Chapter 2 THREE MONTHS TO LIVE.

After hearing the content of this call, I found it very hard to process what I just heard.

I just got a job in the biggest incorporation in the country.

"Mark's incorporation is no joke." I smiled in satisfaction, as I made my way back to my mother's ward, so as to announce the good news to her.

As I was about to enter her ward, I saw the doctor coming out.

"Good afternoon, doctor." I greeted with a smile, even though I knew that he was definitely going to ask me about the payment.

"Good afternoon, Valerie." He responded. "Please, see me in my office." He said to me in a gentle manner, and made his way back to his office.

I smiled at him politely, before saying another word.

"Sure, doctor. I'd be there in five minutes." I said to him, and made my way into my mum's ward.

There, I met her singing happily. She had always been a happy soul, and I endlessly loved her for that attribute.

"Guess what, mum...!" I teased her.

"What?" She asked with a look of suspense.

"Just guess..." I pressed further.

Mum gave me a warning look before saying any other word.

"You of all people should know that I sulk at guessing. So spill it, tell me the tale, baby girl." She said with a mock serious look, and I burst out in laughter.

My mum would never change.

"Well, I just got a call from one of the biggest incorporations that I applied for a contract with." I said to her with a smile.

"What did they say?" She asked curiously.

"Mum, you wouldn't believe it." I said to her,

This time, my mum almost chewed me raw.

"Valerie, you better hit the hammer on the head, and tell me what the news is." She said at the top of her voice.

I knew i was really pissing her off. Well, I was enjoying it. After all, it was what daughter's did to their mother's. Hehehe.

"I was offered a job contract, and I was asked to visit their office, tomorrow." I finally said, and I could see the look of genuine happiness on mum's face.

"To say that I'm proud of the woman that you're becoming, might be an understatement. I'm so proud of you, my darling." Mum said to me, and stretched forth her hands to give me a hug.

I fell back into her arms, and gave her a long hug. There, I wasn't just a woman. I was the little girl that had missed the warm reception of her mother for a very long time.

"Thank you very much, ma'am. I'm grateful for all the sacrifices that you've made for me in the past and present." I said, while struggling with the tears that had filled my eyes.

"Stop that, girl. You have to go home and prepare for your interview. I'd be waiting to hear the good news, tomorrow." She replied with a smile.

Now, I have to be worried about other things.

"The major problem is that I don't have any fancy clothes and shoes that I can wear to the office tomorrow." I said with a worried tone, and my mother paused.

I could see the hurt in her eyes. I didn't even know why I said that.

"You see the reason why I asked to use the money you're investing in my sickness to take care of yourself?" She started her crying again.

Saying all this is not helping her health is any way. I guess worrying about everything concerning their child comes with the job of being a mother.

"You don't have to start again, mum. If you keep thinking, you might likely develop other complications." I said to her with a worried tone.

The silence that engulfed the room afterwards was really overwhelming.

"There's no need to worry about me, mum. I will wear the clothes and shoes that I have. After all, it doesn't matter." I said to her, and she smiled.

Just then, I remembered that I was supposed to see the doctor, and he might've been waiting for me.

"Are you going, already?" Mum asked.

"Nope. I just want to see the doctor. He asked me to see him." I smiled at mum, before standing up to go and meet him in his office.

Immediately I got there and pressed the doorbell. He responded immediately like he had been waiting for me for a long while.

"Come in..." He muttered.

I walked into the office, and he gestured to me to sit down on the chair, with his left hand.

"Thank you, sir." "First and foremost, I apologize for taking so much time. It was never my intention to keep you waiting. I apologize, sir." I sincerely apologized to him.

Honestly, this man had really tried for my mum and I. The last thing that I would want to happen, would be for him to perceive us or "me" as ungrateful people.

"I called you concerning your mother's health. Her body system is really deteriorating, and you really need to get the payment ready, so that we can begin the chemotherapy." He explained.

I knew that he was calling concerning a health related matter, and I didn't know what to do about it.

"To be honest, doctor, I'm really trying my best. I've been going around the town, looking for where to acquire a loan, but all to no avail." I said, while trying to hold back my tears.

Well, I couldn't explain the reason why life decided to be very cruel towards me. I just couldn't explain.

"I know that you're a very talented and industrious young woman, and I wish you all the best. However, you have to hurry up and think of a way to come up with a plan real quick, as your mum has less than three months to live. Have a nice day." He announced, and I jolted in fear and uncertainty.

Three month?