The Blood That Hurts

The Blood that Hurts [by Juliet Abudei]

Chapter 5

In school.

"Alright kids, listen, I have some very important announcements to make, Catherine has not been in school for some weeks now because her mom has been very sick and she's in the hospital looking after her mom, so it would be nice if we can check on her and give her our support".

Miss Martha said with a smile. Miss Martha is Catherine's mathematics teacher. She loves Catherine like her own daughter because Catherine was not only pretty but very intelligent.

After the announcement was made, miss Martha left the class.

" Hi Kimberly, how is Catherine coping? I know it must be very tough for her ", Stephen said with a gloomy face.

" Hi Stephen, well she needs us the most now; it hasn't been easy for the family; I will be stopping by at the hospital later today, do you want to come with me?" Kimberly asked.

Stephen smiled as he gave her his mobile number." Yes, sure; call me when you are ready".

"Will do, Stephen", Kimberly replied as she stood up to leave the class.

In the hospital.

Catherine was reading a novel when Kimberly walked in with Stephen.

" Look who came to see you today Cathy".

"Hi Catherine, I heard your mom is sick, hope she gets better, you also need a lot of fruit ", Stephen said with a smile as he hands over the fruit he bought for her.

" Thanks, Stephen, it's so nice of you to stop by; I'm sure the news about my mom's sickness is all over the place, news does spread like wildfire". Catherine's face was so full of fatigue.

"Enough with that look of empathy Cathy, your mom will be fine and everything will go back to the way it used to be ", Kimberly consoled Catherine.

" Catherine, Kimberly misses you in school, she has been so bored without you and she's always keeping to herself", Stephen piped in.

"Hmmm, Stephen, who told you all this? Well I can't deny the fact that I miss my best friend and I also can't wait for everything to be okay so that she can come back to school", Kimberly chimed in.

And I miss you too Kim, as soon as this is all over, I will be back to school", Catherine smiled.

After the arrangement was made for the open heart surgery, Catherine's mom was flown to India for the surgery.

In the Hospital in India.

Catherine and Andrew were in the waiting room patiently waiting for the surgery to be over. When the surgery was over, the doctor came out of the surgery room.

" Doctor, how was the surgery, is it over? ", Andrew asked impatiently.

" Calm down Mr. Andrew, one question at a time; well congratulation the surgery was successful and your mom is in good shape, she just needs to get enough rest before you guys can fly back to Nigeria". The doctor smiled as he walked away. Catherine and Andrew were so delighted to hear the good news that they hugged each other.

In a hospital in Nigeria.

"I told you and your sister that everything was going to be alright; I'm glad that the surgery was successful", Doctor Albert told the siblings who were now confident that everything was going to be fine after all.

" Thank you so much doctor; when is she going to be discharged?". Catherine asked inquisitively.

Doctor Albert was so excited in his heart, he can't wait for the family to be reunited, they deserve to be happy after going through so much.

"5 days will do, we just want to make sure that everything is okay, then she will be able to go home".

Mariam was discharged from the hospital and brought home.

" Mom, it's so good to have you back home with us, we thought we lost you," Catherine said calmly.

"I am so sorry Cathy, for making you guys worry so much about me, you had to put your life on hold for me to get well". Marian was gloomy.

" Don't say that mom, you don't have to be sorry, it wasn't your fault, and besides it's also our responsibility to take care of you, the same way you have been taken care of us". Catherine chimed in.

Mariam couldn't help but smile, though she was worried that Catherine hasn't been going to classes because of her sickness even though she would be resuming soon; she was glad to be alive to take care of her children and also to work hard to save enough money for her children's education; since her surgery almost used up all the money they had.

"Where's your brother Cathy, I haven't seen him this morning".

Catherine smiled." You were fast asleep when he left, he went to get your drugs; we have almost exhausted the ones we have ".

Mariam was fuelled with so much joy in her heart.

"Cathy, I think it's high time you resumed classes; in fact, I think you should resume next week, I am much better now, I can do things on my own without any assistance".

Catherine grinned.

" If you insist mom, though I can see some improvement, you have to get well enough for me to resume school next week".

Mariam saw how reiterating her daughter was.

"Okay mummy, I will be much better before next week, it's a promise.

In school.

Kimberly couldn't hold back her excitement when she saw Catherine approaching the school she ran to hug her.

" I am super excited to see you, Cathy, I'm so glad everything is gradually returning to the way it was; I missed you so much".

Catherine hugged her tightly in return.

"Thanks, Kim, I missed you too, I have missed school; thank you for your support; you are truly a good friend ".