Feeling Doomed

By evening, the doctor discharged Ava to go home.

"You will be required to come back in a week for a check-up," the doctor said to Ava.

"Thank you, doctor," Ava said.

"You are welcome. Your bill has been sorted out, so you don't have to bother about that. Please endeavor to take your medications."

"I'm sorry doctor, please can you repeat what you just said?" Ava asked.

"You should endeavor to take your medication..."

Ava interrupted the doctor, "no, not that. You said something about the bill being paid?"

"Yes, your medical bills have been paid for," the doctor said with a smile.

"By whom?" Maddie asked.

"By one of our sponsors," the doctor said.

"This sponsor paid for everything?" Ava asked in disbelief.

"Yes, he did," the doctor replied.

"Please who is this sponsor? Can we see him?" Maddie asked.

"I'm sorry, that won't be possible, he prefers to be anonymous."

"Is there no way we can see him? At least so we can thank him for what he did?" Ava asked.

"You don't have to worry about that," the doctor said.

Both Ava and Maddie looked at each other with relief.

"Thank you, doctor, please help us to thank this sponsor, tell him we are truly grateful," Ava said.

"He will hear," the doctor said.

"You see, I told you everything is going to be just fine," Maddie whispered to Ava on their way out of the hospital.

Ava sighed, "the medical bills are the least of my problem and you know it. How am I going to face Robinson? How....."

"Calm down, everything is going to be fine. Have a little faith my friend," Maddie said to her.

She had no faith, Ava knew she had hit rock bottom, how was she supposed to get herself out of Robinson's debt?

Maddie hailed down a cab that took them back to their apartment.

"I don't want you thinking about anything, just concentrate on getting better first," Maddie said to Ava when they got back to their apartment.

Ava slowly and painfully walked to their bedroom, Maddie helped her out of her torn dress, and she changed into something else.

"Would you like me to get you anything?" Maddie asked Ava as she helped her to lie down on the bed.

"No, thanks."

Maddie sat down beside Ava, "we are going to raise that money, one way or the other. Okay?"

"Why am I so unfortunate? Why do bad things keep happening to me?" Ava asked with teary eyes.

"Don't say that, you are not unfortunate," Maddie said.

"Yes I am, don't you see it?" Ava cried.

"Ava, look at me," Maddie said. "You are not unfortunate, because the....." Maddie stopped what she was saying when a loud bang came on their front door.

"Excuse me, let me go and see who is at the door," Maddie stood up and left the bedroom. When she opened the front door, Robinson and two of his men barged in.

"What do you want?" Maddie asked in an annoyed tone. She disliked Robinson and she has never hesitated to show it.

"Where is Ava?" Robinson asked. He scanned the tiny living room with his eyes. Maddie could tell he was looking for something valuable he could leave with.

"I'm sorry, but Ava can't see you now. She isn't in a good state," Maddie said to Robinson. She could see anger flash through his eyes. He walked closer to her and stood in front of her. Robinson was a big man, with a potbelly. Standing in front of her, Maddie felt disgusted that Ava might have to end up with this pig of a man if she wasn't able to pay up her mother's debt. This man was a pig, even his breath sounded like that of a pig grunting. His hairy and ugly-looking face was just a few inches away from Maddie's face, and she had to resist the urge not to slap him.

"I said where is Ava?" Robinson demanded in a demeaning tone.

"And I said...."

"Hey hey, you don't talk...."

"Ava was robbed on her way to come pay you back your money! And now she is injured," Maddie said to Robinson.

Robinson looked at his men and they all started laughing. "You and your friend must think I'm stupid."

"I'm not lying, she got robbed on her way coming from the bank with your money," Maddie said.

"Is this some sort of a trick to prevent your friend from paying me my money? Because she would be digging her grave if she is trying to mess with me," Robinson threatened.

"Robinson, I did get robbed," Ava said in a small voice as she slowly walked into the living room.

"Ava you should be resting," Maddie said to her.

Robinson ignored Maddie and walked over to Ava, "oh my flower, what happened to you?" He asked her in a kind tone.

"I got robbed on my way returning from the bank with your money."

Robinson was silent for a moment, he looked at Maddie and back at Ava. "So what do we do now?" He asked, this time his voice held no iota of kindness.

"I... I....." Ava was stuttering because she didn't know what to say. She was scared of Robinson.

"She is going to need more time," Maddie said.

A burst of gay laughter escaped Robinson's lips. "More time!" He turned to look at his men, "she is requesting for more time," his men joined him in laughing too.

"My dear flower, time is a luxury I can't afford, if you don't have my money, you know what to do," he brought his hand to Ava's face and started touching her cheek with his fingers. "How about I take you with me, so I can take proper care of you?" Ava tried to step back but Robinson held her arm, and she flinched.

"Robinson please..."

"Shh...., conserve your strength my flower," Robinson said to Ava.

"Leave her alone!" Maddie said.

Robinson looked at his men, and the one closer to Maddie held her from helping Ava.

"I can take good care of you, my flower, you know that," Robinson said.

"Robinson, please I will give you your money. Please just give me some time," Ava pleaded.

Robinson continued to rub his fingers against her cheek.

"One week. You have one week to pay up, or get ready to...."

"One week is not enough, how do you expect me to raise that amount of money in one week?"

"That is not my problem. One week!" Robinson turned to his men. "Boys, let's go."

As Robinson and his men walked out of their apartment, Ava crumpled on the floor and started crying.

"Everything is going to be fine," Maddie said to her.

"No, nothing is going to be fine. I'm doomed!"