Mark and Andrew stuffed their mouths with more ruffles chips as they crunched and gulped down before Mark proceeded with his statement,
"I wouldn't lie, I was so frightened at that moment. But my fear couldn't be compared to how scared my mum and sister were. We quickly rushed him to the hospital hoping the doctor that performed the heart surgery on him could do something and save his life, but it was futile. The doctor broke the terrible news to us informing us that he had passed away before we could even get to the hospital. Like, it was a bombshell to my ears, it took me some time before I could finally believe what the doctor said. Tears flowed from my mum's eyes as she couldn't control her emotions anymore. Out of anger and sadness, my mum blamed the doctor for not performing the surgery effectively on my father concluding he was a quack doctor. After his death, we buried him, and as you said, life goes on". Mark concluded with his speech.
"Wow! not a nice experience at all, I feel the doctor didn't perform the heart surgery on your dad accurately, that was the main reason why the heart disease came back in threefold....from what I understand from your explanation, that doctor is indirectly responsible for the death of your father". Andrew stated expressing his opinion to Mark's explanation.
"Yeah, that's true, but there was nothing we could do about it, we lost him to the cold hands of death, and we would have to go on with life". Mark stated.
"I think, this should be one of the main reasons why your mum had to step up and become so hardworking, right?" Andrew inquired
"Yeah, exactly, she had to step up and become so hardworking 'cause she had two kids to provide for, my sister and I".
"Hmmm, and now, she is as successful and mighty as ever". Andrew uttered.
"That's true, but you know what Andrew, my mum isn't supportive of..." Mark halted with his speech.
"Isn't supportive of what? complete your statement". An inquisitive Andrew asked.
"Don't bother, let's forget about it".
"Tell me please, don't leave me hanging".
Mark sighed, he wasn't sure if it was appropriate to tell Andrew how his mum had been unsupportive of his unprogressive music career. But there was nothing to hide about, Andrew didn't look like a garrulous type of person.
"My mum had never been supportive of my music career". Mark finally said.
"Why?" Andrew asked.
Mark sighed once again, "My mum is a type of person that wants the best of the best for her children. All she wants is for my sister and me to be successful in whatever career we dive into. My sister is a very successful fashion designer and stylist at the moment. But as for me, we all know I haven't achieved the type of success I am supposed to have achieved as an artiste. So she had been pressuring me to quit music-making and dive into a lucrative business she had in store for me, but I declined her offer. Even though music-making isn't favoring me that much, and I have been depressed and sad a lot of times, I love music so much, and I'm never gonna quit it".
Andrew's face lightened in a smile as he clapped his hands, "Wow! that's the spirit I am talking of, and you are filled with it".
"What spirit?" Mark inquired.
"That spirit of determination, you know what you want, and you stood by it not allowing anyone to divert you from it....not even your mum could do so". Andrew explained.
"That's to indicate how much I love making music, it's my world and passion. I love music so much that I feel even if I switch to another career, it won't still blossom and become a success".
"Your determination spirit is really high, no wonder lots of upcoming artiste were inspired by your interview with the 'music extra'. The way and manner you gave answers to the question being thrown to you by the host, the way you spoke with determination, it was so thrilling".
"Thanks bro, now to a question from me, were there anytime when your mum didn't support your choice of becoming an actor?" Mark asked.
Andrew's mind quickly roved about in thought before answering Mark's question.
"Umm, I would say no, 'cause from the very moment I proceeded with my acting career at age 20, She had always been supportive of me, assisting with the funds and other ways she could assist. Though, there were times when she became worried that I might never become a popular actor in the movie industry. But here I am now". Andrew stated.
Mark opened his second pack of ruffles chips as he continued crunching, the first pack of ruffles chips had been emptied by him.
"Your journey to fame wasn't that difficult, right?" Mark asked.
"Hmmm, somehow, but it wasn't that easy either". Andrew responded.
"But it is far way better than mine, you are already enjoying the fame and popularity as an actor, but I am still striving hard for it. So you are far way better than me".
"Don't utter such words Mark, am ain't better than you or anyone. You are very good at your craft, all you need is more audience, and you are gonna fly to greater heights and become more famous than I".
"I wish I could believe that phrase much better, but I have been hearing encouraging words like this for years now without any changes or improvement. So I wouldn't lie, I am a bit tired of hearing such encouraging words". Mark vented out.
"Ok then, let's keep that aside and crunch on". Andrew said as he focused more on emptying his pack of ruffles chips.
They crunched their packs of ruffles chips without uttering a single word to each other until they finished eating. It was about time Mark departed from Andrew's house, he had stayed long enough, but he had a favor to ask from Andrew.
"I think it is about time I leave your house, you've really done a lot for me. But before I depart, I have a favor to ask from you".
"What is it?"
"Can I take a look around the other parts of your house? I wanna see how magnificent they are". Mark requested.
"Sure, it is an honor". Andrew stated standing up from the sofa he was sitting on.
"An honor?" Mark asked curiously, he was confused by what Andrew meant as an honor.
"Yeah, an honor".
"How, I don't understand".
"It is an honor and privilege for a talented artiste like you to take a tour around my house".
"Oh! that is what you meant, stop teasing me".
"Am not teasing you, I am being serious?"
"Ok, have heard you, can we go on with the house tour now?" Mark inquired.
"Yeah, sure, let's move it". Andrew said as they began mounting the stairs leading to the rooms of the building.
"How many rooms are there in this building?" Mark questioned.
"About 5 rooms, each with its own toilet and bathroom". Andrew retorted.
"Wow! cool, can't wait to see them".
They climbed upstairs as Andrew opened the door to the first room in his house. The room was a guest room, but the way it was beautified and decorated made it seem like the room of a VIP (very important person). It was a room everyone in his/her right senses would love to own and occupy. The toilet located in the room was so fabulous, neat and shiny that a person can actually eat his/her three square meals in the toilet without feeling disgusted or horrible.
Andrew took Mark to each of the rooms displaying how beautiful and lovely they were. All Mark could do was to open his mouth in awe as he viewed how fabulous and grand the rooms were. He knew for sure that his room wasn't even close to how beautiful the rooms in Andrew's house were. After touring about in the rooms, they took off to the main toilet and bathroom located at the corner of the parlor.
"This is the main toilet and bathroom for general use, a person can choose to abandon the bathroom and toilet located in his/her room and come over to make use of this one in the parlor. It is also for visitors....mainly for the visitors". Andrew explained to Mark.
Mark nodded his head in a way that indicated how well he understood Andrew's clarification. Andrew took Mark to other parts of the house without much discussion from both of them until they arrived at the kitchen.
"Such a cool kitchen for preparing the best of delicacies". Andrew said leaning his back to the wall of the kitchen.
"Yeah, one of my favorite parts of a house is the kitchen, 'cause it's a place for preparing delicious and splendid meals. If I may ask, are you a good cook?" Mark inquired of Andrew.
"I can cook, but I'm not that good at it". Andrew retorted.
"Not to brag, but I am a very good cook". Mark declared.
"Hmmm, Mark the chef". Andrew said teasingly as both of them laughed in unison.
The house tour was done and over with, and it was about time for Mark to head over to his apartment, so he uttered his final words.
"Andrew, it was nice meeting you in person, discussing with you in person, and even consuming from your generous offers, it is such a privilege. I have learned a lot from you, and I've also learned a lot about you. I am gonna be leaving now, we are surely gonna get in touch with each other next time".
"It was also nice meeting you Mark, you are one of my favorite artistes, and it is a privilege to converse with you and share my life experiences with you. Keep on striving hard to attain fame, and with your hard work, you gonna get there. But always remember, fame has its disadvantages also". Andrew stated.
"Yeah, I've learned that from you".
"Should I drive you to your apartment?"
"No need for that, I can board a cab outside that would drive me straight to my apartment".
"Ok, if you say so".
They exchanged mobile numbers and said their last goodbyes to each other before Mark departed from his house.