One more thing

As she walked calmly into the restaurant, she was lucky the place was not as crowded as it always is.

"Please ma, what do you want", a waitress walked up to her and asked.

"Okay, can I get a menu of what you have? Lucy requested.

The waitress gave her one booklet from the booklets she had with her already. Lucy was lucky they had her Dad's favorite and she didn't hesitate to order it.

"Please get me fried rice and chicken", she said, pointing to where it was listed in the menu.

"Ok ma, it's just twenty dollars", the waitress responded.

Lucy quickly brought out her credit card and gave it to her. "The code is two five eight zero," she added and the waitress left immediately to get the food.

In less than five minutes, the waitress came back with a box of food packaged in the restaurant's branded bag.

"Thank you, ma'am," she said and left to attend to other customers.

"My card! Lucy said, calling back her attention.

"Oh! I'm sorry ma'am, I forgot," the waitress apologized and handed her card back to her.

She dipped it inside my handbag and grabbed the box of food and left for the hospital for her day.

Lucy hastened her footsteps down to the hospital's building and headed to the ward where her dad was. Her heartbeat increased, and it dawned on her that her father's life was in her hands to save. Because if she doesn't pay for his surgery and the interest of the debt accrued already, the doctors won't treat him.

As she approached the staircase, she held the bag used to package her dad's food very tight and was extra careful on how she walked on the slippery well-tiled floor as her heart was beating so fast waiting to hear what the news was about.

Greenland Hospital is one of the best in the province and its beautiful environment speaks for it, and when it comes to life support machines, they have everything a good hospital should have. 

Lucy got to know about the hospital from childhood after the death of her mother.Many years ago, Mr and Mrs Edward, her mom and dad were having a conversation and laughing in the front seats, their voices a comforting backdrop to the view passing by. 

Lucy cracked up at her Mom's playful teasing of her Dad, their jesting filling the car with warmth and love.

"Lucy, do you remember when we pranked your dad, on Christmas Eve?" Mrs Edward turned back and asked, with amusement clearly showing on her face.

"Yes mum, I did, Dad was so scared".

Lucy giggled after remembering the day they played a laughable prank on her Dad. Because he's afraid of insects, they added fake bugs in his food.

On that day, Lucy and her mum prepared a meal together, making sure to include small, realistic-looking fake bugs in Mr. Edward's portion of  food.

As they served the meal, Lucy and her mum kept a straight face and acted as if everything was normal.

When my Mr. Edward discovered the fake bugs in his food, he was so scared, he flipped the table, he felt disgusted. Lucy and her mum burst into deep laughter, revealing the prank.

"I'm still here, you know, you and your mom are bullying me, when I finally get my baby boy in the future, we will bully you and your mom together" Mr Edward said to his wife.

"Then I'm not giving birth anymore"

"Yes, you will"

"No, I will not"

As they both started arguing, Lucy was chuckling at the back, watching them.

"Mum, I can't wait to go home and show you the beautiful teddy Dad bought for me two days ago", Lucy interrupted their argument. 

Her mum had traveled for a business trip two months ago and she can not wait to gist with her about how perfect her dad had treated her since she left.

"I have finally fulfilled my promise to give her a teddy on her sixth birthday," Mr. Edward said as they laughed out loud.

Mrs Edward who was sitting at the front with her dad turned to her at the back, touched my cheek, and said "I'm sorry I missed your sixth birthday, I'll make it up to you". 

Immediately she turned her front, she yelled heavily.

"See! Turn! 

Unexpectedly, the peaceful moment shattered as a little boy about Lucy's age appeared out of nowhere, glinting across the road in front of them. Lucy sniffed in shock as her Dad zigzagged the car, the tires screeching against the pavement in an anguished attempt to avoid a clash.

Mr Edward, who was almost close to hitting the boy, diverted his car as fast as he could but unfortunately, they landed before an electric pole.

The car stumbled to the pole, and Lucy felt a jolt as her mum's body was thrown forward, her head hitting the dashboard with a sickening thud. She slumped over, her eyes closed and her breathing shallow. Fear and confusion gripped Lucy's little heart as she watched, frozen in a place.

Mr. Edward quickly brought the car to a stop, his hands flimsy as he checked on M and then turned to me, he was eased seeing that I was unharmed. 

Tears welled up Lucy's eyes as she realized the seriousness of the situation. Despite her age, she could understand that her Mum was on the verge of death. Her small voice trembled as I called out for her Mom.

Mr. Edward's voice was calm but urgent as he reached for his phone to call for help, while Lucy clung to his side, seeking comfort in his presence as they waited for help to arrive, the taste of her forgotten ice cream now a distant memory.

After a while of waiting for the nine one one to arrive, blood started flowing out of the car from the side where Mrs. Edward was seated. It was then it dawned on her that her Mum might not make it out.

Lucy watched in pain as the little boy's parents reached to their aid and helped her dad load her mum into the ambulance.

Upon arrival, the medical team quickly took Mrs Edward's body to the emergency room for treatment. 

Lucy and her dad, who did not sustain much injuries, laid on the bed in the hospital room receiving treatment. The doctor who was in charge of Mrs Edward's treatment entered the ward with a sad look.

"I'm sorry sir, we tried our best but she did not make it." He said to Mr Edward.

"Mr. Edward jumped out of his bed, unplugged the drip in his hand and held the doctor's coat "please doctor! Do something! She can't die just like that! Doctor please, help me!

His world seemed to shatter on hearing the news.

Lucy watched her dad cry like a baby pleading with the doctor but it was unfortunate that nothing could be done at the time.

Despite the efforts of the doctors and nurses, it became obvious that her injuries were too severe, and tragically, she passed away.

The doctor offered his condolences and support. I could see pity written on his face before he left our ward. 

Now, this is the same hospital that Lucy brought her father for treatment. She had no choice because it was urgent.

She thought of going to the nurses office to know her dad's health status. And also to complete her job that same day.

As she walked into the nurse's office to meet a stone-faced woman.

"Good morning ma'am. I.. I came to know if I can finish the work today and about my dad's health because I received a message from the hospital," she stuttered.

The nurse raised her eyes angrily against her. "You can start your work. And as for your dad," she paused for a while, waving her head.