THEIR ANGEL

II

"What are you doing?" James asked moving closer to see what's going on in my laptop. "What's that?" He asked disgusted.

"Those, my friend are lungs, human lungs." He looked at me confused. Everyone gathered around. "So, there has been a body that had been found around and they asked me to look at it. It's part of my studies."

"So, you mean our lungs look like that?" He asked pointing at the screen.

"Oh no. No. My lungs are healthy. The person destroyed his own life. See, this is a smoker's lung while this." I looked for a nice set of lungs and showed them. "This is a healthy lung. I'm guessing that mine is healthy unlike yours. You see, when you smoke you destroy the tiny air bags in the lungs that allow oxygen exchange.  They don't grow back, so when you destroy them, you have permanently destroyed part of your lungs." Everyone looked at me shocked. "You see his lungs?" I pointed at the black image. "This one is damaged and well, thanks to smoking, he got lung cancer and plus some bullets he died. We think he had a chance to survive but his body was already destroyed so, it couldn't fight back." I said writing down the notes before going back to the picture. "Wait a minute..." I zoomed in closely then called my lecturer.

"Hey Jaime, how May I help you?" She asked seeming somehow busy.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you but the body you sent for work."

"Yes?" She asked as I heard some shuffling.

"The trachea, is there supposed to be some white substance coming out of it? And I seemed to notice just before his stomach is a little bit swollen. What does that mean?"

"Wait, let me see." I waited for a minute before she spoke. "You know what? Thank you Jaime. We'll talk later." She hung up and I shrugged.

"Well, that's it for my assignment." I said closing the laptop only to find them looking at me. "What? You have all been told about the effects of smoking. You be been shown the pictures but you refuse to listen. This shouldn't be a shock to you guys."

"That... that was a real body right?" I nodded sighing. "Wow? I don't know." I stood and so did they.

"Lets go, time for lunch then games." They looked glum. I sighed. "Cheer up guys, it's not too late. Just quit those drugs  and smoking. They say that the lungs can "magicaly" repair some of and I repeat some of the damage caused by smoking but only if you stop. But the mutations that lead to lung cancer had been considered to be permanent, and to persist even after quitting. So, there's a better chance of avoiding it sooner rather than later." I left for lunch.

"Here is your salary." The director gave me. "You have helped so much in this place and so many people. Thank you Jaime you are a sent Angel." I felt heat rise from my neck but chuckled as I looked into the envelope.

"Uh sir, this is twice as much." I counted it again. 20,000 ksh. "It's supposed to be 7,000."

"Yeah but their guardians and workers in this rehab think that you deserve this and more. You earned it son. You can now go home and spoil your girlfriend." My smile grew wide.

"Thank you sir. Thank you so much" I shook his hand and praticaly skipped out of the place. I did some shopping enough for one month and set some aside for my savings and other for my girlfriend.

"Hey mum, I told you things will work out." She smiled giving me a hug.

"This is too much, where did you get the money?"

"The rehab. They gave me a raise." Her smile dropped.

"You should think about yourself sometimes you know." She shook her head disaprovingly. "Laila was here. We cooked then left but she'll be back later."

"What about sis?"

"She took Precious to see her father but will be back soon. She's agreed to go back to school."

"That's great news mum. But what about the fees?"

"HELB will do. She at least got enough marks to earn it. Then I'll chip in."

"I told you. Your prayers don't go to waste." She helped me unpack.

"Yeah they don't." She then turned. "Oh, before I forget, don't forget that tomorrow you'll be at Maina's. Dennis will be waiting."

"Yeah, I had forgotten about that." I sighed. I had a feeling this was going to be a tough one. Someone placed their hands on my eyes.

"Guess who?" She said.

"Sponge bob?" She pinched my cheek before closing my eyes again. "Aw,  okay, is it the most beautiful lady I have ever laid my eyes on?"

"Cheesy." She hit my arm as my mum shouted at the kitchen.

"Hey. I heard that." She came out glaring at us. We chuckled.

"Okay mum. She is the second most beautiful lady I have ever laid my eyes on." We laughed.

"Hey, what about me?" My sister got in carrying the most adorable kid in her hands who was currently giving me the grabby hands. I took her.

"Eh." I shrugged and she fumed as the others laughed.

"I would kill you but you are holding my daughter." I smirked but Leila took her from my hands smirking. Traitor. I ran fast away from my sister. "I'll kill you now."

"Laila help your boyfriend." I shouted as my sister sat on my back her hands wrapped around my neck.

"Eh." She shrugged and I gasped dramatically. "You are the man." I turned to mum.

"Okay okay. If you plan on killing up each other do it outside my house." We both stood chuckling. "Come on, dinner is served." We all ate joyfully before I took Laila to her home.

"Hey, here. I saw it and I thought of you." I gave her a neckless. She chuckled.

"Wow, this must have been expensive. I don't know if I should take it." I knew she was just being modest and she loved it. I put it on her neck despite her protest and looked at her. It really was expensive but seeing it on her was totally worth it.

"You look beautiful." I said and she gave a shy smile.

"Thank you." I kissed her cheek then forehead before giving her a little peck. "Good night Jaime." She opened their gate.

"Good night my sweet, I love you." I said watching as she locked the gate.

"I love you too." I smiled and turned to go to my home. But as I was walking, someone hit my head from behind. I fell down with a groan. I couldn't see clearly but before I could recover, fists and kicks started raining on me.

"Angle boy." He, the leader, said in disgust spiting on me.

"Let him go cowards." I lifted my head and saw Calvin on the other side. What were they doing outside at this time? The masked men laughed as they approached the group. I stood quickly and got in between them.

"Guys, guys. Please. Let's all go home and forget...." I caught a fist aiming for my face and that was what started the stupid little war. I was left with the leader who was shocked I could defend my self. "Call it off and leave." He looked into my eyes before nodding then wolf whistling. The guys ran.

"We should report them." Oliver said shaking in anger.

"Let it be. I need this information against someone." I said smirking. They all looked at me confused shaking their heads in unison. Oliver sighed and started walking to his home being followed by me and the others. "Thanks guys. What were you doing there?"

"Robert called." I sighed nodding.

"It's okay, I'll be fine here. Go get some rest." They all said their good nights before dispersing.

"Guess you can't go home with a bruise like that." I nodded. "Come on in then. Mum will surely be happy." And that she was.

"Hey mum. I'm staying at Oliver's, we have to plan some things." I said through the phone.

"It's okay son." She said. "Oh and don't forget about Dennis." I couldn't forget that.