CHAPTER SIX

JOAN'S POV 

Sometimes, life always has unpleasant surprises for each and everyone of us. It might be positive or negative, either way.

We stared at each other for a few moments, locked in each other's gaze, before speaking up in unison, "what are you doing here?"

I shrugged my shoulders and allowed him to answer because we can't be answering ourselves at the same time.

"My cousin got admitted here, and I came here to see him." Bradford responded, hovering his eyes all over me just at the sight of the man close to me. 

Oh I don't know his name nor who he is. That is not important right now. I saw the hint of jealousy in Bradford's eyes and I chuckled. 

"Was he sick or something?" I asked with curiosity written on my face. I detest hospitals and everything related to them because tgey harbour danger. 

"Yes, he had food poisoning." He said curtly as he approached me.

"When was your cousin admitted?" I asked, trying to know more.

"He was admitted today and upon hearing the news, I rushed here to see him." Bradford answered, his eyes shifting from the handsome man sitting pretty beside me to me.

"I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. He would be fine as long as he is given adequate medication." I said, putting a little smile on my face.

"So what brings you here?" He asked inquisitively, drawing close to sit beside me. Hope all is well?

"It's a long story." I replied as I sniffled back my tears that were about to flow.

"Make it short then." Bradford insisted impatiently.

"I lost my mum to the cold hands of death this morning." I replied. The tears in my eyes finally flowed as I couldn't control them.

He took my hands, and consoled me, saying, "I'm always here for you okay." He pulled out his white handkerchief and gently dapped my wet face.

"What are we waiting for? Where is your mother? Has your mother been taken to the mortuary? He asked, a look of concern on his face.

"The doctor wants to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of her collapse." I replied barely above a whisper.

Sitting between these two men feels awkward. It was a coincidence running into Bradford at the hospital. "What are the odds?" I muttered to myself.

I introduced the two men, "Bradford, meet the man that helped me with my mum earlier today, and sir, please. Meet my friend Bradford." 

They exchanged handshakes with each other and responded in unison, "it's nice to meet you."

The doctor emerged from his office as they withdrew their hands, saying, "Joan, according to the report, your mother collapsed due to shock."

"Something must have triggered it. She might have seen or heard something that caused the shock." The doctor said, with a note of certainty. 

What could have triggered it. She was the only one at home last night. My mind kept racing, thinking of what she must have heard.

Probably someone came to the house to deliver a shocking message, but I'm not sure where this is all going. But one thing is certain; I will find out what prompted the shock she experienced before she died.

I covered my eyes with my hands as tears welled up again. Bradford reached out to cuddle me. I leaned into him and cried my eyes out.

He let me cry as much as I needed to. I heard him sniffle, but I'm not sure if it was genuine.

The handsome man who had brought me earlier stood up and said, "I think I'll take her home."

"But you have just met her and you don't really know her." Bradford said. He gently lifted my face to look at him.

"Do you want to go with him?" He asked, his face filled with concern.

"Yes, he brought me earlier and he knows where I live. Just let him take me home safely." I said with pleading eyes.

"I don't trust him." He said barely above a whisper.

"I know, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt okay." I said hoping he would understand. I couldn't refuse the man's offer to take me home just because Bradford doesn't trust him.

The man had helped me in a meaningful way and hadn't taken advantage of the situation. He was there with me at the hospital even before Bradford arrived. 

"Call me when you get home okay." His voice was husky.

"Okay I will call you later. Give my regards to your cousin, and goodbye." I waved goodbye until he was out of sight. As I left the main hospital building, I ran into someone I wasn't expecting to see.

What was he doing here and how did he know I was here? I thought to myself. These people keep surprising me with their unexpected visits. This is quite a shock, don't you think?

"Hey, what are you doing here? Did you come to see someone?" I asked him, since everyone I meet here all claim to be visiting such patients.

"No, I came to see you. I heard about what happened." He said, his voice trembling. I held the iron bars to prevent myself from falling.

Remembering the fact that my mother is lying in state in the mortuary makes me want to die with her.

What's the essence of living when we could actually choose to die because we would leave this world one day.

"We came to your house to know if you arrived home safely from the hotel, and we couldn't find you." He exclaimed. We ask about your whereabouts and if your neighbours gave us the sad news."

"Where is she?" I asked inquisitively. 

"Who?" he asked.

"You know who I am asking. This is not the time for games." I spat.

"She went home to change because as soon as we came to your house, she started menstruating. She said she would call you. He voiced.

"Okay, I heard all you said. I will be leaving now. Have a great day." I said with annoyance. How can Anita not call me immediately when she heard the news of my mother's death.

She was the reason I left my only source of hope to attend a party which she said I would relieve myself. 

And returning to my house, I met the greatest shock of my life. Anyways I will be expecting her calls.

As we moved towards the car, the handsome man opened the front door as the gentle man he is and I entered the car.

I have seen handsome men but I can't tell who is more handsome. That aside, I had a lot to think about.

We rode in silence while I delved into deep thought. His car collided with another car, that was when I was jolted out of my thoughts.

What's happening here, "I blurted, holding my chest as I breathed out.