''That's bad. What do we do now?'' Bertha asked.
''Is she a new friend you girls made?'' Miss Gladys asked them because she was confused and didn't fully understand the situation.
''Yes. We met at the mall by accident and decided to become friends''
''Mom, you should see her; she is really nice and pretty'' Clara said.
''My phone''
''Your phone wasn't with you when we came'' Clara said to her.
''Really? Then give me yours; I memorised her number''
''Okay'' Bertha removed her phone and gave to Inayah.
''Let's see. 010-***-6**0'' Inayah dialled the number and made the call.
''Hello, this is Lilian speaking''
''Pretty sister'' Inayah said enthusiastically over the phone.
''Inayah?''
…..
DR. NICK'S OFFICE.
Nick returned to the office and sat across Jasper who was already seated there. He was holding on to Inayah's phone in his hand.
''How is she?''
''You should have gone with me of you're that worried? Also, she said I should tell you this 'I will never forgive you'. What did you do this time?'' Nicked asked.
''She knows Lilian''
''Lilian. How is that possible?''
''I don't know. Even I would like to know how?''
''Wait, could it be the same person she wanted to call just now?''
''She was going to call someone?''
''Yes, she and her friends were going on about how they met this pretty sister at the mall and she treated them nicely. Jasper, what if you're wrong? What if they met by chance? This is bad news. You know Lilian's temper; if she really likes this girl and finds that you have something to do with her. It won't end well''
''That is why I need to break off whatever friendship that those two have'' Jasper said and stood up. ''I have to go''
''Jasper, I think things are already more complicated than we think it is''
''I know''
.....
OPD.
Lilian opened her shades the moment she entered the hospital. Dressed in her casual cream coloured blouse and black jeans, she paired it with a black handbag and matching heels.
Lilian went straight to the counter and asked about Inayah. ''Please, do you know where Miss Ibrahim's ward is?''
''Yes, room 199 on your left'' the nurse replied.
''Thank you'' Lilian turned towards the direction and stopped abruptly the moment she saw Jasper and Nick walking towards her. The two also stopped when they saw her. Lilian was holding a basket of fruits.
''Lilian?'' Nick looked at the woman in front of them.
''Nick. Jasper, hi'' Lilian said as she looked at them.
…..
''They say enemies are more likely to meet on a narrow path. Even more so, they are likely to be reborn as best friends in their next lives. How did everything change this much from my memory? Why are there so many butterfly effects in this life? Even I don't know any more what is going on. All I know is in this life, I've being cursed. Cursed to love only one man, the man hated by many people, the man everyone fears to offend. Because I took his love lightly in my past life by taking my own life; I have to be the one to bring him love. But, I won't accept any heartless treatment from him. I won't succumb so easily without a fight. Right now, I don't love him and because I don't, I can still fight for what I deserve; the right to be treated well''
Inayah looked at her aunt and friends after closing the poetry book in her hands. She smiled. ''These words always speak to my heart''
''What do you like about such sentimental words?'' Bertha asked.
''Well… I guess I find a piece of me in it'' Inayah placed the book on the table and looked at the phone, ''pretty sister said she was already in the hospital. Did she lose her way? I should go and look for her''
''No, you are still weak. Let's wait a while. She will definitely come very soon'' Miss Gladys stopped Inayah from getting down from the bed.
….
Lilian looked at them and smiled, ''who would have guessed that I will bump into you two here?''
''This is where I work, remember?'' Nick said and Lilian smiled.
''I guess I forgot. Because, I hardly fall sick I don't keep tabs on such things'' Lilian shifted her gaze to Jasper and asked, ''are you not going to say hello to me?''
''You and I need to speak'' Jasper said to her.
''Next time, Mr. Miles. I came to visit my friend here''
''Your friend?'' Jasper asked.
''Yes. I should go now'' Lilian was about to go and Jasper held her sleeve. She looked at him saying, ''this is a public place, Mr. Miles. You wouldn't want people finding out this way who the masked man is? I bet they're already curious because you don't look ordinary''
Slowly, Lilian removed his grip from her hand and walked away.
''This is bad news'' Nick muttered.
…..
Inayah's Ward.
Lilian opened the door and entered into the ward, ''Inayah''
''Pretty sister''
Lilian smiled and placed the basket on the table before going to hugged her
''Silly girl, what happened to you? Are you alright?''
''I'm fine. I'm sorry I messed up your plans''
''Your health is more important silly girl'' Lilian kissed her cheeks and turned to look at Miss Gladys.
''You must like our Inayah very much?'' Miss Gladys asked.
''I'm sorry. I was just so worried about this girl that I didn't notice you. Bertha, Clara, hi''
''You remembered our names?''
''Of course. I have a good memory''
Outside the door, Jasper watched them as they chatted happily. He met Inayah's gaze and turned, walking away immediately.
''Ayah, pretty sister asked a question'' Bertha nudged at Inayah.
''Sorry, what did you say?'' Inayah came back to her senses.
''I knew she wasn't even listening'' Clara said and Lilian smiled.
….
That Night.
Hospital.
Inayah's Ward.
Jasper sat on the chair across Inayah and watched her as she slept. he had a conflicted gaze in his eyes.
''Who exactly are you, Inayah?'' he muttered and Inayah turned in her sleep. Her hospital gown slipped down revealing the tattoo. Jasper saw that it shone for a second and he stood up. he stretched his hand, he was tempted to shift her dress and have a good look at the tattoo but the tattoo seemed to be closer to her breast so when he lifted the gown, he saw her breast and quickly let go and stepped back.
''What are you doing, Jasper?''
At that moment, he heard voices coming from the door and turned.
''I just want to see how she is doing'' Noah spoke.
''The patient is asleep please'' the nurse at the door said.
''Just give me five minutes'' Noah removed a few bills from his wallet and pushed them into the nurse's palms.
''Then, please leave after five minutes'' the nurse said.
''Thank you'' Noah opened the door and entered inside. He went to Inayah's bed and looked at her.
''Inayah, what exactly are you? First, it was my uncle and now even Miss Osori is involved with you. Just how much do you know? You're making me curious by the day''