Chapter 4: Good News

She exited the room and went down to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and stare at the ingredients in the fridge annoyed.

Back at the hospital, Mrs Brown has fallen asleep and Ruth sat by her side praying for a miracle. Her mother had told her they do not have any insurance meaning they would have to pay everything straight out of their account. She rested her head on the bedside holding her mum's hand as she sat on the chair close to the bed praying.

The doctor walked in and asked her to come with him. She looked at her mother briefly before stepping out of the ward with the doctor.

"Doctor, how is my father? Did anything happen?" Ruth asked scared but preparing for the worse

"Relax, the operation was successful. Your father is out of danger. We have a charity foundation here. I would need you to fill out some forms for me. They will look at your situation and provide you with the needed support," the doctor announced

"Thank you, doctor. I appreciate this a lot," she said with a smile.

She has not seen the bill yet but she was already worried her mother's salary would not cater for bills. Her father was just coming from the operating room. He is yet to open his eyes to even talk of signing a cheque. She just completed school and had not started working yet.

She quickly filled out the form the doctor handed to her and signed it. She went through the form a couple of times ensuring the details were right before handing it to the receptionist as instructed by the doctor.

"They would run a quick investigation and call you. They have helped a lot of people in the past. They will foot 60% of the bill and your parents can pay the remaining 40% once they are in a condition to manage their finances," she explained and Ruth thanked her before returning to her mother's ward.

She checked the time and realize it's being hours since Chantel left and she was still not back. She realized she left her phone at home. She searched her mum's bag and realize she didn't have her phone on her either. She went to the receptionist and she was directed to the public phone. She dialled Chantel's number. It rang twice before she answered

"Who is this," came Chantel's voice

"Sis, it's me, Ruth. Where are you?" she asked

"Oh!, I am home," Chantel replied

"I thought you said you were going to get us food?" Ruth asked

"Yes sis, I am not sure what happened to me," she replied

"What happened? Are you alright?" Ruth asked sounding worried

"Yes, I am fine. I...I... I am not sure what happened but I wasn't expecting the day to turn like this. It was supposed to be an exciting day," she said with traces of sadness in her voice

"How is Dad?" she asked

"Dad is out of the operating room. I will have the chance to see him when they move him to the ICU. The doctor also suggested a charity foundation in the hospital to help with the bills," Ruth informed her

"That is good news. I will be in the hospital soon. I am done cooking," she said

"Okay sis, I will wait for you," Ruth said and ended the call.

"Yeah, bye," Chantel said on the phone before putting it back into her bag.

The doorbell rang and she went to the door to answer it.

She opened the door and took the delivery from the man and paid for it. She opened the goods and poured them into the food bowl at home and put them in a basket. She put the food packages into the main bin. She returned to the house and carried the basket. She exited the house and walked to the junction to get a taxi after ensuring the door was locked.

Back at the hospital, Ruth waited patiently for the news of her father moving to the ICU. The doctor came to her and delivered the news she wanted to hear. She was led to the ICU after changing into protective clothes.

She watched her father covered in so many bandages and several monitors attached to his body and her eyes were filled with tears. She blinked them away. The doctor patted her on the shoulders

"He will be fine. Just give him some time he would wake up," the doctor assured her before leaving

Ruth walked slowly towards the bed and stopped at the side of the bed. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand

"Daddy, I love you," she said and exited the room back to her mother's ward.

She stood in the hallway and cried for a while before entering the ward. Chantel entered the ward a few minutes after carrying a basket. She placed it on the table.

"I brought the food," she said and sat at the foot of the bed

"How is daddy? Have you seen him?" she enquired

"He is not awake yet. We just have to wait a while," Ruth replied and Chantel nodded

Meanwhile same time at Nick's house, Damien was patiently waiting to see Nick in the visitors living room

"I am surprised you have the gust to come over here after what you did," came Nick's voice from behind Damien as he descends the stairs to the living room

"That is what I want to know Nick," Damien replied making Nick laugh

"You don't know what you did? Were you high?" Nick asked

"I swear to you, all I remember from last night was bringing Ruth to prom and taking some drinks from some girls," Damien explained

"So you were drunk. Is that why you slept with my girlfriend?" Nick yelled at him and Damien was shocked

"Nick, I swear to you, I may not remember anything but I am sure I didn't sleep with your girlfriend," Damien defended

"So now you are calling me a liar? I walked in on you two myself," Nick said and shook his head to get the image of Nick on top of Ruth out of his mind

"Nick, I am not but I didn't touch her. I would have known if I slept with anyone," he said

"So what you two were just smooching?" he yelled at him

"I don't know but all I know is I didn't touch any girl last night," Damien defended

"Damien, get out of my house," he said

"Nick, look into this and you will know I didn't touch your girl," he said

"I said get out," he yelled one more time

"Security," he called and two men entered the living room

"I am living but please look into it. I know you have the resources to do so," Damien said on his way out.

The two security guards drag him out of the main gate and pushed him out. Damien adjusted his clothes and requested an Uber. On his way, he decided to call Ruth and let her know why Nick left her but he called severally and no one answered.

"She is probably soaking herself in tears," he thought and wondered if he should go to her house or wait a while.

"I would that tomorrow, I think it is best I let her be for now," he concluded and set his destination for home.

Back at Nick's home, he was thinking about what Damien had said. He was his trusted friend and he knew he would never do that to him.

He recalled the events of the previous night. He went to Ruth's house to pick her up only to be told she had already left. He called her several times but there was no response.

He arrived at the prom and started searching for her. He was told, she was seen going upstairs with Damien. He kept asking and finally get to the floor where he was told he would find Ruth.

He opened the door and was surprised to see the decoration. He entered and heard some moaning sounds. He frowned and headed for the door inside the room. He opened the door slowly and peeped only to see Damien's bare back and his waist covered with the sheet. He was on top of a woman.

He was about to leave when the lady's face came into clear view and it was Ruth. He left the place immediately.

"No I know what I saw," he said and proceeded to his room.