Vegas looked at Shelly with quiet concern. "You've been here since last night, haven't you? I think you should go home, freshen up, and get some rest."
Shelly shook her head. "Oh, that's not necessary."
A small, knowing smile curved on Vegas's lips. "Go on, I'm here. If anything happens, I'll call you."
"But… your office?" Shelly asked hesitantly.
"I can manage," Vegas replied easily.
Shelly gave a little nod and turned to leave. "Alright… bye."
Just as she reached the door, Vegas called after her. "Wait. Can I have your number?"
"Sure," Shelly agreed, giving it to him.
Vegas reached for his phone to call her so she'd have his number too, but Shelly quickly said, "I'm so sorry, Vegas… I actually forgot to bring my phone from home. Everything happened so suddenly—I didn't even think about it."
He tilted his head. "Then… shall I drop you home?"
"No, no. You don't need to trouble yourself," Shelly said quickly. "I'll just take the bus. Don't worry."
"Alright," Vegas replied. "But… be careful."
Shelly gave him a faint smile before leaving.
---
That evening, as Shelly stepped out of her house to head back to the hospital, she saw Denial getting out of his car in front of her gate.
He spotted her immediately. "Where are you going?"
"Oh— I forgot to tell you. My dad was admitted to the hospital last night," Shelly said.
Denial's face tensed. "What happened to Uncle?"
"He had a brain stroke," she replied quietly.
"And now you're going to the hospital?"
"Yes."
"Then get in. I'll drive you. It'll give me a chance to see Uncle too."
Shelly hesitated. "But… I was with Dad all morning. He still hasn't regained consciousness."
"Just get in," Denial said firmly. "We can talk on the way."
---
When they reached the hospital and got permission from reception, they stepped into her father's ward—only to see Vegas still there, seated on the sofa near the bed, flipping through a magazine.
Shelly walked up to him. "Have you been here with my dad all day?"
"Yes," Vegas replied with a soft smile.
"You should go home and rest now," Shelly told him gently.
"Alright," he agreed. "But promise me you'll call if you need anything."
Shelly smiled faintly. "Okay, I promise."
All this time, Denial had been silently observing the two of them, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Finally, he spoke. "Who's this guy?"
"He's the one who brought my dad to the hospital," Shelly explained. "If it wasn't for him… things could have gone very wrong."
Denial nodded slowly. "Then I guess I owe him my thanks too."
Shelly frowned slightly. "Why would you thank him?"
Denial muttered under his breath, "For saving my future father-in-law, of course."
Shelly's head snapped toward him. "What did you just say? I don't think I heard you clearly."
"Lower your voice," Denial whispered. "This is a hospital."
---
Just then, the doctor and a nurse entered the ward.
"Madam," the doctor said, turning to Shelly, "your father's chances of survival are very low… but I'm still trying. However, if he doesn't come out of the coma, you must understand there will be no hope."
He handed her a prescription. "We've already started giving him medication through the IV. Here are some additional medicines. Get them and we'll administer them right away."
Since the patient was unconscious, all medicines would need to be given through saline.
Denial took the prescription and hurried out to get them.
Shelly stayed by her father's side, holding his hand. Her heart ached as tears blurred her vision. Father… Mom left me long ago. And now you… do you want to leave me too? How am I supposed to live without you? I'll be completely alone.
She remained there silently, her fingers wrapped tightly around his.
---
Denial returned with the medicines and looked at Shelly. "Come on, I'll take you home."
"You go," she said quietly.
"I'm not leaving," Denial replied firmly. "I'll drop you home and then come back here. Tonight, I'm staying at the hospital in case Uncle needs anything."
"Don't. You have work tomorrow—go home," Shelly protested.
"I'm not going to the office tomorrow," he countered. "And you don't look well either. Your face is pale, your eyes are tired… Go home, rest. Tomorrow morning, I'll come and pick you up for the hospital."
---
Continue.....