CHAPTER 5

Donald woke up to the scent of antiseptic, and the ceiling above was a stark white. As he adjusted his eyes, he noticed the steady rhythm of a heart monitor. It was steady beeping, a reassuring constant in the room.

He shifted slightly, wincing at the stiffness in his muscles, but relieved to find that nothing hurt too severely. His head throbbed lightly, but the pain was more of an annoyance than an agony. A thin, white bandage was wrapped around his right forearm. He could feel a bruise forming on his right shoulder, but beyond that, he felt surprisingly intact.

"Good morning, Sir." A voice said, drawing his attention to a nurse standing beside him with a clipboard; she had a warm smile across her lips and an air of calm professionalism.

"How are you feeling, Sir?" She questioned, still maintaining a warm smile.

Donald sighed heavily with his eyes blinking, trying to grasp how he had ended up in a place like that. The last thing he could remember was seeing the policemen running towards him and him running away suddenly, screeching tyres; he fell to the floor, then nothing.

He swallowed hard, gazing at the nurse as they locked eyes. He tossed his head. "I… I… think I am okay." He replied softly, with an unsteady voice. "Please, what happened and how did I get here?"

The nurse took a few steps forward; Donald gazed at the make tag hung by the left of her clothes, Marie. "You were hit by a car, Sir." She replied gently as she explained. "It was a minor accident, and you are lucky. No broken bones, just a few scrapes and bruises. A man brought you here, he is with the doctor. You are still under observation." She voices out.

Donald sniffed and nodded; he had a mixed feeling coursing through his veins. A mixture of relief and disbelief. "I can't believe it wasn't worse."

The nurse gazed at him and let out a light chuckle, "Sometimes, luck is on our side. You will be discharged soon, but the doctor will want to check in with you first." She said, "Do you have anyone you would like us to call, any family members?" She asks with her eyes wide open.

His expression changed immediately, and Donald's mind drifted to Pamela and how she had betrayed him. She is the only person he thought of, but they are no longer married. He felt sad, and his heart thumped fast in his chest.

"Sir, Sir." The nurse called, bringing him back to earth.

Donald shook his head, "No, I don't have, I am an orphan." He replied with a sad voice.

"Oh, I am sorry." The nurse said before moving towards the IV Bag above his head.

The door swung open and the doctor stepped inside. Behind him was an older man in his sixties; they both had a worried outlook.

Donald furrowed his brow; the face looked familiar; he remembered the man behind the doctor; he looked like the beggars from the street, but he looked different. Donald was etched with confusion.

The old man smiled and he could grasp the mixed feelings that had engulfed Donald's face.

"Donald, How are you doing?" the old man asked.

"How did you know my name? Who are you?" Donald questioned, he was trying to prove his instincts wrong.

The old man took a step towards Donald and sat at the edge of the bed. "Donald, I am Victor Nathan. I am your friend, the old man from the street. The beggar you always help whenever you pass by."

The doctor and nurses tossed their gaze towards the man in surprise, While Donald's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Stop playing games, the beggar I know is my friend. I can tell when I set my eyes in him. You look different, you can't be a beggar." He said softly.

The old man scratched his chin, he pulled out his phone and showed Donald the picture of the beggar.

"Where is he? Do you know where I can find him?" Donald hastily asked.

Mr. Victor Nathan glanced at the doctor and nurse, signalling them to give him a private time with Donald.

Donald glances at the man before him, "How is he the beggar, he looks different." He said inwardly.

The doctor and nurse left the room, Victor Nathan turned his head towards Donald.

"If you are truly the beggar you claimed, how did you get rich," Donald questioned; he had several thoughts running through his mind.

'I am that man you know, the beggar. I know it will be difficult for you, believe me, I had to play the role for a reason." He said, as he brought out a necklace that was given to him by Donald.

Donald was surprised, "It's truly you; how and when did you become rich? Did you win the lottery? Did you find a fortune in the dump? Tell me what I want to know." He said with his arms folded in an akimbo posture.