Chapter 3 The Thompsons

Nicholas was sure his mother didn't know he was around so, he went in search of her first. Before he could walk to one of the rooms where he assumed she might be, he was paused in his track by her ever sharp voice.

"Honey! Oh my God, thank God you're here!"

She shouted, sounding out of breath. Her eyes were already misty as the tears threatened to fall.

"Mum, what's wrong?"

Nicholas asked, concern etched on his face as he ran towards her.

"Your father is having a heart attack. fast, help me, let's take him to the hospital!"

She motioned for him to follow her to the room and he ran in with her to where his dad was. Mr Thompson was clutching his chest in pain and Nicholas without wasting any time, carried him out of the house.

In no time, his dad was brought to the hospital and was undergoing treatment. He was finally stabilised now, but was sleeping. Nicholas and his mum sat quietly, watching him. imagining the disaster if they hadn't brought him a little sooner.

The family doctor came in with a solemn look and stood in front of Nicholas and his mother. Nicholas didn't like the look one bit, and so it pushed him to inquire what the issue was.

"Doctor, what is wrong with him? and please, don't give me that story about old age because I'm not buying it."

He warned in a menacing tone. The doctor was forced to open up and let Nicholas in, on his father's current situation.

"I'm sorry, but your father has a heart condition. His health has deteriorated. He would need to undergo a bypass heart surgery as soon as possible."

Nicholas' eyes bulged in shock upon hearing the news. He quickly turned to look at his mother who to his greatest surprise, didn't seem too shocked by the news. Clearly, everyone was aware and knew about it except him. Was that the reason why his father had been pressuring him into getting married? he was scared that if he didn't do it soon enough, he might not be here to witness it? shit! Nicholas was completely taken aback by the news.

"And if he doesn't?"

Nicholas asked the dreadful question that he might already know the answer to. the doctor's hesitation in answering the question confirmed his fears that, if his father didn't undergo the surgery, then he might not ever see him again. The thought made him shiver. He watched his father laying on the bed. He looked so frail, and it just opened his eyes to see that no matter how strong or tough one was, sickness would definitely serve you a piece of humble pie.

Mr. Thompson eyes finally flickered open to see his son, Nicholas, and his wife, who gently stop up and went to hug him. sherubbed his arm soothingly and sat beside him on the bed.

"How're you feeling, dad?"

Nicholas asked in a sober tone. Mr. Thompson could only nod his head in response.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick, dad?" Nicholas asked, clearly hurt. "

I didn't want to worry you, son."

He finally spoke in a weak tone. Nicholas scoffed in irritation. how could his father telling him that he was sick a bad thing? Nicholas didn't like the fact that he was kept in the dark about it, but he decided to just let things be considering his father's condition.

"As soon as we get a donor, we'll do the surgery. In the mean time, he needs to rest and do away with anything that would bother him in any way. We can't risk another heart attack before the surgery."

the doctor instructed, facing Nicholas and his mother.

"Please ensure you keep him happy always. Under no circumstances should he be put through any form of stress. I cannot emphasise this enough."

the doctor reiterated sternly, before leaving the room.

"I won't do the surgery."

mr Thompson said defiantly, to Nicholas utmost surprise. His mother gasped in shock as well.

"What do you mean, dad?"

Nicholas questioned.

"Of what use is it, when you don't want to stop your promiscuous lifestyle and get married ?"

He lamented, and it finally dawned on Nicholas.

"Honestly, your promiscuity is my major issue. it's what has been causing me stress and anxiety."

" I'm tired of your frivolous and reckless lifestyle, son."

he complained bitterly.

"No man has ever gotten an award for sleeping with the highest number of women. You need to stop that lifestyle and prioritize marriage and having a child that would carry on your legacy. Please, son."

His father spoke, pain evident in his voice, as his wife continues to caress his arms in support. Nicholas felt terrible about his father's admission. He hate that he was responsible for putting his father through all of this by his reckless way of living.

He might complain of his father pestering him every now and then, but he never wanted to lose him. He loved his parents, and for the first time, he could actually understand where his parents were coming from, as regards marriage. To be fair, he was his parents' only child, so he wouldn't blame the old man for wanting him to get married married and for his grand kids to come a little sooner.

"I've heard you, Dad. I'll think about it."

Nicholas said, in a remorseful tone. He was completely overcome with guilt now.

"Two months, Nicholas. You either get married in two months, or I'm not undergoing the bypass heart surgery. period."

His father said sternly, his tone final, before looking away and turning his back on Nicholas. Nicholas's eyes bulged in shock at his father's threat. He never wanted to lose his father, especially not when he contributed to putting him in the condition in the first place.

The pressure was on. As it stands now, Nicholas needed to get married by all means, whether it meant getting a contractual wife, so that his father could undergo the surgery.

A decent and homely wife in two months. Was that going to be possible?