Star didn't get all the drama. She was just relieved to be fine and eager to get back to track. The case, the investigation, Bonita—none of it mattered to her. What weighed on her mind was her family, particularly her mother, whom she was supposed to see before the accident.
"Mom… you wait for the police here. I have to see my mom, it's urgent…!" Star jolted upright, her heart racing. "Where's my phone?"
She tried to move, but the nurse and Mandume stopped her. The nurse had to record her test results, so she left, instructing Mandume to keep Star in place until the police arrived.
"Star, your mom is fine. Just wait here. Your medications haven't arrived yet," Mandume tried to reason with her.
"No, you don't understand!" Star's voice cracked with desperation. "I need to get my mom a phone before that monster comes back. Please, let me go!"
"Star, no! Sit down. Where are you even going? You're pregnant. Take it easy, okay?" Mandume insisted, blocking her path.
"Oh, really?" Star scoffed, her frustration boiling over. "You think this pregnancy is more important than my mother? She's in the hands of that monster! I need to win this battle. I can't abandon her—I can't just sit here because I'm pregnant! I'm fine! The doctor said so, didn't he?" She looked at him desperately. "Please, Mandume, let me go."
Mandume sighed, feeling her pain even though he didn't yet fully understand it. "Just ten minutes, okay? Then I'll take you to see her. I promise."
"I don't even have ten seconds!" Star clenched her fists. "I know I haven't told you much about my family, so it's my fault you don't understand what I'm going through. But I need to go, now."
Mandume's chest tightened. He wanted to hear her story, but not like this. Not when she was frantic. He pulled her into a hug, hoping to calm her.
Just then, the police arrived.
"Oh, sorry," one officer said dryly. "Mind if we interrupt your romance? We already know, so snap out of it."
Mandume stepped back, rolling his eyes, while Star just sighed. The officer cleared his throat and addressed her.
"Ms. Shining, we're here regarding your accident yesterday. Ms. Davids, Bonita, is responsible. We need a statement from you—should we proceed with the arrest?"
Star's stomach twisted. "That's it? You know you can't arrest Bonita, right? She's a student. She needs to finish college, to have a future. What she did was a mistake—it wasn't intentional."
The officer raised a brow. "And how sure are you that it was a mistake? Because if we walk away now, we won't entertain any complaints later."
Star inhaled sharply. "I was the one who bumped into Bonita. I was in a hurry and didn't see her coming. Maybe she's short-tempered, maybe she got angry. Everyone expresses anger differently. She pushed me, and I lost my balance because I was too close to the stairs. If we'd been on a flat surface, I wouldn't have fallen and gotten hurt."
"What exactly are you saying, Star?" another officer asked.
"I don't want Bonita to go to jail." Star's voice was steady now, sure. "Think about it—sending someone to jail for an impulsive mistake is fighting the wrong battle. She's a student like me. If she's locked away, even for a month, she could lose hope. Not everyone is strong. She might feel alone, hated. But if you tell her the case is withdrawn, she'll feel relief, maybe even realize she has a second chance." Star looked at the officer intently. "Did she even tell you why she pushed me?"
The officer hesitated. "No, not yet."
"See?" Star gestured. "She's shocked too. She didn't know what she was doing. What Bonita needs isn't punishment—it's to learn how to control her anger."
Mandume watched her, mesmerized. Every word she spoke sank deep into his mind. He saw something radiant in her—her intelligence, her kindness, her humanity. She wasn't just Star; she was shining.
"So," Star continued, turning to the officers, "I, Star Shining, officially withdraw the case I unknowingly claimed against Bonita Davids."
The room fell silent. The officers exchanged looks, taken aback by her decision.
"Well," one of them finally said. "That's unexpected."
The lead officer gave her a firm nod. "Understood, Ms. Shining. We respect your decision. We'll proceed to the Davids' house to inform them. You're free to go." He tipped his hat. "And keep shining."
As they left, the nurse approached. "Ms. Shining, we need to contact a family member to come get you."
Star hesitated. "My mom… she doesn't have a phone yet. I was supposed to get her one before all this happened. But I'm fine—I can go myself."
"Are you sure?" the nurse asked.
Star nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure. As long as I'm fine, she won't get a heart attack." She turned to Mandume. "Mom will probably be proud of you for staying up all night for me."
Mandume smiled faintly. "It was worth it."
The nurse handed Star her discharge papers. "You're officially discharged. Just wait while I bring your medication." She left the room, leaving Star and Mandume alone.
A thick silence stretched between them for thirty seconds.
"Thank you, Star," Mandume finally said.
"For what?" Star asked, glancing at him.
"For speaking up for my sister."
Star shook her head. "I didn't speak up for her. She did nothing wrong. She's not my enemy."
Mandume exhaled. "Still… thank you."
Star groaned. "Ugh, this nurse is taking forever. And I don't even have taxi money—how am I supposed to see my mom now?"
Mandume rubbed his neck. "We can go to my house first. It's not far. I can grab my mom's car and take you home."
Star blinked. "Not a bad idea. I really need to see my mom." She tilted her head. "Where do you live?"
"Wanahenda. I'll take a cab there first. Honestly, I didn't think you'd recover so quickly—I only had enough money for my own transport back home."
Star chuckled dryly. "Okay, I'll wait. And this nurse better not take all day."
Mandume laughed. "Patience, Ms. Shining. Patience."