“Nyomi?” Sammy’s voice came through the door, low and strained. “Did you get the pad already?”

Nyomi, halfway down the hall, turned back. “Ah! I forgot my phone on the basin here.I’ll head to the nursing station now.”

Sammy groaned softly, adding a shaky breath for effect. “Please hurry, girl. I’m not feeling great here… I need to clean up.”

Nyomi called out gently, “Hang in there, babe. I’ll be quick.”

“Dress up she’s gone” Sammy whispered to Richard. He half buttoned his shirt inside out. He didn’t panic about how he’s dressed,but how to get out of the place.

Sammy stretched out her neck ,as he dressed up, to watch if Nyomi was close to them. “Hey man, you need to very fast and get your ass out off this place before she comes”

“ I gotta go babe, meet me in the club tonight” he pecked her ..so quick as he jumps out of the bathroom… he releases a heavy breath.

~~~

“Fuck…” Richard muttered, voice low and tight, frustration etched into every syllable. He stepped into the hallway, the air cooler, quieter—like the world had paused just long enough to remind him what he was enjoying

Then a voice cut through.

“Richard?”

He spun around. Jackson stood there, brows raised, this arms loose by his sides like the one who has been stressed all day .

“Yo, man,” Jackson said, walking closer. “What’re you doing here?”

Richard blinked and snapped his finger. He was caught off guard. “Shit,” he said, trying to summon a better excuse. “I came for some medical enquiries.”

Jackson’s expression shifted, eyes narrowing slightly. “Does Nyomi know you’re here?”

Richard rubbed the back of his neck, trying to sell lies. “Not exactly. It was kind of urgent—I didn’t have time to tell her about it .”

“Oh really ?”

“ yeah”

Jackson’s jaw tightened- he was not buying it “Mum’s here. She’s undergoing chemotherapy . Did Nyomi mention it to you?”

Richard’s gaze dropped. “She must have a lot going on. Listen, I really need to grab something urgent. I’ll catch up with you later, alright?”

Jackson stepped forward. “Let me call Nyomi. Since You’re here—wait, it won’t take time.”

Richard waved him off. “It’s not necessary. I’ve got urgent things to do. I’ll come back.”

Jackson’s eyes narrowed further. “Richard… is there something you’re not telling me? Did you and Nyomi break up? You seem like you're avoiding her.”

Richard’s voice rose, defensive. “Oh my goodness, why would you say that? We’re still together. I wouldn’t hurt her. You know I love your sister so much.”

Jackson folded his arms, one brow raised, watching the sweet-talking unfold “Hmmm Okay.”

“I gotta go. I’ve been trying to reach her but it’s not going through . I’ll come back, huh.”

From the shadows, Jackson watched him disappear down the corridor, his footsteps fading.

“He thinks I’m stupid enough to fall for that again,” He whispered. “He is such a scum . Nyomi needs to hear this.”

~~~

The bartender burst into the station like a man chased by ghosts. His shirt was half untucked, sweat glistening on his forehead.

“I was robbed!” he shouted.

The officer behind the desk looked up slowly. “Robbed? Alright. Just calm down and let's start with the full details.”

The bartender cleared his throat, voice shaking with anger. “I work my ass off at the bar. Then this lady walks in. She looked depressed, she was on ponytail. She says, ‘Can I get something strong to drink? I wanna forget everything I’m thinking about.’ I gave her a vodka shot and—”

“Slow down,” the officer cut in. “What happened after that?”

“She took the seventh shot, faked a phone call, and bolted.”

“You’re sure?”

The bartender slammed his palm on the desk. “Are you asking me that? I’m not playing with my wages. I gotta pay for what a stranger drank? I didn’t come here to joke man.”

“Alright. Do you know how we can reach her?”

He dropped a suit jacket, a brown bag and a few items on the desk. “She forgot these.”

The officer opened the bag slightly. “Did you open it before bringing it?”

“I don’t care what’s in there. I care about my pay. That’s all.”

The officer scanned the contents. “There’s an ID card and some documents. This could help.”

“She used to work for one of the biggest corporations. How come she robbed you?”

“I don’t know. Just get me my money. I’m tired of talking.”

~~~

Jackson entered the ward, breath quick. “Nyomi, I saw your boyfriend not long ago.”

“Richard?” Sammy asked, voice tight.

“Yes. Didn’t you see him? He came from the same direction as you.”

Sammy scratched her head, eyes darting. “I—I didn’t see him. Not at all.”

Nyomi frowned. “Richard wouldn’t come here without telling me.” She grabbed her phone, dialing.

Before the call connected, a nurse stepped in. “Miss Nyomi, your attention is needed urgently.”

“What’s wrong?” Jackson asked.

“Don’t worry,” Nyomi said. “I’ll go find out.”

“I’m coming with you,” Jackson said, taking her hand.

“Me too,” Sammy added.

They walked down the corridor, footsteps echoing. Nyomi’s heart thudded with unease.

At the reception, the bartender pointed. “That’s her.”

A policeman stepped forward. “Miss Nyomi, we found your items at the bar where you consumed drinks and left without paying.”

The room fell silent. All eyes were focused on her. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

Jackson stepped forward. “My sister isn’t a thief. We may not have much, but we don’t steal. There must be misinformation .”

Nyomi touched his shoulder gently. “Jackson, chill. I’ll handle this. Those are my items—I must’ve forgotten them.”

The bartender snapped, “You left them on purpose after seven vodka shots and a fake emergency.”

“No, I didn’t. As you can see I’m in the hospital ”

“Who cares?” he folded his arms. “Just pay me.”

Jackson looked at her, stunned. The nurses were having an under discussion.Sammy? Sammy stayed quiet, eyes low.

“Miss Palesa,” the officer said, “you’ll need to come with us for theft of service.”

Nyomi’s voice cracked. “Please… my mother is sick, she needs me here. It wasn’t intentional. Can’t we sort this out?”

Sammy stepped forward. “Nyomi, maybe you should just go with them. They’re the police.”

Jackson turned, eyes wide. “Yo Sammy, why would you even say that? My own sister in police custody?”

The officer stepped forward toward her. “She needs to come with us now,” the officer repeated. “Please move, Miss Nyomi.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jackson said.

“No, Jackson. Stay with Mum. And don’t tell her about this.”

Sammy pulled out her phone, fingers trembling, ready to tell Richard everything.