Maria stared at the door long after Bonita left, her brows knitted in confusion.
"What happened to Boni? Why has she changed so suddenly? Or is she scheming something?" she muttered aloud, her voice laced with suspicion.
Star, lying on her bed with a pillow clutched to her chest, couldn't shake off the unease either.
"Why would Bonita stop her mother from slapping me? She hates me… doesn't she?" Star whispered to herself, her thoughts swirling like a storm.
She stared at the ceiling, memories crawling back—of how Tiffanie used to loathe her for being friends with Mandume. And now? Tiffanie had vanished from her life without a word.
"What exactly happened while I was unconscious?" she asked the silent room. "This new side of Bonita is freaking me out. What if they've cooked up a plan—to get close, gain my trust, and… take the gun? What is she really up to?"
Meanwhile, in her room, Bonita sat curled on her bed, her face drenched in silent tears. Her mind wandered back to happier days—her father's laughter echoing in the garden, her tiny hand wrapped in Kefas's, not knowing then that the best friend of her childhood… was her father.
She rose shakily, her feet guiding her to the portrait hanging above her desk. She stared into the painted eyes of the man she now knew was more than just a friend of the family.
"Dad," she choked out, "I miss you. I've just been told the hardest truth of my life… and I don't know how to cross this bridge without you. Please… can you come back? Just once?"
Tears slipped down her cheeks, each one carrying the weight of a thousand unasked questions.
That night, after the TV show ended, Mandume and Christine headed to bed. But sleep eluded Mandume. Star's request for Rudra's number gnawed at his thoughts.
He reached for his phone and dialed.
"Hey… sorry for disturbing your sleep," Mandume said as Rudra picked up.
"No worries, bro. What's up?" Rudra responded, his voice groggy but alert.
"Did Star contact you today?"
Rudra paused. "Not that I remember. Why?"
Mandume hesitated. "You sure?"
"Yeah. Honest. What's going on?"
"She asked me for your number. I thought maybe she wanted to talk to you."
"Hmm. No call from her. Something happen?"
"Not really… nothing big. I'll explain tomorrow. Can't say this over the phone."
"Alright, man. You know you can talk to me anytime."
"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight."
"Night."
The next morning came fast.
Star and Mandume met in the living room, dressed and ready for the hospital. Christine, to their surprise, was setting the breakfast table.
"You ready?" Mandume asked, watching Star fidget with her sleeves.
"Nervous," she admitted.
"Don't worry. It'll be over soon," he said, walking toward the key stand. "Let me just grab the—"
His voice trailed off. The keys weren't there.
He rushed outside. No car.
"What the…?"
He turned to Christine. "Grandma? Did Mom go out with the car?"
Christine's hands froze mid-pour. "Why would she do that knowing Star needs it?"
She marched off to check Maria's room. Empty.
"She's not here. What on earth is going on?" Christine said, her voice rising.
Mandume rubbed his temples. "She's trying to delay us… She's challenging Star again."
Bonita wandered into the room, yawning. "Morning, guys… Star?" she greeted cheerfully, ruffling Star's hair.
"Morning?" Star replied, clearly unsure how to respond. Her mind replayed last night—Bonita shielding her from Maria's wrath.
"Morning, sis," Mandume added.
"You guys should've been gone by now. These hospital queues can drag forever," Bonita said, folding her arms.
"You're scaring me," Star muttered.
"Well, the car's missing. Mom must have took it," Mandume explained.
"What? Why would she do that?" Bonita said, eyes wide with disbelief. She immediately called Maria, but the phone rang out unanswered.