"Enough, " Dr. Feroma said harshly, "Who do you think you are? I'm not the least worried about you. I'm worried about the children."
"I'm sorry." Zayn did not dare to say another word. He was grateful that Dr. Feroma was going out of his way to treat him.
"But don't get your hopes high. I don't have much time left. I might be gone before I even come up with a way to treat you."
"Ha, you were just encouraging me a second ago, now you're asking me to manage my expectation. What exactly do you want me to do?" Zayn teased.
"I didn't ask you to talk." Dr. Feroma pushed his shoulder lightly and chuckled.
Zayn looked at the wise and kind-hearted old man in silence. He felt bad for him, but he did not know how to comfort him.
"I'll take a rest first. You go and help her out in the kitchen. You'd better pray hard that I wake up from my sleep, else you won't get cured, " Dr. Feroma joked.
"I thought you wanted to taste her cooking before you go?" Zayn replied.
"Good one, " Dr. Feroma said with a laugh.
Sam helped the old man lie down and pulled a blanket over him.
After Zayn exited the room, he did not go over to the kitchen. Instead, he went to the courtyard for another cigarette.
"Brandy is sending the document over. He'll be here by tonight, " Benard reported after he came back.
"It's okay. I'm not in a rush." Zayn was not expecting anything. "Dr. Feroma is already so weak. He can't really see well either. We should just let the old man rest."
"But this is not the time to give up, Mr. Giblo!" Benard was getting anxious. "What Dr. Feroma said was right. You have to think about the kids."
"Don't worry about it, " Zayn replied, looking over to the kitchen.
Benard said no more, but deep in his heart, he believed that Dr. Feroma would provide a way out.
"Zayn!" Carla cried out as she walked out from the kitchen, wearing an apron with floral prints and holding a carrot in her hand. "Dr. Feroma wanted to see the kids. Do you think you can ask Bugara to bring them over?"
"What about tomorrow?" Zayn said, throwing away his cigarette. "They have had a long day traveling all the way from Yavawi today. It'll be too tiring for them."
"True. Alright then, tomorrow it is." Carla nodded.
"You look good in the apron, " Zayn complimented her.
Carla rolled her eyes at him and went back in.
Zayn leaned against the car, looking at her through the window from the outside. He wondered if their relationship would have turned out differently if he were not born in the Giblo family and her, the Lierger family.
Carla was wiping away the sweat on her forehead when she looked up and saw Zayn gazing at her. It unsettled her for a bit when she caught his gaze. For a moment, it felt as if they were just a regular couple leading a simple life. She was preparing food and he was admiring her.
Ring!
Zayn's phone rang, shaking everyone back to reality.
He reached for his phone and walked away. "Yes?" he said, picking up the call.
"I'll be there in a bit."
Zayn hung up and called for Benard, "We're leaving for the company. Ask Brandy to come over with his men and send Carla and Freda back after they're done here."
"So we're not waiting here?" Benard was worried that Zayn was not giving Dr. Feroma enough time to treat his disease. "Work can wait. We should hear what the doctor has to say at least."
"I said we're going to the company, " Zayn reiterated, looking at the kitchen.
Luckily for him, Carla and Freda were busy cooking and had not heard their conversation.
"Another word from you and you're fired."
Zayn was angry. He did not want anyone to mention a word to Carla about his condition.
Benard looked down in submission.
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