CHAPTER 2

THE ARRIVAL

“So you’re seriously leaving?” Those were Gayle’s first words as she stumbled in on her roommate packing up.

“Seriously, Gayle? For all you know, I could be clearing my wardrobe.” She said this while avoiding Gayle’s eyes, which did not help her case against her persistent roommate.

“Words get around the hospital pretty fast, Grant.” Saying this, she sat on Savannah’s bed and started folding clothes too.

“Who is this guy anyway? Why on earth do they have you and Dr. Colbert keeping his details such a secret?” Savannah could feel her scrutinizing eyes.

“We’re not doing this, girl. He’s a human being like the rest of us, and that’s that.” She was hoping the response would discourage any further persistence from her part, and it did, but not without reminders of how she better be the maid of honor on their big day.

As she zipped up her suitcase, she could not help but imagine how lucky she was. She was leaving a foreign enough place for her, yet again, for another.

It was during times like this that she missed the busy streets of Nairobi, the street food, and the many artistically decorated buses, matatus.

Just then, she felt her phone vibrating, it caught her unaware, and she only felt slightly relieved when she noticed the number calling was saved as Dad on her phone.

The relief was shortly lived as she remembered he was not one to make phone calls unless the matter to be addressed required an urgent explanation.

She had barely muttered a greeting when he said his piece. He went on and on about how disappointed he was that his daughter was going behind his back to make changes to the plans he had for her.

Like any angered African father, he lamented numerously reminding her of his place in her life.

He found it hard to believe that the little girl he once housed and clothed had become so secretive.

She had maintained her calm just as his wife had taught her, and she did this until she heard the mention of her going back home. She could not stand the thought of losing everything she had.

“I am old enough to choose where I pursue my dreams. It’s just a change of institution, and it comes with a lot of opportunities for me. I am not coming home.” Her voice was surprisingly steady, though she could feel her heart racing.

For the rest of the call, she only heard his voice, not his words, and he went on and on until Tyson calmed him down and took over. He’s voice was as calm as ever with no hint that he was speaking to his future wife.

“I’d be damned to hear you start disrespecting your father Vee is that what you’re learning over there?” She knew a lecture would follow and wasted no time hanging up.

For a while after that, she simply lay on the bed staring at the white ceiling, staring into nothingness. She could still hear his demanding voice over and over; it sent some chills down her spine.

His voice got louder, causing tears to trickle down her fair skin onto the blankets. She was frozen in time and simply lay there.

It was only when she had a soft knock on the open door that she snapped back to reality. It was Gayle; she had that eavesdropper knowing face. She was not the best at hiding it.

“You should work on your silent cry.” This was enough to make Savannah smile.

“If we’ll spend the night crying, might as well do it on a full stomach. Can’t risk getting an ulcer.” She was pulling on her arm, attempting to get her out of bed.

She would miss a lot of things, and her roommate’s ability to brighten her days with her endless talking, not to mention delicious meals, was among them.

That night, they invited Gayle’s girlfriend over and had a feast before spending the night watching movies and listening to Gayle’s stories. A night Savannah would always remember.

****

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to New York City…” This marked the end of the most comfortable flight Savannah had been on.

Mr. Andrew spoke to her for the first time that day, welcoming her to the United States of America. The arrival reminded her of who Mr. Andrew was.

They were chauffeur-driven in a limousine to his fancy modern mansion. This multi-millionaire’s home seemed to have no end in sight.

His phone calls started as soon as they boarded the limo and had not stopped since. She was assigned a pretty young lady meant to take care of her before he excused himself and promised to see her at dinner. He urged her to rest, sounding more in need of rest than she was.

She was given a room not far from Mr. Andrew, since she was meant to be within reach in case of a health scare. Her eyes moved around the room in complete denial that this was a nurse’s room.

The young lady was already arranging her belongings in the walk-in closet. This made Savannah uncomfortable, to say the least, especially since she barely knew her.

She found it hard to let another person do the simplest tasks for her, but the lady seemed unbothered.

“My name’s Savannah, what’s yours?” Her question had caught her off guard, as she first gave her a quizzical look.

After a long silence that stretched to forever in Savannah’s mind, she got her response. Mia was her name.

They spent the next hour arranging her stuff before Mia left her to rest. Savannah had asked way too many questions, even she now realized, especially about her patient.

When Mia left, she simply slumped her body onto the king-sized bed and admired the beautiful chandelier above it. Her mind was playing with her today, and she was soon lost in her thoughts.

{05/05}

Savannah was staring at the sunset, not realizing how beautifully its rays illuminated her caramel skin.

She was thinking of how far she would have to run to reach the end of the horizon. Still, she could feel his gaze leaving the setting sun and settling on her.

“Thank you for bringing me out here, Nurse.” Looking at him, she could not help but notice how sparkly his blue eyes were; she felt she could drown in them.

“You rarely let the sun in that boring hospital ward. Look at what you’ve been missing out on, Mr. Andrew.”

She suddenly realized how talkative she had just been. “Uh… I mean, you’re welcome.” Her gaze was back at the sunset.

His gaze did too, though he could not help but smile. Savannah was the one person he would love to be talkative around him. Despite this desire, he knew she was right for setting her boundaries; she was his nurse.

****

Javyn Andrew was done with what he hoped was his final phone call of the day. Without realizing it, he was slipping back into old habits. The company was lagging, and if he did not stabilize it soon, he knew they would be under scrutiny.

He tapped his fingers nervously on the well-polished mahogany desk, his eyes focused on the ticking clock. The in tray was only halfway empty.

He was about to reach for another report when he heard a soft knock on the door. That was strange; everyone knew not to bother him while he was in his office. He nonetheless let them in.

Savannah was probably so shocked to see him caught up in work as he was, so she apologized profusely before he let her know it was okay.

With his go-ahead, she placed down the tray, which not only contained a well-balanced, appetizing meal but also his medication. He promised to let Mia know that she is an exception to the rule. His eyes were once again focused on the clock.

“Your academic reports have already been transferred from The University of Sydney, you’ll be having three physical classes a week, and your internship feedback will be based on my well-being.” He was slowly clearing his plate.

She was grateful, though shocked about how fast that was. Mr. Colbert had explained the arrangements to her, but she had not anticipated quick action.

He noticed her eyes move to the in tray and asked her about her stay.

“Well, fears of getting lost in here aside, my stay has been quite peaceful.” She was still looking at the tray, likely estimating how many more hours he would spend in there.

Then what had only happened once since she knew him happened again, he laughed. It was a laughter filled with a one-of-a-kind warmth, which spread to his eyes.

His blue eyes were now sparkling, infecting her face with a smile. She felt him relax for a while before the phone rang again. Just on time as he had taken his last pill.

“Thank you, Nurse, I’ll see you during dinner.” Saying this, he picked up the phone as she cleared up and left.

****

Savannah spent the next hour going over her books as well as books in Mr. Andrew’s library. His library had more medical books than he thought normal for a businessman.

She was lost in the world of anatomy when she was disrupted by her phone.

As soon as she heard the voice calling her on the other end, she felt an unbearable urge to hang up.

She was silent for a moment, but the caller insisted he knew she was listening; she had to give in.

“Look, Tyson, I happen to be busy at the moment…” She had found her voice.

“Busy doing what? Eloping with a man you barely know?! Who on earth is that man, Vee?” His voice was raised, which was unlike him. He sounded as hurt as he was angered.

She tried to explain that that was not what was happening; she desperately needed him to understand, but he was barely listening to her, and her words turned into stutters.

“This was not the deal, Vee! You either come back home, or I'll come for what’s mine.” To have those be his last words was a threat enough.

How typical of him, his message was loud and clear, so he had waited for no response. She now found herself second-guessing everything; she could feel the sweat flood her palms’ pores.

Her mind suddenly drifted far away from the book she held. It took the thud of the book in her hand falling to the floor for her to realize time was fleeting.

“Everything okay, Nurse?” She looked towards the door to see Mr. Andrew standing there, rather worried. For some reason, she could not find her voice.

“I take that to mean you’ve had more than enough studying, come with me.”

“Um…sure, Mr. Andrew, just give me a moment.” With those words, she quickly tidied up the books and grabbed her phone.