Chapter 1 Meeting Sarah

• DONALD
• Stepping into room 304, my mission is to check on Mr Philip, my patient, who is lying beneath the covers sleeping. I went straight to the monitors, observing the readouts if I'll see any signs of distress. The oxygen levels were stable, the heart rate steady. For now, everything's under control.
• After my examination, I jotted down notes on the chart, my pen scratching out instructions for the nurse.
• [Administer 5mg of morphine in the next four hours as needed. Monitor blood pressure closely. Injection is to be given in two hours. Ensure the patient remains comfortable and calm.]
• "Make sure you come back in two hours sharp. We don't want Mr. Philip's pain getting out of hand."
• “I will, Doc. Definetly. I'll make sure everything is taken care of." She gave me her response while her eyes are looking at the chart, then she tucked it under her arm and then looked up to meet my gaze.
• I looked at Mr. Philip one last time before stepping out of the room and closed the door gently behind me to avoid noise.
• I carried on with my parade and entered room 306 where Mrs. Roberts is sitting up in her bed, watching a rerun of her favourite TV show. The moment she noticed that the door had opened, Mrs. Roberts smiled at me. “See you tomorrow, Doc,” she already knows I'm leaving, this is what we do all the time.
• The next room I entered is room 308, A young boy who is still recovering was busy with his toy car, when he saw me, he waved enthusiastically. I got closer to him and ruffled his hair saying, “Hey, you should get some rest.”
• I proceeded into my quiet office with a weary sigh, I shed the trappings of my medical outfits. The white coat, nose mask and gloves. I made my way to the small restroom located in a corner, there in my office where I went to the sink. I made my way towards it, washing my hands. Then as fast as I could, I buttoned up my white shirt that I just changed into, when I stepped back into the office, I went for my suit jacket that is hung neatly on the hook and covered my white shirt with it, after which I picked up my bag and with a final check to ensure everything is in order, I opened the door and made my way to the parking lot downstairs.
• My mind is fixed on one thing which is picking up Avala from school. I didn't want to miss the bus, which would mean having to turn back around and fetch her from the hospital, a journey I'm not willing to take. The moment I turned the corner onto her school's street, I spotted the bus just pulling out of the gate. I increased my speed, waving seriously for the bus driver to stop. Thankfully, the bus slowed and then stopped, I had to breathe down in relief as I stepped out of my car and approached the bus where i noticed Avala's face in the window. She's already calling out to me but her tiny voice is muffled by the glass.
• The bus attendant opened the door, Avala practically jumped into my arms. I carried my baby well and she wrapped her arms around my neck.
• “That's ma girl.”
• I planted a kiss on her forehead, the bus attendant handed her launch bag over to me, and I took it with a smile as I juggled Avala and the bag in my arms.
• “I'm hoping, you got the mail from the school?'’ The bus attendant asked friendly.
• I responded to her with a nod, even though my brain was completely blank. I'm unaware of what she's talking about, but for my daughter's sake, I don't want to look stupid in front of everyone.
• “Very well then, have a nice day.” She smiled at me satisfied. I carried Avala to the car, her small frame relaxed comfortably in my arms. Then I sat her down in the passenger seat, dropped her bags into the back seat, I entered the car and turned to help Avala with her seatbelt, then tucked my own seatbelt in, I pulled over to the side of the road, putting the car in park. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone to check the mail the bus attendant had mentioned.
• Arts and Craft Kindergarten Day was being held on the 6th, and parents and guardians were encouraged to participate. I rubbed my face, checking my calendar. Oh my goodness, I'm fucked. I have a major surgery scheduled for that date. What am I going to do now that it's clear to me that I would not be able to attend?
• I know how Avala's face can change when she's angry and I'm envisioning it now. She's going to be sad and disappointed if I don't make it.
• Sarah.
• Yes!, I'll call Sarah. I know she's not always willing to help out, but this time around, I really need her help since I can't go because of the surgery, Avala needs one of us at least to be in attendance.
• Pulling out my phone from my pocket, I dialed Sarah's number in hopes that she would answer.
• Your guess is as good as mine. She's not picking my calls. I tried again, and again, yet I got the same result.
• “Daddy, what's wrong?”
• Avala must have noticed my mood and asked out of curiosity.
• I don't want to burden her with my worries so I forced a smile. "Nothing important, sweetie.”
• Luckily, Avala accepted my explanation, she relaxed and then turns back to the window. I'm frustrated right now by Sarah's refusal to pick my calls. I tried again, hoping she'll pick this time but my hopes crumbled once more.
• Four good years have gone by since she left us, she walked out of our lives without turning back. She'd blamed herself for Aiden's death. Avala's twin brother, our little boy who'd left us far too soon. Myself and everyone else knows she's not to blame for what happened to our son. It's simply one of those things that happen.
• After we finalized the divorce, she moved to a new apartment that's not too far from us, yet she refused to visit or even talk to us. I'd tried to reach out, to get her to see reasons, but she always shut me down at every turn.
• But this time, I need her help. Avala's school event is important to me, it's quite unfortunate that I can't make it. I need Sarah to step up and be available for our daughter. My mind is made up, I'm driving to her apartment to plead with her in person.
• In between the ride, Avala began to doze off, her head is now lolling to a side. Using one hand I lifted her head to balance on the seat.
• '‘Honey, I'm sorry, Daddy will take you home soon.” I said, even though I know she can't hear me.
• The moment I turned into the street leading to Sarah's house, my eyes met a scene. A lady is on the ground crying, while a man stood over her, dashing out several kicks to her body. His voice raised as he barks at her. Before I could fully understand what was happening or hear what he was saying the man caught sight of me as my car neared them, his eyes looked into mine with anger and rage. This face looks familiar, but I can't place it or remember where we've met before.
• The man became more angry, it was visible in his expression as he turned around and entered a red car parked nearby. His car tires screeched, then he zoomed off, leaving the lady alone on the ground.
• My attention snapped back to the woman as her sobs reached my ears. I rushed towards her, reaching her side, I realized that the lady is Sarah, my ex-wife. Her face was bruised, and her eyes were red from crying.
• Her expression changed immediately when she saw me, from pain i saw shock then it graduated to anger. “Go away!”
• I tried to assist her again, but she resisted my help using all her strength to push me away once again. “Leave! me! alone!. Donald, get the fuck out of here!”
• “Sarah, allow me to help you, You're hurt."
• “I don't need your help, Just leave me alone."
• “Please.” I begged.
• After disapproving by shaking her head she asked, "What are you doing here?"
• “Fine. I need your help, Avala's school is having an arts and craft day, and I have a major surgery scheduled for that day. I won't be able to attend, and I was hoping you could go instead.”
• “I'm not going to attend, I've told you countless times that I'll never have anything to do with you or Avala again. Go away and never come back to look for me."
• “Sarah, if not for the surgery, I wouldn't be here begging you. Besides, Avala needs you. She's your child too, remember?'’
• Sarah refused to soften, instead her expression hardened more. '‘Leave, Donald!. Get out of my life!.” She continued shouting. “Just leave me alone."