Eliza and I had taken an okada which seemed to be the fastest as my mind seemingly dictated. I never even had the time to debate with my mind which is faster between the okada and the taxi but who cares ‘cos I seemed to be on it already.
Eliza who sat at my back on the okada was literally βshookingβ me with her braless nipples. On a normal day, I would have asked her to go back and wear clothes for βdemβ babies but I wasnβt in the right frame of mind. Thank God I wasnβt a man sha; some guys literally get overly turned on just by the pinching of the nipple. Walai, βkonjiβ na serious bastard.
Throughout the ride to the hospital, I couldnβt help but be sure in my mind that everything really seemed to be falling apart. There is a seemingly big trouble in our paradise. I canβt help but feel Amaka is in a bigger trouble and all these talk about breaking a bottle on Solaβs head could really be a sham. . . But come to think of it, what relationship does a cat have with a rat in the absence of a nearby hole? Why on earth would Sola try to protect Amaka? They never even knew each other until my βishβ with him. One minute sheβs getting out from a seemingly court case or federal prison as it were and the next minute, sheβs hospitalized with no knowledge of how serious the accident was. Β . . I didnβt know what was going on but I really couldnβt wait any longer for her to tell me whatβs going on with her when she pleases. I was so determined in my mind that no matter the condition she was, as far as she could talk and could recognize me, she’s gonna spill it all out cos Iβm tired; f**k insensitive this time around!
The okada dropped us right in front of the hospital and I just couldnβt wait to enter the hospital, locate her ward, maybe find out how sheβs doing or start making her talk about everything thatβs so going on.
You really wonβt reply? I thought you really wanted us to talk. . . Jide.
Jide, the yahoo messenger had started again. He never really talked much. Short messages, short words even in the sweetest of times; heβs always precise and straight to the point. At this point, I was really tired of all the dramas especially Jideβs. I have indeed had my hands too full.
I never tarried in replying him.
Maybe it never really mattered anymore. I sent him a response text.
All these were going on while Eliza and I were seated, patiently waiting for the nurse to attend to us. They all seemed busy; hospitals seemed to be even busier than the market place these days.
Maybe it never really mattered anymore? What has come over you? Iβm really tired.
It was so obvious he was also tired of being miserable. The rate at which he sends and replies was quite serious. Guess he wasnβt the only one that is tired but different types of tiredness.
Jide. Iβm not tired. Iβm fed up. I replied.
Fine!. . . Jide.
It wasnβt even up to five seconds before he fired back a reply. Sometimes, I wonder why the guy never really went to the Military because whenever Jide says fine, it is really fine! Whatever sef, he could go and kill himself. Good riddance to unnecessary messing up with my head.
Finally, a Nurse decided to attend to us. She was smart, pretty and looked so versed in the job.
βHello. Good day ma. How can I be of help?β
βYeah, thanks. A friend of mine was rushed here. . . An accident victim.β
βOkay. Can I have her name please?β
βAmaka Coker!β
βOh! Okay. We have a name like that with us. She was rushed in early today.β
βPlease, how is she and how badly hurt?β
βWell. . . How related are you to her?β
βHmmmm. . . she is my friend. Not just any friend, my close friend. . . My sister.β
βOkay. . . Β You should go see the doctor first; first turning by the right.β
βAlright. Thanks.β
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amaka Coker was given a private ward; it was that serious or maybe not. I knew I couldnβt stand the sight of what had befallen her even from afar. I didnβt allow Eliza to come in before the whole occupants of number 5 would start exaggerating what had happened to her.
I could see a man sitting directly opposite her on a white chair; his back view looked like Jideβs but it possibly couldnβt be. Itβs like I see Jide everywhere and in everything these days. Iβm feeling the nigga in Dβbanjβs voice even though I try to deny it. . . Hmmm, the more we moved closer to see Amaka proper, the more scared I became.
βThis is the young man that brought your friend in.β the doctor said introducing the young man on the seat who happened to be Jide.
βOh! Nice. So glad to meet you. Thanks so much for your kind gesture. God will reward you.β I said, shaking hands with him with no single drop of familiarity. Iβm so f**king good at stuffs like that in pretense actually.
βDonβt mention it maβam. I was just lucky to be driving by at the time of the incident. Letβs just thank God sheβs alive.β He said with so much distance visible in the language.
Everything felt so weird and it was actually hurting me but I had to shake it off in Taylor Swiftβs voice.
βI should take my leave now. I would check back later.β
βJide right?. . . β I said, staring into his eyes, holding tightly to his palms. . . βIt was nice to meet you.β
βSame here maβam!β he made to leave.
Seriously, we were both silly. I was like βcut off with the maβam crapβ in my mind. I was actually looking for an opportunity to hold firm to his arms, caress them all day and never let go but it was not my decision to make. I was gonna let go whether I like it or not.
Amaka was all bounded up. . . she was wrapped up all over the head, face, up to her neck level. She looked like an acid victim that needed a surgery. . . I couldnβt even see her face not to talk of reading her emotions or bursting for her. Tears flowed from my eyes freely and I couldnβt even hold it back.
βWe would leave you for now but you can check by my office when you are leaving.β The doctor said patting me on the shoulder as he made to take his leave with the young nurse that attended to me.
I couldnβt contain my tears. I broke down. I was sitting on the bare floor. I wept like a baby; I couldn’t remember the last time I did that. I didnβt even notice Eliza come in until she touched me and helped me up.
I went by Amakaβs side, held her hand and said a little prayer with tears in my voice. I couldn’t remember the last time I prayed until now.
I decided to take my leave with Eliza, shutting the door closely behind her.
βEliza, kindly wait for me at the Nursesβ lounge. I wanna quickly see the Doctor.β I said to her.
βAlright Aunty.β
The Doctorβs office wasnβt what I had envisaged. A hot argument was going on between him and some people who I had no idea if they were patients, patients-to-be, or relatives of a patient but whatever; I had already jumped in before I realized it was heated in there and I was caught in between deciding to leave or staying.
βIβm sorry sir but you really cannot see this patient.β The Doctor was stressing.
βI would see her! What authority have you to tell me not to see her?β the man fired back.
The man seemed to have a good command of English. He was dressed in a Yoruba attire; all flowing agbada with some correct bling-bling all over his neck; he smelled riches and wealth and beside him was a young, pretty woman who definitely would be in her early 50s. She was dressed in the same fabric but in the skirt and blouse style. She was unnecessarily panting all over.
βSir, I still insist you canβt see the patient in question. You are not allowed to see her.β
βNot even me, her mother?β the woman stressed in a shaking voice.
βIβm sorry ma! But you canβt. She only penciled down a name and she is the only person allowed to see her. . . If youβd excuse me sir and ma, I have to attend to someone.β
βYouβve gat to be kidding me! I would see my daughter! I would see Amaka! And not even you can stop me from seeing her. . .β
The mention of Amaka made me stood still. Which Amaka? My Amaka or another one? I had to satisfy my curiosity. . .
βPlease sirs and mas, which Amaka are we talking about here?β I asked inquisitively.
βAnd who are you to question a family matter?β the man who was claiming Amakaβs paternity fired back.
βIβm sorry sir; just wanted to be sure. . .
βMadam. . .β the doctor said facing me
β. . . Meet, Chief and Mrs. Coker; Amakaβs parents!β
Oh boy! I couldnβt contain my surprise. . . How much do we really think we know about people we think we are so close to? Maybe not so much!
It wasnβt as if I never knew Amaka had parents but she really never said much about them. It was as if they were non-existing entities. . . And now, her parents who I have never met in years and whom she had never mentioned not even once, happened to show up at the hospital just like that! I guess there is a whole lot going on with Amaka these past few days that Iβm ignorant of and here she was, lifeless; all bounded up like a Lazarus expecting Christ to bring her out of the dead.
I have missed Amaka like I did miss my old-self. . . Never knew I was lost in so much thought until the Doctor touched me; guess he had found a way to dismiss Chief and Mrs. Coker. . . At that point, I felt so lonely; no one to call mine after all, Jide has gone AWOL.
βMadam, Iβm so sorry you had to witness that but I think it was okay that you did.β
βItβs fine Doctor. . . So, whatβs up with Amaka? What does her condition reads or means?β
βWell, I would have to say that her condition is really not that critical. Iβm personally still observing her. Letβs keep praying for her to get out of coma. She was severely wounded and she got serious injuries on the face. . . Amaka has fought through worse and sheβs come out strong. So there is no cause for alarm.β
βWhat do you mean Amaka has fought through worse?β I asked with so much eagerness.
βShe has so much to tell you Miss but she can only do that only if she gets well.β
βAlright Doctor. . . Thanks so much. Would love to take my leave now. Would check back tomorrow morning.β
βNo problem. . . Just remember you are welcome here anytime and you should know, she penciled your name as her next of kin.β
βHer next of kin?β I asked feeling lost. . . Not that I think I donβt deserve it but why me when her parents are still very much alive?
βAlright Doctor. Thanks so much for the info. I would be seeing you again tomorrow morning.β
βTake care.β
**************
The aura of my number 5 home was unexpectedly cool. I had walked in like I had no legs. I wanted a shower so bad. I just wanted to cool off, play some rock and RnB, hold my pillow and just sleep off if possible. I would have loved to talk to someone but you all know who I would have loved to talk to but thatβs definitely a no-go-area.
The rate at which I think these days had gone beyond alarming to crazy. I forget myself so easily. Itβs either Iβm talking to myself or I have forgotten myself on a little thought or someone had to shout my name like five times before I move from subconscious to consciousness. I held my key to my door for like five minutes without even opening it; guess I was off again.
The presence of Eliza had eluded me until she screamed my name. . .
βEliza, how are you?β
βIβm fine ma. . . I don dey here since like 3 minutes screaming your name but e be like say you dey think too much. Small small o Aunty.
βThank you jare Eliza and thanks for the other day.β
βDonβt mention ma. . . And I wan thank you for helping me out with my fees o; you and Aunty Amaka. Make God heal her quick quick.β
βAmen. Thank you so much. . . You can go now.β
βNo Aunty. . . Should I help you get something or anything at all.β
βNo, itβs fine really. If I need any help, I would definitely call on you.β
βAlright Aunty but no too think o!β
βI wonβt dear. Oshe.β
I really wish I could worry about Eliza right now; there are so many things I planned to share with her but obviously not now. The thought of Jide filled my heart. I missed him and Iβm tired of the games we are playing. All I wanted us to have was a pep talk and know what or which is the way forward.
I hit the play button of my home theatre to the sweet voice of Schubertβs Ave Maria hoping for sleep to come do its worst.
**********
Itβs crazy how you sleep on and wake up to the thoughts of the same person. I felt like picking up my phone to call Jide but I wonβt. I know itβs pride but I wonβt. I decided to hit the showers, prepare a minor breakfast and get dressed for the hospital but somehow I had a very strong urge to go to the Church. . . Everything is falling apart and prayer seemed Β to be the key.
I scanned through my wardrobe; hit my sweet sixteen legs in a black trouser and a coloured top; slipped my feet in a flat sandal, ate three slice of bread, sipped a little tea, made for the door only to storm into Jide.
I had a mixture of butterflies and goose bumps but itβs definitely that kind of goose bumps you feel when you are caught doing a mischief. I tried to hide my enthusiasm towards Jide. I didnβt know whether to invite him in or be cold towards him.
βHi.β
βHello.β He answered.
βCan I come in?
βSure! Why not.β
βThanks.β
I walked briskly after Jide. I wasnβt expecting him but my wish definitely had come through. Jide was calm, ever looking handsome and collected. He decided to break the silence this time.
βHow have you been?β
βBeen good at least.β I replied with mixed feelings.
βI felt we have so much to talk about. I donβt want to use the word you owe me some explanations.β
βI have been hoping we could talk too but I donβt think this is a good time.β I replied him not looking into his eyes.
Wow Wow… Amaka.. *tears*
The way u end these episodes will not kill sombody…Tiz well sha. Thanks
Lol. Much love Vikki.
Jide should tell us what he wants from her, seeing as he keeps running into her, seemingly deliberately.
hmmm…. no comment. tnks
Ibukun, Ibukun, ibukun,,how many times I call u?
I repeat once again, What is our escort’s name fa?? O fe je’gba abi?? Lol…this episode be making someone feel restless, thank u oo.
Girls and shakara behaving like roshni in kings of heart, when u are supposed to be covering ur face, Amaka i wish u well but u r too full of secrets… Me no like atal
.
Our gal n her serious shakara just forming for us too scandalous much. See grammar, shey Amaka wan kill us wif secrecy’s ni but i wonda o wefin she dey hide self. Our escort shd play ball wif Jide, if she is game instead of did hide n seek game dat is too full of suspence o. Great rite up Ebukun
Xoxo
I haven’t commented in a while…which kihn mumu shakaravforming isbdis one sef
Eyah, strong Amaka is down. I hope she gets better soon and Mr drama king and queen should get their act together jooh. Thanks for the write up