LET FORGIVENESS HEAL YOU

I covered my face with my palm and cried. Everything felt too much. Too heavy to bear.

I sat there for a while, just trying to steady my emotions. Then, after wiping my tears, I slowly walked back into the hospital—but the scene in Ruth's ward stopped me in my tracks.

"I don't ever want to see you here again! Ruth doesn't need a father like you. I'm enough for her!" Uncle James shouted, grabbing Jhuni by the shirt and dragging him out of the room.

Jhuni didn't say a word. His head hung low.

Then—beep, beep, beep.

The monitor in Ruth's room suddenly flared red.

My heart sank. I turned and rushed to call the doctor. He came running with a team of nurses, and they quickly got to work, trying to bring her head temperature down.

After a few tense moments, the doctor turned sharply to Jhuni and Uncle James. He was clearly angry.

"We've fought so hard to stabilize her temperature so we can prepare for surgery. Yes, she's unconscious, but she can still hear you. Every word. This kind of stress could cost her life. If you truly care, keep this ward peaceful until the surgery."

He didn't wait for a response—just left.

Uncle James let go of Jhuni's shirt and stormed out of the hospital. I didn't hesitate to ran after him.

"Uncle James! Uncle James!" I called as he walked quickly through the parking lot.

He finally stopped and turned around. His eyes were full of pain.

"Please," I said gently, "can we talk?"

He said nothing, but got into the car. I followed and sat beside him.

"I know you're hurting," I began softly. "I know Jhuni was part of everything that brought us here. I know it's not easy to forgive. But Uncle… for the sake of God, please let it go."

He reached for the car door handle, ready to leave, but I continued.

"I had a mother," I said. "That's all I know. I never even got the chance to call her 'Mama'. I never felt her love. And yet… here I am, standing in front of the man who helped chase her to her death."

Tears filled my eyes, but I pushed through.

"I'm human too. But this isn't the time to push away someone who's trying to make things right. There's someone else—a woman, darker and far more dangerous than Assey. She's the one who started all this. She's the real threat. We shouldn't be tearing each other apart. Not now."

There was silence for a moment.

Then Uncle James leaned his head against my lap and whispered, "I'm sorry. I let my emotions get the best of me. You're right… Jhuni was part of it. But maybe… maybe he does deserve forgiveness."

I ran my fingers gently through his hair and nodded.

A quiet sigh escaped me—relieved that, at the very least, things had calmed down.