RUTH’S BURDEN – PART 1: The Cost of Indifference

Episode 19: The Family Consensus

Felix looked at Ruth, who was crying silently. He gently tapped her shoulder to get her attention, and she wiped her tears before he turned to Dr. Chyke.

“We will try our best, Doctor. But is it possible to start his therapy without payment? And for this current treatment, how long will it take, and how much will it cost?” Felix asked. Ruth nodded beside him, biting her lip as she waited for the doctor’s response.

Dr. Chyke smiled. “Mr. Felix, you know very well that the hospital won’t commence treatment or therapy without a deposit. We attended to Kene quickly because it was an emergency. As for the cost, he’s currently on oxygen, but you’ll receive the invoice from the cashier soon.”

As they thanked the doctor and stood to leave, he asked about Mrs. Ifechi, who had been around when Kene first had his accident. Felix told him she had traveled.

Felix looked at the paper and decided they should check the hospital pharmacy. But the prices of the medications were so high that by the time Kene completed his treatment plan, millions would be gone from his pocket, and that didn’t even include the cost of the therapy he still needed.

“Ruth, we have to push carefully. We can’t start borrowing when people already know how wealthy Kene is. No one will respond at this time. You’ll need to go back home and explain the situation calmly to his siblings so they can release the funds we need,” Felix said, placing a hand gently on her shoulder to steady her.

“I’ve tried, Felix… it’s not easy,” Ruth said, her voice shaking. “They bluntly told me there’s no money anywhere.” She wiped her eyes quickly. “Please, follow me home so we can talk to them together. Maybe they’ll listen to you.”

.

.

.

Episode 20: The Threat

When they got home, they found Mrs. Ifechi and Zack alone in the sitting room. Felix explained that he had only come for a normal visit to see Kene, but when he arrived, he saw Ruth calling for help and couldn’t just stand by. “I had no choice,” he said. “I had to help him immediately.”

Zack stared at Mrs. Ifechi, he wasn’t sure if Felix was speaking the truth.“And you feel there was no need to get permission from his siblings before taking him out of here?” Zack asked, resting his hands on the back of a chair as he looked at Felix.

“My friend needed urgent help at that time, and the best I could do was to help. There was no time to wait, and I couldn’t have walked away. But that’s not the issue right now, Zack. There’s a problem, your brother is in critical condition because of the fall he had. The doctors are doing their best to keep him stable, but we’ll need money for his treatment. If you doubt us, you can follow us to the hospital and hear it straight from the doctor,” Felix said.

“Liar!” Mrs. Ifechi shouted as she stood up. “You’ve always had your eyes on Kene’s wealth, but because we acted smart, you didn’t see how to rip him off. Now you want to use this little girl to achieve your aim. It will never work for you. Go and bring Kene back home, or you will see our other side.”

“Mr. Man,” Zack called as he leaned forward. “If anything happens to our brother, if anything dares happen to him, you both will be held responsible.” He pointed at Felix and Ruth. “You will regret ever stepping into this house to ‘help.’”

Felix was shocked by Zack’s threats. “Zack, even you? You’re showing no concern at all for your brother. I least expected this from you. At least you shouldn’t be acting like the others in this matter.”

“Brother Zack, please… if Kene has ever done anything to offend you and that is why you are treating him this way, I’m begging you to forgive him. Remember, he is your only brother. Don’t let money be the reason he loses his life. This family has the means to take care of his medical bills. Please, brother, come with us to the hospital and see Kene’s condition for yourself,” Ruth pleaded.

Zack stood up and gave Felix a final warning to bring Kene back home or face whatever came next. Then he walked Felix out of the house, with Ruth following quietly behind. As Ruth stepped out, Zack called her back and told her that her days in the house were numbered.

“Yes, Ruth, your days in this house are numbered, since you’ve chosen to take decisions without clear approval from us,” Mrs. Ifechi added with a sharp hiss. “Get out of here!” she shouted.

Ruth, still trembling, ran quickly out of the house. Felix, leaning against his car and hoping Ruth would come out, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her walking toward him.

Episode 21: The Legal Dead End

“It’s obvious we’re not dealing with humans. Can you imagine what just happened? And now I’m supposed to be blamed for looking out for my friend? Who does that?” Felix muttered.

“I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happens to Kene,” Ruth said quietly. “Get in the car,” Felix said. “I have to report this to the police now that threats are involved.” Ruth nodded, and they both sped off from the house.

When they arrived at the police station, Felix wrote down his statement. He explained that he was only looking out for a sick friend. He included the hospital’s name, the doctor in charge of Kene’s case, and every detail he could remember. Felix made sure all the information was clearly recorded on the paper he was given.

When they were done, Felix requested to speak with an officer, explaining that Kene’s siblings had refused to release funds for his proper treatment.

“What do you want us to do? How do you expect us to believe you? Do you have any evidence for your claim, or are you just here to accuse someone falsely?” the officer asked. Felix shook his head slowly. “The money Kene’s siblings are spending also belongs to him,” he said firmly.

“Young man, it’s possible your friend doesn’t have money like he claims. He might be deceiving you while spending the family’s funds. I see no reason why he should be denied access to his money. Doesn’t he have an account? Please, this is a family matter, and we can’t settle it,” the officer said, walking away with a shrug.

Ruth had expected the police to be helpful on the way to the station, but now she just stood there, arms hanging limply at her sides, confused. Felix leaned slightly on the counter, glancing helplessly at the other officers as he tried to make sense of the situation.

“They think Kene is a fraud, and we’re the desperate ones,” Felix realized, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “They won’t lift a finger to save him. We have to fight them alone. Ruth, we need a lawyer. We need to go back to the hospital and pay that deposit ourselves.”

The true weight of Ruth’s burden was now clear: to save Kene, they had to fight his family, the police, and the entire system that protected the powerful.