The Pink Clouds – Episode 26
#Episode_26
“Do you think the senator did this?” Rebecca asked as she stood up.
“Most likely, but I’m not certain,” Armstrong replied.
“I’m going to meet him right away,” Rebecca said trying to walk out in a hurry.
“Hold on a second, we have no strong evidence that it was the senator. Confronting him like that could be risky,” Achuba said blocking her.
“I think he’s right,” Thomas supported.
“I’m not scared of him,” Rebecca said and pushed him out of her way.
She walked out of the hospital angrily and took a taxi to the senator’s house. It was 20 drive from the teaching hospital. The house was a two storey building surrounded by a very tall fence. There were about five military soldiers sitting under a canopy close to the gate of the house. As she walked towards the gate, one of the military officers hurriedly stood up and had it opened for her.
She hurriedly walked into the living room and found the senator sitting with his friends. The living room was filled with their voice as they laughed.
“Hey babe, did something happen?” The senator asked grinning as he walked to her. When he got to her, she slapped him on the face that the whole living room echoed the sound. There was a total silence in the living, as his friends were intrigued by what happened. They both stared at each other angrily without a word.
“Are you in your right senses?” He questioned after about 30 minutes of silence.
“Yes, I am on my right senses,” she replied.
“I think there something wrong with you, you are not mentally stable,” he added.
Rebecca tried to slap him, but he held her hand.
She made an attempt to slap him with her other hand, but he grabbed both of her hands.
“Let me go, you bastard!” She shouted as she struggled to free herself. He let go of her hands and slapped her to the extent that she fell on the ground.
“You better watch your mouth,” he said. Rebecca was silent, looking at the ground.
She remained like that for more than a minute until she finally raised her head.
“Thank God I didn’t marry a monster like you,” she uttered at last.
“Why are you behaving like that Rebecca?” One of his friends asked.
“I’m going to sue you for trying to kill my friend,” Rebecca revealed.
“Good luck with about that,” he laughed.
Rebecca stood up and walked out of the house and took a taxi back to the hospital. On her way to the hospital, Rebecca suddenly remembered about her mother’s illness. She screamed at the top making the taxi driver stop.
“Is everything okay?” He asked confusingly.
“No is not, Rebecca replied,” she replied as she started crying.
“What happened?”
“I’m about to lose the two people I love most in my life,” Rebecca said.
“I’m not good at comforting people ma’am, but I think everything will be okay if you pray and ask for God’s assistance,” he offered.
She ignored him and kept crying. He dropped her as soon as they arrived at the university teaching hospital. she walked her way to the entrance of the hospital, her phone started ringing. When removed the phone from her hand bag, she noticed that it Amirah calling. She couldn’t speak after answering the call.
Amirah: why are you crying?
Rebecca: my mum has lung cancer.
Amirah: Are you serious?
Rebecca: Have I ever joked to you on something like this?
There was about a minute of silence after Rebecca said that. Suddenly, Alice started crying too. They both cried for about five and none of them could uttered a word.
Rebecca: And Richard is in the hospital, he was shot with a gun.
Amirah: why do bad things like this keep happening?”
Rebecca: I don’t know why
Amirah:I will talk to Alice, we will be on our way tomorrow.
Rebecca: Okay
Rebecca walked into the hospital after the phone call. She found Thomas and Achuba in Richard’s room when she arrived.
“you are back,” Achuba said
“Yes.”
“you know we can take care of him, you can go home and rest,” Achuba offered
“I’m not going anywhere,” she replied.
“Sorry I didn’t mean to make you angry.”
“Could you please excuse me, I want to sit here,” she declared after she got to the chair close to Richard’s bed. Thomas quietly stood her and gave her the chair.
She sat on chair and held Richard’s hand. After a while, she laid her head on the bed and watch him breathing. Around 3 am, Thomas and Achuba left the hospital while Rebecca slept shortly after the left. Around 5 am, one of the nurses waked her up and invited her to go and sleep in an empty room next to Richard’s, but she insisted she will stay there.
At around 7 am, a journalist arrived at the hospital and questioned Rebecca about how it happened. She jotted down what Rebecca told her and left.
“Hey,” came a voice behind her. When she turned, she saw Dixxy and Mary standing by the door wearing their lab coats.
“Hi,” Rebecca barely uttered.
“We are really sorry to hear about what happened to him,” Mary sympathized.
“Is okay, he’s going to be fine,” Rebecca replied.
“Are you coming for Doctor Fatima’s lecture?” Dixxy asked.
“I will be there,” she replied.
After Dixxy and Mary left, her mother walked into the room.
“Good morning Mom,” Rebecca greeted.
“Did you sleep at all?” Her mother asked as she sat down on the sofa.
“I barely slept,” she answered.
“Come on, go home and take a shower,” her mother suggested.
“No, I will be here until he wakes up,” Rebecca insisted.
“Okay, I will be going to India for treatment tomorrow,” Prof. Grace announced.
“Really?” Rebecca asked.
“Yes, you have nothing to worry about.” Rebecca stood up with tear falling her eyes.
“Stop giving me hope, I have seen your medical report,” she cried.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to be fine,” she said as she hugged Rebecca.
“And please, don’t tell Emmanuel about it,” she pleaded.
“Why shouldn’t I? He will eventually find out,” Rebecca protested.
“Besides, it will be to tell so that he will cherish the last moments he will have with you,” Rebecca said.
“Are you crazy? Why are you saying things like this?” Prof. Grace shouted at her
“I was a fool to live a happy life thinking that you are going to be by our side forever,” Rebecca cried.
“I beg you Rebecca, even if the 1% chance of me surviving it, we have to believe it,” Prof. Grace said.
At about 10 am, Rebecca decided to go home and change the clothes she was wearing. She got dressed after her shower without even bothering to put on some makeup. She took her car and drove out of the house.
By the time she arrived at the hospital, it was already 11 am.
When she got close to the room, she noticed that it crowded with people to the extent that some of the persons stood by the door. It was Richard’s course mates from his department. They made way for Rebecca as walked into the room. When she got closer, she found Richard to have finally woken up. She instantly ran to him and bent down to held his hand.
“You are finally up,” she cried.
“Yes I am,” Richard smiled.
“I thought I have lost you.”
“Is okay,” Richard said as he stroke his fingers against her hair.
Rebecca stood up and sat by the edge of the bed and watched as Richard smiled.
“Excuse me, is this Richard’s room?” Asked a female voice behind the crowd.
“Yes,” the crowd answered.
Richard and Rebecca became curious about who the person was. The crowd made way for her as she walked in. When she walked in, Richard couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was his younger sister Suzanna. She wore black dress that was slightly over her knees with black shoes.
“Suzan!” Richard screamed.
She ran to him and hugged and suddenly burst into tears. Everybody stood in sympathy and watched the two cry as hugged each other. Rebecca suddenly started feeling jealous. She wondered who was that girl bold enough to hug Richard in her presence.
“Excuse me, but who are you?” Rebecca said trying to separate the two of them.
“She is my younger sister,” Richard announced.
“Really?” Rebecca asked surprisingly.
Before Richard could reply, Suzan interrupted.
“How are you feeling now?” She asked.
“I’m feeling much better,” Richard answered.
“I can’t believe this is you, you have no idea how much we miss you,” she said.
“I’m so sorry,” Richard apologized.
“You are so good at apologizing, you haven’t changed at all,” she smiled.
“But you have changed a lot, is like you are even taller than me now,” Richard replied.
“If you could remember, I once told you that I’m going to he taller than you,” she laughed.
The rest of the crowd left leaving only the three of the room.
“Why did you abandon us?”Suzan asked.
“I didn’t abandon you. Infact, there hasn’t been a single day in the past 6 years that I didn’t think of you,” Richard said.
“If what you are saying is true, then why didn’t you come home?”
“I just couldn’t face big sis, I have disappointed her and made all her hard work go into waste,” Richard replied.
“Oh just listen to how dumb you sound. You are going to regret this for the rest of your life,” she replied.
“I’m already regretting it,” Richard said.
“You regret more if I tell you what happened.”
“What happened?” Richard asked curiously.
Suzan became silent and the smile on face faded again.
“Please tell me what happened,” Richard requested desperately.
“I will tell you, but not now,” she uttered after a long silence.
“I heard one of the doctors is looking for, I will be back,” Rebecca said as she stood up.
“Okay, babe,” Richard replied.
“Babe?” Suzan retorted and Richard smiled.
“She is so pretty, no wonder you didn’t remember to come home,” she continued.
“We used to know each other in my previous university, we recently got United, just about 2 months ago,” Richard responded.
“Oh I see,” she replied.
“So, how is big sis doing?” Richard asked, and at that time, Rebecca has just returned. Suzan remained quiet and couldn’t talk.
“What is it?” Richard asked.
“She died last 3 weeks giving birth to her second child,” Suzan revealed.
Richard became totally confused and was unable comprehend what she was saying.
“What do you mean by that?” Richard asked unbelievably.
“I mean she is death, she no longer alive,” Suzan added.
.”Please stop kidding around Mimi,” Richard pleaaded.
“How stupid do you think I am to joke with something like this? She is no longer with us, she died giving birth to a baby boy. But the boy is alive,” she explained.
“Did you come all the way here to tell me something like this?” Richard asked.
“Believe it or not, she is dead. Do you how hard she tried to look for the past five years? She kept blaming herself for not being friendly towards you, that’s why you got scared and didn’t return home,” she said as she cried.
Richard started crying like baby. The memories of his started coming back to him. He remembered how she used to defend him in primary school when other kids try to bully him. He remembered how she can easily give up her toys to him when they were kids just because he liked them. He was planning to impress to her with his business once Prof. Grace gives him the money she promised. But she is no longer around to him succeeding, and those thoughts broke his heart more than anything else. When Rebecca noticed, how the two of them were crying, it touched her so much to the extent that she started crying too. She quickly walked out of the room and hurriedly went to her car.
After the Richard heard the news about his sister, his whole turned upside down. He couldn’t think of anything than her. His sister sat in sorrow and watched him crying like a child.
At about 12 pm, Alice and Amirah arrived at the hospital. Rebecca went to the entrance of the hospital and welcome them.
“You are welcome,” Rebecca said to them.
“Thank you,” they both smiled.
“Why do you come empty handed?” Rebecca asked.
“Actually, we don’t plan on staying long here. We just came to see you and Richard, we’ll be on our way back in the evening,” Amirah replied.
“That’s unfair,” Rebecca frowned.
“Okay we’ll spend the night here, we will leave the first in the morning tomorrow,” Alice inferred.
“Alice, have you forgotten that my shift starts tomorrow?” Amirah asked.
“Come on, is just a single day, you can call one of your friends to cover for you,” Alice said.
“How is Richard doing now?” Amirah asked as they headed to his room.
“Not so good, his younger sister came today,” Rebecca responded.
“Really? Shouldn’t that be a good thing?”
“It is, but you know he hasn’t been home in six years. She announced to him that his older sister is death, and it has completely broken him,” Rebecca explained.
“Poor Richard, I feel really terrible for him,” Alice sympathized.
When they got into the room, they found Suzan sitting next to him. He was still crying that he barely noticed the people around him.
“We are sorry about your lost,” Alice finally uttered, and that was when he looked and noticed.
“Thanks for your concern,” Richard replied. The three sat down on the sofa and watched Richard in silence. Some few minutes later, Prof. Grace walked into the room. Alice and Rebecca quickly stood up from the spot to give a space to sit.
“Please sit down, I’m not going to stay long here,” Prof. Grace instructed and they sat back.
Richard tried his best to hide his emotions when he heard her voice, but couldn’t.
“Good afternoon Ma’am,” Suzan greeted Prof. Grace.
“Good afternoon, it seems like your face look familiar,” Prof. Grace said trying to recall her face.
“Yes we once came to you with my sister when we were looking for my brother six years ago,” she replied.
“Oh yes I remember you, you have quite grown into a beautiful woman now,” Prof.
Grace smiled.
“Yes,” Suzan smiled.
“How did you find Richard?”
“Well, I saw the incident that happened to him published in one of the newspapers.
Then I thought I should come and check if it was my brother,” she replied.
“That’s incredible.”
“Richard, I’m glad you are finally up,” Prof. Grace as she walked closer to see his face.
“Thank you Ma’am,” he replied with his voice shaking.
“Are you okay? Should I call the doctor?” Prof. Asked worriedly.
“Actually, he just received a bad new from his sister,” Rebecca quickly interfered.
“What was the bad new?” Prof. Grace asked Suzan. Suzab became quite for a moment before she finally spoke.
“Our older sister died last month,” Suzan announced.
“You don’t mean the lady that came with you the other time, right?” Prof. Grace asked.
“Unfortunately, she is the one,” Rebecca sadly replied.
“Oh! I truely am sorry to hear about your lost Richard,” Prof. Grace said will all sympathy.
“Thank you ma’am,” Richard replied.
“May her soul rest in peace,” she added.
“Ameen,” Richard replied.
After a short moment, Prof. Grace revealed to them that she’ll be going.
“Please take good care of Emmanuel while I’m away,” Prof. Grace said to Rebecca.
“Are you going now?” Rebecca asked standing up.
“Unfortunately yes, and I may away for weeks,” Prof. Grace replied. Rebecca ran to her and hugged her.
“I hope you will come back healthy,” Rebecca anxiously said.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” Prof. Grace said with a fake smile.
“Alright Richard, I’ll call you,” Prof. Grace said as she walk out.
“Thanks for all your help and support Ma’am,” Richard said with appreciation.
Rebecca walked her Mom out of the hospital to her car that was parked outside. As soon as her driver saw them approaching, he quickly went to the and had the door opened for her.
“Don’t worry about me, study well and take care of your brother,” Prof. Grace said.
“Alright Mom, I promise I will,” Rebecca responded.
“Okay, then off I go,” Prof. Grace closed the door. Rebecca stood in her position and watched as the car started move. After the car went a certain distance, Rebecca ran after wave at the driver to stop.
“What is it?” Her mother asked.
“Can I come with you?” Rebecca asked crying.
“If you come with me, then what will you do about your studies? And who will look after Emmanuel?” Prof. Grace asked.
“I can ask the maids to take of him, and I’m okay with repeating my current year,” Rebecca cried.
“I didn’t know you love me this much,” Prof. Grace smiled as she wiped off her tears.
“Of course I love you.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” her mother said.
Rebecca watched as the car drove until it was no longer visible. She then went back to the room and sat beside her friends. Even though Richard was in pain, he still was able to see the behind Rebecca’s eyes.
“Is your mother gone?” He asked her.
“Yes she is,” Rebecca replied.
“Don’t worry, she will be fine,” Richard replied.
“Let’s hope so,” Rebecca replied.
“Let me go home and something for your sister to eat,” Rebecca announced.
“Oh thank you,” Suzan smiled at Rebecca.
“Oh come on, that’s not a big deal,” Rebecca replied.
Rebecca left with her friends leaving only Richard with his sister in the room. Shortly after they left, Thomas and Achuba arrived at the room. They were so surprised to a girl other than Rebecca sitting beside him holding his hand. When she turned, her eyes caught Thomas’s eyes. Thomas felt his heartbeat skipped for a
moment and he quickly looked away. As far he can recall, he had never felt something like that in his entire life.
“Richard,” Achuba called.
“I’m glad you are back,” Richard replied.
“Good afternoon,” Suzan greeted them. And when Thomas heard her voice, he became completely taken by it.
“Good afternoon, how are you doing?” Achuba answered. At this point, Thomas couldn’t help but explore her beauty. Her round bold eyes, her hairstyle and dress we’re all captivating.
“Hey, this is my sister,” Richard said when he noticed how Thomas was staring and Thomas quickly looked away.
“Really?” Achuba asked surprisingly.
“Yes of course,” Suzan smiled.
“That’s great, when did you come here?” Achuba asked.
“Some few hours ago,” she replied.
“That’s wonderful, it an honour to finally meet you,” Achuba smiled.
“The pleasure is all mine,” she smiled back.
“How are you feeling now,” Achuba asked Richard.
“Much better,” replied Richard.
“Why is your other friend silent since you came in?” Suzan asked looking into Thomas’s eyes.
“I.., I,” Thomas stammered and stopped.
“You what?” She asked and his heart beat faster as he try to speak.
“I think I’m sick,” Thomas finally uttered. He wondered what was happening to him. He had never been like that around any other girl.
“Really? What’s wrong?” Achuba asked.
“It might be a headache,” Thomas replied.
“You are not even sure,” Achuba laughed.
Some few minutes later, Prof. Grace called Richard on the phone. His sister helped him to answering the call.
Richard: Hello Ma’am
Prof. Grace: I hope you are feeling better now?
Richard: Yes ma’am, I’m much better.
Prof. Grace: is Rebecca there with you?”
Richard: No she has left
Prof. Grace: Good, I promise to give you 20 million Naira, right?
Richard: Yes, Ma’am
Prof. Grace: Okay, I’ve already given my lawyer the money. He will it to you when you recover.
Richard: Thank you so much Ma’am
Prof. Grace: is okay, just take care of Rebecca and Emmanuel for me.
Richard: I promise I will. But wait, you are coming back, right?
Prof. Grace: God’s willing I will be back.
“Who was that?” Suzan asked after Richard finished the phone call.
“It was Rebecca’s mother,” Richard replied.
“She really is a nice woman, she reminds me of Mom,” Suzan said.
“Yes,” Richard said.
“Could you please go and get the nurse please? The drip in my hand is aching,” Richard said.
“Okay, I’ll be on my way,” she replied and stood up.
As she was walking out of the, she again caught Thomas staring at her irresistibly. Thomas tried his best not to make it obvious to his friends. About a minute, after she walked out, Thomas stood up and headed out.
“Where are you going?” Achuba asked.
“I want to check on something” he replied. And when he got out the room, he saw Suzan approaching with the nurse. She was just some few inches behind the nurse. They both looked into each other’s eyes as they got close to each other. She suddenly stopped walking while the nurse Continued her walk to the room.
