Chapter 78: The Distance Between Us
Chapter 78: The Distance Between Us
Mr. Joe sat at the edge of the hotel room bed, his phone pressed firmly against his ear as he listened to the airline representative for what felt like the fifth time that morning. He rubbed his forehead, frustration building. The 3-day storm was meant to be tapering off, and he had assumed they’d be able to return home soon. But apparently, he was wrong.
“The earliest flight out is in another three days,” the voice on the line repeated, this time sounding almost robotic.
He sighed deeply, thanked the agent without much enthusiasm, and hung up.
Mrs. Joe, who had been pacing near the window, turned quickly. “So? What did they say?”
“They’re still not flying out,” he replied. “Too risky. The weather’s still unstable, especially here. Flights are grounded until further notice.”
Mrs. Joe’s hands flew to her sides. “I don’t understand. Why did we even come here? Why this cold, stormy place? I told you I wasn’t feeling good about this trip from the beginning.”
He approached her slowly. “You weren’t saying that when we booked it, remember? You were excited. You picked this exact spot yourself.”
She shook her head. “That was before. Now I have this horrible feeling down my spine. Like something's really wrong. Something’s happening back home. I can feel it. I want to go back to my babies.”
Mr. Joe gently took her hands. “I want that too, but I can’t force the weather. Let’s just pray and keep checking. As soon as there’s a window, we’ll leave. I’ll keep trying the airlines.”
She nodded reluctantly, biting her lower lip. The anxiety in her chest wasn’t fading, and the uncertainty only made it worse.
Meanwhile, back home, Julia was in her room straightening her hair when her phone buzzed. A text from her friend popped up on the screen: “We’re outside.”
She grabbed her purse, slipped on her shoes, and left the house in a bit of a rush, shouting toward the kitchen, “Auntie, I’ll be back soon! Just going to see my friends!”
The house felt oddly quiet after she left. Her voice echoed faintly down the hall as the front door closed. The stillness was especially noticeable in the Wright household next door, where most of the noise had died down earlier in the day.
Mr. Wright, who had been away on business in Abuja, finally found a moment to call home. His schedule had been packed, and he’d barely had time to check in. The video call connected after a few rings, and Melissa’s bright, smiling face appeared on the screen.
“Daddy!” she beamed, waving.
“My girl,” he smiled back. “You look like you're doing better.”
“I am. I’m almost back to my full self,” she said, sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped loosely around her legs.
Mrs. Wright soon joined, holding a glass of water in one hand. “Good afternoon, dear.”
“Good to see you,” Mr. Wright said warmly. “It’s a relief seeing Melissa laugh again.”
Mrs. Wright smiled faintly. “She’s recovering well. But something happened. You remember that boy—Dennis—the one who brought her home the day she fainted?”
“Yes, I do,” he replied, his face curious.
“Well, he got into a car accident. With Lydia. It was right after dropping Melissa off. It was a serious one.”
Mr. Wright looked stunned. “Oh no. That’s terrible. Is he alright?”
“He’s been in the hospital. They already did one surgery, and he’s going in for another,” she said, her voice quieter now.
He rubbed his face and shook his head. “I’ll keep him in my prayers. That young man has a good heart. It’s sad… this could’ve easily been Melissa.”
Mrs. Wright nodded. “Yes. It’s all been a bit much lately.”
As the call ended, Melissa joined Victor in the living room, each carrying a bowl of popcorn. They’d both agreed to take it easy for the day. Victor, who had been working hard the last few days, was using the time to unwind, while Melissa just enjoyed having her brother around again.
They settled on the couch and scrolled through streaming options before landing on an old favourite—one of their comfort shows. It was a romantic series centred on a couple trying to survive a long-distance relationship.
Halfway through the episode, the male lead expressed his frustration at not being able to see his girlfriend for months, causing Melissa to glance sideways at Victor.
She tilted her head slightly. “Speaking of long distance… how’s your girlfriend?”
Victor shifted uncomfortably and gave a small shrug. “She’s okay.”
Melissa raised a brow. “Come to think of it, I don’t ever see you call her,” she added, setting her bowl down.
He paused for a beat, then sighed. “We broke up about a month ago.”
Melissa sat up. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Victor shrugged again, avoiding her gaze. “It wasn’t working. The distance was too much. We just couldn’t handle it anymore.”
“But you said you two were serious and deeply in love,” Melissa said, her tone confused. “Didn’t you both say you were willing to try?”
“I thought so too,” he replied, standing and taking his now-empty popcorn bowl toward the kitchen. “Anyway, it’s done now.”
Melissa watched him go. Something about his tone felt heavier than he let on. His back was straight, his voice calm—but she could hear the disappointment hiding under it. She wanted to ask more, but she didn’t. Not now.
Back at the hospital, the atmosphere was growing tense again.
Nurses wheeled in the equipment for the next operation, while a fresh team of doctors entered to begin preparations for Dennis’s second surgery. The hallway outside the operating theatre grew busy with footsteps, beeping machines, and the low murmur of clipped conversations.
Mrs. James stood outside the room, staring at the double doors that would soon swing open to receive her son once more. She turned sharply as the doctor approached, her eyes already filled with fear.
“Doctor,” she said, gripping his hand. “Please… promise me. Promise me my son will come out of there fine and alive.”
The doctor held her gaze and spoke gently. “I can only promise that we’ll do our absolute best. Everything within our power.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded silently, pressing her face against her husband’s chest. Mr. James wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He didn’t say much—just stood there with her, solid and steady, trying not to let his own worry show.
They stood that way as Dennis was brought out, his eyes closed, body calm under sedation. The machines next to his bed beeped softly. Lydia stood nearby, watching the doors slowly close behind him.
There was something surreal about seeing him like that—still, silent, surrounded by machines and wires, and yet knowing he was still here, still fighting. It didn’t feel real, but it was.
The moment the doors shut, time seemed to pause. Everything grew quieter. The hallway emptied out again, except for the family waiting and praying in silence.
Three hours to go.
All they could do now was wait.