Unfolding Tides

Vicky glanced over the document in her hands. Her eyes narrowed.

"Shikongo Estates…" she murmured. "So, his name is Adam. And he wants to own this land? Let's see how he plans to pull that off."

Veena, standing nearby, tilted her head.

"You know him?"

Vicky smirked, folding the paper neatly.

"Let's just say... he's about to know me."

Veena chuckled softly. "All the best, my child. I'm leaving now."

As she turned to go, Vicky noticed a small food parcel in her hands.

"Ms. Veena, where are you going with that?"

Veena smiled. "Oh, to see Magano. She asked me to bring her porridge and a kaka."

The smile on Vicky's face faded in an instant. Her heart clenched.

Her voice wavered. "Veena ma'am... Mom can't have porridge."

Veena blinked. "Why not? She specifically asked me to make her evanda. Don't worry, I'll make her eat it—she loves it. Unless the doctor restricted her diet?"

"No…" Vicky whispered, her eyes misting.

Veena stopped in her tracks. "Then what's the problem? Visiting hours are almost over—let me go give this to her."

"She's in a coma," Vicky said.

Veena froze. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes wide.

"What?"

Meanwhile, at Nathan's office, someone walked in unexpectedly.

Nathan looked up. "Jack?"

"Bro!" Jack grinned, and the two embraced like old comrades finally reunited. "Man, look at you! A whole grown man now!"

"No way! Look who's talking!" Nathan laughed. "When did you get back?"

"Just recently. But damn, Nate... this office? You really made it."

Nathan nodded modestly. "I'm doing okay."

Jack eyed him curiously. "How are you really?"

"I'm getting married," Nathan replied.

Jack's eyes lit up. "What?! Bro! That's amazing! Who's the lucky girl?"

Nathan raised a brow. "You're actually happy about that?"

"Of course I am! I've been waiting for this day forever, man. You deserve happiness."

Nathan exhaled. "It wasn't planned. Kuku and her rituals—this whole thing was arranged."

Jack frowned. "What are you saying?"

"I'm not over her. But everyone's pushing me to move on."

Jack clapped his shoulder. "Then maybe it's time. So who is it?"

"Catherine."

"White girl?"

"No, Catty... boarding school, remember?"

Jack's eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh! The little nudge! Damn. She's back?"

"Yeah. She starts work here soon too."

Jack leaned back. "You sure she's the one? Marriage, bro... it's no walk in the park."

Nathan was about to make a comeback when Jack held up his hand—flashing a wedding ring.

Nathan blinked. "No way. You're married?"

"Court wedding. Ceremony's coming."

Nathan laughed, a rare and genuine laugh. "Man, congrats! Now I know it's real."

Jack grinned. "Thanks. And I'm going to see Kuku tonight. When she sees this ring on my hand? You might just get married tomorrow!"

Nathan groaned. "Damn... I didn't think of that. The engagement's this Friday though—don't miss it. You're my best man."

"Bro, I wouldn't miss it!."

Back at the house, Vicky poured her heart out to Veena.

"She probably saw the surgery file... the costs. The nurse said she panicked. That's how she fell into a coma."

Veena sat quietly, absorbing the weight of Vicky's words.

"Can that really be enough to trigger a coma? Or... could it have been something else she saw?"

"I don't know," Vicky admitted. "But I'm doing everything I can. Today I'm organizing an event at Carlos Resort. The bid is 10K—and I won it. After today, I'll have just enough left for Mom's treatment. I just want her back."

Veena reached over and squeezed her hand gently.

"And you will. Keep praying, and keep pushing. You're doing great, child."

Later that morning, the Shikongo officers arrived to collect their documents.

Their expressions shifted from professional to puzzled when Vicky handed them torn papers.

"Tell your boss I'm home until 10 a.m.," she said coolly.

They exchanged a glance.

"Come on, let's go," one said. "Boss knows how to deal with self-assured women like her. This isn't some TV serial where the arrogant girl wins the rich guy's heart."

Vicky didn't even flinch. "Then it's a pity for you and your boss if you think this is just a TV serial."

The officers left, visibly rattled. And Vicky stood in the doorway, her spine straight, her resolve unshaken.