CHAPTER 2

 Dashing nervously into the hospital's reception, she grimaced with pain - her right hand supporting her waist side. The nurses were sitted behind counters with their glinting uniforms and pen reclining in their chest-pockets in a weary state;  some staring at opened files with diverted attention as they summoned the sitted ones to be patient. Linda Solanke gasped, averting her gaze at the ones on the seat. Aunt Yomola,  a plump but tall woman with face, polished glanced at Linda with her face portraying anger and disbelief. Linda cringed, she had spent up to an hour trying to get into something comfy; her rough drive could have claimed her life and with nerves, she swept past the street and bridge with haste amidst almost being stuck in a traffic congestion and everyone would attest to the fact that it was weary and distasteful to sit behind the wheel for hours.

      Linda mumbled a prayer, paving a path for a grin which appeared on her face after sighting the malevolent Bambi Aamah Solanke in her pink bathrobe and a showercap hoisted upon her head while with anxiety, her bare - footed legs stamp the floor.

     It was doubtless that the fear - inciting incident happened early morn before the sun sets or minutes after the hen's crow. For Bambi who would never step outdoors without accessories, make-up and flowing dresses to walk bare - footed, the situation has to be an appalling one. Linda silently stepped forward, her gaze fixed slightly on Yomola.  She knew chastisement and chiding will emanate from her lousy lips, it was a usual routine. Twenty four years of her life was spent with her being nurtured, chastised and having to condole the excesses of her aunt's complaints and rebuke. When Bambi Amah Solanke interfered, it was appalling her aunt accepted her with glee. Linda's pain of not receiving motherly love at an early age increased more. She had died during labour, a soul left the world to save and bring another. A 25 year old lady bid the world farewell to beget a young infant with no iota of idea that her beloved was having an affair out their matrimony. At 5, she was shocked when a 4 year old girl walked alongside a pregnant woman into their compound. Linda Solanke stood, her mind wandering as she silently glanced at her aunt and the two she was to accept fully with no disagreement nor personal decision. 

        "Aunt Yomola, what's wrong? What happened aunt " Linda questioned, her voice cracking. 

      Yomola Gold coughed, her gaze directed at Linda's frame, a faraway look in her eyes. She kept mute like one who had lost vitality to utter a word. 

        "Aunt.......? " Linda continued. 

        "And what do you expect us to say? Play it cool and get your bum sitted, Linda." a young ebony lady with auburn wig snapped back, angrily.

        "Tinu, I didn't direct the question to you. I ask of my father and his well being not your mum."

        "Oh! He's yours alone? Indeed. "

         "Good. You two should keep ranting like kids who were told to share candy equally but end up resulting into being enemies. I'm sitted yet you both decide to create a ruffle? Thought you are grownups now. " Yomola Gold berated, gesticulating with her right hand. A nurse silently came over, ordering for tranquility as she egressed hastingly. 

          "Aunt, Tinu should grow up. I asked of my dad. " Linda added. 

         "I was told he complained of headaches and a pain in the chest last night till it become an herculean task for him to rise up by himself. The medical practitioner is yet to let us know what could be wrong. I just hope all is wrong and you know how bloggers and media reporters are, I hope they don't incur his wrath with news. " Yomola added. 

          "That sounds scary. I hope he gets better. " Linda prayed, averting a cruel gaze at Tinu who murmured, settling on a plastic chair with her back resting on white walls. 

       A tall man in white with freckles plastered on face and cluster of beards surrounding his chin stepped out of a room adjacent to the reception, a stethoscope on his neck while he beckoned to some nurses to bring him files to oversee and probably check up convalescing patients in wards. Raptly, the Solankes rose with fear, awaiting his response. 

         "How is Ron? " Bambi Amah Solanke asked sharply, her long nightgown sweeping the floor.  With trepidation, she flinched. Bambi's carriage was that which was always admired yet it was certain any of her admirers would be shocked, seeing her today. 

         "He needs maximum rest Mrs Solanke, guess he has been keeping himself too busy and this week was hectic too. He need to take naps and his medications and diet must be strictly observed. "

         "I'll surely see to that Doc. Can we check up on him now? I need to see my husband! "

          " Be patient please;  yes you can see him but let him rest also. "

        "Ronald won't kill himself when death hasn't knocked yet! Trips, Bambi what have you been doing. You don't advise him? I wonder why he has decided to hurt himself in diverse ways!" Yomola exclaimed, glancing at the room from which the doctor had came from. 

        "I do, let me check up on him. " Bambi offered as she walked past the nurses with the others following like a dog on the trail of his master 's footsteps.

                                                  *****

      "Cheers to living a life full of fun and bliss !" Tinu yelped, clinking her glass against the glasses of her friends. 

       It was night and stark-dark, some minutes after 8 and only the blue bulb shed light on the lounge's ambience with some settling down and some nodding, swaying hips to the Blues being played. 

        Flanked by two other females with gleaming faces, she stood graciously sipping from her glass; her face lightened up with smiles. 

       "Tinu, what did the doctor say? You didn't inform us? " one asked. 

        "That? He's doing fine now, he needs to rest . Bossy Jezebel and her drama keeps getting on my nerves. I guess being a year older gives her wings. I wish my mum met him first, Aunt Yomola do support her sometimes. I should just forget about this, we gat to chill and enjoy ; I'll be leaving soon. There's are files to go through tomorrow, all play and work makes Tinu...... "

          "More dull! Tiny,  the classy yet full of energy lady! The one who chills and doesn't get idle when it's time to work. " another lady hailed.

         "She acts strange and bring up issues. You've got a trouble loaded sis. I hope she knows you are troublesome than her. Remember those times when Lade would accuse you of stealing Bruno like one had stolen chocolate bars from her bag and your crazy dramas! Those vituperations you uttered could make one faint or go ahead to commit suicide! It was comic and one incident I still can't forget! " a caramel - skinned lady asked. 

       "Of course! It really was comic to you but I had to stand my ground. Bruno would never be attracted to a plain Jane. How has it been with the boutique issue Vivian? Yet to get in touch with the one who owns the mart? He charged you 5 million right?" Tinu said, throwing her question to one of her sitted friends.

        "Yeah, I'm yet to sort out the bills. Remember I told you Patrick is yet to fulfil his promise but I still believe in him. " Vivian, the caramel - skinned lady answered gleefully. 

        Tinu beamed, her heart leaping out with joy as she rose up from the chair, rocking to the song being played. 

        "You do love to rock and roll Tinu! And your dancesteps! "

        "Of course, we have to live well and enjoy. This is one of my faves." Tinu answered amidst the loud sound ensuing from the song being played. 

       A waiter stopped by, placing a champagne on the table with a tray clenched in his palm as he whispered while Tinu bent over for the song was subduing his voice. 

       Tinu angrily sat, fuming with fury with her friends surrounding her endeavouring to calm her down though they were unaware of the reason of the displayed actions. The waiter bowed, taking his leave while he slipped a hand into his pockets. 

          " It's fine! I'll leave now. " Tinu announced, still fuming with seething rage.