Not a nightclub

Being freed from the brief embrace, Louis scanned the inside of the room. His eyes locked onto Atlas who lay peacefully on the bed devoid of any worldly worries. He walked over quietly and bent down at his waist. Gently, he squeezed his brother's hand.

Blake who had followed after him, placed a kiss lovingly on Atlas's forehead. "We are here for you, brother. Get well soon."

This is the brother that they were most proud of, but why did people treat him as an ogre. She felt her heart tightening at the imagination of the possible hardships her brother faced through the years.

" What did the doctor say?" Louis turned to face Mrs Chase as he asked in a mild tone.

" Nothing much. He had overworked his body which led to a mental exhaustion. He will be fine when he wakes up."

His eyes scanned the room while he listened to the response.

Seeing a somehow familiar face by the window, he locked his eyes on it.

Louis smiled slightly as a form of greeting and took several steps towards Dada. He stretched forth his hand for a handshake as his eyes scanned her face.

She reminded him of someone.

" Have we met before?" Overtook by curiosity, he asked Dada as he stood before her while his eyes continued to scan her face.

Seeing the man standing before her with a smile on his face, Dada revealed a silly expression. The corners of her eyes twitched at the warm gesture from this friendly stranger.

" Am sorry, but I don't think that I know you or have met you before." With a polite smile on her face, Dada replied calmly. In return, she too stretched forth her hand to reciprocate Louis's initiated handshake.

" You are that radio presenter who won the ' Platinum Voice' award last year, right? Your pictures were everywhere during that time." Blake with a smile similar to her brother, walked over and occupied the seat on Dada's right side. Her eyes twinkled as she fidgeted on her seat nervously.

Bingo!!

As if realisation hit him, Louis smiled widely as he also sat next to Dada. His gesture made Dada uncomfortable that she shifted slightly on her seat.

" I was wondering where I saw you when I saw your familiar face. I never thought of meeting the 'Platinum Voice' award holder when visiting my brother. Am Louis Ford, Atlas's younger brother, and this is our younger sister." He said while pointing at the smiling Blake who couldn't restrain her smile.

" Am Blake Ford, the youngest Ford sibling." Blake replied enthusiastically as she stretched forth her hand.

" Nice meeting you. Am sure you already know my name." With a laugh, Dada answered back. She took Blake's hand into hers as they shared a handshake.

" Do I need to introduce myself too?" Asked Molly who was ignored by the trio. Her eyes sparkled in amusement as she watched them which earned a laugh from Mrs Chase who stood beside watching their interactions.

'Knock! Knock!'

The ward door was opened, and there stood an old male doctor with his eye glasses lowered to his nose. His white coat and disposition made him appear more like a noble scholar. He was like a school principal who would reprimand his students on every school assembly.

The wrinkles on his face could be seen vividly when he spoke.

" This is not a night club but a hospital, therefore could you please lower your voices. If you want to hold a heated discussion, then please do so outside. The patient needs to recuperate in a quite environment and you are hindering that."

The room quietened down at his words. Dada who was still immersed in her laughter held her breathe as her face reddened due to embarrassment.

" Sorry." In a whisper, Dada muttered before composing herself and schooling her expression back to seriousness.

" I think I have to leave. I need to freshen up too. I will come by tomorrow." She said after a moment of consideration. Having not had a bath when she woke up, she was starting to feel itchy and sticky.

Having driven her car back to the city, Dada didn't have to hail a cab back to her apartment. She walked away from the ward room in sluggish steps while avoiding people from noticing her. Afterall, she hasn't groomed herself properly since waking up.

On her way out, she took her phone out and read the news once more.

Indeed the trending topic was ' Midnight Blue'.

In an instant, all the major and minor television including radio stations were broadcasting about Midnight Blue's death. Her heart clenched further as pictures slid through the screen one after the other. Suddenly, she thought back to the man inside the ward room.

Her heart ached.