BOUND AND ETCHED

Chapter3:TwistOfFate

Athena’s pov

I was having a stressful moment already,for this half drunken man to be telling me this.

“Jesus Christ!” I screamed the name just as it clouded my medulla.

“What do you…I mean you can’t be…” stammering as I tried to regain my breath.

“Is there someone I can explain better to?” He said as he reached for my hands. But I pulled back immediately from the table.

“I understand.” He clicked his tongue, “it was an accident.” I know he was sorry. Very sorry for me…but that doesn’t change anything.

I wasn’t buying this. I mean, I left dad in good condition today.

How can these careless people be telling me that he was involved in a fire accident.

“No you can’t be telling me that. Blame your goddamn expired gas and not my dad for not being careful enough.” I declared, angrily.

“We are sorry…it’s not like we hadn’t acted. We did—“ he turned his head sideways. I’m sure he didn’t want to look me in the eyes.

“But the doctors said…there's a low percentage of survival.”

“Oh I see. Now my dad has to pay for your carelessness.” I growled.

I’ve never been this angry, and if this hadn’t occurred…I don’t think anyone would ever meet this side of me.

You wouldn’t blame a 15 year old girl for acting like this, who loves no one but her father.

He has been my rock, my inspiration and my best friend for years.

I might lose my mind if anything happens to him.

So how do they want me to handle this?

“I can take you to the hospital.” The boss said to me, in the lowest tone. No doubt he was sorry.

And right now, I don’t think shouting can do anything. If I wanted to see dad, I had to follow him…maybe he might get better when he sees me.

***

In not less than 25 minutes, we got to the hospital.

I had earlier had the urge to pull my dance pants immediately if I went home. But here I am, not wanting anything else apart from seeing dad—and okay.

“Oh no,” I cried bitterly as we got into his ward.

If there’s something I can use to describe what I am feeling…it’s ‘the fallen dynasty’.

Could it be that bad? Why was he wrapped up in white? Was it—

“He’s going to be fine soon,” the voice came from behind, interrupting my internal rhetorical questions.

But I never looked back. I had my eyes fixed on my fallen dynasty. It all fell down. Even the window beside him looked nearly invisible to me as tears clouded my eyes.

How could he tell me to be careful and safe, when he couldn’t even do the same—at least for me.

Why’s everything happening in just one day?

“It’s just minor injuries—he’ll be fine.” The voice came again.

Wait, minor? Do I really look that dumb? Is my life really for rent?

But I know this voice…I hadn’t noticed earlier but now I know.

Dad’s brother.

“Uncle Harper?” Turning my head slowly. And yea I was right.

Uncle Harper was dad’s only sibling. I don’t hate him though, but I’ve never really liked him.

“I called him. I saw his contact in your dad’s wallet ID.” The boss explained. I think he read my ‘why are you here’.

“That was the only contact as family,” and this statement pierced my heart. Though he wasn’t wrong.

Dad was going to get me a phone before my graduation. He hadn’t done it since because we’ve been living on the edge.

“Yeah.” Was what I managed to say. But I had a lot of questions.

***

The weekend has come and gone, and dad hasn’t still woken up.

They said he’s in this stage that the doctors call—

Coma.

Yes, coma was that word.

It’s been three days. And I don’t mind missing school again.

I had refused to go home. So the boss got me little things I would be needing while I stayed with dad—who was yet to open his eyes.

I’m not trying to feel entitled, but whatever the boss is doing to get my heart off the fact that their restaurant was careless about its employees…I’m rest assured he’s not winning it. So he can do all he likes.

I just want dad to be fine. Burns or no burns, he’ll still be my dad. And I’ll flaunt him. Today. Tomorrow and always.

But that was me thinking I could get more. Because as I strolled to the end of the veranda, I heard voices behind the door, so I decided to strain my ears.

“I know how to convince her,”came Uncle Harper’s voice.

Now I know it’s all about me, so I pushed the door open, making them to stand on their ten toes.

“Convince me of what?” I glared at each of them. They were just 4.

Uncle Harper. The boss and 2 other people I didn’t know, but I guess I saw them that Friday night. Was too stressed to capture their faces that night.

“I was going to tell you…” he said as he headed towards the door where I stood.

And when he saw that my silence was demanding answers…he didn’t need a soothsayer to let him know—

“You see Tena—“ he paused. As if he was inhaling strength to continue.

But on my side, why the Tena? This man never really gives a f**k about me. I mean, he only notices me when he has no other place to be or things to do.

“I was going to tell you—“

“You’ve said that before.” I reminded him…cutting him short rudely. It was loud and obvious in this room of 5 of us.

Placing his hand across my shoulder, “I understand Te—“

Just before he could finish his speech. I glared at him, angrily. And he caught the sub of ‘don’t touch me’.

I’m glad he respected himself. And continued.

“Before Jovan was your father… he had been my brother.”

Silence.

I didn’t even look at him. I only had my gaze fixed on the boss while I cut him short where I needed to—like I had the power right now.

He could feel my prying eyes, and it made him uncomfortable. I’m glad I was intimidating. But that’s not why we’re here.

“Okay? So?” I reminded Harper that he was still talking. Now I turned my gaze to him.

Yes Harper, because I had never really felt that uncle and niece bond. So for now he’ll be just Harper—to me.

“The case is critical.”

“Yes. I know it has always been. He’ll wake up right?” I wasn’t expecting an answer though.

“Tena…” just before he finished his speech, I flashed him a terrible look. “This is all your fault. Boss or whatever.” I reminded him.

And he never said anything to me again, only listening. I’ve never been this angry before. I felt like I was exploding.

“So you would convince me of..?” Moving my gaze away from the boss to Harper.

“I doubt he would.” Harper confessed. Jilting my inner thoughts. He didn’t look me in the eye this time around.

And just before I could process everything…coupled with what I just heard.

I felt my legs failing me, and darkness covering the earth.