The time we spent apart 4

The days that followed were the best for Maria. She ate her food and took her medicines on time. The doctors assured her aunt and Lexis' parents that she was recovering at a faster rate than expected.

They didn't know that the main reason why Maria was so obedient was because they told her she would only get to see Lexis when she got better.

Maria didn't fight the nurses or the doctors that came to check her. She followed their instructions like an obedient child.

''Aunt, the doctor said I can go home in a few days' time, right? I really want to see Lexis when I get discharged. Aunt and uncle said Lexis is confined at home because the baby's health is still poor. I really want to see them'' Maria said as she sat on the bed held on tightly to a book in her hands. It was her favorite novel that Lexis book for her back when they were in the university.

Anne Suwait was feeding Maria some porridge as they chatted. It has been a week already since she woke up but every day that passed she had talked about Lexis and the baby in that week more than she had probably done in years.

Kobby Brian opened the door and walked in and saw that Maria was having her meal.

''How do you feel today, Portia?'' Kobby asked as he walked closer to them. He happened to see the book in her hands.

''Because I want to be able to see Lexis and the baby, I am recovering fast. The doctor said I can go home in a few days' time. Kobby, when I get discharged, I want to see Lexis first. Can I go over and stay at your place for some time? I have a lot of things to tell Lexis''. Maria said as she sipped some water.

"Are you reading that book?" Kobby asked cautiously.

"Oh, yes. I asked my aunt to bring it to me. Lexis bought this book for me and I really love the story. I am reading it again" Maria said and asked "do you want to read it? I could lend it to you"

"No, you occupy yourself with it" Kobby told Maria.

"Be good to Lexis now that she is not well or I will hate you" Maria said and chuckled.

''Sure, I will do just that. I came to check on you. I will see you again in the afternoon. I have a patient I need to check on''. Kobby said.

''Oh, go ahead. You must be busy''. Maria smiled and watched Kobby as he left.

....

Kobby Brian knocked and entered his patient's ward and saw that his family were with him.

''Doctor, you are here?'' Mona Lisa stood up from the bed and looked at Kobby.

''Doctor, why is he not still awake?'' Max Denarius asked.

''The impact was much deeper than we thought. I just looked at his MRI and other test scans. He is recovering and will soon wake up. Don't worry too much. He is just taking a long time to regain consciousness because of the shock he got from the accident. He will be fine'' Kobby explained to them.

''Thank you, doctor'' Mona Lisa said.

''I will come again to see him later on''. Kobby smiled and nodded at Max before going out.

''Max, have you found out about where that woman is? I mean Maria?'' Mona Lisa asked.

''I have searched but I couldn't find her'' Max Denarius said. They were chatting when they heard a knock on the door and turned.

Karen Kash walked into the ward with flowers in her hands. She was dressed fashionably but it only disgusted Mona Lisa.

''What are you doing here, Miss Kash?'' Max Denarius was the one to ask first.

''I wasn't in Cosmos and only returned recently and heard about what happened so I decided to visit Ad-Din Denarius with some flowers. I was worried about him''. Karen Kash said and walked closer.

''You didn't have to bring any flowers. As you can see, Ad-Din is not in the position to receive any flowers. You can send them back''. Mona Lisa spoke unreservedly. She hated this girl so much and she didn't need to be polite to her.

''Miss Kash, you didn't have to bring anything. Just checking up on Ad-Din is enough''. Max Denarius added.

''You are right. I was being thoughtless. Since Ad-Din is doing well, I will take my leave. I will come to visit him again''. Karen Kash said and put the flowers on the table before going out.

''That girl gives me strange vibes. Are you sure she has no hand in Maria's disappearance? Max, you need to look into that girl. I don't like her''. Mona Lisa said as soon as Karen Kash closed the door.

''Is okay, Mom'' Max Denarius said and hugged his mother.

...

Karen Kash furrowed her brows and looked at the closed door murmuring ''Miss Lee's disappearance? Wasn't she in an accident and died? Looks like they don't know that Miss Lee is already dead? Interesting!! I absolutely love the way they think"

Karen Kash walked away and passed by a patient attempting to leave a ward against the nurse's rejection. Karen Kash looked at the opened ward but didn't see anyone and walked away.

Maria's face emerged out of the door as soon as Karen Kash left. She was speaking with the nurse.

''Please, I just want to look at the babies at the infantry. It will help me recover fast as I think about my own niece, please''. Maria pouted and pleaded with the nurse.

"But, the doctor said you shouldn't be allowed to roam" the nurse said.

"I know but I promise to return even before anyone notices. Please, pretty nurse please"

''Okay, fine, but you can't stay there for so long, okay? I will get scolded when the doctor finds out''. The nurse warned Maria.

''Don't worry, I will go back after I watch the babies for a short while''. Maria said and pushed the IV pole along as she walked towards the infantry.

Infantry ward.

Maria stood by the glass window watching the babies in the infantry. Some of the babies were crying and some nurses were attending to them.

Maria smiled increasingly as she watched and didn't notice when Kobby Brian stood by her. a particular baby caught her eyes and she watched the baby with interest.

''Are you not supposed to be resting?" Kobby Brian spoke and Maria turned.

''Kobby, look at that baby over there. isn't she pretty and cute?'' Maria pointed at Lexis baby unknowingly. ''I wished I could just steal her away and keep her to myself''

Kobby Brian looked at his daughter that Maria pointed at and smiled. He looked at Maria with a conflicted gaze. He didn't know how she was going to handle it when she found out that her best friend had passed away in that accident. It's been two months already.

They had already buried Lexis and did her funeral yet Maria wasn't aware.

''Kobby, Kobby, what's wrong?''. Maria touched Kobby's hand and he snapped out of his daze.

"You were looking at me; do I have something on my face?'' Maria asked and touched her face.

''No, you don't have anything on your face. Just that, Lexis asked me to give you a big hug in her place but I didn't know how to do that. Lexis said you like getting hugged a lot''. Kobby said suddenly and awkwardly.

''Oh…that wrench still remembers and knows me the best. Then, give me my hug immediately. I haven't hugged anyone today and was getting depressed''. Maria said gitteringly.

Kobby walked to her and hugged her tightly and even patted her back affectionately adding ''you will be fine, Maria Portia Lee. You are a strong girl who is doing just great''.

Maria chuckled and snuggled into him since he was taller than her. Just then, Calia passed by them and looked at them and smiled before going as she murmured.

''What an affectionate couple''.

Kobby Brian heard it and let go of Maria before turning to look at the owner of the voice but that person had already gone away.

''How did you know that statement? That's what Lexis always says to me? I can't believe she even asked you to say that to me?'' Maria said and looked at him.

''Let's go back. I will send you to the ward first''. Kobby Brian said and led the way.

"Right, I spent too much time here and forgot about the nurse's warning. Let's hurry back before she gets into trouble because of me" Maria said.

"We can just tell them I was the one who brought you out for a walk" Kobby Brian said.

"Right, that is such a plausible excuse. I will remember to use you the next time I want to leave the ward for a bit of fresh air" Maria said and they laughed.

"If you use that excuse frequently, you will be found out. The nurses are quite smart"

" Then, I will only use it once or twice. I will be discharged soon anyways"