The happiness Caroline felt could be obviously seen in her eyes. She walked like a princess into the hospital, going to visit her brother, Christopher. Currently, no longer Christopher but Jhon as well were the occupants of her heart. One her brother and the other her lover. Yes! She was deeply in love with Jhon and she felt no person or persons could change that.
The occupants of the hospital who saw Caroline kept their eyes on her till she was out of view. She was a beauty but, who knew this beauty and smiles was all thanks to an inanimate tiny feeling called Love for a certain black man called Jhon. Caroline walked with pride as she walked to her brother's ward.
Christopher who was pleading inwardly with closed eyes to fall asleep, due to boredom, opened his eyes upon hearing the opening sound of his door. 'Who is it?' He thought. He turned to face the door expecting to see a nurse or perhaps his little friend. The thought of seeing his little friend again brought a wide smile on his face which didn't last long.
"Chris!" Caroline squealed happily, spreading her arms awide expecting her brother to rush over to her and grace her with a hug. Her expectations were cut short.
Christopher rolled his eyes angrily at his sister. She had not visited for the past four days which was so unusual. He angrily turned his face and body against Caroline and continued his silent prayer to fall asleep, completely ignoring Caroline.
"Aren't you happy to see me?" Caroline asked, changing her happy tone to that of a sad one to catch her brother's attention.
"Don't act to be sad. I know you aren't sad and I definitely know you don't care. Go away!" Christopher retorted. He was not just angry at Caroline but also hurt. She definitely abandoned him here without calling or visiting or anything. He felt like crying but, he held it.
"I am sorry, Chris. It is not actually like I did not want to see you…"
"Then what is it?!" Chris yelled, changing his position abruptly, from lying to sitting on the bed. "You left me here. I was bored. I did not see you and Uncle Lucas was also so busy." Chris cried. He was fighting so hard to not break down in front of his sister. He doesn't want his sister to feel bad upon seeing his tears but, he just couldn't hold it back anymore. He missed her.
Caroline felt so bad seeing her brother like this. She regretted not coming to visit. She felt totally stupid for thinking her brother wouldn't miss her even if for a week. She rushed to him and engulfed him in a hug, squeezed him tightly as she tried to control her own tears.
"Don't touch me.. you..you…"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Caroline begged. She had let go and now she was in tears, crying along with her brother. She knelt in front of him and held his cheeks firmly. "I'm sorry."
Christopher managed to wiggle himself out of Caroline's embrace. He was still so angry with her. "Dad left, Mom left. You.. you also we're trying to leave right?"
"Shh! It's okay, Chris. I would never leave you. Never!" Caroline assured him with sincerity in her eyes. Christopher's words really touched her heart. Though, Christopher was not her blood related brother, she had always seen him as one. Even Christopher himself had no idea that Caroline's parents weren't his. This fact, Lucas and those close to Caroline knew though.
.
.
Caroline and Christopher had spent about five minutes crying on each other. They had a bond that was quite strong and enviable.
After all ther tears and sad talks, they engrossed themselves him sweet talks and laughter. This they both missed about each other.
"Hahaha.. so what is her name then?" Caroline laughed as she asked. She felt gladdened seeing Chris blushing over a story he was telling her.
"Oh!" Christopher mouthed surprisedly. He darted his eyes shyly from left to right, making Caroline burst in laughter.
"Don't tell me you don't know her name?" Caroline mocked.
"I… ehm..err…" Chris became so nervous and shy. He couldn't believe his own self. He dared meet a little girl twice without asking her name in any of their encounters.
"Hahaha.. you are so funny, Chris. Okay, so describe her. What does she look like?" Caroline asked, holding his hands as they sat together on the bed, folding their knees.
"She has a curly short hair that is colour brown." Christopher said, looking up at the ceiling. The description reminded Caroline of Jhon.
"Really?" Caroline asked, drowning in her own pool of thoughts about Jhon. She smiled widely and this didn't pass Christopher's eyes.
"Hm! Why are you smiling? What are you thinking about?"
"Hm? No…nothing." Caroline lied wiping her smile off.
"Oh!" Chris squinted his eyes. It was obvious to him that Caroline was lying. She was definitely thinking of something or someone rather. "So, how is work?" He asked, changing the topic.
"What?"
"What what? Isn't that why you haven't visited me for about twenty years now?" Christopher mocked, rolling his eyes.
"Oh! Yes." Caroline suddenly became nervous. She just recalled that Chris had no idea she had stopped working at the restaurant. She quickly stood up from the bed to avoid Christopher catching her red handed as she prepared herself to lie.
"Tell me, and Uncle Lucas said there was a guy who likes you and wants to date you. Is he also part of the reasons you have been so occupied?" Chris asked, indirectly hitting the hammer on the nail. Caroline widened her eyes in surprise. Thankfully, she was backing Chris.
"What are you saying? So this is what you guys do? Gossip me in secret?" Caroline said, acting all angry while trying to not get caught.
"No like that." Chris shrugged. "Just that I wanted to know if any guy was pursuing you. You seem close to Uncle Lucas. I thought he'd know." He explained calmly.
Caroline heaved a sigh of relief totally believing Christopher's lie. She went closer to him and held his hands again. "It's just work okay. And plus, if I have a man in life, you would be the first I'll tell." She assured.