𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑒𝑟

Chapter (16) Bad luck exists.

Kaé.

"It looks like she's been stabbed in the hand and foot, a few days ago, as well as the injuries from earlier today. The wounds have been treated but the police will need to ask her some questions." I nodded as the nurse kept talking.

I just wanted to see Lhelani.

"Are you in contact with Lhelani Trevor's mother?" I nodded and took that as a gesture to make sure her mother was on the way to the hospital. I was first in the hospital because I was the last in her call log. Damn.

I dialled her mother's phone and she answered almost instantly.
"Who is this?" She started. My throat became dry as I spoke up.
"I'm Lhelani's friend, Kaé. She's in hospital."
"What! Are you with her?" She screamed.
"Yes I am, but the nurse won't let me in without a family member."
"Okay." She spoke blankly with no emotion and hung up.

~

I heard a commotion coming from the waiting area, I approached with caution to see what was up.

I hung my head around the corner to see Lhelani's mother pushing the hospital security off of her. I stood in the hall for a while before stepping forward, catching her mother's attention.

"Are you the person that did call me?" Her accent was from the Caribbean and came across very rough.
"Yes, I'm Kaé."
"Where's my child?" She asked as a security guard placed his hand on her, "Let me go! You see if I don't throw you inna dis hospital ya."

They released her and she came towards me. I took her towards Lhelani's room and a doctor emerged, stopping when he saw me standing there.

"Have you brought along a family member?" He seemed particularly annoyed and before I could respond Lhelani's mother answered for me.
"Yes she has." She cut her eyes at the doctor.
"Who might you be?" The doctor questioned.
"Her bloody mother. Are you going to move?"

As soon as the doctor pushed the door open and stepped aside, the heartbeat monitor filled my ears with a constant beep. I felt tears well up in my eyes, as I felt responsible for the shit that's been happening. I didn't let them fall as I saw Lhelani start to stir in the hospital bed.

I didn't want to rush to her side with her mother there, so I just moved behind her mom. Lhelani's eyes flickered open as her mom pulled her hand to her chest.

"What happened to you and why they didn't call me?" She questioned. Lhelani shifted in the bed so that she was sitting up, able to examine the entire room. She shrugged and began to clear her throat.

"Do I even remember what happened to me?" I watched as Lhelani said that. I feel like she knows exactly why she was in the hospital but maybe it's because her mom was asking and not me.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Lhelani's mum called for me.
"Can I talk to Lhelani alone please." Her mum held the room door open for me as I stepped out. Pacing back and forth, I waited for them to finish their private conversation. I felt like it was about me but maybe that's just anxiety. I've never met her mother officially, so this was an awkward way to do so.

After 10 minutes, the door opened and I was told to come back in. I sat at a chair positioned to face the patient's bed.

Her mom held me in her gaze and I started to sweat and panic. When she spoke I thought I was about to get in-trouble.

"You like my daughter?" Lhelani's mother asked.
"Mum, you actually didn't have to ask that. Don't answer." Lhelani seemed embarrassed so I decided to respond.
"I do." Lhelani looked up at me and smiled. She stopped smiling when her mom started to stare at her, wide eyed.