We're not couples

He reflects on the first day they met in the night program. Then comes back to earth, trying not to overthink the fact that Mr. James seems to look at them as a couple.

"At a youth organization"

The man cranes his eyebrows "I know couples usually meet on romantic occasions like; Parties, beach-"

"We're not a couple" Jamal says at once

The man is befuddled. He keeps quiet for some time before uttering, "You seem to have take liken of her."

Jamal is blank. Is this true? He has no idea and has never thought of it. He scratches his forehead.

The old man understands him at this point because he has been there before. "You know—I looked like you when I was younger. Maybe not as handsome as you are now"

Jamal chuckles and the old man continues; "It took me three years to discover the love I had for my wife. But you know what I learned from those years? I learned to love rightfully. It shouldn't have taken that long but I separated from her. I thought my life was better off without her. I thought her presence was darkness to me. Because everything I had was taken away from me when she came into my life."

Jamal is attentive as he leans off his seat, his hands over his lap, supporting his chin with his knuckles.

"But what I failed to understand was that she was the one who brought me out of the pit. I was sinking, yet she stood for me. She tolerated my shit. Also . . . died because of me."

Jamal turns cold. "She was shut. I—kept dealing with drugs and some bad guys that were all over me for stealing their stuff, came to find me. She refused telling them where I was even after knowing. They shut her and before I could come over, she was at the point of dead. I confessed to her seeing her dying in my arms. I felt my heart broken. And since my loss, I've never loved any woman. Because I couldn't love anyone the way I loved her."

"I'm so sorry Mr. James"

"There's no need to be. I thought I'd die after this incident, because there was no point of living. However, after meeting you and the pretty lady, I feel love again."

Jamal holds the old man's hand firmly but gently "I'm happy you feel loved by us"

"That wasn't what I meant son"

Jamal shrugs, and Myla, returns from her short trip.

"Here you go. I called the doctor and told him your up" she stands the package on a stool next to the old man.

She helps him sit straight and the doctor comes in not long after. He checks the man and takes off the oxygen.

"I'm surprised. Your health is perfect." The doctor announces and Myla grins, knowing what happened, she gives a silent glory to God.

"Thank you doctor", the man says

"No need to thank me. You should thank this couple for paying your bills. So you'd be ready to leave anytime now"

Myla bits her lower lip, staring at Jamal. Why do they see them as a couple? Does it show?

"You did what?" the old man questions, surprised.

"I should leave all of you" the doctor excuses himself and they nod.

"You needed assistance. You had no relative coming to visit and doctor was about taking off your oxygen. What if you died?" Myla explains

"We couldn't watch that happen" Jamal ends

And they look at each other. Mr. James smiles and takes his food to start eating.

"I've siblings. But no one cares about me maybe scared of the life I lived"

"But you're not the same person anymore. That's—not right" Jamal answers and Myla is confused about what they are talking about.

"No need to worry son. I've lived like this all my life. I'm not really old you know. I just turned 70"

Myla sends remorse over his direction as she listens to his sad story. "You still need someone to look after you. You can't stay alone forever"

Myla suddenly sneezes. Jamal frowns "You caught a cold?"

She hums, responding, "I think"

He starts worrying as he leaves his seat and sinks next to her. He takes her palms and robs it generating heat into her body.

"Is this better?" he questions and she laughs

"It's just a cold?"

"Yeah. Keep negating."

Another sneeze erupt from here and he presses his lips into a thin line "That's a symptom"

Always right about everything.

"You should take her home"

"No, no I'm fine. It'd be alright. After all you can't stay here alone. We should take you home"

Someone gets in and everyone snaps heads to the door as a younger version of the man in bed walks in with a lady next to him.

"Dad" the man calls and Mr. James is blank.

Jamal turns to look at the old man with the same facial expression as him.

"Michal?"

The boy runs to embrace his dad and his dad opens his arms to take him in. "I missed you"

"Your alive" the man says absentmindedly, still unable to comprehend the scenario.

"Yeah. I had to stay underground for sometime with another family"

They unlashed the embrace. He looks over at the lady next to his son and the lady gives him a gentle smile, making him to remember Myla's smile of yesterday.

Michal introduces her "This is my fiancée, Nina. I met her when I was still hiding"

She showed her ring and Mr. James' eyes water. He's never felt so much joy. His son is back, out of nowhere and came back with a woman he'd soon marry. He looks down at the lady's belly and it tells him something suspicious.

He looks at his son and his son grins, "She's pregnant"

Mr. James is speechless. He'd soon be a grandpa. Since, there's not enough space, Myla stands up and gestures for the pregnant woman to seat. And Jamal does the same for the old man's son. Nina down settles gently next to her fiancé. Mr. James talks.

"I didn't ask for your names"

"I'm Myla and he's Jamal"

The old man smirks "This is my son. He's an army"

"Not anymore. I need to look after you and my baby's mama" Michal interrupts him and the old man looks at the couples once again, joyfully.

"What happened to you?" Jamal asks

Michal brings his gaze to his age mate, and though Jamal is not an army, they have the same body structure and height.

"I served in the army but—when we were needed on the battle field, someone set me up. The America government saw as a spy to our enemy. Almost like being a traitor. My general was the only one who could safe me from this accusation but he stood against and ordered that if anyone sees me, they should capture me for imprisonment. I had to run until my name was cleared before returning."

"So right now you're cleared?" Myla interrogates

"Yeah I am. They found the real traitor and gave him a dead sentence. He was my close friend in the army. He knew everything about me. So very easy for him to paint my name red"

"Right now, all I want is just a family, a normal life. Hopefully, I was able to trace my dad after searching and asking some folks. When I was told he was here, I pelted to this hospital as soon as I could. I couldn't imagine losing him now."

He squeezes his dad hand and his dad tells, "You shouldn't have worried, because God sent these two to look after me. And indeed their presence is good sign. They brought me love again."

He reflects on his late wife while his son robs his back of his hand "Mom is in peace wherever she is. And has already forgiven you. Now you have me, us"

They all chortle staring at the old man.

"I want you to know how grateful I am for assisting my dad. I wish you well in your Couple-ship"

"We're not couples" they say in unison and they other couples look at each other knowingly.

To be continued...