My Mystery Man

A Ray Of Hope

The drive to the hospital was quite long and at some point I felt like kicking Nick off the steering and taking over to speed up our pace.. at this point.. I might no be able to wait any moment longer to see TED.. I feel a mix of emotions.. I feel terrible for abandoning him.. and ignoring his calls and messages.. I feel bad for pushing him away and staying apart for weeks.. not having any idea that he was actually hospitalized.. this information is still baffling because while I was with him, he looked so healthy and put together.. We pull up at the hospital premises and Nick eyes me as I open my door and attempt to jump out even before the car came to a halt.. 

Storming out and running in I realize I have no idea where TED is so I slow down a little bit; waiting for Freeda and Nick to catch up with me.I follow him up the stairs and finally to the section TED was.. A Hefty security man is standing and manning the doors and by the side is an older woman.. The similar facial features she had with TED gave me the idea that she was probably his mom.. Nick approaches her; handing over a bag containing TEDs things and introducing me to her as TEDs friend before walking out..  I sit by her side. introducing my self again.. 

“Hi ma’am; My name is Lilian and I’m TEDs friend..how is he fairing?” I ask politely. She turns to glare at me.. apparently not paying a single attention to Nick as he introduced me earlier and now looking me up from head to toe and then at Freeda who is standing beside me not sure of what to say or do. 

“So you are the Lilian” she spits! Sitting up and leaning in close to take a good look at me.. The same Lilian that landed him in this position! What are you doing here? 

“I gasp! Feeling attacked and panicking.. I start to apologize to her for feeling that way about the entire situation.. I’m about to tell her that she’s got the wrong idea about the whole thing.

“I’m so sorry ma’am” I mutter feeling really intimidated by her presence and looks. 

“Oh just spare me the details she spits back at me.. cutting me short.. he wouldn’t stop calling your name.. he was in so much distress because of you” Calling you endlessly but you kept ignoring him till he couldn’t bare it any longer.. You abandoned him for weeks and you have the nerve to walk in here casually like you did nothing?” 

As I’m trying to take in all she’s telling me a beautiful woman walks out of TEDs ward and sits close to his Mom.. looking sad and tired. She shifts her attention from me and focuses on the woman seated by her side. “I have tried everything Mom” she says silently.. he’s still not responding to anything I say to him.. 

“Please let me see him ma’am.. please I beg of you..” I tell his mom while clutching into her knees with pleading eyes while she ignores me completely. The other woman sits up and looks at me as if suddenly realizing my presence. 

“And who might you be” she asks me in a very intimidating tone.. “I’m Lilian.. his friend and I only want to see him and know how he is fairing..  

She scoffs loudly looking me up closely.. well sorry we cannot allow that.. with that she gets up to leave with his mom following behind.. both women storming out of the premises.. I approach the security man out in front of the ward.. 

“Please can I just see him briefly? I promise not to make any noise or trouble please.. but he doesn’t respond he just stands still and wordless leaving me hanging.. 

After realizing that I won’t be able to see TED I rush out to find NICK. I asking him if he knew who the doctor treating TED was.. he reluctantly showed me his office and I practically storm inside desperate for some permission to see him. 

“Excuse me ma’am but you cannot barge into my office like that please.. there  are procedures and you might have to follow them if you want to be attended to”

“I’m so sorry for barging; I apologize but I need to see TED.. my name is Lilian.. He’s about to fire back at me when his mouth hangs.. stopping short and giving me a questioning  look. “Lilian?“ He repeats.. “MR TED has been calling out to that name repeatedly.. who are you and how are you related  to the patient if I my ask?”  “I’m his friend I reply looking impatient..  I just want to see him please.

He nods and stand to his feet.. leading me out of his office and up the stairs to TEDs ward.