Tragedy of the African Cinderella [Black Book3]✔

28.

Lauren Daigle - You say. (On repeat please😌)

"Mr. Woods," the doctor called an anticipating and pacing Ace who rushed to him in two strides instead of six on a normal occasion. It's been one frustrating hour since they'd arrived at the hospital with no bit of news on Nora's well-being. That alone chopped him to the core.

"How's she doing?" He persistently grabbed the man's arms tightly. "She's fine, isn't she?"

"She's conscious," the understanding doctor reassured. "You must be informed that she has a-"

"I know that." Ace cut in, not wanting to hear the term which had been making his life hell of recent.

"Ok. She has to be operated upon as soon-"

"I know that too. That's why we're here...I mean," he sighed and ruffled his mane. "Just do everything you can to save her. Please."

The man almost unnoticeably nodded in sympathy.

"In the meantime, can I see her?"

"Sure, Room 41. I'll send a team in a bit."

Ace scurried down the hallway, halted in front of the door where he peeked through the square glass at her fragile body on the bed. Her head was against the door but snapped in his direction when he finally made up his mind in walking in.

"Ace," she weakly called while trying to fake a smile. He noticed she had been crying from the dried tear-streaks which embellished her eyes down to her ears. "I'm sorry,"
He said nothing but watched, fighting back his tears.

"I'm so sorry for causing you so much pain and trouble," she rebuilt the once dried tear passage with fresh ones. "The truth is...I'm scared. I'm really scared, Ace. I don't want to die. I want to be with-"

"Hush," he nuzzled her baby hairs as his eyes firmly locked hers. "Don't say that. You're not going to die. You'll be ok," he kissed her sweat damped forehead. "You've always been, because you're strong. We are still fighting this, together, remember?"

She nodded.

"You have every reason to fight; your dad, your future, and...and me," his right glassy eye broke out a tear. "Do this for me, please." She vigorously nodded with quivering lips.

"I will. I promise." He seeded a kiss on her lip.

"Sir," they were interrupted by a young lad in blue. "We have to get her into the operating room now."

Ace nodded, kissed Nora's hair before taking a step back.

"Hold on," Nora ordered. "I wish to know the possible risks of this operation besides...death." She asked the lad, plus the two additional interns who came to pick her up.

"Memory loss in some cases. That's as far as I know."

She flattened her lip as she turned to Ace, then struggled to break it into a smile. "At least, I'll have another chance to fall in love with you, again."

~

The place was familiar; she had been there before, but when?

Just like the last time she remembered, she was bare feet and they hurt so much. If not like, then more than before. Unlike the last time, she wasn't hungry nor thirsty-- she was just tired out of her mind.

Nora staggered along the abandoned rail, feeling little to nothing about the pain that amplified beneath with each step she took. She lifted her head to see the sun was at its peak with penetrating rays enough to roast a roaming bird.