MUHIMBILI HOSPITAL, DAR
Rachel tried to get in touch with Leo but the guards rejected. She decided to take the trouble and rushed to Muhimbili hospital by herself.
She went directly to the reception office where she checked the list of all patients registered on that day and she was ushered by a young nurse to Benjamin, who was in the emergency room.
“What’s wrong with him?” Rachel asked the nurse escorting her
“Gun wound”
“How is he doing now?”
“He’s getting worse”
They entered into the emergency room. Benjamin was on the bed, his chest covered with bandages.
Rachel was puzzled, “have you removed the bullets?”
“That will need an operation”
“Why is he not in the operation room?”
“You’ll need to pay first”
“Pardon..?”
“Pay first!”
“Are you going to let the man die because of money?”
“Madam, we have─”
“Is this how you were trained?”
“I just follow my orders”
“Are schools training killers or healers?”
“Madam Please─”
“LEO” Benjamin whispered hardly
Rachel rushed to the bed, “How do you feel?”
“Who are you? Where’s Leo?”
“I’m Leo’s friend… Leo has got an urgent situation” Rachel knelt and held Benjamin’s trembling hand, “He’ll be here soon”
Benjamin smiled, “You are very fluky!”
“Pardon..?”
“He never makes friends” Benjamin coughed up blood, “You must be very special to him”
Rachel forced a smile, her whole body trembling
“Why is he taking so long?”
“He’ll be here soon”
“I don’t have much time”
“Don’t say that”
Benjamin coughed up blood, “He will be so lonely, that poor kid”
“You won’t die”
Benjamin dug into his pocket and came out with an envelope, “Can you give this to Leo?”
“No… you are not dying”
“Please… promise me… for me to go peacefully”
Rachel took the paper, “You won’t die”
Benjamin held Rachel’s hand, “tell Leo that I’m sorry”
“Please… don’t talk, get some rest”
“I forced him to go to that school, he didn’t like it. Tell him I just wanted him to have a better future”
Rachel wept, “Leo is blissful with the school… he is blissful with us as his friends”
“I’m glad” Benjamin coughed up blood, “tell him to forgive his mother too. She is very lonely”
“Why are you saying all these?”
“Please take good care of my Leo”
“I will, I always do”
Benjamin smiled, “I’m glad to see Leo’s friend before my death”
“Nurse!” Rachel shouted, “Call doctors!”
Benjamin held her wrist, “It’s too late!”
“No!”
Benjamin’s hand which held Rachel’s wrist fell. Rachel stood and tried to shake Benjamin's body which gave no response. She fell on her knees weeping deafeningly.