As for Anne, she slept wasted, thank goodness that she didn't vomit. She woke up and had another bottle, to ease the severe headache that she had woken up feeling. She sat on the floor with a bottle in her hand, the moment she woke up, her mind began to wander, she couldn't stop scratching her head and also hitting her forehead with her left hand. Her mind was leading her into a trance again, within a few minutes all the present events were shut from her again and she was taken back to the past again, just right at the moment she had stopped the previous day.
(Back into the past six years, Tasha narrating)
From the day she visited Anne didn't stop visiting me, she was always there and made sure that I get anything that I wanted, she would give me want I want or even what I didn't ask for. She would always nag me about my name, where I stay, and what had happened to me. Each time I would refuse to answer some of her questions she would always make fun of me for claiming to be a water spirit. She always enjoyed making fun of me and she wasn't getting tired of it. Although I hated what she was doing, I could only tell her my name and where my house is, as for what happened to me, I had vowed not to talk about it anymore. I spent a week in the hospital because the doctors said I had too much water in my system and also, they had noticed that I had severe depression so I was also getting treatment for that. The day I was discharged, the doctor decided to discuss with both of us.
"Miss Tasha, you have been responding very well to the medication and thank goodness there wasn't too much water in your brain. We managed to get everything under control this whole week. I would like to give you some medication however, from our tests we have discovered that you are also suicidal and I'm afraid that if I am to give you the meds you might end up overdosing. I had thought of asking you to come and receive your meds every day from the hospital that would be safe but it could be a lot of work so I guess giving it to your friend here would be the best," said the doctor pointing at Anne.
"But she doesn't live with me…"
"I will take them and hand them over to your aunty," said Anne interrupting.
I even wanted to lie to the doctor that I don't live with anyone, I had forgotten that I had told this newly found "friend" about my aunty the day I told her my name and where I stay. I then decided to keep quiet and let them continue with the discussion. The doctor told Anne how I should take the meds, and what time and also urged her to let someone who is not me keep them. I wasn't listening at all; their conversation was so boring. After leaving the doctor's office Anne went on to pay my bills, I had asked the doctor to pay once I get home but Anne insisted on settling the bill which made me a bit uncomfortable but she seemed not to care and I just let it slid. Anne had brought a car and after we left the hospital, she then took me to my house, she wanted us to go and grab something before reaching home but I had no appetite so I turned down the offer.
We got to my place and found all the doors locked, which got me confused because it was still early about 7 am. I tried knocking on both the front and the back door and no one came to answer the knocking.
"If no one is home let me take you to my place," she said looking very concerned.
"No, let's talk about that after two hours," I said moving away from the front door and heading to the car.
Anne didn't argue so she followed me to the car too, she wanted to talk but I asked her to be quiet, I wasn't in a good mood. I was so worried about aunty, I also had a lot on my mind, I hadn't planned on living so I was also trying to adjust to reality. My eyes were fixed on the road, I didn't want to miss the moment that I would get sight of aunty. After two hours, I then saw a lady walking slowly, she looked very troubled, though she was looking down her movement showed that her heart was so heavy. Thank goodness for my sharp eyes, I knew who it was so I got out of the car and rushed towards her. It was aunty indeed, she didn't even notice me approaching, she was so lost in thoughts and was brought back the moment I touched her shoulder and called her name twice.
(Hugging me tightly and sobbing) "Tasha, is it you, is it you? Are you okay, where did you go without telling me, did I offend you during the past few days? Do you know how worried I was, you seem to have lost some weight what happened, what's wrong?" She said still hugging me with no intention of letting go.
(Rubbing her back softly) "Please don't cry aunty, I'm back and I am also sorry, I didn't think things through, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to take a break, (changing the subject) by the way, I came with someone, she will tell you more."
After hearing that I had brought someone home that's when she let me go. Since she knew me I had never brought someone home or even introduced someone to her, I could see curiosity written all over her face.
(Holding my hand, looking around) "Where is she, and who is she...?"
"Aunty, you are asking too many questions, let's get inside. By the way, where are you coming from? We came around 7 am you were not here what happened?"
(Sigh) "You have been missing for days so I had gone to look for you, I have been searching for you from the day you left home, I even reported the case to the police…"
(Squeezing her right hand) "I am so sorry aunty."
Anne had gotten out of the car and she was waiting close to the front door, they exchanged greetings with aunty as she unlocked the door and we got inside the house. From the moment aunty saw me, her mood lightened and she insisted on making us breakfast. I went into my room to freshen up and Anne insisted to help aunty in the kitchen, I guess she wanted to discuss me in my absence.
"So are you and Tasha related somehow?" Asked Anne whilst chopping the garlic on a cutting board.
"We are not related by blood, she just calls me aunty because I am older than her. She is like my boss and I am also a tenant."
(Confused) "I can't follow."
"When I came here Tasha was looking for someone to stay with her as a tenant, then after she opened her shop she then asked me to give her a hand, so she suggested that since I was working for her there was no need for me to pay for rent and bills and on top of that she would give me my salary."
"She is so kind," said Anne after a deep sigh
"You can say that again, so what exactly happened?"
Anne narrated everything to aunty
(Sad) "That child is gradually losing the will to live."
"Why do you say so?"
"She has been through a lot, according to what she told me, two years ago her mum succumbed to cancer. During her funeral, all relatives from both sides didn't even give her a hand such that she ended up exhausting all the savings that her mum had left for her university tuition. After the funeral, those same relatives immediately asked for the will and to their surprise, her mum had willed everything to her but she loves peace and decided to give them the car and the shop that her mum had left her. She decided to keep this house only. She then to a few savings that she saved when she was working at Mike's and that's what she used to start her small retail shop which she lost as a result of a fire recently. That is the only investment she had (tearing) all the capital and profits was burnt to ashes, it's as good as she is left with nothing…"
(Clenching her fists) "WHAT! So where are those relatives, because this is the time she needs them the most, also how about her dad?"
"It's a long story, (changing the topic) enough of the sad story can you please call Tasha, her room is the one that is close to the lounge."
Anne did as she was told and knocked at my door
"Come in," I said as I sat on the bed.
Anne got in and then closed the door behind her.
(Excited) "Wow, this is your mum, right? You guys look so much alike, she is so gorgeous and her smile is so beautiful as well as warm." She said looking at the big picture that was on the wall close to my bed.
(Looking around) "There are only pictures of you and your mum, what about your dad?"
"He died when my mum was 4 months pregnant."
"I'm sorry."
"What about your parents?" I asked out of curiosity.
"The last time I saw my biological mum was when I was three, my dad I don't know him. I got adopted when I was 16."
"Oh."
"If you don't mind, I can share my adoptive parents with you…"
End of flashback
*****************************************************************************************
(Back to the present day)
Anne was lying with her back on the floor all the while she was sunk in the past, one of her arms was covering her eyes and the other was still holding the bottle of alcohol.
(Thinking out loud) 'Tasha, was meeting you a mistake? If I didn't get close to you would you be lying helplessly in the hospital? (Sobbing) I am sorry Tasha, I feel so helpless and useless, I was late and I am always late everything is all my fault. (Throwing the bottle that was in her hands at the wall) Damn it!'
******
On the other hand, the day was finally over and it was time for doctor Flo and Scar to finish their shifts. Fortunately, Francis had hired two more staff members to cover the gap, also they tightened their security after the incident. Just as she had promised, Flo waited for Scar to go home together and they decided to use separate vehicles. By the time they reached her place, Hacker and Kali were already waiting for them in their van, they had arrived 10 minutes early. As they were waiting, they then noticed two cars coming towards Flo's driveway one parked in the garage and another stopping close to Flo's house. After parking her car she then waited for Scar to come to the door. Hacker and Kali were able to see everything that was taking place because of the lights that were along the road and also they were monitoring everything from their pc using the street cameras, the van had tinted windows and they were at the back so no one would see them. They didn't expect Flo and Scar to be together and this got them very confused. Scar was on their most wanted list and they had come to kidnap Flo for reasons that were still vague to them and only their boss knew clearly, now they didn't know if they should take them both or take one and leave one.
(Looking at each other in confusion) "What do we do?"