"Chisom?" A rich voice spilled from the phone, leaving her momentarily speechless. Her lips parted rigidly.
The woman's voice was soothing but had a boldness to it that spoke directly to its listener, calming yet never failing to drive the nail in the head.
"Mom?"
"Oh, gosh! My baby! How are you? You are back from the hospital, right? Are you still on check-ups? Any permanent marks?"
"Mom, stop!" Elara exclaimed in a bid to calm down the panicked woman.
Silence descended, and then a large sigh tore through the phone.
"Elara," she spoke softly. "Please tell me you are okay. Talk to me. I heard your memory stopped at 16. You must be very… reluctant right now."
There was a pain in her voice that could no longer be concealed as she probed further.
"Chisom. Are you okay?"
She pressed her lips together, and she replied, in a voice barely audible even for the next person to catch.
"I think I'm a bit scared."
