"I'm afraid I have some grave news for you, Charles," the doctor said solemnly. "Your condition is serious, and if you don't take care of yourself, it could worsen. Please understand that your health is at stake and that taking the necessary steps to address your illness is of utmost importance."

Charles walked down the busy road as the words of the doctor kept on echoing in his ear. 

Charles's vision swam, the world around him a disorienting blur. Despite the dizzying sensation, he forged ahead, eager to attend to his other jobs. 

"You have to start your treatment right away, Charles."

With every step down the roadside, the doctor's words echoed louder in Charles's mind, its urgency taking root in Charles thoughts. "Take care of your heart. It's serious. Your health is at stake." 

Charles bumped down into different individuals down the roadside but he didn't care a bit. The individual was all blurry in the eyes of Charles. 

"Many individuals died due to this stage of illness because they neglected it," the doctor's voice, distant yet clear, reverberated in Charles's mind. "I implore you to heed my advice, Charles. The choices you make now could mean the difference between a long, fulfilling life and a premature end."

Charles opened his mouth as he tried to breathe because the words of the doctor were echoing within him like a siren call. 

He staggered from one end to another, hitting passers-by. 

'Watch it would you!'

'Are you alright?'

'Man just look at your front!'

'What the fuck is wrong with you mate?'

'Leave the road!'

'Watch where you're going!'

'What's wrong with you?'

'Pay attention!'

A cacophony of voices echoed in Charles's mind, the doctor's admonishment blending with the hushed whispers and muttered curses of the passersby he bumped into.

Charles clenched his fists together as he shook his head sideways, trying to make the spinning words in his head go away. 

Their words echoed, making the staggering Charles feel his knees getting weak. 

Suddenly, he felt a thick fluid coming out from his nose.

With trembling hands, Charles slowly used the back of his palm to wipe his nose before forcing himself to stare at the back of his palm. 

Instantly, his gaze landed on blood. 

'Wh… what the fuck' He exclaimed within himself as his legs gave in. 

Charles collapsed onto the ground amid passer-by who began to jump over his body in a haste to attend their respective job. 

*** Fifteen Hours Later ***

"Hey! Are you alright?" 

An unfamiliar voice could be heard from the background, prompting Charles to fluster his eyelashes a few times. 

He took in a deep breath until his eyes were finally able to adjust to the bright room. 

"How are you feeling, sir?" A male doctor inquired of Charles. 

He bites his upper lips as he nods his head, not having the luxurious strength to speak up. 

"I'm concerned about the bleeding from your nose earlier today," the doctor said, his brows knitting together in a worried expression. "We need to conduct some medical tests to determine the cause. It's possible that there's an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Please don't delay in getting checked out."

The doctor was asking Charles to run a thorough medical check-up. 

Charles shook his head sideways, shrugging the doctor words as he allowed his gaze to roam around the room in search of a wall clock. 

Staring at the wall clock, Charles's eyes became extremely lit up. 

The digital clock on the wall revealed a time of 11:30 pm, its digits taunting Charles with their indifference to the hours that seemed to have slipped away in an instant. 

With a shaking hand, Charles pushed himself upright, the world swimming around him as he sat down properly on the bed. 'How long was I out?' he wondered to himself, his mind sluggish as it struggled to process the events of the day.

He felt a throbbing pain in his head but he pushed that pain away, nipping his lower lips while trying to ignore the pain. 

"Please, you must rest," the doctor urged, his eyes softening with genuine concern. "I'll have the nurse bring your medication," he added before taking his leave, the hospital room suddenly seeming quieter and colder in his absence. 

Charles listened to the doctor's footsteps fade down the hall, his mind still spinning as he struggled to come to terms with his situation.

'Three hospital visits in a single day,' Charles thought to himself, his mind recoiling at the absurdity of it all. 'How did I get to this point? How could things have spiraled so quickly?' 

As he contemplated the events of the past 24 hours, he was struck by a deep sense of helplessness, the weight of his illness pressing down on him.

'Pftt!'

Charles exhaled, his shoulder dropping down in frustration. 

With a powerful zeal, he forced himself to roll down from the bed. 

Charles forced himself to step out of the hospital room but at the doorstep, he saw a female nurse. 

"I'm responsible for your medication," the nurse said, her voice measured and professional as she spoke to Charles. "The doctor entrusted me with your treatment plan, and I'll be here to administer your medication and monitor your progress."

Charles sighed. "I don't…" 

Charles's words trailed off because his voice felt hoarse. 

'Umm… umm!' He cleared his throat before proceeding to speak out. 

"I don't need the medication," Charles stated, a hint of defiance creeping into his voice. "Just give me the bill. I'll settle my debts and be on my way." 

"Sir, you haven't fully recovered," the nurse implored. "Taking your medication as prescribed will help you. Trust me, it's for your own good. You don't want to find yourself back here in a few days." She paused, her gaze fixed on his, her concern evident in the soft creases around her eyes.

Having no other options, Charles took his medication and paid for his bills. 

As Charles left the hospital, he was greeted by a blanket of midnight sky, the shimmering stars seeming to wink down at him as if in greeting. 

The breeze, gentle and cool, played across his skin, his disheveled hair dancing in the wind. 

Charles took a deep breath, his lungs filling with the crisp night air. 

"Arrh! Guess I'll go to the club after all," he muttered to himself, an ironic chuckle escaping his lips. 

As Charles made his way down the road, a male figure rushed up towards the room that Charles had been admitted to. 

"Nurse, I'm looking for the man who was admitted earlier today," a male voice intoned, its deep timbre carrying a sense of urgency. "Do you know his whereabouts?"

Fifteen hours ago, a young could be seen walking down a busy road because his car broke down on the road, leaving him stranded and time-pressed.

Recklessly, he decided to cover the remaining distance by foot, as he set off at a brisk pace in haste to attend his business meeting. 

But as he walked, his shoulder brushed against an unsuspecting male figure, the impact of the collision sending the man tumbling to the ground.

Presently, the nurse cheeks flushed with a hint of color, smiled coyly at the charming young man standing before her, an alluring radiance in her eyes.

The male figure in front of her was so handsome that her breath became caught up in her lungs. 

"Where is the man you admitted earlier?" the young man pressed, his voice sharpening as he snapped his fingers in front of her face, the sudden intrusion jolting her from her reverie. 

She gulped down a mouth full of saliva before nodding her head. 

"The man left the hospital in a hurry, just after settling his bill," the nurse explained, her professional demeanor resurfacing as she recounted the events. "I tried to persuade him to finish his treatment, but he was adamant. I'm sorry if this has caused any inconvenience." 

Sighed. 

"Agh, that delicate little boy made me miss my appointment," the young man fumed inwardly. 

But, unbeknownst to him, the universe had other plans that would make their  fate to cross path with each other. 

****

Author note;

This novel contains a whole lot of matured content. If readers comments, reviews and gifts within a day happens to be mind blowing… the author promise to upload 3/4 chapters.

Note… this novel would make you emotionally attached to characters, and it is not slow burn.

Have a nice time reading…