Lily Cela, a young woman in her twenties, had just arrived in FLONA country after visiting her grandfather's family in the HYLA kingdom. FLONA country was Lily's birthplace. Her parents, Mark Cela and Selina Cela, weren't well-off. They worked as volunteers at a caring home, earning a sufficient salary to live comfortably each month. Lily was currently majoring in animation and didn't burden them with her tuition fees, thanks to receiving a free seat and scholarships every year.
As she walked towards the airport exit, she was engaged in a phone call with her father. "Dad, where are you two waiting for me?" she asked. "My princess, we're waiting for you on the opposite side of the parking area. You can come directly here; you'll easily spot us," her father replied. "Okay, Dad, wait for me," Lily said before hanging up the call.
She didn't notice the attention as she was busy on the call with her father. However, the people around her couldn't help but gaze at her in awe. She wore a casual black T-shirt with a small star symbol on the left side of her breast, which added a touch of simplicity and beauty to her outfit, paired with blue jeans. Her deep brown eyes sparkled with kind smiles, hiding mysteries that only she knew. Her aura was elegantly gracious, like a queen. As she walked, her long black hair swayed, with a few locks framing her face. Her features were fairy-like, and her beauty mesmerized everyone.
Lily reached the place where her parents were waiting to pick her up. She easily spotted them as they were already standing outside their car. When she reached them, she ran directly into her mother's arms, exclaiming, "Mumma, I missed you so much!" Lily's mother, Selina Cela, chuckled and hugged her daughter, saying with tears welling up in her eyes, "I missed you too, sweetie." Mark Cela looked at them with adoring eyes and wrapped his arms around them, joining the hug. "My princess, your father missed you as well," he said. Lily gently leaned her head against him, still in her mother's arms, and replied, "I missed you too, Dad."
It had been over a month since they'd seen each other again. Lily visited her grandparents' place every year during her vacation. Her parents, Mark and Selina, had eloped from their native HYLA kingdom and started anew in FLORA, a foreign land to them, to build a life together. Now, after living in FLORA for many years, it had become their home. Lily's father, Mark Cela, became an orphan after a tragic incident claimed his family when he was still a child. Selina's father took him in and gave him shelter. As Mark grew up, he and Selina fell in love. However, Selina's father objected to their marriage, leaving them no choice but to leave their land. From then on, they never returned to their kingdom again.
Lily's father gently pecked on her hair. "Okay, my ladies, let's head back home now." Lily and her mother nodded with smiles. Lily's father slipped into the driver's seat, while both ladies settled into the back passenger seats. As Lily told her parents about the stories she'd heard about her mother's family and her cousins, her father started driving, listening intently to her tattle-tales and laughing at them in between.
However, Mark suddenly stopped his car, his eyes widened in shock. A car in front of him had swerved left and right before crashing into the trunk of a tree by the side of the road. Lily and her mother, Selina, witnessed the accident alongside Mark. The three of them quickly exited their car and rushed towards the crashed vehicle. The air was filled with the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass.
As they approached, Mark saw an old man slumped over the steering wheel, his head bleeding. Mark gently lifted the old man's head, and his eyes seemed to be losing consciousness. Mark carefully leaned the old man's head against the seat and opened the door. He unbuckled the seatbelt, and with Selina's help, they tried to extract him from the car. However, the old man's left leg appeared to be stuck, making it difficult for them to move him. The smell of gasoline and smoke wafted through the air, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Lily and Selina held the old man steady, while Mark went around to the other side of the car to try and free his leg. Lily spoke softly to the old man, trying to reassure him, "It's okay, sir. Help is on the way." Selina used her handkerchief to stem the bleeding from the old man's head, applying gentle pressure. Mark carefully worked to free the old man's leg, his hands moving with precision. Finally, they managed to extricate him from the wreckage, but the old man had lost consciousness.
Lily had already called the police and ambulance, but it would take them some time to arrive. Given the urgency, Mark suggested they take the old man to the nearest hospital themselves. The three of them carefully loaded the old man into their car and rushed him to the hospital, to admit him for treatment. The sound of sirens echoed in the distance as they sped towards the hospital, their hearts racing with concern for the old man's well-being.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the medical staff swiftly wheeled the old man into the emergency department, where the scent of disinfectant and the hum of medical equipment filled the air. Given the severity of his injuries, the old man required immediate medical attention, and a small surgery was scheduled to address the damage to his leg. He was promptly sent to the operation theatre.
Meanwhile, the police had already arrived at the accident scene, cordoning off the area to clean up the wreckage and investigate the cause of the crash. As Lily had informed them of the old man's transfer to the hospital, a couple of police officers were dispatched to the hospital to gather more information. The officers arrived at the hospital, their uniforms and badges a stark contrast to the sterile white coats of the medical staff.
The officers approached Mark, Selina, and Lily, taking out their notebooks and pens to record their statements. "Can you tell us what happened?" one of the officers asked, his voice firm but polite. The Cela family recounted the events leading up to the accident, providing as much detail as possible. As they spoke, a nurse approached the officers, holding out the old man's purse, which she had found during the initial assessment. "I think this belongs to the patient," she said, handing over the purse.
The officers opened the purse, rummaging through its contents, and soon discovered the old man's ID. Their eyes widened in surprise as they read the name, Retired Major General Officer Felix Allen. The officers exchanged a look, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity. "This changes things," one of them muttered.
As the police officers revealed the old man's identity as Retired Major General Officer Felix Allen, Mark and Selina exchanged a knowing glance. The familiar name sparked a flood of memories, transporting them back to a time when they had struggled to find their footing in FLONA country. Mark and Selina had been through a tough time, struggling to find jobs and uncertain about their future. But then they met Alicia Allen by chance - the wife of the great commander Felix Allen. She became a source of hope and support, offering them kindness and assistance when they needed it most.
Alicia's help had been a lifesaver, and her generosity had a profound impact on many lives, not just theirs. Even though she passed away 14 years ago due to cancer, her legacy continues to inspire others. For a moment, Mark and Selina were lost in memories of Alicia's kindness, but they soon refocused on the police officers. They were shocked to discover that the person they had saved was none other than Alicia's husband.
The officers, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded in unison. "We need to take security measures now," one of them said, turning to the nurse. "Please be extra careful with his medical treatment. We'll inform our higher officials to arrange security precautions as soon as possible and notify his family members." The nurse nodded, her expression serious, as she scribbled down some notes on the old man's chart.
The officers then turned to Mark, Selina, and Lily, their faces etched with gratitude. "Mr. Cela, thank you for your prompt actions. We appreciate your family's help. You can wait here or attend to any urgent matters if you need to."
Mark and Selina nodded in agreement. "Thank you, officers," Mark said. "We'll leave after Mr. Allen's operation as you're here to take care of him now." One of the police officers smiled politely. "That's absolutely fine, Mr. Cela. It's our duty. You've already been a great help to us."
Lily who listened quietly until now, commented with a gentle smile on her face. "As a citizen, it's what we can do when we witness something and are able to help," she said, her voice soft and sincere. The officer nodded, his expression warm with appreciation. "It's good to see our youth on the right path," he said, indirectly praising Lily's selfless actions.
The officer's words hung in the air, filled with a sense of gratitude and respect. Lily's smile remained serene, her eyes reflecting her kind heart.
Police officers left from there to inform the things they need to do. They firstly call their higher officials and informed the news. The officials surprised and immediately ordered the needed security measures. They also informed the news to the Allen's family.
In the hospital, the Cela family sat in contemplative silence before Selina spoke up, her voice filled with nostalgia. "Mark, do you remember the day we left our kingdom? It was the day Mr. Felix visited. We took advantage of the distraction to escape, and Amelia helped us plan it perfectly. Indirectly, his visit helped us that day. We missed meeting him then. But today, many years later, fate has given us another chance to cross paths with him." She paused, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Perhaps fate planned for us to help him so we could express our gratitude for his indirect help." Her words hung in the air, filled with a sense of serendipity and gratitude.
Mark and Lily listened intently, their faces thoughtful as they absorbed Selina's words. Mark smiled and replied, "How could I forget that day, my wife? Indeed, what you said is true."
Lily's eyes sparkled with understanding as she grasped the context of their conversation.
Selina turned to her daughter, her voice filled with warmth. "Sweetie, do you remember the lady we've told you about so many times when you were younger?" Lily's face lit up with recognition, and she didn't hesitate. "Madam Alicia!" she exclaimed.
Selina's eyes shone with gratitude as she nodded. "Yes, sweetie, it's her. She's the wife of the person we helped today, who's now in the operation theater." Lily's eyes widened in surprise, and she replied, "Oh, that's quite a coincidence."
"Do you think we should wait for him to wake up and thank him?" Mark asked his wife Selina, seeking her opinion.
"No, Mark. If we do that, he'll just end up thanking us for helping him. I think it's better we just leave after his operation."
Mark nodded in agreement. "Hmm, you're right. Let's just leave after the operation then."
••••••••••••••••••
In a towering skyscraper that seemed to touch the sky, a man sat working on his laptop in an office shrouded in silence, punctuated only by the soft clack of keyboard typing. Unlike the typical corporate executive, he wore a casual light colored shirt and black pants, his attire relaxed and understated. Yet, despite his laid-back look, an aura of authority and power surrounded him, hinting that he was no ordinary man.
His features were chiseled, his blue coloured eyes attractive but piercingly cold, and his face expressionless as he focused intently on the laptop screen. His fingers danced rapidly across the keyboard, a testament to his intense focus. The dim glow of the screen cast a soft light on his face, accentuating his sharp jawline and prominent cheekbones.
As he worked, the air around him seemed to vibrate with an unspoken intensity, his presence commanding attention despite his calm demeanor. There was no doubt that the man was strikingly attractive, his rugged good looks and captivating aura making him a compelling figure.
While he was busy in his work world, the phone call pierced through the room, halting his fingers on the keyboard. He picked up the phone from his work table and glanced at the Caller ID. His father's number flashed on the screen. His father is Mr.Cedar Allen, a General Major Officer in the Military. Given his father's busy schedule, the call must be important.
As he lifted the call, his deep, hoarse voice uttered a single word "Dad."
However his father skipped formal greetings, his tone laced with urgency. "Eli, I've received a call from officers. Your grandfather's had an accident. He's being treated at Hospital. I've already informed your second and third uncles, they're on their way. You need to go there and assess the situation. I'll arrive as soon as possible."
The sudden news sent a jolt through him, shattering the calm atmosphere of his workspace. Worry and concern etched his face as he processed the information. He could almost hear the seriousness in his father's voice, a stark contrast to the silence of his office.
"Dad, what's the hospital's address?" Eli asked, his voice calm but a hint of worry detected. "It's Second City Hospital," his father replied curtly. Eli's mind quickly processed the information as he assured his father, "Don't worry, Dad. Nothing will happen to Grandfather." His words were meant to reassure, but a hint of hope lingered in them.
With a newfound sense of urgency, Eli hung up the call and sprang into action and turned off his laptop. The phone call still echoed in his mind as he stood up, his chair scraping softly against the floor. He grabbed his belongings like phone, wallet, keys and headed out, the weight of responsibility settling onto his shoulders.