Sydney Mdlalose's Ever After

Chapter Twenty-Six

"You're just mad because you don't get to have your honeymoon anymore." Elizabeth turns in her chair in my direction. "What are you talking about? Andre was taking you on that honeymoon. Did you not hear me? It's always about you."

I look at her again. "But Karen-" Elizabeth groans. "Forget about Karen. Did you consider asking him about it when she told you that?" I take a moment to think.

I did consider asking him about it. But instead I rushed to a conclusion. Selfishly. One that put him in a hospital bed. I sigh and shut my eyes. Elizabeth takes my hand.

"This is not the time to fight Sydney. I'm here as Andre's wife to be there for him. I'm not here to compete with you or judge you or hear your side of the story. He's the only thing that matters to me right now." I pull my hand away from her hold. "You're still pushing it."

Elizabeth sighs and leans back into her chair. A doctor walks down the hallway towards us. "Mrs Miller?" "Me." Elizabeth quickly jumps to her feet. I get up too. "That would be me." The doctor looks between the two of us. "Okay...Well, I have good news and bad news." "Hit us with the bad news first please." Elizabeth says.

"Mr Miller is currently in a semi coma and there is a possibility of amnesia. Good news is his coma isn't too bad and he will live."

I sigh and take a seat. Elizabeth thanks the doctor and crosses her arms. Mr Miller and Mrs Miller make their way back. Elizabeth informs them about what the doctor had said.

Karen takes a seat across from me and cries into her palms. I look up concerningly. I've never seen or heard Karen cry. "Karen?" I call. She lifts her hand. She sniffs and looks at me. "You should leave. I don't need you here right now."

I look at Jason and Elizabeth and nod. "I'll go." "Not to my house either, Sydney." Karen sternly says. I open my mouth and close it, deciding against what I want to say. I walk out the hospital, tears in my eyes.

I can't go home. What am I going to do? I sigh and call the one person who could probably help me right now. "Hello, Siya?" "Sydney, hi! I'm sorry that I've been slacking off these past few days. I'm extremely busy this week but I promise we'll catch up next week." I chuckle. "Don't worry about it Siya. As long as I'm ready by the time I have to write exams."

I sigh. "Listen, I need a huge favour. I'll explain later on but I uh, need a place to crash, probably for a few nights...if you can help me out?" I can hear Siya shift around. "Yeah, I can help you out. I'll send you my location." "Thank you so much."

I end the call and phone an Uber. I groan as I impatiently have to wait at least ten minutes for it. I fold my arms and try to keep myself warm with just my hands. Footsteps sound next to me. I turn my head and it's Keith in a new change of clothes.

He looks down as he plays with his car keys. I roll my eyes and look away. He stops next to me. "I can-" "I don't need your help Keith. Not anymore. You've done enough." He doesn't respond as he turns towards the hospital doors.

"Wait." He stops, his back towards me. "You can't go in. Karen doesn't want neither of us here."

Keith turns back around. "I am sorry." He says. I shut my eyes. "I know Keith." "How is he?" I sigh. A part of me does feel bad for him, he loves Andre like a brother and I have to accept that I am the reason why this has happened. "He's in a coma- semi coma, and could have amnesia when he awakes." I respond. Keith doesn't say or do anything.

"I shouldn't have come back." He says as his voice slightly breaks. "Hey. Andre wanted you here. And it's good that you did. You were there for him when he needed you." Keith looks down. "Yeah, well now he's in a hospital bed because of me."

I bite the inside of my top lip. My Uber finally arrives. "I have to go." I squeeze his arm and head to the car. "Sydney!" Keith calls. I turn around. "Goodnight." I lift a hand and enter the car.

<><>

I ring the doorbell at Siya's. A few seconds later the door opens. I smile. "Come in." I look around. "I expected you to come in with heavy luggage." Siya says. "Well, I figured I'd fetch them tomorrow. Its been a long day and I just want to rest." Siya nods. "I have a room fixed for you upstairs."

Siya leads the way further into the house. It's not as big as the mansion I've grown accustomed to but it's definitely beautiful and feels like a home. "You stay here alone?" Siya turns and smiles.

"No, I live with my daughter, Nandi." I smile back. "You have a daughter?" Siya chuckles. "Yeah, I do. But she's taking a shower." We both sit down on the couch.

"How old is she?" "Seventeen. She's grown now. It's kind of scary." "I can imagine." He must have had her at very young age. Siya looks at his hands then at me. "Can I get you something to eat?" I nod. "Yes, please." Siya stands up and disappears on his way to his kitchen.

Footsteps come rushing down the stairs and then slow down. "Hello." A voice greets. I turn around and smile at the beautiful girl before me. "Hi. You must be Nandi."

She nods and sits down across from me. "And you must be Sydney. My dad's student."