~
Present Day:
Central Hospital, Lusaka.
Patient's Room.
[BEEP. BEEP. BEEP]
The atmosphere in the room is neither suffocating, nor unpresent. And the gentle, beeping of the monitor beside Lydia's hospital bed, is both a constant reminder of her persistent genetic disorder condition, and a reassuring promise that she's still alive as she lay in bed.
Sitting beside her bed is Micheal, his hand comfortably holding hers.
She turns her head to look at him.
"Is... What he said... True?" She asks, her voice low and hesitant, not sure if she can bare the answer to her question.
"You need to rest for now, dear. You just ate, you need energy."
"Don't keep this from me... I need to know, Micheal. Was I really in coma... For two days? Please..." She pleads, her eyes filled with unshed tears.
Reluctantly, Micheal nods.
For what seemed like an eternity, Lydia is silent, her gaze still fixated on his face, unable to believe, to accept, to come to terms to this revelation of how deep her illness as taken root. And as she looked at his face, in his sorrowful eyes, she knew and would tell there was something he was struggling with and holding back on letting her know, something about her current condition, something that the doctor has told and revealed to him, something she was one hundred percent sure has something to do with her health- Her heart.
In her case, Lydia was already struggling with the worst health condition possible- Hypertension Disease. Though this can be manageable through lifestyle changes and medication, this is the condition that constantly kept bringing her in health facilities, taken with what's been constantly happening in her family after she lost her daughter years back. And now, potentially at a risk of Heart Failure, she don't know what the doctor told her husband when she was in coma.
Finally, giving his hand a weakly squeeze, she continues, her voice low and light.
"I can see it in your eyes. But, You can tell me later. For now, lets just stay in this moment" She says, even though she knows the situation of her current condition through his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm... So sorry." She said, her voice faintly and apologetic.
"Don't. You know how I feel when you start with that, dear." He corrects, his voice matching her own.
"I'm barely keeping myself together, dear. And despite what you've sacrificed for me, I'm still asking for more, still taking away every little we have left and yet..." She trail off, her eyes still holding his gaze. "I'm getting worse every year. And when I thought I was doing okay, it happened again. The third time. Twice this year," She continued, her voice barely audible as she let the tears she was trying really hard to keep at bay flow freely.
"I'm scared, Micheal. Not for me... For them. I'm scared more for our stubborn girl. I want to be there as she turn into a fine lady and watch her getting corrected. She thinks she's grown up, but she's just lost and confused. And him... Our brave boy... Son of Moon and Sun. He's a son of tears. The last thing I want is him always worrying about me. I don't want to disturb him this time. Please," she pleads, her voice low, tears still streaming across her face and disapear into the pillow. "I want to watch him turn into a fine men, with the unchangeable heart as he finds his place out there." She smiles warmly as she relay her words of contentment.
Micheal's tears freely follow suit, his thumb contineously brushing the back of her hand in a comforting, silent gesture, before leaning in and start wiping hers away with his free hand. The only thing he could do at that moment, is being by her side. Silently promising her that everything is gonna be alright, despite her situation. Conventing his feelings into assurance.
She turn her gaze from him and stare up at the ceiling, her eyes red-rimmed.
After a moment, her face suddenly shift to one of seriousness.
"It's time." She says, her voice firm and stern.
Micheal is silent for a moment as he realize what she just brought up.
"Lydia, dear. He's not..."
"I just regained consciousness two hours go from been in coma for two days," she cuts him off before he could finish, her voice firm and stern. "I know what this is. And we've discussed of this over and again. This is something beyond his status, beyond his responsibility taken his background upbring. But my son... Our grandson... He's Wills," she inhales in heavily before releasing it, calming herself, then continue. "It's time, Micheal. It's time he knows. And I don't mean tomorrow, nor the day after that. Now. While I'm still... Here." Her voice low, but her words FINAL.
Of all the times they,ve had discussions about this this important topic, this one time, this heart shattering moment, he knew she was serious. And, she was right.
"I'm so sorry, Lydia. I'm so very sorry," his voice low and apologetic. "I'll... Put everything in place. I'll start the arrangements," he continue as he straightens up from his seat. "You just ate, try to get some rest, my dear."
Minutes later, Micheal sits on a worn out bench in a small park across from the hospital, his hands clasped together. The city and the citizens rushing around him unregistered, completely lost in his grief about his wife's health, and his gaze intently fixated into the distance, his tear-streaked face unnoticed and unchecked. It is then after a droplet of his tears made contact to his skin he snapped back to reality and realizes his state. Lowering his face to the ground, only to be met with a small puddle of his tears.
He quickly rubs the tears on his face and try to compose himself.
'God. How did we end up like this? What went wrong? What did we do wrong? How have we brought so low,' he thinks to himself, contemplating. 'It's as if someone, or something is trying to wipe out the Wills' family.'
He sat there for a while correcting himself, thinking, and considering his conversation with his wife earlier. Then, with a final conclusive determination, he pulled out his phone in his pocket and start scrolling down through the contacts. Stopping at a specific number named Ms. Eness, he press the call button and place the phone to his ear.
After his conversation with his lawyer, Micheal begins his search through the contact list again. This time, pulling up a number named Ms. Vice.
He stares at the contact number for a while, going through his conversation with his wife earlier in his head once more. He knew she meant well, and she was right. But, was this the right time? Was he ready for this? And yes, this was something beyond his responsibility. The government can easly take they're inherited property and benefit from it. But, what did the Wills family had left to lose. The two people left looking out for their grand-children are barely keeping up with life despite everything that's going on in the family.
After what feels like forever, he inhales in heavily, before releasing it. Pressing the call button, he brought the phone to his ear once more.
The phone rings for a few times before its being answered.
"Mr. Wills. This is a pleasant surprise. It's been long since hearing from you a year ago. How are you doing, sir?" The Vice-President greets, her voice surprised.
"God is being good and fair, Madam. And thank you very much." He replies.
"This is rather a unique and surprise call. I can tell. You don't just... Call Mr. Wills." She says, her voice intimidating.
"You are correct. As a matter of fact, specifically about the land." He clarify, his tone equaly firm and respective.
~
*Three Days Earlier*
Chelstone Neighborhood; The Klin Residence.
Hearing the front door opening, Catherine steps out of the kitchen to welcome her brother whose gaze is fixed on his long-lost-friend.
"Welcome home." She greets, a warm smile on her face as she looks between the two boys staring at each other with surprised eyes.
Chriss closes the door behind him and take two steps forward, a smile tugging on his lips.
"An intruder?" He says.
"Yeah... And no, you're still not funny." Dave replies, a soft smile on his lips.
With the energy that can't be contained, Chriss can't help himself but to bolt into the living room and pull his friend in a tight hug, his happiness filling the room.
"Why? Why...?! I should be spunking you right now for breaking your promise! But why?!"
Unable to control himself, Chriss starts to sob.
"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm really so sorry, bro," His voice low, sympathetic, and apologetic. "Forgive me... I should have..."
"Hey," Dave cuts him, hesitantly placing his hand on Chriss's back, patting it calmly, then continue. "It's alright, my man. And thank you for everything. It means a lot to me that even though we weren't seeing eye to eye, you two kept your love for me and my family burning bright. So thank you very much for all you've done for my family. I owe you both."
Catherine just stands there, witnessing this heart warming reunion moment, her own emotions at a breaking point. She wipes away the tears that escaped the corners of her eyes, then turn and disapear back in the kitchen.
Later, late in the evening, Catherine gathers the empty plates of the evening meal and head into the kitchen. Few minutes later, she walks back in the living room, taking a seat next to her bro across from Dave.
"That's right, Dave. How is Daina? How is everyone doing? How did you leave them? All good?" She asks as she sits down, her voice warm.
"Yeah, man. How are they doing? How is Lydia?" Chriss adds, his voice low and sympathetic.
Seated arms resting on the arm-rest, and his back against the chair, Dave slightly leans forward, and start wringing his hands. He looks into their eyes, but the only thing he sees is genuine concern and love.
"Grandma... Her condition is kinda taking a tow. You never know when it will tuckle her, or how worse everything is gonna get. The last time her hypertension insanely rocketed, the second time, I was pretty far away in another province, and I felt pretty bad, you know? When they admitted her here, I was in hell, everything was so crazy and messed up I didn't know what to do. But because you were near you looked out for her, both of you. Which is why I'm forever in your debt. And grandpa, he's old, but he's fighting for her, for us, for everyone. And I... I need to do this, I need to work, to be somewhere out there, not for me, but for Daina, for them. But, it's like hell is doing everything in its power to break me, to break my family... The only I have left, you know?" he pause for a moment, then continue. "Grandma... One moment she's doing great, when you step out there, everything is hell again. I don't know what's going on, you know? I mean, I've always known about her condition for as long as I can remember, everybody does. I know she's grown, but she's not that old, they're both not that old. I don't know, but I can't help but have these feelings like there's more to this, to her worsening health, and... To everything that's being going on in my family." His voice stern, and venomous.
From his words, the living room falls silent for a moment, the only sound the passing of a car outside the street.
"I'm sorry." Dave apologize.
"For what? Please don't, Dave." Catherine says.
"You're alright, bro," Chriss assures. "And we understand. We really do."
A warm smile tugs at Dave's lips.
"Thanks, guys. And yeah, I left everyone alright, they're doing okay. And grandma, she's keeping up with her everyday routine for her health. Daina, well, just a little rebellious towards me."
"Whoa, she's at that age eh? Chriss chuckles.
"Yeah. She's back at the farm now, just graduated."
"Really? That's wonderful. At a young age, too." Catherine adds.
After minutes of chatting, laughter, and catching up on lost years of not seeing each other, a warm reunion, they change the topic to a more important matter.
"So yeah, I'm really grateful for you two, for welcoming me with such generosity."
"What are you, a stranger now?!" Chriss exclaim.
"Dave, don't say that." Catherine adds.
"Don't say something like that ever again, okay bro? You're my family, my brother. Maybe... That's not the right word?" Chriss asks, his voice stern
"No, you're right. I'm sorry, both of you," Dave says, his voice apologetic. "But still, thank you."
The twins nod, accepting their friend's humbleness.
"You two know why I'm here, reason being, my grandma and my sister. I can't have grandma worrying about me every time I'm out there. I finally gave in because of her situation. This is not about me, but for Daina, for my grandparents. As long as they're breathing, health, and all together, I've got a reason to keep trying and fight for another day just for them. So... Like we discussed over the phone months ago, I'm here, I'm here to change my life. In this city. I've saved up just enough cash to start something for myself and uplift my life.
Chriss nods. "Good. Spoken like a true men with a promise to fulfil," he pause for a moment, then adds. "Just don't forget why you're here. You said it yourself, for Daina, for them. Tie those words to your neck. I don't wanna dig into your family business, bro. I respect you, very much. But based on what you told me on the phone months ago, your grandparents have an enormous farm, that's where all the fortune there is, is- In farms. People make money in agriculture, bro. But I respect your reasons here. And I'm sorry I even brought up. Maybe some day you'll talk to me about it?"
Dave nods, promising his friends in a simple gesture.
"Of course, Chriss. I will talk to you both about it. Maybe sooner than you think." He assures them.
"Lit! Now we rest. In three days we gonna begin shop hunting for Dave San. And I need to introduce you to my gang and everywhere I've been, you know?"
"Cool. And... Dave San?" Dave asks, slightly confused.
Catherine chuckles at the nickname.
"Yeah. Your grandpa is the one who spilled it to me when we last met. Oh, I almost forgot," turning to Catherine, he continue. "Jeff said, hi."
"Oh, thank you. How is he?" Catherine asks.
"The dude is alright," he replies, turning back to Dave. "You need some rest, bro. Chelstone awaits in three days."
"Yeah."