𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 (𝙱𝚃𝚂 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝚈 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 #𝟷)

Chapter 31

Zaria,please be okay...please.

***

6:30am Saturday Morning

"We need to call one of Zaria's guardian. A family member needs to be aware of what's going on." Mum said to Lyla and I. Charles had gone how to freshen up. Lyla's parents had travelled out but her elder siblings knew she was needed here.

"I can get across to Aisha." Lyla said, fishing out her phone and pressing some buttons. She got through to Aisha quite alright. Mum also chipped in some things but didn't disclose too much details. Aisha promised to be on the first flight from Calabar back to Lagos.

"Now that that's settled, I need someone to pick up Zaria's things from home. Her major necessities." Mum said.

"I need to freshen up anyway, so I'd go." Lyla volunteered again.

"Let me drive you. I should go home and freshen up as well. You can meet up with me at my house, we'd go get Zaria's things together and we'll come right back as soon as we can." I told Lyla and she nodded.

"That settles it then. I'd be on the look out for Aisha. The flight from Calabar to Lagos is just an hour and twelve minutes. So she'd be here in the next two hours, give or take." Mum stated and I nodded.

"We'll be back as soon as we can. If there is any update on Zaria please give me a call." I said and she nodded, giving me her car keys. Lyla pulled me along and we made our way to the car.

***

By the time we were back to the hospital, Aisha had not come but Charles, Kelvin, Taju and Tyler were around. I sighted a familiar face hiding at a corner and I immediately knew who it was. Lyla also saw and her expression turned into a scowl. Charles sighted this immediately and stood up.

"Is this bitch for real?!" Lyla growled out and stood.

"Lyla..." He called as Lyla advanced towards the figure.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Ada?!" She looked at Charles and the others. "Did you bring her here?" She grimaced at them. Kelvin went ahead to try to calm his girl friend and Ada stood up.

"Lyla, you have to calm down." Kelvin said calmly.

"I'm here to make amends, Lyla. Please let me." Ada pleaded, guilt written all over her face and I almost scoffed.

I must be seeing things. Ada is never guilty.

"Calm down?! Make amends?! She's in this state because of you! This is all your fault, Ada!" Lyla snapped pointing fingers at Ada who had tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. Zaria is my friend, I didn't mean any harm?" Ada said and that pissed me off.

"You didn't mean any harm yet you were quick to call her names and blab her secret to the entire world. Sam has had his way, are you happy now?! Some fücking friend you are." Lyla yelling angrily and Ada burst into tears.

"Ada, please just leave." Was all I said. I did t want to see her. Not after what she did.

"Guys, chill. This is neither the place or time for this. Zaria needs us." Charles held me back and tried to calm me down as I heaved heavily.

"You need to stop shouting because we are in the hospital." It was my mum that spoke and I looked up. "I know you all are hurting, but I need you to calm down and pray for Zaria's safety." She added.

"How is she now?" Tyler asked.

"She's coming around, still unconscious." Mum replied.

We began to hear the clicking of heels and we all looked to the direction of the sound to see Aisha making her way down hall way. Lyla and Charles went over to meet her and she recognized them immediately. They brought her to mum.

"Doctor Bamidele?" Aisha called my mum, wanting to confirm if she was the one that she spoke to her on the phone.

"Yes. Good to have you hear, Miss Aisha. Can we talk for a moment?" Mum pulled Aisha aside. I watched their expressions and I saw Aisha's expression move from confusion to shock to anger and then to sadness before she broke down. I sighed, looking at Lyla.

"She knows already. I let this happen. This is all my fault. I made a promise and I broke it." I told them. Charles patted my shoulder

"Don't be too hard on yourself Joel." Taju said.

"No one could have seen this coming." Charles chipped in.

"Like you mum said, the only thing we can do is pray for her to be okay." Kelvin said.

"Let's pray, guys." Lyla suggested. "Let's join hands." She said and we joined hands together, closed our eyes and Taju took the lead.

"Almighty Father. We know we are unworthy to come before You but we need You to help us. We come before You today on behalf of our friend, Zaria. Please let her be okay. Heal her, Lord and let Your name be glorified. In Jesus Name."

"Amen." We all chorused.

"Dr Bamidele." A nurse called, rushing towards my mum.

"What is it?" My mum asked.

"The patient is awake. She's awake." The nurse announced and my chest bubbled in joy.

She's awake.

Zaria is awake!

****

Everyone rushed towards Zaria's private ward with my mum taking the lead. Soon we got to the entrance and got in. My heart broke into a million pieces when I saw Zaria.

My Zaria.

She was clothed in hospital garment, her back resting on the headboard of the bed. She looked very pale and unwell, staring ahead and hugging her knee to her chest. Her right hand was in a cast from her elbow down to her wrist. She didn't look like herself at all and it broke me.

She felt our presence in the room and she looked at us, her eyes meeting mine. I could hear sobbing and I knew it was coming from Aisha and Lyla but I tuned them out, my eyes fixated on hers. I saw her lips quiver as fresh tears formed in her eyes and tears automatically formed in mine.

She looked away from me to Aisha and Lyla who rushed to her but I just stood there staring at her as tears fell from my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder but I didn't have to look to know it was Charles' hand. I had footsteps from behind.

"Why didn't you tell me anything?" I heard Aisha ask her.

"I'm so sorry." Zaria's hoarse voice replied. Aisha pulled her in for another bear hug.

"No. It's not your fault. I'm the one that should be sorry. I should have known there was something up." Aisha whispered. Lyla took a turn to hug Zaria, both of them crying their eyes out. Everyone rushed in except Ada and I. I heard Ada's soft sob and rush away, my mum following her behind. Zaria looked at me. I stayed rooted on the spot.

I couldn't move.

I just stood where I was, staring at her. This was my fault. I was the reason she was crying and I had no idea what to do to stop the tears. I wanted to walk right in and gather her in my arms, wanted to tell her everything would be okay but I couldn't move. Charles and Lyla looked at me, confusion on their teary face.

"Joel..." Lyla called but I didn't reply. Like my body had a mind of it's own, I turned around...

...and ran.