TOO FAR TO REACH 41

 

TOO FAR TO REACH 41

Aunty had come looking for us and she updated us on what the doctors said. Jeff needed to be moved to another hospital urgently, he needed an urgent operation which could not be conducted there. I was filled with anguish once again, the operation was on his hand. This time they made no mention of amputation. In the doctors office, Nancy and I tried to get as much information as we could but we were asked to sign as there was no time. We still could not see Jeff, nobody was allowed near him. Jeff was whisked into the ambulance and they took a special route, we were given directions on how to get there and we set off immediately.

The new hospital was huge, it was clear this hospital received many cases but just standing at the reception traumatized me. So many cases came through and I was nauseous from seeing people desperately rushing through and asking to see a nurse or doctor. The ambulance sirens not once stopped at this hospital.

“Madam come through” a nurse said as she approached us.

Uncle, Mr. Cloud, Nancy, aunty and myself walked after her. There was a lot of confusion as to whether she knew where we were going because she not once asked if we were there for Jeff. I believe however, someone must have told her. The nurse led us to a private Ward and told us Jeff would be there immediately after the operation but she told us nothing about how long we would wait until he was there. She left immediately as she was rushing to the operation ward.

We paced around the ward wonderingly, none of us could say anything to each other. Well not until Mr Cloud begun to speak.

“Hospitals almost operate the same everywhere, how do we just wait here”

Shortly the door opened and a panicked doctor asked us who let us in.. shortly two nurses joined him and begun  preparing the ward. We were asked to wait outside. When the ward was prepared, everyone left except one nurse who explained to us.

“Mr Kim will be in a 5 hour long operation.. 4hrs at the very least. You can not enter his ward hence I will keep it locked. It is sanitized and only one person will be allowed in at a time.. there will be a nurse in at all times.. the operation will be on his arm. We will try to save his arm.. we will try” she said.

“How is he though?” I asked desperately.

“He is fine… he is sleeping.. he has to sleep for now until after the operation… he can’t stand the pain”

I nodded my head and let her leave. She was so kind and ensured we were satisfied with her explanation before she left. I took a sigh of relief and sat next to Mr Cloud, Nancy was pacing around as usual.

“we need to go and eat something… we will be back” uncle said to us.

“No..” Nancy and I opposed at the same time.

“It’s been hours since we last ate… we need to eat.. we need the strength” uncle said.

Nancy and I completely ignored him as we looked elsewhere but Mr cloud and aunty agreed.

“We will find you here” aunty said

“Okay… bring me a fleece and extra socks..” I said.

Nancy asked for nothing.. I could tell she was not warm herself as it was slowly drifting to evening.

“Bring Mrs cloud something warm too” I said.

It was clear Mr. Cloud would care less as he completely ignored his wife.

The silence on this side of the hospital made me think of everything that had happened, what I learnt about aunty and what else I was to know. I brushed my thoughts as I heard Nancy speak.

“You are one strong lady, I should have known my brother needed you. Mosha..” she posed and chuckled.

“Mosha would have not withstood all this” she said.

I politely ignored her.

“How many are you in your family?” she asked.

“ I am the only child… my mum died when I was 2 years old. I never knew my dad” I said.

“Oh.. that must have been hard… who raised you then? Is it your aunty?” she asked in reference to my aunt who just left.

“No.. not her. Another aunty, the oldest in the family.. she came before the aunty you know and my mum was the last born” I said.

“oh I see… Is she around?”

“ No she died there months back” I said

She looked concerned but I opted not to pay her much attention.

“Pumulo… can we be friends?” she asked.

I looked at her but then quickly looked away.

“Let’s do this not just for Jeff but for us…” she said.

“You wanted me to abort”

“And I am completely sorry… I honestly didn’t believe Jeff was the father of your children.. I didn’t… I thought you were trying to trick him”

I disappointedly looked at her.

“Jeff, you see Jeff has had many beautiful girls after him… he has been loved all his childhood.. he has self control but often times I felt he missed it no wonder he was often manipulated. I had been through a lot, I was ptrying to keep him away from desperate girls who admired his status”

I looked on.

“I am sorry… I just thought you were one of them… I misjudged you.. your intentions were pure.. I believe so now”

“It took you this long to know that?” I asked.

“I hope one day you truly understand.. you see men as you see them are not as discerning as we women can be.. often times they fail to read intentions and it’s us as women to be protective. You will see that with your husband as well.. I have had that with my own husband” she said

I sort of agreed with her, how could Jeff have thought Jacinta was a good a choice for a maid? And like Nancy read my mind, she talked of Jacinta.

“Take Jacinta for example, that clown was really Jeff’s choice of a maid… and if you ask me I know my brother, he probably innocently chose her.. I heard you put her in her place… you slapped her.. I did not come out but I heard it all and I understand.. that’s men.. it’s a battle sometimes” she said.

I nodded my head in agreement.

“please Pumulo.. before Jeff comes.. let’s mend our relationship. You are my sister in law now… I prefer to just call you my sister” she said

I looked at Nancy and I must admit her intentions seemed more sincere than auntie’s. She extended her hand to shake mine. I instead reached out for a hug. Nancy and I went in a long embrace as she cried on my shoulder.

“God knows I prayed for when I will have a sister… welcome to our family my sister. You are indeed God’s chosen one for Jeff”