Chapter 24 Rema Renshaw
Chapter 24: Rema Renshaw
The day started too quietly.
Golden noticed it first, Allan wasn’t early to class like he’d been doing lately. No leaning on the wall pretending not to care. No earphones. No smirk. Just… absence.
Alex elbowed Golden. “Gosh girl, can you not be too obvious?”
Golden pretending like she didn't understand what Alex was implying. “Speak English Alex. I don't understand what you mean”
“Yeah right! You can't even pretend to save your life” Alex said rolling her eyes. “You've been stealing glances at the door since we came in. I'm seated right next to you.”
Alex went on. “You obviously are not waiting for Linda because you hate her guts. Neither are you waiting for Dr. Kwame. So that only leaves one person. Allan…”
Golden rolled her eyes, but her stomach tightened.
“Alex hate is such a strong word, but Linda has been a thorn in my flesh since forever. As for Allan, I am not waiting for...” Her word got stuck in her throat as Allan entered in his signature black hoodie.
His dreads was packed in a man-bun and his ears were plugged with earbuds.
“Ehee-nn! You were saying?” Alex cleared her throat in an exaggerated fashion that earned her an eye roll from Golden.
She wasn’t in the least bit convinced.
Seconds later, Dr Kwame entered the class and the lectures began immediately.
He launched into an overly dramatic explanation of enzymes when Allan’s phone vibrated on his desk.
He didn’t stop ringing…insistent, panicked.
Allan frowned and checked the screen. His entire expression changed. The phone slipped slightly from his grip, almost falling to the ground.
He caught it right on time before it crashed to the ground and shot to his feet immediately as if controlled with a remote.
Dr. Kwame blinked.
“Excuse me—young man!”
Allan didn't respond. He grabbed his bag and walked straight out of the class. Once outside the classroom, he bolted.
Golden exchanged a look with Alex. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Saint Augustine's Children's Hospital...
Allan burst into SACH like he’d sprinted the whole way. He didn’t feel the ache in his legs.
He didn’t hear the busy movement around him. He didn’t even notice the nurses staring.
He only saw his sister.
Octavia stood outside a ward door, arms wrapped around herself, trembling. She looked too small for someone who had always been brave.
When she saw Allan, she exhaled like she’d been holding her breath for hours.
“He collapsed.” The words cracked.
“Rema?” Allan asked, voice tight.
She nodded, biting her lip hard. “This morning. He said he felt dizzy, then just like that, he fell. I called an ambulance.”
Octavia finally let loose the dam of tears that had been threatening to fall. She had held up, wait for Allan to show up before giving in.
She couldn't breakdown in front of her mother. She needed to be strong since Rema was already down.
She couldn't bear to burden her mother with her weakness because she was already dealing with enough with Rema.
At just 12 years old, she had to be strong for herself and her twin. Life for her was too expensive to be weak.
She often blamed herself for Rema's weakness. If she hadn't hoarded all the nutrients when they were in the womb, maybe he wouldn't have come out so weak.
Allan placed both hands on her shoulders. He tried to console her.
He understood her pain and knew how much she always tried to remain strong.
She carried a burden most girls her age didn't have to and his heart broke for her every time.
“Where is mom now?” He asked, knowing that Octavia would have certainly called her.
She pointed toward the doctor’s office. Florence was in the office with Dr. Steve. Allan pushed the door open gently.
Inside, she sat rigidly, her hands clasped too tightly in her lap, clutching her uniform. It was obvious she had come straight from work.
Dr. Steve stood opposite her with Rema’s chart.
When Allan entered, she rose immediately.
“Oh thank God, Allan.”
Her eyes were red. She had been crying.
He swallowed. “What’s happening to him?”
Dr. Steve sighed one of those heavy, practiced hospital sighs that prepared families for bad news.
“Rema’s condition makes him vulnerable to secondary infections. The tests show he’s developed a respiratory infection that spread faster than expected.”
Allan’s breath caught. “So… what now? What happens?”
“We’re keeping him admitted. He needs oxygen support and IV antibiotics. At least two weeks of close monitoring.”
Florence sagged into the chair as though her bones had finally given up.
Octavia slipped into the office, and the moment she heard the words “Two weeks,” she broke.
Allan stood between his sister and mother, absorbing their fear like a sponge.
“Is he going to be okay?” he asked, barely above a whisper.
Dr. Steve softened.
“We’re doing everything possible. His vitals have stabilized for now.”
But for now was a dangerous phrase.
Rema was always the fragile one. The youngest. The one who smiled the brightest even when his body betrayed him. The one Allan would fight the world for.
And now he was lying in a hospital bed again. Allan closed his eyes for a long second.
“Can we see him?” Octavia asked.
“Yes but one at a time,” Dr. Steve responded.
Florence went in first.
Allan and Octavia waited in silence, the kind that squeezed the lungs tighter with every passing second.
Finally, Florence stepped out, wiping her eyes.
“He’s awake. Tired, but awake.”
Florence quickly went to a corner and placed a call. “Hello Master Varney. I have a family emergency and would need some time off.
Varney exhaled. “Florence is everything okay?”
“Not really sir, my son was rushed to the hospital.” Florence answered.
Varney’s voice softened. “I'm so sorry about that. How long do you need?”
“Two weeks sir. Don't worry, I'll make arrangements for someone to cover me.” Florence assured.
“Take all the time you need Florence, family is important. I'm sure we would be able to survive the next two weeks just fine. I'll ask my account to send you some money shortly to help with the hospital bills.” Varney said.
Florence nearly let the tears roll. “Thank you very much sir. This means a lot.”
Florence ended the call and almost immediately, she got a credit alert of 100 thousand dollars with a message that read, please let me know if it's not enough.
She felt a fresh wave of emotions hit her. The money was more than enough to cover the hospital bills and get some drugs.