Grandfather Lester was now certain things were not alright. He turned himself in and faced Anna. Her eyes were more reddened and she turned her back on him quickly.
“It’s too late Anna. Don’t even think of hiding your face anymore. What is wrong here?” Old man Lester demanded. He knew the kind of sudden serenity that descended on this mansion wasn’t just normal.
Anna sighed softly, cleaned her tears and turned to face her father. She sniffled and said “You need to rest father. I’ll take you to your room now”
“No. I’m not going to rest until I know what’s wrong in this house. I’m the eldest member of this family and I should know what is happening each time” Old man Lester declared.
Does he look like a child that needs to be tattered to sleep? Can’t he decide when to rest and when he needs to attend to other things before embracing that rest?
“Father please, your health is more important to me than anything else at this time. You should go into your room and rest. We’ll have a lot to catch up on” Richard insisted.
“And I said no, Richard. Are you going to force my eyelids to close now or do you intend to drug me?” Old man Lester was stubborn.
Richard sighed audibly and he stared at his father helplessly. He doesn’t want him to be bothered but looks like his father had taken pleasure in getting his mental health worked up.
Grandfather Lester glanced from his son to his wife and none of them was willing to say a word to him. He remembered seeing Richard’s sad expression a while ago when he came to the hospital.
Now, Anna’s tears and her sudden calmness and willingness to help him was astounding. This is not her usual attitude. What happened when he was away?
“Where’s Adrian?” Old man Lester asked. At least if they wouldn’t say anything, his grandson would definitely talk to him.
“He.. he…at..” Anna stuttered and Richard interrupted her sharply “Adrian is attending to something very important but will be home soon, father”
“Hmmm” old man Lester grunted and said “Get me my phone” he would call Adrian himself. Richard soon fetched him his phone and he put it on.
“Adrian, where are you?” Old man Lester demanded. His gaze was now fixed on Richard who sat with his legs crossed on the sofa.
“I’m on my way to the hospital. How are you today?” Adrian answered. He hadn’t seen his father and it was past noon already. He decided to check on him before returning home.
“Come home, I’ve been discharged” old man Lester instructed. He’ll wait until Adrian returns. That’s the only way he can stay calm. How can he go to his room and rest when he knows something is wrong.
“Did Adrian and Ava get divorced peacefully?” Old man Lester asked, trying to stall for time as he waited for Adrian to arrive.
“They didn’t get divorced,” Richard declared. They’re not divorced but have been separated forever. This kind of separation was worse and more painful than being divorced.
“That’s good news” grandfather grumbled under his breath. Isn’t that what he wanted, they should not be divorced?
Richard and Anna exchanged glances and both remained mute. Good news, he said? It’s terrible news instead. Because he would feel sad when he heard what happened to Ava.
“Now, I can go to see Sam Leon without being ashamed” grandfather mumbled and closed his eyes momentarily. Since the couple didn’t get divorced, Sam Leon wouldn’t feel betrayed.
He just hopes one day, Adrian would be ready to make his marriage with Ava work. They will be happy together because he knows Ava is an amazing woman.
Anna was dazed with her father’s words again. He had been in the hospital when Sam Leon died and Ava also. Will he be able to bear the shock of it?
The death of two people he knows and likes very much. The fact that they’re both father and daughter, will it go down well with him with his present health condition?
Father will die of heart failure as a result of shock. She’s certain of that and she said to Richard “Let’s talk please” and stood up, going to the corridor.
She pulled her husband but he backed away, flinging her hand off. He just stood and wanted her to talk.
Anna sighed “Father cannot take the news of Sam and Ava’s death. Please you need to find a way to stop Adrian from saying anything to him”
“Did you consider father when you maliciously got Ava arrested? When you didn’t spare the sick man Sam, a favour that he requested from you? Do you know how critical Clara’s case is in the hospital now?
Why do you feel so much concern about your father now when you masterminded everything that happens to Sam Leon and his daughter? Listen to me Anna, I’ll never exempt you from the misfortune that has befallen Leon’s family” Richard declared and walked back to sit down.
Richard decided to tell his father what happened. It would come as a shock but he would survive it. It came as a shock to him as well and he managed to find his breath still.
“Father, while you were away, some things happened. Things that cannot be redeemed, things that can only be corrected if the hands of time could be changed. Don’t feel shocked about it” Richard declared.
The honk of Adrian’s car was heard as grandfather sighed for relief. Adrian is here. He would let him know what happened exactly.
“Save the information for yourself. My grandson is back” grandfather arrogantly said, shoving Richard’s words aside. Adrian is home.
Richard sighed. He hopes his father will still remain so proud of Adrian when he knows what really happened.
Adrian walked in slowly. He was still dressed in black. And seeing his father, a part of him felt happy. At least grandfather survived. Before he could say hello, his grandfather beat him to it.
“Welcome son. I’ve been waiting for you for a while now. I want you to tell me what happened when I was away because I know you are sensible and know just what makes me happy” he chimed, glancing at his son and daughter in-law, he ignored them and continued.
“I also heard that you decided not to go through with the divorce with your wife. I’m proud of you son. You did the right thing by making Ava Leon your wife forever. You have made me a happy old man Adrian.
So tell me, why is everyone dressed in black and where is Ava Leon your wife?”
Adrian’s complexion turned ashen. He rated him so high that when he would fall, the fall would be bone breaking. “Why grandfather, why did you say you are proud of me? I am the worst grandson any old man could ever have” he thought silently within himself.
“Why are you all looking like someone just died?” Grandfather asked. Dressing in black symbolises the death of someone so dear. Is anyone dead?
“Someone really died, grandfather, Ava Leon is dead” Adrian blurted.