,’ Tasha instructs the cab driver as he got to her destination, her anxiety palpable as she waits for him to pull into the parking lot. She hands him a wad of cash and leaps out of the taxi, rushing towards Mira’s compound with a sense of urgency.
She bangs on the door, her fists pounding against the wood as she awaits Mira’s response. The door creaks open, revealing a startled Mira, whose expression changes from surprise to concern as she takes in Tasha’s distraught face.
Tasha stands before Mira, her eyes brimming with tears as she utters the words she never thought she’d say: ‘I’m ready, Mira. I’m ready to do it. I’ll do the one night stand.’ Her voice cracks with desperation, and Mira’s expression changes from surprise to curiosity.
Mira’s eyes narrow, trying to understand the sudden shift in Tasha’s stance. She had been trying to convince Tasha to consider this option for so long, but Tasha’s resistance had been steadfast. Now, Mira wonders what could have driven Tasha to this point of surrender.
“I can do it tonight, Mira. I can’t let my mother die,’ Tasha pleads, her desperation palpable.
Mira’s words snap her back to reality, and she focuses on the sacrifice she’s about to make. ‘So, you’re finally taking my advice and going through with a one night stand?’ Mira asks, seeking confirmation. Tasha nods resolutely, her voice firm. ‘Yes, Mira. I am. I’ll do whatever it takes to save my mother’s life.”
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