Chapter 9 Chp 9 - Get Off This...

Mukhtar's mother rushed into the Light AND Life Hospital garage and parked haphazardly before rushing out while ignoring the attendant who was beckoning on her to park well. She entered in a rush and almost knocked over a young intern who was approaching from the opposite direction.

"Ehn ehn, good afternoon," she addressed the young man without apologizing for the near collision.

"Good afternoon, ma," the intern responded with a smile

Please, what room is my son Mukhtar admitted to? Ehn, which room, please? I am his mother! Please take me to his room," she queries in a loud voice, attracting other families visiting their sick loved ones.

"Ma, please calm down. Do you know the room number your son was admitted to? I will need that so I can guide you properly," he replied calmly

"Do I... if I know that, will I be asking you again? I mean, Mukhtar, his name is Mukhtar; he was just admitted to your hospital yesterday here. Do you not know an accident victim that was admitted here yesterday?" She shouted

"Ma, let me take you to the restaurant."

The attendant, who has been trying to keep up with Mukhtar's mother, met them there.

Madam," he called, trying to catch his breath. "I was beckoning to you when you packed, but you were not heeding my call. That place you parked is not meant for visitors. A "STAFF PARKING LOT" sign is visible there, ma, We need to repair your

"Are you trying to say that I am blind now or what? Or you expect me to go back there to repark again when it's obvious I have something important to attend to?" She shouted

"That won't be necessary ma," said the intern "You can just give him your car keys to help you do the needful, and he will bring the keys for you when he is done. Come along ma and I will take you to the receptionist so he can direct you to the right room."

Oh, okay," she says, extending her car keys to the attendant while issuing a "don't lose my key" warning to the man before turning to the intern

"Please take me to the receptionist, my son."

"Come along, ma." The intern smiled and led the way while she followed hurriedly

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"Oh really? You have been trying his number as well. Since morning? You were supposed to go somewhere together this morning? And no call from him to cancel the event? Hmm, thank you very much, Abbey. Please do inform me if he possibly called you before I get in touch with him. How's your business?" Evelyn laughed sheepishly. "I am so sorry that I didn't ask after you before bombarding you with questions; you know how I can be sometimes. Oh, I understand; I will definitely take things easy." She paused as she listened to what the person on the other end is saying: " Yes, yes, you are right. Alright, I will get back to you. Oh, you mean Mr. Fred? Yes, please help me ask him because I don't have his contact information. Do keep me updated. Thank you very much, regards to your wife." She disconnected the call, turned to Marissa, who was coming from the kitchen with a steaming platter of pancakes, and gave a long moan.

"Mariiiiiiiisa, something is wrong! And don't even try to tell me the opposite! I know it deep down inside! My Mukhtar is not like this! He is never like this, Marissa! What do I do?" I can't go on with this uncertainty, come and check my pulse; it is racing so fast even I can't keep up with it",she lamented

Hmm, you know, you are right; I am starting to get worried as well," Marissa said thoughtfully while squirting some syrup on a piece of pancake and extending it to Evelyn.

"Mukhtar has never been like this before," she chewed thoughtfully on her plain pancake. Evelyn, I think we will end up doing what you have been dreading doing since."

Evelyn sputtered, "What? You mean to call his mother?"

"Yes now, since you are so sure that was the last place he was heading to yesterday when he called you and he promised to update you on the outcome of his visit, then I believe she will know better than anybody what happened or where he is or at least have information about when he left her place yesterday."

"But she does not pick up my calls, I swear I don't know what I have done to her, if she mistakenly picks up and hears my voice, she will instantly cut off my call."

"Let us at least try that today and see what will happen first; we cannot rule out anything at this point, at least before your anxiety will become full-blown, which I know it will. I know you, Evie."

"But.."

"Let us use my phone," Marissa suggested

Evelyn collected the phone, dialed the number, and placed the phone against her ear.

Brrrrrnnnnnnng! Brrrrrnnnnnnng!! Brrrrrnnnnnnng!!!

"What is happening?" asked Marissa

"She is not picking up."

"Call her again."

Brrrrrnnnnnnng! Brrrrrnnnn... "Hello, who is that?" could be heard harshly through the receiver.

"Good afternoon, ma! This is Evelyn, ma. How are you doing, ma? I wanted to..." Another harsh, short sentence could be heard through the phone, and the call was disconnected.

Evelyn removed the phone from her ear and looked forlornly at it.

"What did she say?" asked Marissa concernedly. "Babe, what did she say to..."

"Ja danu kuro lori ago fun mi"

"Ehn?" asked Marissa in confusion

"Get off this phone for me!" "That was what she said to me," explained Evelyn, and then she burst into tears.