Just as Mr. Smith was about to open the closet, Emily fainted.
As Emily fainted, Mr. Smith's world came crushing down. He was about to open
the closet door when she collapsed. "Someone call the paramedics!" He shouted,
panick rising in his voice. Few minutes later the paramedics arrived.
As the paramedics rushed out with Emily, Mr. Smith mind was
racing with questions. He rushed to the stretcher and grabbed the paramedic's
arm. Mr. Smith stood frozen in place, his eyes fixed on the stretcher with no words to say.
As the paramedic tried to move the stretcher, Mr. Smith held
tight. But John intervened, "grandfather, I'm sorry it's all my fault, come on,
let them take her." He carefully removed his grandfather's hand from the
stretcher and guided him back. Mr. Smith's eyes were wide, his face frozen in
shock."
Mr. Smith face darkened as he recalled what John said.
"John? What do you mean by it's all your
fault? He demanded, as his words were mix with anger.
John stood speechless, unable to answer. Fear and guilt were
filled in his eyes making him mute.
Just then, a paramedic interrupted breaking the silence.
"Excuse me, we need a guardian to follow us to the hospital before we proceed.
"I'll go with you" Mr. Smith offered
"No, it's all my fault that she's in that condition. I'll go
with them to the hospital." John insisted
"Instead of deciding on who to come with us, why don't you two come with us to the hospital?"
The paramedic suggested.
They both decided and went to the hospital.
~ In the hospital
As the doctor emerged from the emergency room, Mr. Smith
sprang to his feet, his eyes fixed on
the doctor's face. "What happened? What's going on with her?"he demanded, his
voice sounded with urgency and concern.
The doctor's expression was somber. "We're working on it,
sir. Please, just give us some time."
Mr. Smith's grip on the doctor's arm tightened. "Just make
sure you do everything in your power to save her life." he added, his voice
filled with emotion."
"I will try my best to save her life, you don't have to
worry. Just go to the waiting area." the doctor said, as he instructed a nurse
that passed by to show them to the waiting area.
While they settled down on a brown wooden chair, in the
waiting room. Mr. Smith's face darkened with anger. "What do you mean it's
all your fault?" he growled, his voice low but firm.
John stood frozen, unable to speak. Fear and guilt flooded
in his eyes, rendering him mute.
Mr. Smith's voice
rose, his anger boiling over. "Are you deaf? Can't you hear what I'm saying?
why would you say it's all your fault that she's in the hospital?
John remained silent, his eyes downward, unable to respond.
Mr. Smith's anger boiled over, and he raised his hand,
slapping John across the face. John face stung from the slap. He held his
cheek, shocked. "Grandfather, why did you do that?" he asked, his
voice shaking.
His grandfather raised his hand again, but John caught his
arm. "Don't hit me again!" John said firmly.
John stood there, angry and hurt. John's eyes welled up with
tears. "You've never hit me before. Why now?"
Mr. Smith's anger still remains. "Just pray she wakes
up," he growled. "If anything happens to her, I'll disown you. You'll
be cut off, no inheritance, no property, nothing."
John's expression changed from shock to boldness. I've
always wanted a life of my own," he said, his voice steady. "I can't
wait for you to disown me. I've always wanted to be a musician, but you've
pushed me to follow in your footsteps."
Mr. Smith's face reddened. "You'd throw away your
future for music?" he sneered.
John's eyes flashed. "You think I like the life I'm
living? I don't have control over my own life. But if you disown me, I'll
finally be free to pursue music. And, just so you know, I've been taking music
classes secretly, waiting for the day I could break free."
The tension between them was noticeable, the air thick with
unspoken resentment and rebellion. Just then, the doctor entered the rroom,
breaking the silence."The patient is going to be alright," he
announced, bringing a wave of relief.
Mr. Smith's expression transformed from anger to joy.
"Thank God," he exclaimed, visibly relaxed.
"I'm going to go see her," Mr. Smith said, turning
to John. "You go get some things that
you think she'll need from the house."
John nodded. "Okay, grandfather."
~ Inside the ward
When Mr. Smith entered, Emily called out for John. Mr. Smith
explained, "I sent him home to get some of your things. The doctor said
you'll be staying here for a while."
Emily's expression changed. "I want to see him,"
she said softly.
"Okay, let me give him a call," Mr. Smith said,
pulling out his phone. He dialed John's number, but it went straight to a
message: "The number you are trying to reach is not reachable at the
moment."
Mr. Smith's brow furrowed in concern. He tried calling again
– six, seven, eight times – but John didn't pick up. "Something's
wrong," he muttered to himself.
He sent Emily a reassuring message: "He's on his way.
Might be a delay."
Mr. Smith rushed home, his anxiety growing. When he arrived,
he was met with a scene that made his blood boil.John was with a lady, Sophie.
"John!" Mr Smith yelled