It's been 2days already, Riley has still not set eyes on her parents since she regained her consciousness.
"What's going on Lionel? Where are my parents?" asked devastated Riley
"Calm down Riley....? You're are still not strong yet." cautioned Lionel
"How should I Lionel...? Please.., take me to my parents" uttered Riley pleadingly
"You need to calm down first Riley.." muttered Lionel in the bid to convince her.
Just then, Lian walked into the ward.
"Uncle..." exclaimed Riley almost teary eyed.
"What's going on Uncle...?" she hastily added as Lian neared her.
Lian looked pitifully at her and sighed. He caressed her face and took her hands into his.
"I know it will be difficult for you dear but I would need you to be strong."
"What are you talking about Uncle? You are scaring me." she uttered, looking puzzled.
Lionel came closer to her and puts his hand on Riley's shoulder assuredly
"I'm sorry Riley...., we lost your dad through an accident and your mother has been unconscious after hearing the news." said Lian dully.
"What....?" exclaimed stunned Riley
"What're you saying Uncle...? Please, tell me it's not true." added Riley hastily as she broke down in tears
"Calm down Riley..." mumbled Lionel
"My dad is gone Lio..., he is gone..." she cried bitterly and turned to hug him.
"I need to see my mum..." she uttered, tried to get off the bed but fell miserably to the floor.
"Riley..." exclaimed Lionel, rushing to her.
Lian knelt beside her, stroking her back.
"You're still not strong dear..., you need to calm down and gain back your energy first." he muttered
"Why...Uncle...,Why.....?" she shouted in tears, struggling to move
"Riley.... please..." mumbled Lionel as he drew her head to lean on his chest but to no avail.
They struggled to put her back on the bed and Lian quickly dashed out to get the doctor.
Few minutes later, Lian returned back with the doctor to meet Riley still struggling with Lionel.
"Doctor....,please ....,let's me see my parents..." she said amidst tears.
"I know Miss Riley...but you need to calm down first." replied the doctor and intoxicated her to sleep. She slowly fell back to sleep in Lionel's arms.
"Thank you doctor" both Lionel and Lian replied in unison
"Welcome..., I'll be in my office." replied the doctor with a smile and left.
"I'll leave now Lionel, I will be back to check on you later. I need to inform my mum about the situation at hand now." uttered Lian
"Okay...sir.." he replied
"What about you?, have you called your parents to inform them about your whereabouts?" queried Lian.
"No sir..., my phone is off but I will find somewhere to call them." he replied assuredly
"Okay..., I will leave now but try to do so."
"Okay sir.."
"See you later..." uttered Lian, patted Lionel's shoulder and left.
Lionel gently dropped Riley on the bed and dried the drop of tears from her face and sat beside her. He sat starring at her face and sighed.
"You'll be okay dear...,I'm here with you." he murmured. All this while, someone was at door secretly spying o them.
**********
Nichole sat in her living room, starring expectantly at her phone in anxiety.
"Sweetheart...., are you okay?" a voice called.
She got startled and turned to her husband, faking a smile.
"Yes...dear, are you leaving now?" she queried
"Yes..Sweetheart. Anyway, where is Lionel? I haven't seen him for some days now." he questioned with a quizzical look
"Oh... that...., he called to inform that he will stay in a friend's dorm at school for some days." she replied indifferently
" okay..dear.., see you later. Love you." he muttered and kissed her.
"Love you too dear.." she replied and bid him farewell.
She returned and slammed herself in the sofa.
"Phew..., that was close." he mumbled.
Just then, her phone rang. She hastily answered without checking who the caller was.
"How did our plans go?" she queried smugly
"What are you talking about mum...?" questioned Lionel in bewilderment on the other side of the phone.