Binary Hearts

108 | A Fragile Truth

The air was thick with tension as Tunde stepped off the plane and into the familiar chaos of Lagos. The memories of the city—the hustle, the noise, and the vibrant energy—felt almost alien after weeks in the serene quiet of Singapore. But Tunde wasn't here for nostalgia. He hailed a cab, his mind consumed by Adeola.

"Take me to Lagoon Hospital," he said curtly. The driver nodded, and the car lurched forward into Lagos traffic.

As the hospital loomed closer, Tunde felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The idea of seeing Adeola again after so much time filled him with both dread and hope. When he arrived, he practically ran into the hospital, his heart pounding as he scanned the lobby for the reception desk.

Adeola lay unconscious on the sterile white hospital bed, surrounded by machines that beeped rhythmically. Her mother, Mrs. Balogun, sat beside her, clutching her daughter's hand and sobbing softly. Beside her stood Mr. Balogun, his stern face betraying a depth of worry that few had ever seen.

When Mrs. Balogun saw Tunde walking into the room, her grief erupted into rage. She bolted from her seat and stormed toward him.

"You!" she cried, beating her fists against his chest. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me my daughter has a brain tumor?!"

Tunde froze, the words hitting him like a physical blow. "Brain tumor?" he echoed, his voice breaking. He grabbed her wrists gently to stop her flurry of blows. "I wasn't aware of that, ma. I swear I didn't know."

Mrs. Balogun sobbed harder, collapsing against him. "She's been suffering in silence, and none of us knew."

Tunde's mind raced, his thoughts flickering back to the time Adeola had fainted, just before his trip to Abuja. "That day... That day she collapsed," he murmured to himself. "I should have pushed her to see a doctor. I should have known something was wrong."

Just as they were exchanging words, Dr. Olatunji stepped in, his expression grave. He nodded at Mr. Balogun, who straightened immediately. "Doctor," Mr. Balogun said, his voice steady but tense, "what's the situation?"

Mrs. Balogun and Tunde moved closer, joining the small circle around the doctor. Dr. Olatunji adjusted his glasses and sighed. "She's been suffering from a brain tumor for quite some time now, but it's grown significantly. It's pressing against critical parts of her brain."

"Is there a solution?" Mr. Balogun asked, his voice clipped but desperate.

Dr. Olatunji hesitated. "There's a surgical option, but it's extremely risky. The tumor has become larger and is nearing the most sensitive areas of her brain. The success rate is very low—around five percent."

Mrs. Balogun gasped, clutching her chest. "Doctor, please, there must be something you can do. Anything!"

Before the doctor could respond, Mr. Balogun was already on his phone, pacing the room. "Get the jet ready. I need my daughter flown to India immediately. Arrange for the best neurosurgeons. This is an emergency!"

Amid the chaos, a soft groan broke through the tension. "Adeola!" Mrs. Balogun exclaimed, rushing to her daughter's bedside. Tunde's eyes snapped to the bed as Adeola's eyelids fluttered open.

Her gaze wandered around the room before landing on Tunde. Her lips moved weakly, forming his name. "Tunde..."

He crossed the room in an instant, kneeling beside her bed. "Adeola," he said softly, taking her hand. He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'm so sorry for leaving. I'll never leave you again. I promise."

She gave him a faint smile. "Where were you?" she whispered.

"Singapore," he admitted. "I needed to clear my head. I didn't know you were going through this. If I had known—"

"Take me with you," she interrupted, her voice trembling but firm.

Tunde hesitated, glancing at her parents. "What about the operation?" he asked softly.

"You have to do the operation to get better," Mr. Balogun said firmly, stepping closer. Tunde's jaw tightened, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Adeola shook her head. "I heard the chances. Five percent, Tunde. I'd rather spend whatever time I have left with you than risk losing it all."

Mr. Balogun's face hardened. "You're not giving up. I won't let you!" he declared.

Mrs. Balogun stood frozen, torn between her husband's determination and her daughter's plea. She looked to Dr. Olatunji, who gestured for her to step outside.

"Off the record," the doctor said quietly, "I agree with Adeola. The surgery is incredibly risky. Let her enjoy the time she has left."

Mrs. Balogun returned to the room, her face pale. "She won't do the surgery," she said quietly. "Not now."

Mr. Balogun glared at her but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Tunde, gripping his shoulder tightly. "Take care of her," he said, his voice low but commanding. "I'm trusting you with my daughter's life."

Tunde met his gaze, nodding firmly. "I won't disappoint you, sir."

Meanwhile, across the city, Chidi sat in his office at Paystack, his face dark with anger. The fallout from Hannah's betrayal had left him seething. She had been dealt with, and the journalist who had exposed the scandal hadn't escaped either.

His phone buzzed, and a voice on the other end said, "The mission was successful. Check the news."

Chidi smirked, opening his laptop. Headlines about Spark Technologies' troubles filled the screen. "This is just the beginning," he muttered.

Adeola was discharged a week later. True to his promise, Tunde wasted no time flying her to Singapore, where they could escape the chaos. But back in Lagos, Adaora's search for Tunde continued, her regret eating away at her.

And as Spark Technologies faced its darkest hour, Mide stepped up to the challenge, determined to protect the company in Adeola and Tunde's absence.

The storm was far from over.