The promise between us

Chapter 5

Mary's Specialist Hospital, Lagos

‎Samantha's POV

‎

‎The bright lights above me came into focus little by little.

‎The familiar smell of antiseptic filled my nose. Hospital. Again. I closed my eyes.

‎Not again…

‎A soft knock came from the door before it opened.

‎A man in his late fifties walked in with a patient file.

‎"Good afternoon, Samantha." I forced a weak smile. "Good afternoon, Doctor."

‎Dr. Daniel Okafor pulled a chair closer to my bed. "I almost thought you promised me I wouldn't see you here again."

‎"I tried." "I know."

‎He smiled gently before placing the file on his lap. "I'll let your parents come in."

‎A few seconds later, my father, mother, Debbie, and Richard entered.

‎My mother immediately held my hand.

‎"My baby..."

‎"I'm okay, Mummy." Dr. Okafor waited until everyone settled before speaking.

‎"I've been treating Samantha since she was twelve." Silence filled the room.

‎"Over the years, we've managed her condition quite well." He looked down at the test results.

"But the attacks have become more frequent." My father's face tightened. "What does that mean, Doctor?" "It means the medications she's using are no longer controlling her condition the way they should."

‎He placed several scan reports and lung function results on the table. "I've reviewed today's tests alongside the previous ones." He sighed quietly.

‎"I think it's time Samantha is evaluated at a specialist respiratory center with facilities we don't currently have here."

‎My mother frowned. "You mean outside Nigeria?"

"Yes." The room fell silent.

‎"There are newer treatment options and detailed assessments available in specialized centers abroad. Before any decisions are made, she needs a full evaluation to see whether she's a suitable candidate." My father swallowed hard.

‎"How much are we talking about?"

‎Dr. Okafor hesitated. "I don't want to give you false hope." He wrote a figure on a sheet of paper and slid it across the table.

‎My father stared at it. His hands trembled. Mary slowly leaned over.

‎The colour drained from her face.

‎"This..." Her voice broke. "...this is impossible." Richard looked between them, confused. "How much is it?"

‎Nobody answered. Dr. Okafor spoke softly. "I know this is overwhelming."

‎"There may be charities or other forms of support, but I wanted to be honest with you." My father removed his glasses.

‎For the first time in my life... I saw tears gathering in his eyes. He quickly looked away. "I'll find a way." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't know how..." "...but I'll find a way."

I reached for his hand. "No, Daddy." I smiled through the tears. "I'm tired of being the reason everyone keeps suffering."

The room became painfully quiet. My mother burst into tears. Debbie turned away, wiping her eyes. Even Dr. Okafor lowered his head, giving the family a moment.

‎Outside the hospital room... No one noticed a woman standing near the half-open door. She had heard just enough.

‎And by the time she quietly walked away... An idea had already begun to form.

‎One that would change Samantha's life forever.