K.C Philips

Chapter Thirteen

The last time K.C had his bath so hurriedly, he was late for a job interview. Luckily for him, he was able to secure the job in question. And he devoted seven unforgettable years to the cause. The seven-year period, however, ended three months ago. Now, he was going to visit his father, the causal factor of his leaving Chevron, in the hospital.

"You've got foam in your ears, uncle K.C." Adaobi said. She sat to his left. They were both in the back seat. His aunt, Adaobi's mother, sat in the front seat beside the driver.

"Thanks for telling me." said K.C as he tucked a handkerchief in his ear to remove the foam. He had indeed rushed his bath. He was silent for a while before he let out, "How's Nova Gus?"

"It's fine, fitting for a standard institution of secondary learning." Adaobi said. K.C forced out a knowing smile before sinking deeper into the seat.

Aunt Ifeoma began, "Your dad is losing his memory. He's lost so much weight. Basically, he's a shadow of himself. I tried to call Ikenna, but he wouldn't pick his calls. He hasn't replied the SMS I sent him."

K.C's mind began to tug at the implication of his father's death, if he ended up dying. He would be without any parent. His children would never meet their paternal grandparents. The family fortune would be divided....

"K.C, we've arrived." Aunt Ifeoma said as the car pulled up in the parking lot. K.C remembered the first and last time he set his foot in the hospital. It was his father's hospital of choice.

Saint John's Medical Centre.

The trio arrived in front of Mr Philips ward. K.C set his hands to open the door when his aunt's palm touched his shoulder. "Take it easy, K.C. Calm down. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you." K.C cast her a painful look, nodded slowly and opened the door. His father remained confined to his bed. He was flanked by a doctor and a nurse. Immediately the medics saw K.C, they moved towards him, the nurse slightly behind.

"Good day, young man. I'm Dr. Dima. Ikenna, I presume?" the doctor began as he shook K.C. He looked fifty-something to K.C, judging by his receding, grey hairline.

"K.C. I am Kelechi. Ikenna is my elder brother."

"I apologise for the mistake. Your dad put a call to this woman," he said as he motioned to Aunt Ifeoma,"who visited him yesterday afternoon. He requested the presence of any of his two sons. I suppose the other is busy."

"He is. Extremely" K.C told a white lie.

The doctor lowered his tone. "Well, I must tell you that his case has worsened drastically. You need to value every second you spend with him henceforth. Excuse me." Dr. Dima said as he left the ward, the nurse following suit. K.C walked slowly towards his dad.

He has lost so much weight.

K.C crouched beside the hospital bed. He looked at his father, whose face was turned in the opposite direction. When his father turned left to him, he lifted his palm towards K.C's face. Then, slowly, he began.

"Ke...Ke...K..." K.C's father said before coughing. Then he continued "Kelechi? Is.. that.....is that...you, K.C?"

"Yes dad. It's me, K.C. Kelechukwu."

"My son. I've been a very terr.........terrib...le father to..to..to..you"

Tears began to fall from K.C's eyes.

His father's right arm and leg were practically numb. He opened his mouth to talk, but no word came out. His face was practically a skull clothed in a two-layer curtain. K.C began to panic.

"Dad? Dad? Dad!!!!" K.C said as he shook his father to life. His father's right side didn't move. Amidst of the shaking process, his father sprung back to talking. He took every word slowly.