"Miss Mida, the test results have arrived. All came back negative except one" The doctor explained. "We ran a lot of tests on you as the symptoms you are experiencing can be a result of many things.
"Which test is that? Mida inquired.
"You complained of a stomach ache in your lower abdomen, vomiting, Fever, and nausea so we carried out a malaria test, pregnancy test, and appendicitis test. Your results show that you have appendicitis" The doctor said handing over the test results to a distraught Mida.
"What! Appendicitis? H...how? She panicked.
Her worst fears had been confirmed. As she walked into the hospital earlier, she silently prayed it was just a stomach ache caused by the mangoes she had eaten.
For the last few days, she had gone through hell. Her stomach ached badly, she lost her appetite and all she did was run to the toilet to throw up. She frequented the pharmacy daily.
"Miss Mida, calm down. Panicking won't solve your problem. Appendicitis is caused by various infections. Like I said earlier, you need to undergo surgery soon or it may result in casualties.
Mida stared at the doctor and then the test results. She found it difficult to comprehend all the doctor had just said.
"Doctor, how much is the cost for the surgery?
"The surgery will cost you 150,000 Koira. You'll be on medication too so the total amount you'll pay is 200,000 Koira.
She turned a deathly shade of white when she heard those words. Where would she get such an amount from? Ever since the mysterious disappearance of her parents, she was left to fend for herself. All the properties were taken away by some men who had barged into the house on that fateful day. They threw her out, not permitting her to leave with a pin.
The doctor called out to her so many times but she was lost in thoughts, he then tapped her gently and she jolted back into reality.
"Is everything okay? He had a concerned look on his face.
"Y..yes doctor" She flashed him a fake smile. I'll get back to you when I arrange the money" She grabbed her back from the desk and hastily left before the doctor could speak. She was struggling to conceal her tears. Her tears poured in torrents as she walked out of the hospital.
Mida had no one to run to in her times of need. Her relatives had deserted her. The only family she had left was Lyra, her childhood best friend. Lyra was the one who accommodated her before she moved into her place.
She was distracted by the sound of her phone ringing. She reached out for her handkerchief and wiped her tears. A lot of people were gawking at her. "They must be wondering why a lady is crying her eyes out," She said as she answered the call.
"Mida where have you been? I've been trying to reach you" Lyra said immediately Mida answered the phone.
"Lyra, I'm fine. I'll talk to you later" She replied in an emotion-laden voice.
"Mida, are you alright? Your voice. What happened? Lyra asked. She could sense the sadness in her voice as she spoke which made her worried.
"I'll explain everything once I come home" She ended the call not allowing Lyra to speak.
Mida could feel the stares in her direction as she walked away from the hospital. "They must think I just got my pregnancy reports," Mida thought.
As a long-drawn sigh escaped her lips, Mida discovered she had once again fallen into one of her multiple thinking routines. "Mum and dad why did you leave me alone to suffer in this wicked world? She sighed furthermore as a teardrop trickled down her cheek.
The sky began to darken and a heavy gust of wind began to blow dust in her direction. It was about to rain. Mida glanced at her wristwatch, it was already 7:30 pm. Mida walked down the parkway as it poured in deluges. Mida was drenched from head to toe. The rain ebbed some before and darkness began to set in. Taxis zoomed past her, none keen to stop.
Mida took shelter in the car park of a shopping mall close to the hospital. Then she began to hear voices from the far end of the park. At first, she ignored them but became curious when she heard them discussing money.
"1 million Koira just to be a pretend wife? She heard a voice ask.
"Yes, the boss is willing to pay such an amount. Besides, he'll get more than that when he takes over as the boss of the MacFarlane's empire" Another voice answered.
1 million koira! She exclaimed. With that money, I could pay for my surgery and the rest can sponsor me through college. At this point, she was willing to do anything to foot her bills.
Mida walked in the direction of the voices. She saw two men leaning against the wall as if they were waiting for someone.
"Hello," She said drawing their attention.
"What do you want? One of the men asked.
"I was passing by and I overheard you talking about a job" She answered back. The two men looked at each other, then her, and burst into a fit of laughter. What is so funny? Was there anything on her face?
"What makes you think you have the qualifications for such a job and didn't your mum ever tell you never to eavesdrop or talk to strangers?
"I. I apologize for eavesdropping, I just want to inquire about the job in question."
"Young lady, just go away from here. This job is not for innocent people like you" The other man spoke up."I suggest you find a babysitting job instead" They both laughed.
"What do you both think you are doing? A voice asked startling all three of them. The doors of the car close to them opened and two men dressed in black tuxedos stepped out.
"S...Si..r we are just telling this beggar that we have no money to give her" One of the men lied.
How dare he refer to me as a beggar?
"Young lady, is this true? One of the men asked.
"No" she replied.
"Why are you here? The other man, whose name Mida later learned was Ryan, was the personal assistant to Roman Macfarlane, the most powerful Mafia boss in the whole world.
Roman was a man every woman would love to call her own. He walked with such gait and poignancy. His jet black hair was brushed backward with two strands in front. His deep blue eyes stared at her as if trying to find out who she was.
"I'm here for the job. I happened to overhear them talking about it" Mida explained as she forced herself to turn her eyes away from Roman.
"The job you are talking about is not easy and you don't look like someone who can handle it" Ryan explained.
Mida was put off by his words. She was tired of being told she couldn't accomplish anything and she had vowed to face any task she set off to do squarely no matter the challenges that accompanied it.
"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I should be the one to decide if I can do it or not" She retorted. Ryan was impressed by her courage. He could see the determination in her eyes.
"I'm impressed by your courage young lady" Roman spoke up. "Ryan, kindly explain to her all she needs to know about the job in question, let's see if she'll be bold enough to take it" He smirked.
"My name is Ryan" He extended his hand for a handshake.
"My name is Mida" she shook his hand.
"Now miss Mida, all you have to do is get married to him" he pointed at Roman. You'll have to sign a contract that states that you'll be married to Roman for a year. You'll reside in his house too. You don't need to know why you are doing this. At the end of the year, you'll sign divorce papers and you get 1 million koira" Ryan explained.
"Think carefully, once you sign those papers no backing out. Whatever you experience throughout this job, you'll have to accept it" Roman said in a serious tone.
"I'm ready to sign the papers but on one condition" She responded and the two men exchanged glances. "I need to take care of my health first then worry about anything later" she muttered under her breath. What could go wrong?
"