Doctor Frank was working on some documents when the door slowly creaked. He deftly raised his gaze to see Randy pecking through.
"Oh Mr. Hoods, come in."Randy smiled, fully opening the door as he stepped in."Have a seat." Dr. Frank gestured him to the seat in front of his desk."Sure.., thank you." He settled in, "Your nurse asked that you wanted to see me. Hope everything is alright Doctor?""Certainly Mr. Hoods, no need to panic. Just want you to come and sign the necessary documents for your wife's discharge tomorrow.""Really...? My wife can be discharged tomorrow?" he queried, overwhelmed and surprised at the same time."Yes, Mr. Hoods. From our close examination, both your kids and wife are in good state of health and can be discharged tomorrow so all you need is to sign the documents.""Sure." he nodded with a smile as the doctor handed out the documents to him. Within a few minutes, he was done signing. He gently passed the papers back to the doctor."Alright..." Dr. Frank took them with a sigh, glancing at the signed papers. "That's good." he wrote something on it before replacing it in his files. "She can be discharged anytime from tomorrow.""Thanks so much, Dr. Frank." he shook his hand as he rose from his seat."Welcome," he replied as they broke from the handshake.With everything done, Randy excused himself and shuffled out of the doctor's office.He got to his wife's ward to meet the babies awake. One cuddled in his wife's arms with the other one in his sister's arms."I can see the cuties awake," he uttered with a grin, moving over to his wife's side."So..., what did the doctor say?" queried Emma."Oh that, he said Jerome can be discharged tomorrow.""Really?" Jerome who was staring at her baby's face, deftly lifted her gaze to her husband's, a bright smile dancing merrily on her face."Of course dear." he held her cheeks playfully. "You and our cuties will be discharged tomorrow.""Hmm.., hmm..hmm..," Emma cleared her throat, drawing their attention to her. "A single lady is standing right here. You guys should have mercy on her."Jerome chuckled, "Sorry Emma." she mumbled teasingly and they all chortled."So have you decided on any name for these little angles?" asked Emma, slightly rocking the baby in her arms as she made little cries.Jerome glanced at Randy's face with a smile then back to Emma. "Yes, we have.""That's so fast. So what are their names?""Phidel and Phidelia," answered Randy."Wow..., lovely names."Emma checking her wrist watch noticed that it was getting late. "You should go home and freshen up bro. It's already getting late. Besides, I'm here. I will take care of them till you're back.""Yes, dear." Jerome added, "Emma is here now. You should go freshen up and come.""Okay, okay, I'm going since you ladies are sacking me." he peeked his wife's cheeks. "See you ladies later.""Okay." they chorused as he hurried out of the ward and they roared into laughter at his hesitation to leave.By this time, Phidel and Phidelia had fallen asleep again. Emma gently placed Phidel back into the cot, sauntering over to Jerome."Here, let me help you." She took Phidelia from her mother and laid her beside her sister in the cot."You should also have some rest now," she said, walking over to the chair which was sitting a step away from Jerome's bed. "I will sit right here and watch over you."She nodded with a smile as she laid back on the bed to rest.**********It was around 3 pm when Randy got home. He slowly pulled the door open, walking into the house with heavy legs, totally exhausted but the thoughts of his wife and twins were enough to fuel his energy.With their thoughts in mind, he hurried off to the kitchen to fix himself some meal. He searched through the refrigerator but there was nothing. Only some leftover rice."Guess I have to do with this." he picked up the small bowl containing the rice and emptied it into a plate.Placing it in the microwave, he hurried upstairs to freshen up.When he had gotten to their room, he packed a few clothes for Jerome and their twins. He placed the bag on the bed and glided to the washroom.After a few minutes, he returned downstairs all done. He placed the bag with the clothes on the sofa, staggering to the kitchen.He rushed over to where the microwave was and took out his meal. Not wasting much time, he dug in. When he had finished the meals, he picked up the baand and g, raced out of the house.AT THE HOSPITALGetting to the hospital, Randy went straight up to his wife's room. He slowly pushed the door open to see only Emma awake."Oh, you're back.""Yes...""Then I will take my leave now." she stood up. "Can I have the keys?" she opened her palms."Sure..." he rummaged through his pocket, pulling it out. "Here you are.""Alright, thanks. See you guys tomorrow.""Certainly," replied Randy as Emma glided out of the door, slowly closing it behind her.He sighed as he slammed himself into the chair. The rest of the evening passed by with no especially happenings.****************"Good morning honey..." Randy heard a voice waking him up from his sleep. He drowsily opened his eyes to see Jerome smiling brightly at him."Honey..." he gasped, the traces of sleep lingering in his eyes suddenly disappearing."Why are you standing here...?""Stop exaggerating dear, I'm okay."Just then, the door cracked open with Emma at the entrance."Good morning love birds...""Good morning Emma," they mumbled in unison."Are we ready to leave now?" he questioned, with a quizzical stare as she neared them."Yes, will be done in a few minutes.""Okay," answered Emma, walking up to the baby's cot. "Hi cuties...." she murmured playfully as she held their hands.Randy packed up their stuff as Jerome got herself ready to leave. A few minutes on, they were set."Let's go," Randy remarked as he carried the bags, leaving the babies to Emma and Jerome.With everything cleared up, they strolled out of the ward with Randy closing the door behind them.*************February 4, 2007.Time they say flies without one's knowledge. It was just like yesterday when Randy and Jerome welcomed their twins into the world and now it's their 7th birthday.Their parents wanting to make this day a fun and special one, decided to celebrate it at Central Park."Mum..., aren't you guys coming?" Phidel shouted from outside as they stood waiting beside the car."Coming dear.." her mother replied, sauntering out together with their father."Here, here, let's go."They opened the door and everybody settled in their seats."Are you girls okay back there...?" Randy queried, buckling his seat belt."Yes Dad..." they both chorused wittily."Phidelia, buckle on your seat belt," Jerome uttered, glancing at them through the mirror."Okay mum..." she did as she was told without any hesitation.When Randy had checked that everything was set, he sped off. They met a few traffic jams on their way but within an hour and a half time, they were at the park.Randy found a good spot and parked the car."We're finally here girls...who is ready for the fun..?""We...are...." they exuded, their mother giggling as they glided out of the car. They walked over to the boot and helped their parents carry out the stuff to the park which was filled with lots of kids and their parents.They found a convenient place under one of the shady trees and set up their mats for the picnic. After having some meals and a chatty talk, they decided to play a game. Phidel and their mother teaming up against Phidelia and their father."I'm here mum..., throw the ball over here..." shouted Phidel waving her hand tirelessly in the air.Randy and Jerome watching their twins grow up with the passing years was their greatest delight but little did they know of the imminent clash which was ticking like a time bomb ready to explode before their eyes to cause the separation of their beautiful family.NEXT EPISODEPhidel rushed to the living room where her parents were, looking aghast."Mum...come help Phidelia. I don't know what happened but she can't breathe.""What...?"Returning home after the long day's activities, Phidel and Phidelia retired to their room, exhausted not even waiting for their parents to finish unpacking their stuff.Just as they got to their room, they both staggered to their beds and collapsed on it, falling asleep in the instant.After unpacking the things, Randy sauntered to the living room, their daughter's absence unnoticed by them. On settling on the couch, he turned on the TV set."Why don't you go and freshen up first as I get us something to eat." Jerome stood glancing at him as she picked up the packages of groceries."I will do that later, let me rest a little.""No dear, you're all sweaty. You should go freshen up and get a change of clothes," she mumbled, strolling to the kitchen with packages of groceries in both arms.She dropped them on the cabin, lifting them out one after the other as she got ready to cook.Randy sat on the couch with his eyes still glued to the screen, reluctant."Honey...., ain't you going?", ca
Jerome and Randy anxiously raced up stairs to their children's room followed by Phidel to see Phidelia on the floor, gasping for breath."Phidelia..." exclaimed Jerome as they rushed over to her. Randy instantly lifted her in his arms."Get the car keys dear." he said as they all hurried out of the room. Jerome wasted no time, she trod to their room which was on the far right of their kids' whiles Randy and Phidel raced down stairs with Phidelia.Not soon at they got to the car that Jerome joined them. With shaky hands, she managed to unlock the car. Phidel settled in the right seat in the back, beckoning her father to lay her sister next to her.Randy obliged, gently laying her down as he puts her head on her sister's laps. Phidel glanced down on her sister's pale face, brushing her hand through her hair as she still struggles for breath."It's gonna be okay Phidelia, mum and dad are here to help."By this time, both Jerome and Randy has settled
After about 30minutes of driving in silence, Phidelia finally spoke up. Feeling very uncomfortable with the unusual and awkward slience which has suddenly engulfed her once happy and cheerful family."Why is everybody so quiet, did I do something wrong?"She glanced from her sister who sat at the corner of her seat staring through the window with some gape between them to her parents.Randy now realizing the tension the unusual silence has created and the impression it was forming in Phidelia's mind; hastily interrupted with the bid to clear up her doubt."You haven't done anything dear. Everybody is just exhausted. Don't worry dear, let's talk more when we get home."This reply didn't go down well with Phidelia as her sister and mother were still quiet and still uncheerful though she had regain her health but she nodded anyway."Okay Dad." she replied and the atmosphere in the car went back to being quiet. Phidelia felt very uncomfortable but did
Getting Phidelia to calm down took a lot of effort from Emma. She knew from the very beginning that Phidelia was acting tough all along in order to make her parents less worried about her but least did she expected her to break down so much like that.She scooted closer to her and drew her in, placing her head on her shoulder whiles she brushed her hands through her hair to calm her down.“Cry it all out dear, that way you’ll feel much better.”She mumbled with the hope of getting her sober a little but it didn't turned out to her expectations as this rather gingered Phidelia to cry even more. “Guess that's a bad idea.” she thought to herself. “But it always turn out to work in those soap operas? Guess I have been watching too much drama.”She sighed, kicking out of her thoughts as she narrowed her eyes to Phidelia; thinking of how to handle situations before they get to the airport.“I hope this work
The long hour and half lesson finally came to an end. Their teacher packed her books and sauntered out of the class. Just as she stepped out, the class was thrown into a rumpus as the students glided out of their seats; living the class in groups.Phidelia was busy packing her books into her bag and didn't notice Rowan's gaze on her.“Hmm...Phidelia?” Rowan mumbled skeptically.“Huh?” she muttered, lifting her eyes to him with a quizzical look.“Since you have no friends yet would you mind joining me for lunch? We can keep each other’s company.”“Really? Can I?” Phidelia exuded, face etched. The thought of eating alone in the canteen without any familiar face around was a major problem which was running through her mind earlier on. Knowing very well that Isla will not give a second thought ignoring her even if she sees her because Isla sees no fun being with her. “Let me finish packing
Isla and her friend, Titi strolled with playful chatters to the locker room to get the textbooks they will need for the next class without any idea of what was going on in the canteen. Checking her wrist watch, she noticed that they had only few minutes left. She crinkled her nose in disgust. “We better hurry Titi before Mrs. Peterson gets to the class before us. I don't want to be in her bad book.” They sauntered towards their locker. Titi and Isla has been friends since childhood and to this effect, she knows almost everybody in the Rockson family except the fact about Phidelia being a twin. Getting to the locker, both turned their respective doors opened.“Oh,” Titi paused, suddenly remembering something. “Just saw Phildelia earlier on in the hallway, did she get transfered here?” she glanced into her locker, scanning through her neatly packed books for her Calculus textbook. “Hm.” Isla mumbled sharply with a nod, searching t
“Hey, tell me. Are you two fighting?” Emma queried with a skeptical look.“No auntie–” Phidelia sighed sharply and sauntered towards the stairs. “Just a bad day at school. I’ll go change now.” she glided the stairs.Emma stared as her back faded through the corridor to her room; quiet confuse. “What’s going on with them?” she mumbled thoughtfully and shrugged.“Hurry and get down for supper.” she shouted, heading back to the terrace to continue what she was doing.Phidelia shoved her bag well over her shoulders, unlocking her door. After turning the keys few times, it clicked opened. She slowly pushed it opened as she shuffled in with the thoughts of her family running through her mind. She really missed them a lot especially her sister. It’s been eleven years now since they got separated. And to top it all, they haven’t been visiting per their promise. And talking about
Claire at that moment noticed Phidelia’s confusion and failure in remembering her. She chuckled, slightly shaking her head. “Hey–it’s me. The girl you helped at the canteen the other time. Have you forgotten me already?”Phidelia instinctively gasped at this revelation, feeling quiet bad. “I’m so sorry.” she mumbled hastily, “Everything happened so fast so I didn't really pay attention to your face.” she gave a sheepish grin which was obvious enough to expose her embarrassment.Claire giggled, “Hey–no need to be so embarrassed. Come on, hop in. I can see you're waiting for a cab.”“Yeah, thanks so much.” she exuded, pulling the back seat door opened. “You’ve really saved me. Thought I was gonna miss my first lesson.” she settled in, dropping her bag beside her and the cab sped off.“No need to thank me girl–. You once saved my ass too you kn