Sparing Dexter

 "What are you still doing here? You are the last person I expected to see at that hospital," Kelly asked Dexter who was spotted at the reception with his head facing the ground. 

Dexter didn't say a word. It was difficult for Kelly to tell if Dexter ignored him or if the latter was just sleeping.

"Hey, I am talking to you. 

Aren't you listening to me right now? Or do I have to repeat myself before you understand what I am talking about?" Kelly tapped Dexter on the shoulder to get the latter's attention.

Lifting his head, Dexter mumbled in pain. "What do you want from me this time? Why can't you just let me have a moment of peace? Isn't it obvious that I don't want to speak to you or anyone right now? I just want to be left alone."

Dexter's eyes were reddish like a tomato. He sounded too calm, which was enough reason that he was sleeping and not ignoring Kelly. 

"I thought you went home last night? I had no idea you were still around the hospital. And why didn't you sleep inside your car?" Kelly popped the next question even when it was damn obvious that Dexter wasn't pleased with him.

"Do you want me to answer those questions? Isn't it too early to start a fight? I am sure you got other important stuff to do with your time rather than waste it in picking a fight on me," Dexter cried like a child. He couldn't wait for Kelly to leave immediately so he could have the rest of mind he had always wanted. 

"It's just a harmless question. Why are you taking it so personally?" Kelly defended himself and justified the reasons for asking such a question. 

"Is my Father awake? Can I see him now?" Dexter asked as he strived to dodge the fire Kelly came with.

"Yes, he is awake." 

Kelly responded.

Immediately, Dexter stood up from the metallic bench. He was heading straight to George's ward when Kelly walked behind him, obstructing his movement.

"What do you think you're doing?" Dexter fumed.

"I should be asking you. Are you blind? Can't you see that I am heading to my Father's ward? I want to go see him. Don't you dare stop me from going inside because I won't pay attention to you," Dexter warned. He was ready to engage in a heated argument with Kelly since he noticed the energy that the latter came with. 

"I don't think your father would want to see you. How about I go tell him first? I wouldn't want him to experience any setback," Kelly explained. 

"Hold on a second, Are you saying my presence would cause numerous damages to my father? I can't seem to understand what you're talking about," out of curiosity, Dexter asked. 

"I never said so. 

You the one making the false assumptions," Kelly replied harshly and walked towards George's ward. 

The moment he noticed Dexter was approaching, he shut the door immediately to stop Dexter from coming inside. 

Standing outside, Dexter laughed. "Who the heck is this man and what's his relationship with my Father?" 

The laughter surely came from a place of pain. His heart was beating faster. He might as well punch Kelly in the face in such rage. 

Quietly, Dexter walked away rather than staring back to create a scene. He knew about his father's condition and needed no one to tell him the right thing to do. 

"Who was that? 

I heard you talking to someone outside. It's quite unfortunate that I wasn't able to trace the voice," George asked. He was the only one inside the ward. 

"Oh, you meant the voice from outside?" Kelly itched his head as he attempted to think of the perfect lie to tell. 

"Yes, Kelly. 

The voice. 

Would you start talking immediately?" George became interested. 

"That was some man who missed his way. He thought his friend was admitted To your ward. I had to make It clear to him," Kelly lied without blinking his eyes. He made it look so real that George was forced to believe him. 

After a brief silence and a thorough deliberation, George started with a question that sounded like an interrogation. "Go open the door. I know you locked it," 

But why? 

Are you calling me a liar now?" Kelly argued in his defense. 

"Not exactly! 

I just needed some to satisfy my curiosity. I don't want to believe that's difficult for you to do, is it?" George remained firm on his decision while Kelly frowned his face and faced the opposite direction. He thought that would make George change his mind. 

Unfortunately, it never did. Like a solid rock, George's decision remained firm and unshakeable. 

"Fine! 

I will go open the door. If that made you happy," Kelly bowed to pressure. 

As he approached the doorway, he did a cross sign and prayed silently that Dexter wouldn't be found outside. 

That might as well ruin every trust George has for him. And, of course, no amount of explanation from Kelly would make George believe he was telling the truth. 

"Do we need to do this?" Kelly paused the moment he touched the door handle. 

"Proceed already! 

You're there already," George forced a smile. At that point, he was already suspecting a foul play-act from Kelly. He was just waiting for Kelly to open the door to catch him red-handed. 

Kelly finally opened the door and Dexter wasn't there. Rather than being excited that his secret was safe, he was shocked not to find Dexter outside. 

As much as Kelly didn't want to see Dexter standing at the entrance, he still didn't expect Dexter to walk away like that. 

He thought Dexter would stay back and fight to see George, his Father.

"See for yourself. 

No one is there. Can I shut the door now?" Kelly turned his direction to George after a successful mission. 

"Shut the door? 

Why do you want to do that? Leave it open. What if the doctor wants to come attend to me?" George declined.