CHAPTER 74

That was how it felt to be married at sixteen.

It was past two weeks and yet Naomi was still admitted at the hospital. She did not want to be discharged. She felt that it was safer to be admitted at the hospital than to go back home. Who knows? Maybe the killer was still targeting them.  

Nobody was at the hospital since Ruth had taken Magdalene back at the closer gates to rest. She never stopped visiting Naomi whenever she could. 

This time she was alone and scared since she did not want Martin to look after her. Akeshia entered and went straight to her. She looked at her and laughed a weird laugh. You could have thought that she was the closer gates witch whom everyone usually spoke about. 

" I hope you are feeling good Naomi. There is something I must tell you. You must get well soon. An unknown person is following your daughter and mother and nobody knows what that person can do to them. So just be careful because in this world you have a lot of enemies" said Akeshia who looked at Naomi and smiled.

" Including you. Who knows? You might be the one who wants to poison my food. If you care about yourself, get out of here. You evil snake" shouted Naomi. 

Akeshia left filled with lots of anger. She wanted to punch Naomi on the face but she couldn't do that. People who were kept outside to guard her might have suspected that she was there to harm her. 

" Anyway, goodbye. I hope you rot in this hospital. I just want to take my daughter home. She deserves it" said Akeshia who left the room. 

Naomi wanted to hit her hand on the wall but changed her mind .It would have made her to stay at the hospital for much longer than expected. That was how the doctors worked there.

Akeshia went and helped Faith to finish parking all her clothes. They then left to the closer gates. They found everybody waiting outside the closer gates. They were all carrying charts and on top of them it was written murderer. 

Both Faith and Akeshia widened their eyes in disbelief when they saw it. That how faster news spread. Now everybody had known that it was Faith who had stabbed Ruth and it was still Faith who had kidnapped Ruth. Everybody was filled with hatred towards her. 

" Calm down everyone. I do not know why you all have come to such a conclusion. Why do you all say that Faith tried to kill me if I haven't said so? I don't know who inhuman and evil to spread such news. I know all of you love me very much. Until I find the person who tried to do this to me and my mother, then we will not accuse anyone. Let's go in Faith"  Faith, Akeshia and Ruth left to the mansion. 

Everybody at the closer gates nodded their head in agreement and dismissed. As soon as they entered the mansion, Faith slapped Ruth. How could she? Was she that much proud of herself?

" How dare you Ruth? How dare spread such news about me? Were you not the one who said that the matter should be a family matter?" Said Faith angrily. 

" Yes! Only because I thought you deserved a second chance. Do you think I would want to spread the news? No , because I want to take this matter to court. The cell of hell is not enough for traitors and murderers like you" shouted Ruth who went and sat beside Magdalene as tears welled down her eyes. 

She could not believe what just happened. How could Faith be so full of herself yet she knew that she was the wrong one? She really hurt Ruth feelings but Ruth did not want to take any action yet since she still loved and treasured Ruth. 

" Mama! I want you to come with me" shouted Purist as she camd towards Ruth and held Ruth's arm.

" Purist my darling. I cannot come with you now. I am in a middle of a conversation with the elders of this family. Mami will come later" said Ruth although she did not want to dissapoint Ruth. 

" But Mama, my stomach really hurts" said Purist crying. 

Ruth shockingly woke up and carried Purist upstairs to her room. She tried to touch and feel Ruth's stomach but could not predict anything. She quickly carried her downstairs and ordered Lady Ruby to accompany her as she took Purist to the hospital. Martin obidiently followed them to the car. Purist was beginning to become so restless. She didn't even utter any word from then. 

When they arrived at the hospital, Purist was taken into the emergency room. Ruth uses that chance to go and visit her mother in her ward. 

" I left you alone mother. I just wanted to be there when Faith arrived at home. I hope you will forgive me mother. I really hope the doctors here are treating you well but I don't understand why I feel guilty for the fact that we haven't told Papa about this. I don't think he will be happy with us when he comes to learn the truth . I think...." Said Ruth but Naomi suddenly interrupted .

" You talk too much Ruth. And so what if your father learn the truth. Then let the truth hurt him. Let it hurt him to his spine" said Naomi .

This was the first time Ruth had seen her mother speak like that . Naomi spoke filled with lots of anger.  This anger was a determined anger that couldn't not have ended as soon as Ruth had thought. 

" Did you see someone following you? " Asked Naomi filled with lots of curiosity. 

She had remembered what Akeshia had told her. And how could she really believe Naomi's words. 

" No mama, I did not see anyone following us unless.....there ...is someone you know that is following us or is supposed to follow us" said Ruth .

She seemed calm about her statement but yet she was filled with lots of curiosity. She wanted to know the truth too. She wanted to know the main reason why the person in question had an intention of following them. 

" Only Akeshia told me that and it got me worried about you. Be cautious of the people around you Ruth. One of them is playing an enemist game" said Naomi a big hesitant. 

They continued conversing about their own matters for such a long time till Ruth forgot that she had brought a sick patient who was in the emergency room. Ruth only remembered when Martin entered the ward to give her the results of the outcome from the doctor. 

" Purist was suffering from food poisoning. Somebody just tried to kill my daughter and I must find out who this person is" said Martin angrily. 

" I do understand what you are trying to say Martin. I think something must be wrong somewhere. Is it what the doctors said?" Asked Ruth who found it hard to believe. 

" You can ask them if you don't believe me. I just came to request you to take good care of my daughter. I am going to the closer gates to find out who has done this" said Martin as Ruth nodded her head in agreement. 

After all, shd loved Purist as if Purist was her own daughter. Therefore nothing could hinder her from finding out the whole truth. Ask soon as Martin left, Ruth went to Purist's ward to check on her and was surprised to find Tere seated next to Purist .

" What are you doing here Tere? Does Martin know that you are here?" Asked Ruth who was astonished to find Tere there. 

" I know you wouldn't dare to tell Martin. You have become a mother to Purist and you know how it feels to be a mother. That's why I sneaked in to check on my daughter. I will make sure that I do everything to know the one who tried to kill my daughter by poison. That person is so inhuman to hurt a little child like her" said Tere crying. 

" You are right Tere. You are a mother and you have the right to bed close to your daughter but not in this case. Legally, Purist is my daughter and even the law knows that" said Ruth smiling. 

Tere was silent. She did not understand what exactly Ruth was saying. How could she pride herself on a child she never gave birth to?  

" I hope you get well soon Purist. I do not want you to witness the fight between me and your supposed mother Ruth. This tiny little teenager like you" said Tere who pecked Ruth on her cheeks and left. 

Ruth felt very irritated.  No one had ever insulted her like that. Ruth leaned on the bed and hugged Purist. She understood that she did not have to give birth in order to become a mother. 

That was what it entailed to be a woman in their society . 

MARRIED AT SIXTEEN.