Chapter 33: Hospital

Malik rushed out of the room and I immediately followed him.

Joseph was on the floor, struggling to breathe, his body was shaking, his eyes twitching and his face was frozen. Jessica placed him on her lap, crying and begging him to breathe but nothing was working.

Emma rushed to them with a glass of water, sprinkled it on his face but it had no effect, he still looked like he wasn’t breathing.

I took back with Malik who was inches away from Joseph, his jaw clenched as he stared. "What happened?" He asked, his voice firm

"I don’t know, maybe it’s an allergy reaction or something like that," Emma said wiping her tears.

His face twisted "He’s allergic to nuts. There are no nuts around here."

"There has to be because what else could be the reason?" Emma whiled

"Does it even matter, just help!" Jessica pleaded

Still, Malik hesitated momentarily then finally he spoke "Get me my car keys Emma, we are taking him to the hospital."

He took charge and quickly moved. He and Jesica held Joseph’s almost lifeless body together and walked him out of the house. I followed them behind.

When they put him in the car, Malik turned to me "I need you to stay back home, don’t let anyone in, you hear me?" He said, his voice filled with urgency

I nodded "Yes."

"You don’t have to panic, it’s a minor problem, he’ll be fine." He said but it felt like he was trying to convince himself.

"Okay, drive safe."

He looked as if he wanted to say something but Jessica pressed the car horn and said, "Malik, we need to hurry, his condition is getting worse."

Malik nodded at her and just kissed my forehead before he entered the car and drove off.

I stood alone in the driveway, listening to the fading sound of the tires. I can’t believe this happened. Joseph was fine before, and now he can’t even breathe.

My heart raced in my chest. I know how Malik must be feeling right now. My father had on-and-off emergencies like this too, and it was really horrible.

I was about to turn around and head inside when I noticed Steven running towards me, his head held high. "What’s going on? What happened? Malik asked me to come check on you, are you okay?"

"Yes, I’m fine. But Joseph was rushed to the hospital." I said quietly

"Why? What happened to him?"

"I don’t know. He suddenly couldn’t breathe. It was bad…. I…. umm… I’m worried for him." I panicked

"It’s gonna be fine. You don’t have to worry." He said as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I’m scared Steven. He really wasn’t breathing." I whispered recalling the way his face froze. And how Jessica was crying.

When I pulled away, he said "What exactly happened to him?"

"I don’t know Steven. I was with Malik when Emma rushed in and told us what happened."

"You were with Malik?" He groaned

"It’s not what you think. I was just talking to him. It’s nothing serious, besides the main thing to worry about is Joseph,"

"He’s gonna be fine,"

"We don’t know that," I sighed "Can you go to the hospital to check if he’s okay and Malik is good?" I asked

Steven doesn’t respond immediately, his eyes were just on me for a while and then he said "Why do you care about them?"

"They are in the hospital, Steven. I have to care."

"No, you don’t." He groaned "This is the sand family that trapped you here, you have no reason to care about them."

"Steven, it’s not a big deal, I’m just worried that’s all."

"And that’s what I’m saying." He stepped closer "You don’t have to worry at all. Whatever is happening to them is none of your business, okay?"

I know he’s wrong. I have every reason to worry and care especially because I can relate to it. I know what Malik, Emma, and Jessica are feeling right now. I’ve been there before with my father and it was a horrible feeling…. The worst feeling.

Still, because I didn’t want to start an argument with Steven, I casually said "Okay."

He smiled. He looked like he was about to speak but stopped when a voice came in

"Luna."

I glance behind him and Dominic was walking towards me. He glanced at Steven and then at me.

Steven doesn’t say a thing as he walks away while Dominic steps forward "Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Yeah.… I mean, no. What are you doing here?" I asked

"Aren’t you happy to see me?" He asked with his usual smirk

"I am, it’s just that no one is home and I’m supposed to be alone here."

"Yet Steven was here." He raised an eyebrow

"He just came to check on me."

He scoffed as he waved his hand dismissively "We both know that’s not the case." He walked into the house

"Anyways, I’m only here because Emma called me." He said walking further.

I followed him behind "Emma’s not here,"

"Really? But is Joseph here? She said he was sick."

"He was rushed to the hospital a couple of minutes ago."

Dominic turned and faced me "Why? What happened to him?"

"I don’t know but he wasn’t breathing properly,"

Dominic’s face fell, his eyes bulged in shock. "What?" His voice dropped.

"Yes, but he’ll be fine, right?" I asked.

"I don’t know. Something like this has never happened before."

"Ohh, I’m sorry," I said.

He looked at me, his eyes softened slightly. "Thank you, Luna." He leaned in and placed his head on my shoulder. I froze, and he stayed there for a while before he said, "I need water, can you get me some?"

"Sure, I will," I said.

I headed to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. When I walked back to the living room, Dominic wasn’t there. I looked around; there was no sign of him. I thought he had left, but suddenly, I saw him walking down the stairs.

When his eyes met mine, he said, "I have to go to the hospital, Luna. Thank you for the water." He took a sip and handed it over to me. As he started walking away, he turned to face me. "I’d appreciate it if you don’t tell Malik I was here," He said.

I nodded, and with that, he walked away.