The hospital Room
637 Words
The rain poured relentlessly as Daniel's car sped toward Nakasero Hospital.
Amina sat beside him, gripping the seatbelt.
"You don't have to come," Daniel said, his eyes fixed on the road.
"I know," she replied. "But I'm coming anyway."
For the first time, Daniel didn't argue.
---
When they arrived, Grace was already waiting in the reception area.
"He's in the intensive care unit," she said quietly.
"The doctors managed to stabilize him, but they don't know when he'll wake up."
Daniel nodded.
"What happened?"
"The police believe a truck lost control on the Northern Bypass."
Grace lowered her voice.
"But Michael's driver insists another vehicle forced them off the road."
Daniel's expression darkened.
"You think it wasn't an accident."
"I'm not sure."
---
A doctor approached them.
"Mr. Okello?"
"Yes."
"The patient regained consciousness for a few minutes."
"He asked for you."
Daniel and Amina followed the doctor into the ward.
Machines beeped softly as Michael lay on the hospital bed, his head wrapped in bandages.
His eyes slowly opened.
"You came," he whispered.
Daniel stepped closer.
"What happened?"
Michael looked at Amina.
"She can stay."
Daniel nodded.
"Tell me."
With trembling hands, Michael reached beneath his pillow and pulled out a folded document.
"The last page..."
Daniel immediately recognized it.
The missing page from the letter.
"You kept it?"
Michael gave a weak nod.
"I couldn't let Vanessa destroy you."
Daniel unfolded the page with shaking hands.
His eyes moved across the faded handwriting.
Amina watched his expression change from confusion...
...to shock.
"What is it?" she asked.
Daniel swallowed hard.
"It's a statement."
"From whom?"
"The factory's chief engineer."
He looked up.
"He admitted that the safety machines had failed weeks before the accident."
"And?"
"He wrote that I demanded the factory be closed until they were repaired."
Amina's eyes widened.
"But it wasn't."
Michael closed his eyes.
"The board refused."
"They said shutting down production would cost too much."
Daniel's voice became quiet.
"I tried to resign."
Michael nodded.
"I know."
Tears gathered in his eyes.
"I should have told the truth ten years ago."
---
Amina gently placed a hand on Michael's shoulder.
"Why didn't you?"
He looked away.
"I was angry."
"I had lost my younger brother in that accident."
The room fell silent.
Daniel's face softened.
"Your brother?"
Michael nodded.
"He was one of the workers."
"I blamed you because I needed someone to blame."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"So am I."
For the first time in ten years...
The two former friends looked at each other without anger.
Only regret.
---
Just then, the hospital room door burst open.
Two police officers entered.
"Mr. Michael Ssemanda?"
"Yes?"
"We need to ask you a few questions."
"About the accident?"
The lead officer nodded.
"We've reviewed traffic camera footage."
"And?"
"It appears someone deliberately caused the crash."
Amina felt her stomach tighten.
"Do you know who?"
The officer exchanged a glance with his partner.
"We're still investigating."
"But we found something unusual."
He placed a clear evidence bag on the bedside table.
Inside was a mobile phone recovered from the wreckage.
"The last number dialed before the crash belonged to..."
He checked his notes.
"...Miss Vanessa Nansubuga."
Daniel and Amina looked at each other.
The room fell silent.
Across the city, Vanessa stood on the balcony of her penthouse, unaware that the police were already connecting the pieces.
She smiled as she watched the lights of Kampala.
"By tomorrow," she whispered, "Daniel will have nothing left."
Her phone suddenly rang.
It was her lawyer.
She answered confidently.
"What is it?"
The lawyer's voice was tense.
"Vanessa..."
"The police have just issued a request to question you."
The smile slowly disappeared from her face.
For the first time since her plans began...
Vanessa realized she might have gone too far.
- Writer
