Chapter 5

For days I have slept in the hospital keeping my sister company at night and leaving for work very early in the morning, I practically lived in the hospital with her but I doubt if I cared one bit about that, I love my sister.

I missed my bed though it wasn't so comfortable like that of the exotic hotels but I missed sleeping on it with my sister and I couldn't wait for the day when I would smile with so much delight and confidence and proudly say "finally it's over, we won."

Selena turned around and found Maryann standing behind her with a strong grin on her cheeks, Selena was glad she took Maryann's advice.

"I believe this would work out fine" I nodded to myself.

I walked back into the restaurant, it was time for me to go home or should I say to the hospital.

I met Maryann standing close to her locker getting ready to go.

"He asked me to see him tomorrow" I informed.

She smiled "great! I told you their is no harm in trying, he is a nice man."

I shrugged "I guess he is."

"What matters most is that your sister will be healthy again Selena" Maryann said in the sweetest tone.

I smiled "yeah, that's all that matters."

She wakes up to be and embraced me.

"Thank you Maryann" I whispered.

She chuckled letting go of me "what are friends for?"

She grabbed her bag and left before I could pick mine.

Mr. Charles walked up to me.

I looked away "another yelling" I muttered.

"What was that face you had all over today?" He asked.

I was silent, I wondered what he wanted me to say.

"Listen, when you get to work, drop your family issues in your locker and do your job, have I made my self clear?" He said rudely.

I glared at him, at this point I wanted to yell at him and tell him how cruel he was but I shut my eyes to what he said and nodded quietly.

"Good!" He walked away.

I hitted hard on my locker.

"And don't break that or you will pay for it!" He yelled.

I guess he heard the noise, I hissed bowing my head sadly.

I took a deep breath, Mr. Charles always had his way of ruining my little happy moments but I refuse to allow him do the same tonight.

I went straight to the hospital after work , I didn't plan to sleep at the hospital, I just decided that I would go home after I see her at the hospital, I needed to do the laundry and get the house cleaned up.

I arrived the hospital and met the nurses and doctors holding my sister, she had blood coming from her mouth and nostrils.

"What's happening here?" I asked in panic rushing into the room.

One of the nurses quickly exhorted me out of the room holding my arm.

"No! I want to see, she's my sister what's happening to her?" I screamed in tears.

"And they are doctors and nurses trying to keep her alive" the nurse said looking at my face.

My shoulders sagged, I got really sad.

The nurse placed her hands on my shoulders taking a deep sigh "listen to me, whatever you're doing to raise the money, do that very fast, your sister doesn't have much time."

She walked away without saying another word to her.

I leaned on the wall looking up at the ceiling like their is was something written up there for me.

I stormed out of the hospital crying helplessly without saying another word to anyone.

"God please keep my sister safe" I kept muttering.

I got off the bus and was just strolling down to my house.

"Hey! Selena" a voice called out to me from behind.

I recognized the voice and I paused, it was him, the one I have been avoiding for a while now.

I'm was just returning from the hospital and I fell totally depressed, it's more like my world was collapsing right before my eyes and I can't even fix it, the only thing I wanted to do at this moment is lock myself up in my small room and cry my heart out.

My face and eyes were red from so many sleepless nights and tears.

I slunged turning around "what now?" I yelled.

He ignored the frown on my face walking closer to me, he had this bright smile at the end of his lips, I wasn't sure I was in the mood for any smiles.

"I came to your house earlier today looking for you Selena" he said.

"Great! He is always looking for me" I mumbled.

Then I recalled that I told him I would be home earlier today, I sighed tapping my forehead "I'm a complete mess."

I looked away, I didn't tell him I was going any where so I wasn't surprised that he came looking for me.

I swinged my brown long hairs behind me looking up at his face "I went somewhere, can I go now?"

"No you can't" he answered g8rabbing my hand tenderly.

"Have this..."

I looked down at his hand, it was a rose flower "really is this what I need now?"

I didn't know exactly how I should react towards him but I have always been good at pretending so I forced a smile "thank you" I said collecting the rose flower from him.

"You don't look okay to me Selena, is everything okay?" He asked.

I stared at him for a while, of what use would it be if I told him what the problem was? he definitely would not be able to help me and I would just be getting him worried for nothing, I didn't want any of that besides he has always listed his family issues to me which I wondered if it ever has an end.

"Nothing Louis, I'm good just tired" I answered.

"If your job is stressing you that much, don't you think it's time to get another one?"

I gaped at his question, what exactly is he talking about? Jobs are so hard to get these days and here he is asking me to quit one.

I shrugged, what does he know after all he works at the fish market while I worked in a restaurant as a waitress.

Working there has been one hell of a worry, we had a lot of customers daily and this keeps me standing for hours, if I should see something better to do, trust me I would gladly walk out on Mr. Charles and his constant yelling.

Most times the arrogant customers ends up screaming at me, I keep wondering if they really think it's so easy, I tend to give them a piece of my mind but then my boss would always remind me that customers are always right with his fierce glare.

I wouldn't deny that I was scared of Mr. Charles especially because of what he represents at the restaurant but I have decided to be more careful so he doesn't decide to reduce my salary to a quarter, he always knew I had no choice other than to stay.

Ever since I started working there, I was always slogging away to meet the deadline, yes everything waiter and waitress had something to meet up to for each day at the restaurant.

"Louis I'm okay with my job, I can't afford to be jobless, it's better than nothing."

He stared at him, I understood that look, he knew I wasn't telling the truth but I wondered why he didn't tell me to my face that I was lying.

"I have to start going now Louis, I need some rest" I said at the thought of the heavy laundry and chores waiting for me at home.

He watched me with awe, I knew he wanted to say more things to me but he just didn't know how to out it all together, he was so sure that something was wrong.

Louis nodded and gave me a hug.

Great! He smelt really like fish, the smell of the fish penetrated deep into my nostrils, I ended up coughing.

Gush! I hated that smell but it was his hustle, what can I do? Ask him to leave the fish market?

"Are you okay?" He asked looking straight into my eyes holding my shoulders.

I cleared my throat "I'm okay..." I answered.

I was so sure my eyes had grown too red than it was previously.

"Are you sure Selena? Talk me" he demand moving his hands down to palm clutching it.

He is always worried about me especially after I got robbed last month while returning from the work.

The hoodlums had blocked my way and before I could say anything, they beat me to stupor, left me half dead by the road side and made away with my salary.

Luckily some good samaritans found me and rushed me to the hospital.

All thanks to Louis who paid the hospital bills and has being helping me with my bills this month, sometimes I feel like I'm becoming a burden to him, after all he has his own family to take care of but Louis would always remind me that he is my boyfriend and would do anything to make me smile.

But this time around I have refused to bring him into my problem, I was tired of watching him pity me, I didn't want to feel that way anymore.

Yeah! My poor boyfriend, that's what my Maryann would always call him when ever he drops by to say hello at the restaurant though he dresses decent enough but his clothes were worn out and always out of fashion.

But I still loved him that way, he was kind, caring and sweet, I can't forget the day he asked me out.

He had taken me to a restaurant down town for a date and while we ate in silence he brought out this beautiful bracelet, he put it around my wrist and went on his knee, people actually thought he was proposing to me.