Mamle walked in, her hair dishevelled and absent-minded. Dome had his heart in his mouth. She peered around at the visitors in the waiting room.
"Who are these?" she asked.
The manager rose to introduce himself.
"Why have you brought people here?" she asked the receptionist, stunned. "What have I done wrong? Have I hurt anyone? Have I stolen anything? Did I kill anyone?"
"No you didn't," replied the receptionist. "They are here to surprise you."
"I don't want any surprises!" she yelled. Although taken aback by her behaviour, the nurses had rightly taken him through an orientation of what to expect. The manager began to weep.
"What's wrong?" asked Mamle. "Did I hurt you? I'm sorry if I did. Did I cheat on you? Did I refuse to pay your wages? Why are you weeping?" No one could answer her questions. The manager couldn't control himself any longer.
"What happened to her?" he asked.
"We don't disclose that information unless the doctor gives us that permission," said the receptionist.
"I'd like to know so I'll see the doctor myself."
"Then you might have to book an appointment"
"Very well," he replied. The manager of SAMSUNG Ghana wrote his name in the visitor's book and chose a date for an appointment with the doctor. Dome was relieved that things did not go worse than they did.
"Can I take her to the room?" he asked the nurse.
"Sure you can."
Mamle fell into a deep sleep this night. Her feet felt itchy and her mind started playing tricks on her. Down on the floor with her head up and her shoulders slumped, she set off to a land of nowhere, opening doors, cleaning the kitchen and running imaginable errands. Soon, she was at the gate saying goodbye to the inmates. Mamle walked and walked, hitting objects and clearing the way as she went, oblivious of the place and time. Sometimes the floor felt so cold and sometimes hot, yet, she kept going, oblivious of the change in temperature. There was no feeling of weariness at all as her subconscious took over, making her journey smooth. Soon, it was daybreak. The gentle rays of the early morning sun woke her up. It was impossible to cheat her body. Her eyes still felt heavy as if she had been working all night and resisted her several attempts to keep them open. Touching her forehead, she felt some sharp pain and some blood flowing. What could have happened as she slept? That thought woke her up fully. She stared at her half-dressed self in a nightgown given to her by the nurses the previous night.
How did I find myself here? She thought.
"Hello," said a voice behind her. "You're finally awake. You were lost in a wonderland. You're lucky to have fallen into the right hands. Do you know who you are?"
"Yes," she replied. "My name is Mamle and who are you?"
"I'm Tsotsoo. I work all night on the streets. I met you walking like one of us and I thought you needed to be whisked away from the cruel gangs around. I don't know where you come from but by the inscriptions on your dress, you must be from two towns away; from that famous psychiatric hospital over there. My auntie has been admitted there too. I'm so glad I found you first. Anything could have happened to you."
"Why did you bring me here?" Mamle leered around her. The surroundings were new and strange.
"This is the best place I could find. If you don't like it, I can send you back to where you came from. It's simple."
"No!" Mamle protested vehemently.
"Take it easy! I won't do anything you don't want me to. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am," she replied, chilling out a little bit.
"You seem to be sane. Why did they take you to that institution for crazy people?"
"Life hit me so hard."
"I understand. Life is harder over here. I don't think you'll survive."