"How dare you levied such accusations against me Nolan? What right do you have to say such awful things against me? Is that how lowly you think of me, your sister? You just betrayed my trust Nolan, you broke my heart. Anybody could do that and not you Nolan?". I slumped down to the floor and clutched my hands around my knees, with my head resting on them as I let the words he just said to me replay in my head and my tears gave me no vision to see anything close to me. "I'm sorry Nora. Just that...I don't know... nothing is clear to me". Nolan bends to his knees in front of me, with his hand on my back. Nothing he would say now can take back the words he used on me. "Nothing seems clear to you, is that why you said all that you just said to me huh? If there should be someone accusing me of such an act, aren't you supposed to be the one scolding them but now, you stand right in my face and accuse me? You know what, just get the hell out of my face. Get lost and I don't want to talk to you". I pushed his hand off my back and stood up, however, he didn't give up. He followed behind me and grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry Nora. I was such an idiot in saying that to you". He pleaded and I could feel the sincerity in his voice. I turn around to see tears rolling down his cheeks. I have never seen him this sad before and to be honest, it broke my heart, and at this point, we both were a crying mess. However, the damage was already done. Such words hurt more than any pain you could ever feel and to think that it came out of the mouth of my brother, someone who has to know me better. "I don't want to talk to you, let go of my hand". I seized my hand from him and was about to take a step when my phone suddenly rang on the table. I rushed to the table picking up the phone with speed. l clicked on the answer icon and brought it close to my left ear. "Hello Ms. Peyton, this is doctor Mark from the city hospital. Your mother's condition is not the best. The drugs given to her did not do any good and are finished. And if this night passes by without an operation, then I'm sorry to tell you that, we are going to lose her". My heart came to an abrupt stop when he said "we are going to lose her". Not my mother. There is no way that would happen. After he said that, the line went silent for a moment before his thick voice sounded again across the phone. "Are you there Ms. Peyton?" . I look at the money on the table, and then reply to him. "Yes, Dr. Mark. You can schedule her operation. I will be in the hospital soon". He said okay and I dropped the call. "What did the doctor say, Nora?". Nolan's question made me stop. However, I didn't say a thing to him. I was hurt and with everything that just happened, I didn't just have the energy to talk to him. When I was standing at the table, I looked at the money tied up in five and without another thought, I grabbed the money and stuffed it inside the white plastic bag, before putting it in my black satchel bag that was hanging on the table. With that being done, I raced out of the house and made my way to the hospital.
***
"This is more than the amount we asked for Ms. Peyton. This is $25000". He said looking at me suspiciously. I didn't bother to count the money while back at home. I was angry and I am still angry. "I'm sorry Doc. I was in a hurry and didn't have the time to count the money". I tell him with my hands constantly tucking my black hair behind my ear. "What? Don't you want to carry out the surgery anymore?. I brought the money you ask for. The surgery should commence". I told him with clenched teeth, with my hands in a fist. What kind of weird look was that? Is he thinking that I stole the money or probably slept with a man just as my brother insinuated? Goodness, these people are so unbelievable. No man has ever looked at me so whatever he was thinking I don't know. "Ok, we would get to it right away. However, you should take the rest of the money back home. Or perhaps, you could stay around and wait till when her operation is completed". He handed me the balance. Taking his stethoscope, he placed it around his neck and walked outside. When he reached the glass door, he held it open and motioned for me to get outside, which I did and made my way directly to the bench that was in the corridor. I had visited her in the ward the previous day and since she was on life support, she couldn't say a thing. I promise to get her out of that situation safe and sound even though I was not sure about how I was going to get the money. And here I was with everything paid and I even have extra money on me. As much as I am happy that my mother is going to be fine at last, the source of this money remains a mystery to me. I removed a note from the plastic and held it in my hand and looked at it, with deep thought. "M.T". I murmured the name as I looked at the note in my hands. As far as I can remember, I don't know anyone with that initials. I don't have friends. I do not have a man in my life who could surprise me and if I should have, he would not be this rich to surprise me on valentine's day, with such a whopping sum of money. And the only person that knows about my mother's illness is Lilian and there is no way on earth she can do that. Dear God, who is trying so hard to get my mind messed up? It must be someone that knows me that much. Who could this person be?. who are they, Dear Lord?