Let's take her back to the ward, the doctor said. The nurses rushed in and Tonia was sent back to the private ward.
Doctor, "Tonia just fainted hope she will be alright?" Madam Florence inquired.
"Madam, she will be fine, for now, let's not rush her with questions. Let's wait for her to speak by herself, with that we won't have to provoke her emotions anymore." Dr. Frank with his experience advising Madam Florence.
"Thank you doc! We will wait for her to wake before taking off. Once we leave now, we might not see her anymore. Mr. Badmus declared openly.
Mr. Badmus and his family hang around the hospital, waiting for Tonia to wake up and the doctor was busy attending to his other patients.
Tonia woke up two hours after she had fainted. She asked the nurse in the ward with her if Mr. Badmus and his family were still around.
"They are waiting for you to come to life before saying goodbye," the nurse replied to her question.
"Where are they now?" Tonia asked another question.
"I overheard them asking nurse Alex about where they can get a supermarket around here. I believed they must have gone to the supermarket. Let me go and inform the doctor that you are awake."
"Can you please wait a while before you tell the doctor?" She pleaded with the nurse.
"Why? Are you not happy that you are awake?" The nurse questioned Tonia.
"I am happy to be alive. I don't want to distract the couple. The moment the doctor is aware that I am awake, he will call the couple, before we know it they will be here. I wanted them to enjoy their shopping. Tonia said to convince the nurse."
She was not happy to be awake, better this way, she is heartbroken knowing she will leave the hospital today. She just hoped the little care she is receiving can last a little while. Little did she know that 'nothing lasts forever'.
30 minutes after she was woken, Mr. Badmus and his wife drove back into the hospital. They got her some supplements for pregnant women and groceries. Both the doctor and the couple are in the dark about Tonia's being awakened. Madam Florence was holding bags that contained stuff for Tonia, she headed straight to her private ward.
She opened the door, and the scene she saw was a beautiful one. She met Tonia smiling with the nurse, only heaven knows the funny jokes that amused her, the nurse must have done a great job on her.
"Can I share in your jokes?" Madam Florence asked lovingly.
Yes ma, Tonia said with her face glowing. She has finally accepted her fate. Leaving the hospital today, however, she wanted to leave with good memories.
The doctor and Mr. Badmus with little Johnson walked in.
"Good to see you smile," the doctor complimented Tonia.
She blushed without saying a word. The nurse excused them, to check on another patient.
"Here, this is for you". Madam Florence gave out the full bags she carried to Tonia.
Tonia was amazed. Her mouth was opened without a word, filled with saliva.
Aside from her late mother, she can't remember someone being nice to her, even when she did not ask for their help.
"You don't like them?" Mr. Badmus asked.
She managed to swallow the saliva in her mouth, she finally said "I love them, sir."
"Glad you like them, my wife specifically chose most of the items for you," Mr. Badmus disclose. She has not opened the bags to check all that is inside. The bag's mouth is not sealed; she saw a few of the items inside it. There was tin milk and tea, she knew it was a goody bag.
She wanted to kneel in her mind to show her appreciation to the couple, she remembered Mr. Badmus won't like it if she tries. She grabbed madam Florence's leg and said " thank you ma for all you do".
Madam Florence assisted her to get back on her feet. " you don't have to thank us, we only do what we have to do".
The doctor asked Mr. Badmus to see him in his office. "Sir, let 's meet in my office, there is a discharge form you have to sign so that we can discharge her. She is good to go".
Okay, doc! Give me some minutes, I will join you in the office, Mr. Badmus said he walked slowly behind Dr. Tonia and hurriedly grabbed Mr. Badmus's leg before he stepped out of the ward. " Please, don't go to the Dr yet. I have something to say." Madam Florence was angry at the way Tonia held her husband's leg.
"Honey, let's hear out." Mr. Badmus said to his wife with a calm voice. He gripped his wife by her wrist and sat on the chairs inside the private ward.
Madam Florence sighed with worry, she was not the one who had a story to tell, however, she felt nervous in her soul. Maybe her spirit was connected to Tonia's soul, thus she felt a sharp pain in her heart when she saw the look on Tonia's face.
"Can I sit beside you ma?" Tonia asked madam Florence.
Of course, you can, she replied warmly.
My life is in chunks, I need to gather it together from somewhere, she finds it tough to breathe well.
Madam Florence told her to, "breathe in and breathe out for three times you will feel good". Tonia did as she was instructed, the pain in her chest that moved to her throat reduced slowly, and her breath began to steady.
"Three months ago I lost my mother, she is my everything. Death took her away when she had not enjoyed her life. Is death not wicked?"
"Stop saying stuff like that, God knows why she has to call your Mom to glory. Remember we came from Him and to Him one day we shall return" Mr. Badmus softened her.
"Yes, it is the truth. It is better that she left all her suffering behind and went to a place void of hardships. I watched her ache on the hospital bed, and the images of how she looked, I can't take them off my memory. She was a fighter, but no one can conquer death," Tonia grieved, she tried not to cry thus she spoke gently.
"What happened to her?" Out of anxiety, Madam Florence raised a question.
Hmmm. She sighed tears dropped from her face, she instantly wiped them out without Madam Florence and her husband discerning.
"It all started last year, she was seriously ill. I was told when I came back from school that the neighbours rushed her to Wuse general hospital. Mom has a supermarket store along Wuse market. They said she slumped while attending to a customer." She delayed a bit to gather herself together.
Madam Florence took the initiative to ask her a question. "Was your mother sick before that day?"
"No, she was in her good health before I left the house in the morning. I was preparing for my forthcoming high school final exams (WAEC). Usually, my mom only attends to customers. I helped after school hours. She has been doing the business for years. She is the strongest person I have ever known.
"One of our neighbours locked our store while the rest was with her in the hospital. I was surprised to see the store locked, Mom never said she wouldn't be around and she knew I had an evening lesson to attend.
"Tonia! Tonia!! Tonia!!! Richard called out to me. I heard him the first time but I was angry that the store was locked. A hungry man is an angry man. Richard came to me and gave me a bunch of keys to our store.
'Why would mom give him the key?' I questioned myself, mom has a spot where she normally hides the key for me. Why the sudden change today. I grabbed the key from him and forced out a smile to convince him that I didn't hear when he called me.
"As I was about to open the door, I noticed there was a change in how the door was locked. Mom would lock the upper part with the silver padlock and use the red labelled padlock for the middle part, the lower part is always with the black padlock But today is different. What is going on with mom today? I questioned who was not with me.
"I attempted to open the upper part of the door. Unexpectedly, I saw Richard running back towards me. "Richard, I am not in the mood for your play this afternoon". I resented him in my mind."
Tonia something came up, I forgot to tell you earlier about it, Richard said with an increased heartbeat.
"What?" I asked nonchalantly.
It was your mom ..., I could not let him complete his statement, I yelled at him "what happened to my mom?"
Your mom was rushed to the hospital earlier today, according to Mrs. Tina, your mom is in Wuse general hospital. Almost everyone in the complex is with her there.
"At that moment, I could not open the store anymore, I became so full that I lost my appetite. Like a goat under the influence of marijuana, I ran to the hospital. The cab man that dropped me at the hospital gate drove me for free. I was in a hurry and I couldn't thank him properly."
She lost her voice a little, Madam Florence got her water to calm her nerves. She drank it all in a gulp.
"If it's not comfortable for you to say it now, you can talk about it another time." Mr. Badmus suggested. Tonia nods in opposition to his suggestions.
"I got to the hospital, it was another world on its own. Different people with different illnesses trod in and out. I wondered where mum was kept. This is a large hospital, where do I begin my search from. I was only sixteen years old then. I went to the emergency unit, and the staff there did not look at me twice. They are busy with their file arrangements.
"Richard did not tell me mom had an accident, no need to search for her in the accident unit. I got to another block, the maternity unit. The last I remembered mom was not pregnant, definitely she won't be found there. I was on my way back to the entrance of the hospital, I heard my name."
"Tonia!" I swivelled with lightning speed, it was Mrs. Tina.
"Tonai, where are you going?" She asked. It's a ridiculous question, she asked me. I was heading outside the hospital, she must ask.
"I came here to look for my mom but I can't find her. Do you know where she is admitted?" I asked pitifully
Mrs. Tina's mouth and mind worked in opposite directions. She wanted to say no at first, I could sense it because of the shape of her lips. Instead, she said, "follow me".
On our way to see my mother, Mrs. Tina asked if I would like to eat doughnuts. I gave her the sign that I am okay. "You better eat to have the strength to look after her," Mrs. Tina said. By the use of the word "her", she was referring to my mom. I squeezed a smile out. If only she knew all that she was saying is itching my ears. All I care about is seeing my mom.A few minutes after we walked around the big hospital, we arrived at the ICU block. Having only watched it in movies, and patients in the ICU, it never occurred to me that one day in my life I will be standing, watching, and praying for my mother.I saw my mother with her eyes closed, breathing through the oxygen fixed to her. A pipe and mask connected to her mouth and nose. She laid down on the bed like yesterday's vegetable. How did she get to this stage? I asked myself. In my memory there was no record of her falling sick, I can't remember the last time she swallowed paracetamol. I stood at the glass outside watching m
Tonia proceeded with her story after taking a two minutes break. Mom and dad meeting is a plague in disguise, not a blessing at all."Young girl, be mindful of your words, exceptionally to your late parents", Mr. Badmus counselled her.Sir, you do not understand why I said so. My dad died without not knowing that his beloved wife was pregnant. In his record, he came to this world and was left without any descendants. I will let you know everything today. She mumbled some words inwardly, "don't cry, you can do this", to encourage herself.It all started 20 years ago, mom with her maiden name Lola, was posted to Ijebu-ode for her NYSC. My dad whose name is Jeremy, often addressed as Jay was posted to the same school as my mom.Mom at first did not like my dad because he is always found amid ladies. She said she always calls him 'woman wrapper'. One thing led to another and they both became best of friends. My mom was from Abeokuta, Ogun state Nigeria. Dad was also from Ogun state but th
Lola's mother was happy that her first daughter got a well-paid job with accommodation. Since the loss of her husband seven years ago, she has been taking care of her two daughters. Lola is done with her youth service and now with work, her sister newly earned admission to the University of Ibadan, and her mother blessed Lola's new job. Monday morning, Lola transited from Ibadan to Ijebu. Her house has been cleaned and set up by Jay's female friends. The distance from her new house to her office is 10 minutes walk. She loves her new environment. Every day she spent quality time with Jay. Every weekend she would run to Jay's house, uncle Matthew always avoid having contact with Lola.Instead of things getting better between Lola and uncle Matthew it was getting worse. Uncle Matthew knew Lola usually comes to the house for weekends, he will leave the house and go to his previous house, and spend the weekend there.One day, Jay comes up with a plan that will make his uncle accept Lola f
The relationship between Lola and Jay's uncle is not something to write about. The problem lingers till her third year in her marriage with Jay.Everyone speculated that the company belongs to Mr. Odumefun, who is uncle Matthew's friend, and not until when information reached Jay that the owner of the company will be coming to Ijebu for a meeting between staff. Jay and his wife agreed to propose for transfer to Lagos since they have headquarters there.For four years now Jay has been working with Zif company, he had not met the CEO once, the CEO is abroad based being. Jay looked forward to the impending meeting. Zif company is into the production of paints for houses and companies. They produced in large quantities, Jay works inside the packaging room and Paul works inside the production room.The CEO was notified about how the people he trusted are the ones digging for his downfall, and some members of staff from the production room liaised with the manager and accountant to steal so
Jay knew what his uncle meant earlier by his words, he wondered why his uncle can't direct the same strength he uses on him to advise his son to desist from an uncivilized act. He went in to meet his wife who has been waiting to celebrate the good news he brought home with him in an outstanding style. That night they were incredibly intense toward one another and it was a night of ecstasy for them.There was silence in the house till after one month. Mr. Eric appeared in Ijebu without prior notice, all the staff were shocked including Mr. Odumefun who has been acting as the CEO for a while now. Only Jay was glad to see him, the last time the meeting was inconclusive because Mr. Eric disappeared with the words 'we will continue the meeting when I return.' It took him one month to return! I hope he won't forget about sending me to Lagos, Jay wished.Three hours after Mr. Eric had settled in his office, he invited all the staff to see him in his office one after the order. He put them
Jay's supervisor was in a dialogue with one other staff member and Mr. Eric overheard them."Jay is not at work today, why?" Asked the other staff.I think his uncle has cautioned him at home, it's better he didn't come to work till when Mr. Eric will return to where he came from. Yesterday when Mr. Eric called me, you won't believe Jay has said to him that I am a bad person", words from the mouth of the supervisor."Jay is not such a person that would pull others down if there is no need for it. Did you do something bad to the company?" Asked the other staff."I didn't do anything bad, it's just that there were some money issues on the ground. Jay knew about it because we told him, it's not something to worry about. Get back to your work." The supervisor ordered the other staff out of his way.Mr. Eric knew those that mentioned Jay's name must be part of the embezzlement team."I've more staff to ease from duty than I had Imagined." He said and went to his office. Through the slight
When they went to Mr. Eric's office earlier, they gave each staff member a letter. Those that are posted to Lagos received theirs. Like two others that will follow Jay to Edo got theirs, and those he doubted, especially Jay's supervisor, were handed theirs nicely. And those who he had not found fault in them, got their letter of salary increment, every one with his letter. At about 1:25 noon, the meeting was closed and everyone formed a group to discuss the content of their letter, some headed home straight as Jay did. A few steps away from home, Jay's stomach rumbled and he felt a sharp pain. He hastened his steps, he told his wife about the sudden sharp pain he felt in his stomach, and she went to get him clean water. As she opened the door, she saw Jay breathing and sweating heavily shouting at the excruciating pain. Lola was forced to run to Bianca for help. Jay, a little weight person, became heavy for the two ladies to lift, they called for help, and his stomach began to bul
After the funeral of my dad, my mom stayed at home wearing white clothes alone for three months, as the custom of the land to grieve for her husband. She was emotionally exhausted. Whenever they served her any food, there was this old woman that always tasted the food first. This old woman was my dad's grandma.Mom said she told her never to trust people around her too much, now that everyone knows she's pregnant, they can do anything. "Remember those who killed your husband are still outside, you must brace yourself up, for your husband and your baby's sake!"The old woman would always sneak in native medicine and ask my mother to drink it all. "Mama, what's the prescription for?" Lola asked."This is to avert miscarriage, I heard you had two miscarriages in the past. Even if anybody attempts to kill this child in your womb, they won't succeed. You must drink it all." Lola kept drinking the concoction. Grandma is blessed in knowing when you add anything strange to food or drinks. S