“Are you the one who brought in the elderly woman?” the doctor asked.
“Yes, doctor. She is my mother,” Okon replied.
The doctor nodded.
“There is no serious illness,” he said. “However, we need to admit her until tomorrow morning for proper treatment and observation.”
“Please, go ahead with the treatment,” Okon said quickly.
The doctor nodded slightly.
“All right. We will begin immediately.”
He turned and walked away.
Not long after, Mrs. Madara was moved into a ward, and treatment started at once.
Okon remained in the waiting area, his eyes fixed on the direction they had taken her.
After several minutes, the doctor passed by again.
Okon stood at once and walked toward him.
“Doctor, how is she?” he asked.
The doctor gave him a calm, reassuring look.
“Don’t worry. She will be fine,” he said. “We have started treatment, and she is responding well.”
Okon let out a quiet breath.
“Thank you, doctor,” he said. “Can I see her?”
“Of course. You can go in now,” the doctor replied.
Okon nodded and walked into the ward.
His mother lay on the bed, asleep.
She looked weak.
Okon stood there for a moment, just looking at her.
So many questions filled his mind, but this was not the time. She needed rest.
He quietly stepped back and sat on the chair beside her bed.
After a few minutes, he brought out his phone and called his sister.
The phone rang and rang, but she did not pick up.
He tried again.
Still no answer.
Okon looked at the phone for a moment.
“I already told her I was coming back to the country, so she knows I’m here. Is that why she’s not picking up my calls?” he said quietly.
He leaned back in the chair.
His eyes returned to his mother.
His face was full of pain and confusion.
“How did it get to this?” he asked himself. “Why would my own sister do this?”
The room was quiet. The sound of the machine beside the bed was steady.
The next morning, Mrs. Madara opened her eyes slowly.
She looked around the room. Then she turned her head.
Her eyes fell on someone sitting beside her bed.
She looked again.
It was Okon.
It was really him.
He was there, asleep in the chair.
For a moment, she just stared at him silently. Her heart was full.
She slowly sat up.
“Okon,” she called softly.
Okon moved slightly and opened his eyes. He looked up.
“Mother, you are awake,” he said.
She reached out and gently touched his face.
“My son, is it really you?” she said, her voice shaking. “Or am I just dreaming?”
Mrs. Madara kept looking at him. Tears filled her eyes.
“I’ve missed you.”
Okon gave a soft smile.
“It’s me, Mother,” he said gently. “I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Not anymore.”
Mrs. Madara shook her head slowly.
“My son. My son,” she said, holding his hand.
At that moment, the doctor walked into the room.
“Good morning,” he said.
Okon stood up.
“Good morning, doctor.”
The doctor checked Mrs. Madara carefully. After a moment, he nodded.
“You are doing well, ma,” he said. “You’re fine now. You can go home today.”
Mrs. Madara gave a small nod.
“Thank you, doctor,” she said softly.
“You’re welcome,” the doctor replied.
That morning, after she was discharged, they left the hospital.
Okon helped her into the car, but instead of going home, he took her to a quiet restaurant.
They sat down. Food was placed before them.
Mrs. Madara looked at the food for a moment before she began to eat.
She ate slowly at first, then a little faster. It was clear she had not had a proper meal in a long time.
Okon watched her.
His heart was heavy.
After a while, she looked up at him. There was confusion on her face.
“My son,” she said softly, “how are you able to take care of yourself over there?”
Okon looked at her, surprised.
