Don't forget to click on that orange star ⭐ 😌

This chapter is dedicated to my Wattnaija Family. I love you bitches 😩❤️.

Please don't hate me for what you are going to see towards the ending of this chapter😩. I just want you to know that there was no other way it could have happened. I'm so sorry.

****

"𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆, 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝑱𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔."
_  𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝑩𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆
𝑳𝒖𝒌𝒆15: 10

𝕁𝔸𝕄𝔸𝕃

I walked out of the bathroom, dabbing my wet torso with the small towel Skye had gotten for me. I stopped short when I saw that Khalil standing by the counter, all dressed while packing everything that was his into the bag that was given to him. Standing there, I felt nervous, agitated, mostly due to everything that he has said to me lat night.

But mostly, I felt guilt.

Maybe I didn't know the full story, but I knew now that he didn't leave me there.

And I also knew he did something more to my advantage that day.

Clearing my throat to announce my presence, I walked to where my things were on the counter. Watching him through the corner of my eyes, he didn't acknowledge my presence, mainly focused on neatly folding his cloths into the bag. The atmosphere became pregnant with uncomfortable silence, the air around us so thick with tension, a knife could slice through easily. I sighed, throwing my head up to look at the white ceiling.

God, what should I do?

Should I say something?

What exactly would I even want to say?

"Err..rrmm..." I drawled, looking at Khalil who totally ignored my lame attempt to start a conversation, focused on the cloths he was folding. I sighed, giving up.

"Look, I'm sor..." The look he shot me through the mirror in front of us had me zipping my mouth shot. It was stoic, deadpan and outrightly scary. I swallowed, looking away from his glare even though I could still feel them burning into my skin.

That didn't go well, at all.

"Don't pretend to care." Came him gruffy voice and I looked at him through the mirror. "Don't act like you are bothered about me." He sneered and I sighed again, turning completely to the side to face him.

"I'm not pretending." I countered, although calmly. "Someone you care about is in a critical condition, it is rather ideal of me to want to know if you are okay." I added. He let out a short scoff like laugh, shaking his head.

"Oh, and just because you found out something close to the truth last night, you are acting all different. If you think what you are doing right now is going to make up for all the hate, all the nasty words you have ever hurled at me, all the things you have accused me of, then you need to try better than whatever this is." He spat out, gesturing to the space between us when he said those last words.

Wait, He's not the only one who lost something in this. I lost something in all these too!

"And you think I don't know that I have to try better to make up for everything?" I asked him, but he turned back to what he was doing earlier, carefully arranging the cloths he has folded back into his bag.

"I don't know the entire story till now, but I understand now that I was wrong about my side of the story. You didn't leave me to die that day, I get it! But you are not the only one that lost something in all of these, Khalil. I lost my girlfriend! I almost lost my sanity because I was hating you."

He sounded around so fast, I feared he'd fall. Then he said.

"None of which was my fault." He jabbed his index finger into his chest before he began to move closer to me. I stayed rooted to the ground, watching as he closes in on me, that same finger jabbing into my bare chest while his eyes didn't leave mine for a second.

"It was all you, Jamal. Your Paranoia. That terrible image of me your mind helped you to conjure. The image of me being the bad guy. That's what led to what happened to you. Not me." He jabbed me harder this time, almost tipping me over.

"But you were always taunting me!" I cried out in frustration and I saw the way his expression softened, just for a second before it turned deadpan again. "You were always picking on me, riling me up! It was like you wanted me to hate you! You legit told me you'd clip my wings! How else was I supposed to interpret all of that!"

"It was my defense mechanism." He replied, his voice calmer this time. Then he let out a laugh, a genuine yet sad laugh that made my heart constrict in pain, shame, regret...

"You didn't fail to hide the fact that you didn't want me around, from day one. You didn't hide the despise you had for me. I got to school on my first day and almost everyone already knew me as Khalil; the guy who left his cousin to die.-

So, maybe I thought of being the villain you wanted me to be. Oh God, I wanted to hurt you for making me feel so unwanted. But I didn't, because I am better than that. Because your girlfriend didn't judge me like the rest of you did. Because the girl lying on that hospital bed right now unconscious, is the only person in my life keeping me sane.-

So, yes. I decided to be better than you. Because I am actually a better person than you are, Jamal." With that, he picked his bag and dashed out of the room, leaving me with his words dancing in my mind, hitting my heart's core and knocking the breath right out of me over and over again.

It was all my Paranoia...

My pathetic fear for him...

The image my mind already conjured about him being the devil...

That's what led to everything that had gone down these past months.

And I kept blaming him for it, even when he didn't lift a finger at me.

He was better than me...

Sighing in dejection, I took my shirt from the counter slab and started putting it on. I was in the middle of that when I heard voices outside, both familiar. I recognized one to be that of Khalil and the other, the voice of the doctor. Feeling every of my senses heighten, I rushed out of the bathroom, the buttons barely done and met Khalil and the doctor outside.

"How is she?" I heard Khalil ask by the time I got out. The stoic and disdainful expression he had from earlier was replaced with a forlorn look, with a hint of fear and worry. I looked at Dr Ferdinand and saw his twitch in a small smile.

"Doctor..." I called him, causing him to look between Khalil and I. I watched as his lips stretched in a small smile.

"She's awake.       

☆☆☆☆

"Does she even want to see us?" Skye asked, her voice quivering and her face filled with uncertainty. I sighed, not knowing how to answer that question.

We've been standing outside Tolani's private ward for the past twenty five minutes, not knowing whether to walk in or not. Truth be told, we were probably Tolani's least favourite people in the entire universe. But the fact still remained that even though she wronged us, we also wronged as well. The major reason she became the way she did was because things that happen to her in the past. A past we didn't know about because we were to blind to notice that something was wrong with her.

I suddenly became confused, not knowing where any of us stood in Tolani's mind.

"Well, we should let her know we are here for her. No matter what has happened in the past, we are letting bygones be bygones today. We all deserve it. Tolani deserves it." Elyon said, staring at the room which Khalil had disappeared into immediately Dr Ferdinand announced to us that Tolani was awake. He didn't even waste any time. He just dashed into her ward so fast, it surprised me.

"Elyon is right. Let's just hope she doesn't send us out immediately we walk into the room." I muttered, clearing my throat and bracing myself for whatever is to come. I felt Elyon slip her hand into mine, leaving her fingers through mine. I looked at her as she squeezed my hand reassuringly, flashing a smile at me, a smile that assured me that everything would be okay.

I really wanted to believe that smile.

Taking a deep sigh, the three of us walked into Tolani's ward. We stopped short at the door, standing there and watched.

The sight before me knocked the breath right out me, making my chest clench with so much emotions I couldn't unravel. I felt my eyes swell up in tears and Elyon must have noticed because I felt her hand squeeze mine again. I looked back at the duo that seemed to be oblivious of our presence, wrapped up in their own world.

Khalil was by Tolani's bedside, the chair he was sitting on impossibly close to the bed. He was holding her left hand tightly in between both of his, his eyes trained squarely on hers. They were talking in hushed tones, in a very deep conversation. It was when Tolani stretched her right hand towards his face, brushing her thumb against his cheeks that I realized that Khalil was crying.

Khalil Olumide Gobir, was crying!

Wow...

How on Earth did I ever think this guy was evil?

It was at that moment that Tolani turned face towards the door, her eyes meeting mine and I froze, swallowing. Khalil also followed her gaze, looking towards us and not bothering to wipe his tears off. I've never seen him look the way he was looking at the moment, several emotions running through his face. He looked so lonesome, lost and at the same time, happy. It shook me how much emotion being with Tolani made him emanate.

It reminded me of how little I knew my cousin...

When I spent most of my life hating him...

They stared at us for a moment, Tolani and Khalil. I felt hot under their gaze, felt self conscious. My tongue was tied and I didn't have to look at my sister to know that she was dumbfounded. I honestly didn't know what to say, or how to say it.

"Hey..." It was Elyon that spoke first, breaking through the unbearable silence. The question was directed to Tolani and I felt nervous, watching her subtly to know what her response would be, what her reaction would be like. I honestly didn't expect anything positive so, I didn't expect what she did next.

She smiled.

Tolani actually smiled at Elyon. At me. At all three of us.

I was suddenly able to breath properly.

"Hey." She responded, her voice coming out grouchy and weak though her smile widened.

I let out another sigh of relief, my lips stretching in a smile of my own. She looked at me, the smile not wiping off her face and she rose her hand, waving at me. I smiled deeper this time, raising my hand to wave back. She looked past me and at Skye and nodded at her , still smiling. Skye literally scoffed out a sigh, quickly cleaning the tray beads of tears off her cheeks and nodded back, sniffing then smiling back at Tolani. I looked at Khalil and saw his lips quirked in a small smile, it was almost unnoticeable.

He did this...

He prepared her for our coming.

How much have I underrated and underestimated this guy?

I owed him too much.

"Have you eaten?" Khalil husky voice pierced through my thoughts and I looked up to see that Elyon had left my side and had gone to sit down beside Tolani. Skye was just at the foot of the bed, standing but she still seemed more involved than I was.

How long was I out for?

"I'm not hungry." Was Tolani's grouchy reply. She seems not to like the way her voice came out because she grimaced then cleared her throat. Khalil frowned, resting his back on his chair he was sitting on.

"How can you say you are not hungry!" He didn't snap but he didn't sound happy either. "You have been unconscious for almost twenty four hours and it's like you haven't even eaten in days." It was when Khalil said that, that I noticed how awfully lean Tolani was. Tolani had a slim figure before, but this?

It wasn't good...

"Khalil, you don't need to bother yourself. I swear, I'm fine." She said calmly, picking her words one by one as if saying them all at once would hurt her. Khalil shook his head adamantly and stood up abruptly, earning soft giggles from the girls. I even felt my lips stretch into a smile.

"Whether you like it or not, I'm getting you something to eat. I'll be right back." He said, pressing a quick kiss to the back of her palm and then her forehead before he dashed out of the room with a speed of lightening.

"He really cares about you..." I heard Skye say solemnly, obviously watching her words. Tolani chuckled cooly and shrugged.

"I know." She muttered, looking towards the door that Khalil had just walked out of longingly. The look in her eyes was familiar, very familiar. It was the same look I've had my eyes since Elyon came into life.

Tolani was in love with Khalil.

Oh My God!

Before I could ponder more on the thought, Dr Ferdinand walked in, his eyes searching around the room, obviously looking for Khalil. I quickly aided him out of his misery.

"He quickly stepped out to get something for her." I said, looking back ay the girls who seemed to have bonded too easily, too fast. But I guess that's what it meant for bygones to be bygones.

"Can I see you outside then?" Dr Ferdinand asked me, his facial expression giving off a very off vibe. I nodded anyway, following him outside the room and out of earshots. I turned to him, but his expression had not gotten any better.

"What is the matter, Doctor?" I asked, trying to brace myself for whatever news I was about to hear, even though I prayed and hoped that it wasn't a bad news. But his expression wasn't helping matters.

Oh God! What is this now?

"The hospital has been trying to reach out to Tolani's parent but to no avail. We need her family for what I am about to tell you. Her family needs to be here." He said frantically and I became more worried, wondering what was so serious to that extent.

"Doctor, we are Tolani's family. You heard what my cousin said, her parents are hardly around and if you keep trying to call them, you are probably going to be wasting your time. So I suggest you tell me whatever is going one right now." I instructed, trying not to sound rude and at the same time, trying to make my stance known. He sighed then nodded before looking at me, his expression even more gloomy.

"I'm afraid I have bad news."

☆☆☆☆

I remained outside for almost two hours, my back leaned against the wall right in front of Tolani's room. My mind was still trying to take in everything the doctor had told me, everything I still haven't told Khalil since he came back. I didn't know how to tell him but I knew I had to tell him as fast as possible, to avoid even more complication.

Letting out a heavy breath, I turned on my heels and walked back into the already jam-packed room. Mateo, Soma and Vanessa were around as well, Skye had called them earlier. I still didn't believe Tolani had let them in as well. It shocked me to my wits. Not that I was complaining, but it no longer made sense.

This Tolani was different. She was chirpier, lively, almost as if she wasn't in pain which I knew she was because she kept wincing subtly over and over again. She looked happy, too happy if there was anything like that. It was like, whoever was on that bed wasn't Tolani anymore. Maybe a Celestial being.

Now you sound ridiculous, Jamal. I chided myself playfully, my lips twitching in a smile.

I stayed by the door, watching all the activities going on the room. Khalil wasn't staying beside Tolani anymore, Mateo had taken his position on the chair. He was now leaning against the window at the far corner of the room, a small smile playing on his lips as he  watchedTolani interact with everyone like there was never a rift in the first place. Somadina said something funny, causing everyone to laugh, Tolani's laughter the heartiest of them all.

The scenery was so serene. It made it even hard for me to tell Khalil what I wanted to tell him.

But I had to.

I stared at him long enough for him to notice he was being stared at. He looked towards my direction, his brows furrowed in question. I nodded my head towards outside then walked out, hoping he'd get the signal and follow behind. I didn't have to wait for more than ten seconds before he joined me outside.

"What is it?" Came his gruffy voice, while he was eyeing me skeptically.

"We need to talk about something very important. I need you to listen to what I am about to say carefully." I told him and he scoffed, probably thinking I wanted to talk about myself again.

"I know you are too much of an attention seeker, Jamal, but this is neither the place nor time to talk about whatever you want to talk about." He answered sharply, turning on his heels to walk away. I rolled my eyes, then called out to him.

"It's about Tolani." That caused him to stop short, before he turned around to look at him, his face scrunched up in a deep frown.

"What?"

"When you went out to get something for her to eat, doctor Ferdinand told me something." I paused for effect, watching the deadbeat look on his face falter little by little. I swallowed, prepping myself for the bombshell that I was about to drop.

"Tolani's uterus got perforated as a result of the abortion she had..." I paused when I saw Khalil's expression falter completely, his deadbeat expression replaced by that of shock. I sighed, continuing.

"... and doctor Ferdinand said this has led to more complications." Khalil staggered, so fast that I rushed to him so that he won't fall. He held his hand up, stopping me from coming any closer as he slouched against the wall to support him.

"M-More c-complications like what?" Khalil sputtered out, his words coming out in jumbles. I exhaled again.

"Internal abdominal bleeding that needs to be stopped with surgery, unless..."

"Don't say it!" He snapped at me, his eyes blazing and at the same time, teary. "Don't fucking say it!" He growled out through gritted teeth and I nodded, biting my lower lip to stop it from quivering. I watched Khalil sit on the floor, breathing heavily, none of us uttering anything for the next couple of minutes.

"D-Does she k-know?" He asked after a while, his voice breaking. I sighed for the hundredth time, shaking my head.

"She doesn't."

☆☆☆☆

I entered into the now empty. The only person in there was Tolani, who was lying down on her side, looking at the window. She had asked everyone to go out, that she wanted to talk to us one after the other. She had already spoken to Somadina, Vanessa, Mateo, Skye and Elyon.

Each of them came looking extremely forlorn. Skye and Elyon were legit crying. When I asked Elyon what she had said, all she could mutter was "Tolani is an angel." I didn't understand what that meant but it sounded like a good thing. It was a good thing.

Maybe she actually was a Celestial being in place of Tolani.

It was my turn now and I was right there in the room, standing by the door, watching the way Tolani looked at the window with so much fascination, as if it was more than a window. She didn't seem to notice my presence.

"You don't have to stand there, staring at me." Her voice caught me off guard, making me realize that she had known all along that she was standing there. She turned on her bed, turning to face me. I didn't miss the smile playing on her lips. It was so awfully contagious that I had to smile back.

"Come and sit." She instructed, tapping the space on her bed and I walked towards her, settling beside her. She was looking at me with an expression that made me feel self conscious. So, I looked away causing her to laugh.

"Are you now shy to look at me? Do I look that bad?" She asked and I looked up, shaking my head.

"Of course not." I quickly said and she chuckled. "I just don't know what to say to you. I don't know where I should start my apology from." I stated and she shook her head, her hand stretching over to settle against mine that was on my thigh.

"If anyone owes anyone an apology between the both of us, it's me. I owe you tons of apologies, Jamal. I didn't treat you well at all and I am so sorry..."

"And I didn't know you were going through so much." I cut her off, clasping her hand in mine. "I was your friend and I had absolutely no idea you were going through all of that. You even tried to be close to me earlier this session but I shoved you aside. I didn't treat you well either. I didn't do right by you."

"There was absolutely no way you could have known what I was going through." She said, her voice calm and gentle. Her gaze unwavering from mine.

"Khalil didn't even know, until I told him and I only told him because I wanted him to have a reason to stay away from me. But all he wanted to do was protect me and kill the man that did this to me. I panicked because no one has ever stood by me like that." She paused and then made to sit up. I quickly went to her aid, propping the pillow for her to rest on. When she was satisfied, I sat back down and looked at her.

"That's why I wanted us to talk." She said and immediately, I got the gist. She wanted to talk about me and Elyon.

"I know I messed up." I started and she nodded, cocking her head at me.

"You more than messed up, Jamal. I was outside the Art studio that day and I heard everything." She said, shocking me. The evidence of surprise on my face was clear as day. Tolani continued anyway.

"Elyon might seem to have come on too strong but that's the person she is. She's a hard lover and hard lovers will do anything for those they love. Honestly, that was the main reason why I was envious of her from the beginning. Because she loved you in ways I didn't think of loving you. You have absolutely no idea how lucky you are to have her. So, whatever you need to fix to have her back, please fix it."

"I'm trying to, Tolani. God knows, I am trying to..." I trailed off, sighing in utter frustration.

"I know. But you have to try harder because honestly, I don't think it would be easy to find someone that loves you the way she does if you loose her. Elyon is your soulmate, no arguments." She rolled her eyes playfully when she said that last part and I chuckled.

"You wake up from hours of unconsciousness and you are suddenly a relationship expert." I teased and she laughed, an heart genuine laughter that made my heart swell for her.

"Let's just say, I had an encounter." She answered, a wide grin spreading across her face afterwards. I didn't know what that meant but I didn't ask either. All I did was clasp her hand tightly in mine, giving it a small squeeze.

"Thank you, Tolani."

"No, Thank you Jamal. Thank you for giving me another chance."

☆☆☆☆

Khalil went in after I got out of the room. I knew he was going to be in there for a long while. He had to tell her that she was going on for surgery by nine in the evening. He had to be the one to prep her.

It was getting dark, the time of the surgery was near. Dr Ferdinand came in just around the same time Khalil was getting out after hours of being in the room with Tolani. I didn't fail to notice his bloodshot eyes. They spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes before Dr Ferdinand gave Khalil something to sign. He was eligible to sign anything that had to do with Tolani because at the moment, he was basically her family.

We were her family.

Khalil turned to all of us and nodded.

"It's time." He said and we all stood up, a deep sigh escaping each of our lips.

"Can we, I don't know, be with her for a few minutes?" It was Elyon that asked, the question directed to the doctor. "We just want to pray with her." She added and everyone murmured in agreement. Dr Ferdinand nodded.

"You have five minutes. I'll go get my team ready." He nodded at us before he walked away. We all went into the room and met Tolani lying down on her back, eyes trained on the ceiling. She was muttering audible words to herself. It almost seemed like she was praying.

"Tolani." Khalil called her softly, bringing her attention from the ceiling to us. She looked around us and smiled.

"You guys are still here. It's getting late, you should go home to rest." She said.

"We are not leaving until the surgery is over." Vanessa countered, a smile playing on her lips.

"I already told my Dad that I would be spending the night at Jamal's. I'm not going anywhere until you are out of surgery." Mateo stated matter-of-factly.

"I honestly don't have anywhere else to be. My parents are out of town and I can't spend another minute with my sisters." Somadina chipped in with a shrug, causing all of us to chuckle.

"All in all. We are here for you Tolani." Skye said, moving closer to Tolani's bed and holding her hands. "We want to pray for you." She added. Tolani smiled, beads of tears dropping from her eyes. I could tell she was happy. And so were we.

"You guys really don't have to pray for me." She said. "I already spoke to God and He's going to do what he's going to do. He alone has the final say." There was a way she said what she said that sent cold shivers run down my spine. I couldn't place what the feeling was, but I couldn't help but feel it.

Am I the only one the felt it?

"We are still going to pray for you." Elyon maintained and Tolani nodded, smiling in resignation. Elyon then motioned for all of us to hold hands. And we prayed, asking God to go with Tolani as she goes into surgery. Asking Him to make it all successful.

But in my heart, my continuous prayer was for Tolani not to die.

Dr Ferdinand came in later with two nurses pushing in a gurney. They placed Tolani on it and they pushed her in between the theatre doors. Khalil wanted to follow but Elyon held his hand, dragging him back. There was nothing we could do other than to wait for a good news.

And I prayed desperately for it to be a good news.

(𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐)

It's been ten hours and thirty minutes since Tolani was wheeled into the theatre to be operated on. None of us have been able to sleep a wink due to agitation and anxiety. Skye had to go home because someone had to look after Venus, so Mateo followed her and so did Somadina and Vanessa, not after they gave us strict instructions to call them if there was any news.

But there hasn't been any news. And it was day break already.

Khalil stood up from the chair he was sitting on and began to pace. Elyon sat up, wanting to tell him to calm down but I stopped her.

"Don't tell him to calm down. His emotions we heightened at the moment and he has every right to feel everything he is feeling. If anything, I'm just as agitated as he is." I told her and she sighed.

"I know. I'm just so nervous and if keeps pacing like that, my blood pressure will skyrocket." She stated, throwing her head back against the head rest of the chair, puffing out air from her lips. "I am so scared." She confessed, looking at me and I nodded, taking her hand in mine and lacing my fingers inbetween hers.

"I know, I'm scared too. But let's keep praying that everything goes well." I said to her and she nodded, throwing her head back again.

Tolani is okay.

Tolani is absolutely okay.

Nothing will happen to her.

The doctor will come out right now and give us a good news.

And on cue, the door of the theatre burst open and Dr Ferdinand came out immediately, all dressed in scrubs. Elyon and I stood up on our feet just about the same time Khalil sighted him and we rushed towards him. Looking at him up close, I saw a small almost unnoticeable smile playing on his lips.

That's a good sign.

"How was the surgery? How is Tolani?" Khalil asked frantically, searching the doctor's eyes. Elyon squeezed my hand, a gesture that made me know that she was more terrified than scared. I took a deep breath, praying in my mind that there was a good news.

It was at that point that Doctor Ferdinand decided to smile and I heard Elyon drag out a long breath I didn't know she was holding.

"The surgery was successful." He announced and I let out a deep sigh, my lips stretching into a smile.

Khalil threw both his hands on his head, his lips quirked in a small smile while his chest rose and fell rapidly. It showed how long he had been holding his breath. He then shook the hand of the doctor, thanking him repeatedly. Elyon looked at me and smiled. My smile widened and I drew her close to hug her while my eyes shot up to the ceiling.

Thank you, God. Thank you for this second chance.

But our happiness only lasted for short while.

"Doctor!" Someone screamed from behind Dr Ferdinand, and we all looked in time to see a Nurse dash in through the same door he had just come out from.

"The patient." She said and immediately, alarm bells went off in my head. The smile that was on Khalil's face was replaced with a confused scowl. I heard Elyon mutter the name Jesus.

"What the fuck is going on?" Khalil asked Dr Ferdinand who was suddenly tongue-tied. It was at that moment I knew something was terribly wrong.

Blood of Jesus.

Blood of Jesus.

"I'll be right back." Was all he said before dashed off again and disappeared in-between the doors. At that moment, I heard multiple footsteps behind and I turned just in time to see my sister and the rest of the gang running towards us.

"We just saw the doctor rush out right now." Skye announced immediately she got to us. Not know what else to think, I looked at Khalil who was staring at the door like it was an alien. I didn't even want to know what was going on in his head.

"What the hell is going on? Someone should say something na!" That was Mateo, coming to ask me but I couldn't answer him. My eyes was trained on Khalil who was still standing rooted to that spot, staring at the theatre door. I could hear everyone speak but it all seemed so distant. My mind began to work in overdrive, just as my mouth began to move in fervent prayers.

God, don't let anything happen to her, please.

One chance...

Just one more chance for us to treat her the way she has always deserved to be treated.

One more chance to properly make up for everything we didn't do right.

Please, don't take her away.

"I don't know..." It was Elyon that spoke up. I could hear her voice quivering and I knew that she was already crying. "He came out here to tell us that the surgery was successful and it wasn't up to two minutes before the nurse called him back. Guys, something is wrong."

I tuned them off, walking to stand beside Khalil whose eyes was still fixated on the door. He was muttering something to himself and I didn't hear him properly until I was standing right beside him.

"They are just messing with us." He was saying, his eyes not leaving the door. "They are messing with us. I know that." He repeated, turning to look at me, a smile playing on his lips. But I noticed his lips quivering, his eyes teary and I was tongue tied. I had absolutely no idea what to say or do.

"Any moment now, they will come out and say this is all a prank." He said, his words breaking my heart little by little because I knew that whatever happened to Tolani at this point, will either make or break Khalil. And I prayed earnestly for it not to be the latter. So, I carefully placed a hand on his shoulder and thankfully, he didn't shrug me off. He only held my gaze with his teary ones.

"Everything will be okay." I told him, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. He nodded, going back to stare at the door.

"I know. Tolani will be fine." He said and in as much as I didn't want to be the one to build his hopes, I nodded in agreement with him, following his gaze to stare back at the door. We all waited for a good thirty minutes. Waiting, praying and hoping that we hear a good news.

The door of the theatre opened and the door came out. This time, his steps were slow, his shoulder was slumped and his face held no smile like they did the last time. My heart picked up a beat and my palms began to sweat. No one moved from their position. No one ran to meet him half way. We waited for him to come to us.

And he did because soon, he was standing right before us.

"How is she?" I was the one that asked, because I wasn't even sure Khalil was in the right state of mind to speak at that moment. Dr Ferdinand didn't say anything. His had hung low, his eyes gloomy and his hands clasped together. My heart continued to beat at a very rapid pace.

Jesus...

Jesus...

"Doctor, you have to say something. Talk to us." That was Vanessa. Dr Ferdinand looked up and I could see hint of tears in his eyes. Under my palm that was placed on his shoulder, I felt Khalil tense.

"I'm so sorry..." Dr Ferdinand whispered, shaking his head and I tensed, not liking what I was hearing. What the hell was he sorry for? No one fell down. So why was he apologizing. The sniffs and sobs I was hearing from behind me wasn't helping matters at all.

Tolani is okay...

Tolani is absolutely okay...

Right?

"Why are you apologizing?" Khalil spoke for the first time since the doctor came back out. "Tolani is going to be fine, right? You are doing everything within your power to help her, right? She's going to be discharged soon, right?" He kept asking, his face void of any expression other than immense hope.

"Khalil... " Dr Ferdinand started, shaking his head. In as much as I knew what he was about to say, I wasn't ready to hear it. I wasn't ready to believe that it was true.

"We lost Tolani. I'm sorry."

There was silence.

Like we were waiting for the doctor to say he was joking, or for a camera crew to come out and scream "Pranked". There was an absolute silence for two whole minutes.

Before a growl, a growl so painful and brain-splitting that it echoed through the quiet hall way.

A gut-churning growl that came from Khalil.

A/N

It was torture 💔.

Writing this chapter was torture for me.

I tried to work around it. I tried to look for a way to keep her alive, but Tolani has suffered way too much on this Earth and she needed to find peace. She deserved to find peace and I just had to give it to her. It wasn't easy, mostly because she used to be hated at the beginning of EOTS and STS and when you guys knew her story and began to relate to her, everyone just loved her. So, it was pretty hard taking her away. But it had to happened.

Tolani knew she was going to go. That's why she had to make things right with everyone. She was the ultimate push that Jamal needed to make things right with Khalil, not just because of Elyon, but because he has to, for his own good. It still won't be easy but she did what God sent her to do one last time. I told you before that you shouldn't forget her because she will play a major role in bringing everyone together, which she already did.

This death will take a toll on everyone of them, but obviously, Khalil would be more affected than everyone of them. Tolani kinda prepared him for it ( you'll know what I'm talking about in Khalil's next POV since Chapter 34) but he just didn't want to let her go.

I honestly don't know how to feel😔😪. Because I can remember saying in one of the chapters of EOTS, that the world could do without a Tolani. I take it all back, I take my words back 😔💔. With the way her character arc made me love her, I just can't deal with the fact that she's gone for good.

I don't know when next I'd update. I don't know how I'd be able to write the remaining chapters. But I'll see you guys as soon as possible.

I love you all. ❤️.