Don't Let Me Go (A Kenyan Story)

Late Night Calls

Mark was woken up by the ringing of his phone. He took a look at his bedside clock and realized it was way past 2 o'clock in the morning. No wonder he was so cranky.
"Who the hell calls at 2 am?" He asked out loud as he took his phone. The caller ID indicated that it was an international call.
"Hello," came a familiar voice but he couldn't really place it.
"Hello,who's this?" He asked,sounding sleepy.
"Mark, sorry for calling so early. It's Val,something's happened to Jay," came the reply.
"Val,what happened? When? And how come I'm hearing this from you?" He asked, now fully alert.
"Mum told me he was involved in an accident along Ring Road Parklands. It's bad Mark, really bad. He's at MP Shah Hospital," came her answer and he could hear her stifled sobs. "I'll fly out tomorrow. Charlie will fly out from the Honduras the day after tomorrow."
"I'm on my way to the hospital now," he said. "Thank you for letting me know Val, and don't be a stranger, I didn't recognize you for a while there."
"I promise I will keep in touch," she said as she hung up.
Mark got up and everything was hazy, as if it were all but a bad dream. He didn't bother to freshen up. He put on navy blue sweatpants and a matching tee hurriedly and rushed out his door. On second thought,he grabbed a hoodie on his couch and locked the door behind him.
He drove like a maniac to the hospital and traffic was on his side seeing that it was in the wee hours of the morning. He got to the hospital at around 3 am and found Jay's parents hurdled together in the waiting bay. The floor had just been washed and the pungent smell of disinfectant hung in the air stinging his nostrils. The sight of Jay's mom tore his heart out. Her eyes were tomato red, evidence of all the crying she had done. Doctor Kanyi, Jay's dad saw Mark's approach first and gave him a tired smile. He whispered something into his wife's left ear and she looked up. Mark stood,transfixed to that very spot,not knowing his next course of action. Mrs Kanyi beckoned him with her right hand and he took the few remaining steps to where they sat.
"Mark, asante kwa kuja this early. It means a lot to us," she said to him as she got up to give him her famous bear hugs. The dad just shook his hand and the three of them sat down.
"How's he?" He finally managed to ask.
"He was been in surgery for two hours. They had to get out the bullet first before they proceeded," his dad answered, looking stoic.
Mark's confusion was evident on his face. "Bullet!! What bullet? I thought he had an accident!"
"They we're shot at first before the accident. His female companion was not badly hurt. She suffered some broken ribs, a concussion and her left leg is broken. Jay was shot in the chest once and the bullet did not nick any major organ or blood vessel. He is currently in the ICU but the leas surgeon assured me he has not suffered any permanent damage," came the long and analytical replies that Doctor Kanyi was famous for.
"What really happened?" Mark asked.
"Cameras along the road show that a motorbike had been following them for a while since they left Westlands and they were shot at along Ring Road Parklands. The police say that the bike had no number plate and the gunmen's faces were well hidden by their helmets," Doctor Kanyi answered.
"Can I see him?" Mark asked.
"Go right ahead,I'll talk to the doctors. Walk to the end of the hallway and take a left turn. He's in the first room to your left, Room 14B."
"Thank you," he said as he walked down the hallway. He took the left turn and came to the door that opened to Room 14B. He knocked lightly then chided himself mentally when he realized that no one was there to usher him in. He turned the door knob and opened the door. Nothing had whatsoever prepared him for the sight that met him. Jayson lay on the bed, heavily intubated. The cacophony of the hospital machines drowned all other sounds from the room. A low light shone from the lone bulb hanging from the ceiling. Jay looked pale,deathly pale and a tear snaked it's way down Mark's left cheek. He was overwhelmed by the myriad of emotions that hit him seeing his best friend lying on that hospital bed. He broke into sobs as he stood there, motionless,his mind not willing his body to move any further. It was a long while before he finally moved to the seat closest to the bed and sat down.
"You have to fight slugger. Don't give up on life just yet," he said taking Jay's right hand in his. He stayed in Jay's room for about thirty minutes talking to him, reminding him of all the silly things they'd done growing up. All he got was the beeping of the machines but he felt good. He didn't notice Jay's mum get into the room and he was spooked when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. "Mrs. Kanyi, you gave me quite a scare there."
"Sorry about that. He will be okay. I talked to God about him and He assured me that my son will be okay," she said,so sure of her words. Mark knew that she was a staunch Catholic. He had never been a religious person himself but her conviction led him to believe every word she said. "The lady Jay was with, do you know what room she's in?"
"She's in the room next to his. Daktari insisted they have rooms close to each other," she said referring to her husband. "They informed her emergency contact but they can't make it till the day after tomorrow. I sat with her a while back while she was awake. She seems to be an intelligent young woman. She genuinely cares about my son. A mother always knows."
"Let me check up on her real quick, I'll be back," he said getting from his seat.
"Take your time," came her response.
"Thank you," he said as he gave her a big hug. He left the room and went to 13B. Wendy's room was similar to Jay's in everything apart from the machines. She was out of the woods and she lay on her bed sleeping peacefully. An IV drip went into her right arm. She was bandaged slightly above her elbow. Her left arm was in a cast as was her right leg. He had sat with her for fifteen minutes when she stirred.
"Wendy,hi" he said to her. Her eyelids fluttered for a minute before she went back to sleep. He got up and went back to the next room. Both Jay's parents were there and he bid them goodbye promising to come by later in the day. He left the building and walked to the parking lot. A phone call interrupted his train of thoughts. It was Cyrus and he knew it was nothing good.
"Good morning Mark, though I don't think it's any good on your end," came the raspy voice from the other end, the laughter evident.
"What is that supposed to mean Cyrus!"
"You've been warned Mark! Too bad that piece of ass nearly died in the process." The line went dead.
And then it all made sense. "Shit!" Mark cursed as he punched the steering wheel. He had nearly cost Wendy's and his best friend's lives.

AUTHOR'S NOTE
Good morning people. Thank you so much for all the love and support you've given me so far. I'm eternally grateful. Today happens to be New Year's Eve and I want to wish you all a Happy New Year 2020 in advance. May it bring everything you've prayed & worked for.
See you in the next decade.

Translations

1. asante kwa kuja

Thank you for coming

2. Daktari

Doctor