He smashed the surgical mask to the floor verbalizing his devastation as he trod out of the ward. He'd tried his best for a better outcome and not this. " Finish up..." Denzel Washington muttered over his shoulders as the door slid, closing behind him.
He'd been in charge of Phoneix since day one of her diagnosis. He was actually the one who noticed her sudden changes and inactive participation in activities that were of her interest and advised for a general check-up.
Phoenix and Denzel had been friends since preschool. Even though they had to part ways for some years to further their individual choice of field, their relationship was never severed. She was more like his younger sister rather than a friend~ the fact of losing her drew him into a daze.
Tears sprang to his eyes but he immediately dried them off as he neared the hall to where Phoneix's family were waiting.
                              SURGICAL WARD
Minutes of silence engulfed the ward for a while as they helplessly scanned the body in front of their eyes. One sighed, finally letting out a word.
" Let's get this over with". By her command, they were back to their duties. Just then, one noticed the unusual. Beep, Beep, Beep, the line came back to life. The one closing up the body, realized the heart slowly thumping. 
" Call the doctor ~she's back... Call the doctor " She howled and one sped off.
                                          ******************
Levi was the one who made Berla aware of Phonexi's state and the hospital she was admitted to. Even though he was amazed at her call, not expecting her in town at the moment, her excuse of a bad dream she had had about Phone and the reason for her landing made him spill it without a second thought.
But as to how and where she came across Del in that state remained a misery yet to be resolved. " Nurse..." Stanley called out and soon, one came rushing to their aid.
 Although his heart was heavy with pain, regret, and rage, seeing him in that condition made his heart sink. There must be a reason behind this, he thought.
" Please attend to him." He said. With a nod, the young male nurse helped Del to one of the wards. Berla hugged her sobbing aunty to help comfort her.
They had now settled on one of the chairs lined in front of the reception with Irish, Levi, and Stanly pacing and keeping watch at the entrance toward the surgical ward. He had already updated them on the need for urgent surgery and his single-handed authorization even though he had no right to.
But he kept one thing a secret, the fact that he stood in as her husband. " I'll take full responsibility for my actions if you still deem it unacceptable." He said. 
Although they had their worries the fact remained that he did it for the sake of their daughter. For this reason, they decided to let it be. It's been hours but the hall showed no sign of their return at all.
 Irish felt suffocated by all that was going on. " Excuse me, I'd like to take some fresh air." He said to the two who nodded and Irish trod off. Berla's eyes instinctively tailed his back, she was tensed throughout the time with his presence around.
" Ah.." the inaudible sigh filled the air as he gazed up at the moon which hung up in the clear sky like a lamp. " She should be the one to decide their faith, not me, right?" He thought out loud. Just then, he heard wailing from the hall. He immediately rushed in.
" I'm so sorry~ we did our best." The words pierced into his chest like a spear, tearing through the strings of his heart. " What?" He cried, his body trembled. 
Tears choked up at his throat, his eyes bloodshot as they shot at Berla, devouring the very soul in her. Silent tears fell down his cheeks. "Phoenix..." That was the word his lips were able to utter after a long struggle.
Levi broke to the floor with no words at all~ Phoneix was his everything. He could go up to her at night to share his lengthy concerns, complaints, and worries and she would listen without complaining. He knew her time was limited but not this soon– he wasn't ready.
" Do something,  Zel...please save your sister, please" Kalisa wept, and Denzel felt helpless. The tears he held back slowly ran down in rapid succession. " I did my best Mum.." He cried.
"God...!, Phone...!!"She screamed in despair. 
" Doctor..!! doctor!!" The nurse came running, drawing their attention to herself. On nearing him, he whispered something into his ears
Denzel's eyes flared open, there and then, he sped off without a word to his audience. The nurse quickly followed before they could inquire about anything. But for some reason, their heart swells with hope.
For Berla, the news of her death was quite satisfying since their sins would be buried along with her, and Del would become hers forever. But now, seeing how things were going, she felt more trouble looming ahead. This is doom for them.
By now, Del's wounds were treated but Kalisa didn't want to have anything to do with him around. To her, just seeing his face ushers a bad omen. Due to this, Berla opted to drive him home.
With that, the two exited the room. They had things to talk out and must figure ways out to keep both Irish and Phoenix silent. For sure, Berla knew Phone would soon come back alive~ with Denzel at it, he would risk even his last breath to keep her alive.
                                           WARD
" Stapel..." He ordered and soon, he was back to it. It was surely a miracle how her heartbeat returned after that period of minutes. If Phoenix was not ready to give up just yet, so was he– he mumbled in thoughts.
" Cut..." He said and the process continued. In no time, the operation was called a success. The only thing left was her recovery~ hoping things go well without any other complications, she was rolled out to her private recovery word. 
" Oh, my baby..." Kalisa held onto her pale hands as her stretcher rolled down the hall towards the ward. They had all rushed over as soon as the surgical ward busted open. As they entered, the nurses halted them at the door. 
" You'll have to wait here, please.." She said, closing the door in their face. They closely watched through the glass as the nurses moved her onto the new bed, fixing her drips and tubes to aid her recovery.
" We'll give you a few minutes to see her," The last nurse said as they exited the room. " But please don't crowd around her."
With that in mind, Stanly allowed Kalisa and Levi to go in first. After thanking Irish who refused to go in, he joined them. A faint smile lined his face as he watched the family share some time~ he felt satisfied for some reason.
Slowly, he turned to leave. " Hey, ain't you going to see her before leaving?" a familiar voice halted him in his tracks. Deftly, he turned to its direction. " Practically speaking, you were the one who saved her." He added and Irish smiled.
" I don't think I did that much but if you say so then my pleasure." He muttered. " ...I'll come back to see her later." He glanced at the family once more and back at Denzel. " They need this moment more than I do." 
That said, he took his leave. Denzel watched his back fade into the darkness as he exited the main entrance. He had heard a lot about him from Phoneix but this was his first time meeting him in person.
" He's not as odd and cold as Phoneix had said." He softly scoffed. Scanning back at the family in front of his eyes, he slowly pushed the door open.
" How is she doing?" His voice echoed. 
" Pretty normal I guess..." Said Kalisa.
"~you should be able to enlighten us more." Stanly required.
                            THE STANFORD APARTMENT
It was already past midnight, traveling to dawn when Irish arrived at his apartment but to his surprise, his lights were on. " Who could have dropped by?" He thought as he cued in the passcode. 
Click, the door knocked open. If not his 18-year-old brother, Ethen then it might be his 10-year-old cousin, Rosette. He guessed. " Irish?... Is that you?" The Feminine soft tone called and he answered with a yes.