Room 26 & 62
They arrive the street where the old man was short. Jamal first of all looks around him before stepping down. He tells Myla to stay in the car.
She can't dare decline. So she leans in her seat waiting for him to return. He comes back after two minutes and she questions nervously "What did they say?"
He sighs, "He was admitted in a hospital. They don't know if he's fine or in a critical state"
"Which hospital?"
"They gave me this address" he forwards his hand, showing a piece of paper with a written note.
"Should we?" he asks and she nods.
They drive to the address and get into the hospital together.
"How do we know which room number?" she inclines, her brows knit.
"I'd just ask this secretary" he stares over at a woman in a box.
"Good morning" He smirks
The lady blushes "G-good morning Sir. Please, how may I help you?"
Myla rolls her eyes.
"Well, I'm in search of an old man who was admitted here last night? With this name" he shows the old man's name and the woman types it down on her computer.
She hooks her head staring at Jamal and Myla, not sure if they are good people. "What was his case?"
Gun shut
"Gun shut"
"Are you his relatives or family friends?"
Jamal notices her curiousness and says, "We bought something from him that night before we heard what happened. We just want to check on him"
"The news is not out yet. How did you find out?"
Myla clears her throat "We passed by this morning to get ice scream. And his neighbors told us. Please can you just help us get to him?"
"I'm sorry I can't give you access"
Myla clenches jaws "Do we look like criminals to you? This man was a generous man. And even his supposed family is not here. Still, you can't give us access to see an old man who has been abandoned!"
Jamal holds her waist and squeezes gently. She breathes. Calming down.
The lady looks at Myla's dreaded look and brings her gaze to Jamal who is calm "Please?" he pleads and she nods.
"Room 26. On your left"
He nods, still not taking his hand off Myla's waist as they stroll away.
"She's a bitch! Why were you flirting with her?" Myla is vexed
He frowns "I was not flirting with her"
"You looked like you were. Being so good."
He narrows his eyes "That's how I am"
"Bullshit"
He chuckles "You're ok?"
She looks up at him, answering impulsively "Yes."
"Don't you think you're jealous?"
She pauses "Me? Jealous! For what?"
"That only you can answer" he mutters and walks ahead living her mind floated. Am I jealous?
"This should be the room 26; It's written here 62. Mechanical problem" Jamal points at the bold writing on the door in front of him.
"Is it that no one is seeing this to arrange or what?" Myla grumbles as Jamal encircles his hand over the bold and thrust open the door.
Myla walks in and sees the old man lying in bed, drips connected to his veins. And his mouth covered with a tube connected to an oxygen box.
Something pieces her heart as she walks further. A male Doc. Who was just done with injecting him comes in view on her left.
She smiles to him and he returns it "You are?"
"Friends" she replies and the doctor looks over at Jamal then back to the lady.
"Your welcome. I'm happy he has friends who come visit. He's been lying here close to 18 hours, no one passing to see if he's still alive"
"What about those who brought him to the hospital?"
"You mean the cops?"
She shrugs. She has no idea.
"They left promising to get the person who did this to him. Forgetting that he's here fighting for his own life all alone"
Myla's eyes stinks as she darts her eyes to the old man.
The doctor walks forward and towards the man. He stresses his hand to remove the oxygen bank.
"What are you doing?" Myla inquires, her forehead folded.
"No one to pay for his bills. We can't afford to keep him here"
Myla understands the doctor has a life. They can't afford to let situation like this bring them down. She shakes her head "No please, I'd pay for it"
The doctor is hesitant and she assures "Right now."
He lets go and says, "Follow me"
"Let me go. I've my credit card with me", Jamal tells Myla and she shakes her head.
"We're doing this together ok? Just let me handle it" he nods towards the medical attendant and they leave.
The door closes on her face and she sighs turning to look at the man in bed.
She finds a chair next him and squats on it, her spine straight.
She touches the old man's arm and closes her eyes, making a silent prayer. When she's done, she opens her eyes and Jamal come in with a bucket of white roses.
"We didn't know he'd be alive. But now that he is, I thought of we getting him this"
She smirks "He'd be so happy to receive your-"
He cuts her "Our offer"
Her brows spring up "Yeah . . . our offer"
Silence
"Where did you get it?" she breaks the moment
"In front of the hospital"
She looks at him perplexed and he answers her doubt "I thought I'd my card with me. So went out to take it from the car"
She nods then looks at the old man who is silently watching Jamal and Myla being awkward.
"Your up!" she exclaims, joyous to see him as tears blur her view instantly.
"And you're crying?" the man let out, his voice muffled
She chuckles, sniffing and wiping it off "Not really. Just happy to see you awake"
Jamal brings the flowers he bought "We bought this for you Mr. James"
The man smiles broadly. No one has ever treated him this way. "Thank you son. Just put it there"
Jamal does as ordered and stares down the old man. "We're sorry that we were unable to safe you from that kid"
The old man scoffs "That's ok. What's important is both of you didn't have to fight all night after what happened" he whispers his last words to the hearing of Jamal alone but Myla still receives it.
She looks elsewhere and Jamal clears his pharynx "Um . . . yeah, we got over it"
"I'm sure you must be hungry. I'd see if I can get food somewhere nearby for you" Myla says and he smiles, in appreciation.
"What preference?"
"Anything spicy"
She stands and walks out briskly. Still feeling overwhelmed by his previous statement.
The old man looks over at Jamal "So, tell me, where did you find such a pretty woman?"
To be continued...