FREED

Chapter Four

"What do you want Benjamin?" I ask dad once the doctor has left and it's just the two of us.

I know he's my father but I'm not going to address him as one, I'm not playing that game with him.

"Hey, darling?" I look at him and look away bored.

I'm not talking to him.

"Okay, Olive I know you and I have never had a father-daughter relationship but it's not right that you don't treat me as your father." He says as he pulls a chair and sits on it.

I'm still not talking to him.

"I know you blame me for all that happened in your past and as much as it's not my fault I'm taking the responsibility and I'm here now, can't you see that?"

I really don't know why I'm mad at him, it's not his fault, the only one to blame is Martina, she's the one that gave me away when I was little and dad didn't know about it and as much as it hurts he is right, he doesn't deserve any of this.

"You're right I'm sorry, it's just that I have this deep resentment, I feel left out, why didn't you ever look for me? How did you not know of my existence? She is your wife for Pete's sake."

I'm almost crying as I let out the rage.

It doesn't feel good knowing that I was the one that had to be abandoned, the one that no one cared about, just because I carry a cursed disease that I didn't choose in the first place.

"I wish I knew you existed." He says as he takes my hands in his.

"These past three months haven't been easy for me, I was praying to God every single day to bring you back to me and I know you probably don't understand this but I would have never forgiven God if he took you away from me without giving me a second chance of being a father to you."

Another tear falls from my eye. Olivia said he was the best dad in the world and I think I'm seeing that now.

I don't know why he married Martina because those two don't even make a perfect couple, yes they make cute babies but that's where it all stops.

"It's not as easy as it looks," I whisper the words.

"I know, what I'm saying is you don't push me away, just let me be here for you, okay?" He asks and I nod.

Then he comes closer to where I am and pulls me in a tight hug, I'm reluctant but I give in and hug him back. It feels nice to know that now I have a fatherly figure in my life, it might be too late for it but I'm glad.

"I love you, dad." He pulls away and looks at me with a smile.

"See we are progressing, you just called me dad."

Oh please, it was an emotional moment, still, I'm blushing.

"I love you too baby girl, now I have to go back to the office before the media creates their own story."

"Thank you for coming."

"You're my daughter, I should have been here the moment you woke up."

He is just amazing, he has work to do but yet he came to see me. Whereas the woman who abandoned me, the same woman that should be feeling guilty isn't even here.

"Before I leave, I know you just woke up but I'm sure you've already talked to your sister, does she look okay?"

I don't know why he chose to ask me because I really don't know what is going on with her or what has been going on since I got into a coma, and I know I'm awaiting the test results but I can't tell him that.

"I really don't know." I lie, well partly.

"Olivia always acts like everything is okay when she is in flames inside, I guess she trusts you more so please try to find out if we need to do something." He says and I nod my head.

It's not going to be easy for me either, Olivia doesn't open up to anyone, she always tries to find other options of dealing with her stress so getting her to talk to me is a hard nut to c***k.

"I just hope she is fine." He says looking worried and I just want him to cheer him up.

"You know Olivia, she is more than strong," I tell him folding my hand to show him he just smiles and comes to hug me and kisses my forehead.

"I'll see you later, we have a lot to talk about but once you get out of here." He says and leaves.

Now that I'm okay with my dad I feel relieved, I feel like the burden that I had has been taken off my back.

Just after he's left the handsome doctor walks in, my heart is literally melting right now.

What is it about him?

"Miss Velio?" My eyes go wide open when he calls me that.

How did he know that was my name, well the name my mom and I created but still there's no way he would have known that is my name.

"What did you just call me?"

"Miss Velio, your sister told me you'd prefer being called that way." He says and I think I'm already fantasizing with his voice.

I need to focus.

"Ahem, thanks, how is she?" When Olivia left she was going for the pregnancy test and I'm so eager to know what the results are.

"I think she is the only one that can tell you that, doctor-patient desecration." He says looking at the file in his hands.

I feel like telling him whatever but I roll my eyes instead.

"I need to ask you some questions about your condition because your sister said you're the only one that can answer them."

My condition, no one has ever called it that but when he says it I feel hurt, it's a reminder that this cursed disease is with me for life.

"When was your first epileptic attack?" He asks and I don't answer him.

I can't tell him that, I can't stand bringing the memories back.

"Miss Velio please tell me about it so that we can see what we can do." He adds and I keep quiet again.

I'm trying so hard to fight the tears that are threatening to fall. He is not going to make me talk about it.

All my life I swore never to bring the topic of my illness to the table of discussion, it helps to deal with the pain because the only time I get to think about it is when the seizures start.

"Miss Olive, I really don't have the whole day, if you don't mind."

We are back to Olive.

Can't he just give up already?

He is giving me the concerned look and it really is pissing me off.

What is his problem?

"Dr. Walu... Welusi.." I'm trying to read the name on his batch but it's hard to pronounce.

"Sheldon."

"What?"

"Sheldon Welusa." He says his full name. Okay did I say before I love the name, Sheldon? My bad I've always loved that name.

Not because of him, well in a way, yes but still I've always loved that name.

And I really need to get my s**t together.

"Yeah whatever, look, what is your specialization?" He looks at me surprised but still answers me.

"I'm a general doctor and a surgeon."

"Nice, do you specialize in epilepsy?" He looks at me again and shakes his head.

"No I don't but as a general doctor I get to meet epileptic cases."

"Have you ever dealt with an epileptic patient?"

"In my line of practice no."

"Good then don't try to make me your first patient, what you're asking me to tell you is something I don't talk about, it's epilepsy you already know what it is." I don't really know why I'm raising my voice at him.

"I'm just your doctor miss Velio, I didn't mean to offend you."

And now I feel guilty for being mean to him. I look at his face and he looks tired, bored, and exhausted, which doesn't suit his cute face, if only he could smile.

"I know it's hard for you, but talk to me." He says and I look away.

"As your doctor."

"I will, only on one condition," I tell him with a smirk face.

"You don't get to make conditions really but go on, say it."

I can tell he just wants me to answer his questions so that he can get out of here.

"I want you to smile." He looks at me not believing what I just said but doesn't smile.

I really just want to see that smile again.

"Come on just one smile and I'll answer all your questions," I tell him and wink at him, and just like that his lips form into a beautiful smile.

He even has dimples.

God this guy is so blessed, but just as fast as it came the smile disappears.

Ugh!

"It's so unfair that you get to have dimples when you don't even put them to use, if I had such even just one, I would never miss an opportunity to show it off."

I form my mouth into a fake grin looking at him.

"This is how I would be ninety-five percent of my life, the remaining five I'll be asleep, but still I will be smiling in my sleep," I tell him and he bursts into a burst of laughter.

Yaay, I won.

"See it wasn't that hard," I tell him as I join him in the laughter.

"You're a funny one." He says.

I take in a deep breath.

"I don't remember when I had my first epileptic attack but my mom told me I was two years old, so I guess it's been a part of my life." He stops laughing and looks at his file.

"You can ask the questions now."

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