PEN AND PAPER

If there was another word to qualify what Ella had been through, Lola would have asked the doctor to use the word. She has experienced scary things than a trauma, but why does she have to get mute? This is so damaging!!!!!!

"Traumatic mutism occurs when a child develops mutism in all situations because of a trauma experienced." The doctor explains.

Lola grabs her head in pain and frustration as she hears the explanation, almost collapsing but Malik helps her up. "Does it mean she won't be able to speak forever?"

"No, she would speak after a while."

"How can we cure this mutism and make her speak?" Malik asks.

"There is no cure."

"No cure?" Lola asks loudly. "Then are we supposed to make her talk?"

"Madam, please calm down. If you continue like this, it will only make matters worse." The doctor says.

"Please calm down." Malik says facing Lola then faces the doctor. "Can you please tell us what we can do to make her talk?"

"She needs to see a therapist, that is the first step."

"Therapist?" Lola and Malik chorused.

"Yes, traumatic mutism has a lot to do with anxiety, emotions and our psychological health. So she has to be counseled about all these things."

Lola exhales deeply almost crying. "After that what next?"

"I suggest you do not allow her visit the scene that she experienced the horrible scene for the main time, you should also give her enough attention and show her love. Do things that would make her happy and make sure she is not always alone."

"Thank you very much doctor." Malik appreciates trying to conclude what the doctor was saying. He seemed very upset about it that he wasn't planning on hearing more about it. Why would such young girl have to go through such? Life is just being so unfair to her.

"I am not done sir, that young girl mustn't be forced to talk. If you try to force her, she might keep mute for a very long time or forever." The doctor looks at both of them suspiciously. "Who are you people to her?"

"Sir?" Lola asked not knowing what to say.

"We are her parents." Malik replies, that was the only thing he could say anyway to get them out of trouble.

"If you don't know your duties as parents, put her in a orphanage home or let people who are seriously in need of child adopt her."

The statement shocked the life out of them, was he really trying to reprimand them now? Telling them how to be a proper parent o a child they aren't even related to?

"We are deeply sorry about that doctor, we would make amendments." Malik decided to play along.

"Make amendments?!!" The doctor asks loudly. "Do you even know the weight of what happened to that poor girl? I wonder what you were doing, not capable of monitoring your child. How would you feel if you are not able to talk and freely express your feelings for an hour? This girl will be mute for a while, and you sit there telling me you would make amendments."

His tone was quite harsh but they could understand why, every normal person would do the same.

"We are deeply sorry, we let our jobs get into our head that we forgot about the well being of our baby girl." Lola said something this time.

"Are you sure you are not into child trafficking?" The doctor asks again.

"No we are not." Andrew replies. "I am a police officer." He shows him his identification card. "My wife right here-" He says pointing to Lola and pauses for while when they locked eyes, once again his lovely eyes admired her pretty face and body. He blinks his eyes to bring himself back to reality and continues. "Is a school principal."

"Oh! I see. You both are busy making things right for other people but you forget your own daughter. Please make amendments."

The doctor's tone went a little lower than before, at least he wasn't yelling and it was better for Lola and Malik.

"How is she going to communicate now?" Malik asks with a lot of worried written all over his face.

The doctor scorns at them and picks out a small Jotter which has a small rope attached to it and pen. Then drops it loudly on the desk, making Lola blink fidget in fear.

"What is she going to do with this?" Lola asks .

"She would be writing anything she wants to tell you people here, this rope attached is for her to hang over her neck."

"Hang over her neck? Like a deaf and dumb?" Lola asks again.

"Yes, it is advisable for her to always have the pen and paper with her everywhere she goes. She might want to say something anytime."

If they stayed any longer with the doctor, he would continue to say scary things and keep making them feel very bad.

Malik picks up the pen and paper and whispers in Lola's ears. "I think we should leave now."

"Alright." She nods then looks at the doctor. "Thank you so much, we will leave now."Immediately both of them stood up and left the office, and the doctor's eyes follows them suspiciously, they went back to the reception and maintained the seating position from earlier. "What do you think we should do now?" Lola asks again.

"I suggest we do not ask her for anything yet, based on what we saw today I don't think anything bad happened to that lady. She shouldn't be reminded of whatever it was that put her in this horrible and scary situation."

"That is good." Lola sighs. "But where would she stay? I don't know if she would be comfortable with me, you know because of my husband and all th-"

"She is coming with me." Malik cuts in. "I will take her home with me."

"Really? Are you sure you won't be uncomfortable?"

"No, I am sure she would prefer to stay with me."

"Why do you say so?" Lola s asks and frowns a little.

"You know she would be more comfortable because I don't have a wife, and I have a son of her age." Malik ends the note with a smile.