Chapter 2 — Part 3

MY DAUGHTER COMES FIRST.

My daughter Malkia comes first.

My second wife Ongi’Wuye is not too happy about me giving my daughter more attention than her, but oddly she says she wants her to be her daughter.
 
A couple of weeks ago, she had gone back to Africa to take care of her sick mother. And she had a bit of other legal settlements she needed to do because of her late Father.

Women don’t get many privileges like men in those parts of the world.

“If you need any help don’t hesitate to ask me”. I told her sympathetically. I wanted to show her that I am there for her whenever she needs me.

I had to support her financially because she was not able to afford medical bills and other expenses while she was helping her sick mother in Africa.

Do you know what the thing called ‘LOVE’ can do to a desperate and lonely man? It makes them sell their souls to the Devil. they become heroes. a kind of hero who would do anything to maintain a woman’s trust. Just to get rid of their loneliness.

There I was, A hero. A superhero is a title I deserve, for all I’ve done for her. Including draining my entire lifetime savings, for her.

She said she would pay me back because there is some inheritance money she is expecting from her late father. Which would be enough for both of us to retire and move anywhere we want.

Out of my curiosity. I asked; 
 “how much money are we talking about, 2 thousand dollars? Or something”? because that’s what I expected.

“100 million dollars!” 
She said. 
“What?”
 I exclaimed!
“one h-u-n-d-r-e-d million dollars!!
 that’s wild.”

I was overjoyed. It was a mixture of joy, nervousness, and fear. I didn’t believe her. My mind was exploding with a mixture of both negative and positive thoughts.

Even though it was not my money. At the same time, I was wondering how could they have so much money in that part of the world? 
What did her father do? 
All these questions and doubts were clouded by expectations, over-excitement, and daydreaming.

Finding myself building visual images of me and her living somewhere tropical by the beach. Forgetting about my debts and work. I secretly entertained the idea that this is retribution for my sad and sorry life.

At this time. my entire savings, lines of credit, and credit cards have been drained. Expecting a lump sum of money to be coming my way. Taking care of her sick mother cost my entire lifetime of savings!

“But let me be patient. soon enough it will. and must shine on us after getting that inheritance”
 I encouraged myself.

But my frustration seemed to win over my own belief in the promised savior. I have never been late on my rent. This coming week, there won’t be any money in my bank. I have used my overdraft. I can count how many automatic payments will popcorn out of my bank.

I had to do something; my mental activities are not always this high. But at this time, my neurons were firing like transistors of that fancy quantum computer. I was afraid to tell my wife because of pride. I don’t want to lose her; at the same time, I don’t even have enough money to buy my food or afford any other expenses. My paycheck should be issued within a week. No human could survive a week without food. What to do?

My phone rang, it was Ongi.

Ooh No! She must be looking for some money. I haven’t sent her any money this week. What to do now. I don’t even have enough money to cover my bills. what should I say to her? Where will I get quick cash?

I am honestly starting to doubt all this marriage thing. Maybe it is a scam. What about that good-looking guy who she claims to be her cousin?

He keeps on calling her even in the middle of the night. She is a good-looking woman. I always feel insecure around other younger guys. What about if all of this is a scam?

But she showed me a picture of her and her mother in the hospital and had shown me pictures when she was young. This comforts me. She has always been on my side. I can’t deny that. Would you think a person would go that far, just to scam pennies? … Let me be brave and tell her the truth. I picked up the phone.

Rudy: Hey you!

Ongi: Hey honey.

Rudy: How was your day?

Ongi: My day was good, just dealing with my mom and stuff. How about you?

Rudy: Been good, been good just watching TV, and ah nothing much. I want to tell you something.

Ongi: No, I want to tell you something first.

Rudy: Whoa… What is it?

Ongi: Are you ready …? We got the Money babe!!

Rudy: What?… “Thank you so much”. (tears dripping with joy and a sense of relief) …” so does that mean I don’t have to send you money?

Hold… Hold on a minute there is someone else on the line here…

… Hey babe, I think it’s an emergency… Can I call you back?

Rudy: Hello.

Caller: Hi, is this Mr. Rudy Rundlefield?

Rudy: Yes, it is, who is this?

Caller: You are listed as the emergency contact for Malkia Rudy Rundlefield. There has been an accident, can you come to St Mary’s Goethe Hospital downtown?

Rudy: How…, what happened …? is my daughter ok?

Caller: Please come to the hospital and we will explain everything.

I rushed to the hospital. Immediately, I asked where my daughter was, they told me she is in surgery. I had to wait; every kind of idea was running on my head.
I was worried about the thing I was afraid of the most had come to pass, and I might be losing my daughter in front of my eyes.

“Hi, are you Rudy Rundlefield?” The guy in a white jacket asked me.

Yeah, I am Dr. Luzhkov, your daughter has been in a terrible accident. We have successfully restored her vital signs. But I am afraid she is in a coma.