Mum was in her favourite armchair by the hearth knitting when I left the house. I needed a walk and I intend buying groceries on my way back. I pat my right pocket to make sure the credit card is still there. I wouldn't want to loose it now. I walked a couple of blocks before I came across the grocery store. The things I need to get are not much, just some apples for mum, bread and cheese, which I picked without much thought. I perched thegrocery basket on my arm, while strolling through my Twitter on my phone with my other hand. I joined the already long queue and waited patiently for my turn.

"Excuse me, ma'am", a man said beside me. His brown beautiful hair was carefully combed to the back. I couldn't help but stare a while longer and wonder at the amount of effort this stranger must have taken to tame his gorgeous hair.

"Yes?"

"Can I have a moment with you, please?"

"Hm, okay. But first I need to pay for my groceries" I said pointing at the counter. The queue was moving fast, it was just two more people before me.

"Okay" he said, but didn't leave my side. I couldn't help but wonder why he needed a moment with me. I should be scared, but somehow i am not. When it was my turn, I put out my stash on the counter while the cashier price them The man from earlier was still beside me. He leaned casually on the counter, getting a look from the lady behind the counter. He merely winked at her and she smiled. Cool. If he's flirting with the cashier right in my presence then he's not here to ask me out. Why then does he need to have a word with me. My mind ran through a series of reasons, but discard each almost immediately. At long last, I decided to put my mind at ease and hear him out instead of trying to guess without any hint. 

"10 dollars, please" the cashier's voice brought me out of my reverie. I was about to hand her my credit card when the stranger spoke.

"I'll pay for that" the stranger said, already bringing out his wallet.

"You don't have to do that" I said, really dumbfounded. It is the first time someone ever offered to pay for my groceries or anything for that matter. 

"I insist" he said with that easy smile again. I quirked my brow but I let him pay and stepped out of the line to allow another customer.

"Have a nice day" the lady said and was soon attending to the next customer. I nodded and grabbed the packed grocery off the counter and turned towards the generous stranger.

"Thank you" I said

"Most welcome, ma'am. Now shall we?" he and motioned towards the exit. I watched him make a slight bow. He looks old enough to be my brother, if I ever had one, that is. Despite my earlier resolve, I still wonder what this seemingly nice stranger wants from me. 

"Thanks once again. What ..."

"Austin Jones"

"What?" I was momentarily stumped.

"My name, Austin Jones" 

"Oh, I'm Jane. Mr. Austin, what can I no for you?"

"Austin is fine. Let's grab a seat". I nodded and we made our way outside. I led him to the next shop which happens to be a coffee shop. It however has seats outside for customers who wants to enjoy the breeze or the sun or just the bliss of sitting outside. We both pulled out our respective chairs and took a seat. Immediately my bum hit the chair, a waitress was there by our side to take our orders. I ordered a black coffee with lots of cream while Austin ordered a Strong black coffee with no cream or sugar. We made chit chat about the weather, or rather Austin did. I just nodded my head and offered a smile here and there. I wanted this over and done with, cos somehow, I knew whatever this nice stranger wants to see me for will cost me dearly.  The coffee arrived in no time. Austin took a sip from his cup then cleared his throat.

"I have an offer for you" he said, making eye contact with me. I tried to read his face, but I couldn't discern anything. So I said, 

"Let's hear it" while trying calm my erratic heart. What is it! 

I listened to him with rapt attention as he stated his case.

"No way! There's no way I'm doing that!" I said, choking on the coffee I just sipped. I beat my chest indignantly, and coughed into the back of my left hand.

"Sorry" he said. He passed me his tissue. I cleaned my lips and gave him an incredulous look. 

"Thanks, but I am still not going along with that scheme of yours. Nope, count me out." I said. I was amused and offended, but both emotions are on the same scale making it difficult to decide which emotion I should dwell on. Should I laugh or should I be furious? I started to rise when Austin placed his hand on my shoulder, he was half risen out of his seat too. 

"Please, hear me out" I brushed his hand off my shoulder.

"Hear you out! Hear you out, did you say! I've heard what you have to say and my answer is NO". This time, I picked my grocery bag and left hurriedly. I fear he'll pull me back if I dare steal a glance back at him, so I didn't. What on earth! I shook my head as if to clear it of bad memory. That didn't just happen. I was still feeling amazed when I got to the house. Mum opened up just in time and I mumbled my greetings.

"Did something happen, Jane", Mum asked, worry creased her face and the thought of lying fled my head. I dropped the grocery bag and sank on the chair beside me.

"Nothing happened, mum. Its just that I met a man at the store and he made me an offer". 

"What offer, my dear?"

"To marry a man" I said, waiting to see her reaction. It was no different than mine. Only it was more evident than mine. I watched as a fleet of emotions ran through my mum's face.  

"For real?" she asked. Amusement was written all over her face. 

"With whatever price I name, of course". Her jaw dropped

"So you're serious"

"Of course mum. Why would I joke about something like this?" I was a little bit irritated. Why would she think I'm joking. I mean I have never thought this was even possible until now. Even now, I still think it is a joke. I mean, what else could it be if not a joke?. 

"Who is the man?" Mum asked, getting serious by the moment.

"None other than the most sought after bachelor", I wrinkled my nose. This elicited a chuckle from my mum. She

"The infamous, Charles Reeds. You see why I think its a joke", I rolled my eyes and actually laughed.

"I think I am beginning to think it's a joke too". 

"That guy got me real nice. To think I was almost furious over a joke" I said laughing. My mum took up her thinking pose. Stiff spine, straight rim rod back, her left thumb and pointy stroking her chin.

"What if its not a joke, honey? What if the man was serious?" She finally asked

"Mum, it must be a joke. Look at me, what man in his right senses will want me for a girlfriend, not to say A WIFE? And we're talking about Charles Reeds here. He has all the models at his beck and call." I said, trying to convince my mum and myself. Yes, it is a joke. A fine cruel joke.

"But dear, you are beautiful any man will be glad to have you..."

"Mum, please. I won't get my hopes up. Charles Reeds is way above me. I'll go prepare something to eat". I said and went into the kitchen with the grocery bag. The bread was at the top, so I took it, leaving the other items inside the bag. I made a mental note to put them in their proper places later. I made some toast bread and coffee for me and mum. I know my mum's thinking wheel is running in various directions, but I can't stop her from imagining a better world for her daughter. Even if it wasn't a joke, I can't possible tie my life to someone who doesn't love me for money. Definitely not. Besides, that is not my world. With that, I got my mind off the issue and went back to sit with my mum. She was back to knitting me a muffler. I hand her the plate and her coffee.

"Thanks. Do you think...?"

"Mum, if it's about our talk earlier, please forget it"

"But..." She tried to protest

"Mum please" I pleaded. There's no point in thinking about something I already dismissed.

"Okay, fine. But you'll have to get married soon. You know that, right".

"When the time is right, I will". Silence fell, but it was not awkward. I picked the novel I was reading the night before, book 3 of The Celestial Academy. I am so in love with Corvana, and I can't wait to see if Corvan eventually had the guts to acknowledge and profess his feelings for Valeriana.

"Jane!" I heard my mum scream. I ran out of my room to the direction I think the noise is coming from. My mum's room. The door was ajar and she was clutching her stomach with. I didn't even know when mum left me. I always lose track of time and my soroundings whenever I am reading a novel.

"Mum" I called out, running to her side. She put her right arm around my shoulder. I got afraid. What is going on?

"Jane... Jane..." she called out. Her voice was barely audible but I could hear the pain each time she called my name. 

"Mum, what's going on?" I asked, trying to hide my fear. I don't want her to see me panicking.

"Hospital, honey. Doctor Smith." That was the last thing she said before losing consciousness. She slumped and I was pulled down with her. I panicked.

"Mum! Mum!! Mum!!! Please stand up". I couldn't help the tears that stung my eye. Oh, God! I hope my mum is not dying. I checked for a pulse and felt a vein in her neck still throbing, though it was weak. Ok. It's okay. If she has a pulse it's okay. I pulled her into a sitting position and her head lolled to the side. I ran to my room and grabbed my car key. I ran back to her room. It was difficult getting her to the car. And with each step and I pray she makes it. With dad dead, mum is the only family I have left. I don't want to lose her now. Oh God, please I can't lose her now. I sobbed as i laid her down the back seat and hurried to the driver's side. It was the longest drive of my life even though it took me just ten minutes to reach the hospital. I parked at the entrance which is unacceptable, but I didn't care. For a minute, I was torn between leaving my mum and getting the nurses and a stretcher. Finally, I decided to take her with me. Mum was still unconscious, so I carried her like I did earlier, while screaming my head off. 

"Somebody HELP! Dr. Smith!"

"Get the stretcher, fast" I heard someone say. I heard footsteps running towards me, but I was blinded by my tears so I didn't make out anything more than the shapes.

"Miss, you need to let her go" another person said. I released mum as the nurses took her out of my arm, and onto the stretcher. The stretcher was pushed towards the theatre and I made to follow, still sobbing.

"You can't go in, miss. The woman from earlier spoke, blocking my path.

"Mum needs me, I need to be with her" I said, furious. Why won't this woman get out of my way. She was saying something, but I wasn't listening.

"Let me go, mum needs me!" I said, frantic to get out of her hold. She held on tight while i cry, when my tears subside to hiccups, she spoke.

"Please calm down" the woman was most patient. She held my arm and rubbed my back soothingly. "Your mum will be fine, and you need to be strong for her. Can you do that for her?". That brought an end to my tears. I nodded. It's all I can do. I closed my eyes and thought about dad. I wish he was here. The woman led me a seat and brought me a cup of water which I drank greedily after thanking her for her kindness. It was while I was alone that I remembered I could have called the ambulance. What if not calling them has a adverse effect on mum. Oh, my foolishness will not be the end of me. I sobbed.