BEING ALONE
EPISODE 11
He spoke more and more, trying his best not to call me names. My smiles had turned to a sour frown as I began to think of all the bad things mummy must have said to them. It was enough that they s£nt people to r@p£ me, and now,I’m being called names?
Me: I’m at the hospital. Comforter of the afflicted. That’s where I am.
I hung up, not letting him reply. If he wished to come, fine. If he believed my mummy over me,vits fine as well.
I clutched the phone close to my heart,not knowing that I was crying till Ted walked into the room. He tapped my shoulders and I looked up
Ted: Don’t you think you should st©p crying and thank God for your life? Do you think its everyone who gets lucky in situations like this? You should be grateful for life. You should be grateful. Wipe those annoying things let’s pray. The Almighty has being waiting for you to thank Him.
I dropped the phone on the be-d and wiped my tears. How did I forget to thank God? This was unlike me. He held my hands and prayed fervently. I prayed along, telling God how grateful I am for being alive at least. I don’t know how much damage had being done to me,but I prayed that it won’t be much.
Ted: Amen.
Me: Amen.
He sat down and looked at me.
Ted: So who did you call?
The tears formed at the back of my throat and I swallowed ha-rd . I cleared my throat and made a promise to myself that I won’t cry anymore.
Me: A family friend.
Ted: How close are you two?
Me: Very close.
Ted: What about your parents?
I stared at him. Why was he asking me a lot of questions? What difference will it make anyways?
Me: I’m an orphan.
He paused for a moment and murmured some words.
Ted: Its a pity. What about a guardian?
Me: I think its best we shut them out of this question and answer. To me,they don’t exist.
Ted: That’s bad. Very bad. Why would you say that?
Me: If you know my story, you’ll hate them more than I do.
Ted’s phone started ringing and I handed him the phone. He spoke for some seconds before handing it to me.
Kamsi; Amanda!
Me: Kammy
Kamsi: Jesus Christ,where are you?
I found her question funny. Was it me or Jesus she was asking about our location?
Kamsi: plea-se speak to me
Me: Comforter of the afflicted.
Kamsi: Doing what?
Me: What does one do in a hospital? How can you even be asking me that? Anyways, whenever you want to see me, I’m here. If I’m discharged and no one is here to take me home, I’ll just hand myself over to an orphanage.
I hung up and Ted frowned at me.
Ted: What’s wrong with you? You shouldn’t talk that way.
Me: I know. I know. I was always quiet yet they did this to me. I’m going to speak up now. I’m going to spare no word while talking to any of them
Ted: No child of God does that. He’s always faithful to they, who put there trust in Him. He’s preparing you for something great my dear. He didn’t ask you to be weak neither did he ask you to be harsh. Take whatever life offers you in good faith. If you don’t mind, tell me your story.
I spared no word in telling him everything. I told him what I had always gone throu-gh, then Father’s death, Emeka’s death as well, the rules, the Kalus’ visit, the k!ss, the floggings and then the r@p£. I barred my mind to him.
Ted: Jesus Lord!
The door swung open and there stood Kamsi, Kenneth and Mrs Kalu. Kamsi c@m£ into the room in quic-k steps and hvgged me while Kenneth and there mum stepped in and I greeted them. A look around the room told them I was in the intensive care unit. Ted stood up and greeted Mrs Kalu before he excused himself and left the room. The older lady sat down while Kamsi sat on the be-d with me. Kenneth stood beside his mum. I saw concern in there eyes and I was glad that I had them.
Mrs K: How are you my child?
I shrugged my shoulders and smiled.
Me: I’m fine.
Mrs k: We heard you ran away from home. Where did you go?
I kept quiet.
Ken: Amanda plea-se talk to us. Don’t hide anything from us. We’ve being worried about you. Nob©dy will shout at you. Just tell us okay.
Kamsi: Yes Amy, tell us.
I was surprised that the tears hasn’t started falling yet. I looked at each of them on there faces, something I never did before except with Kamsi. I think this experience really killed the timidity in me.
Without mincing words,I told them all that happened that Sunday after they left. The room was silent for a while before Kenneth spoke up.
Ken: I knew that something was wrong. I knew those two devils were up to something. Mum, what’s st©pping you from calling the police? I wonder why Gospel isn’t in town.
Did he just call his girlfriend a devil? And talking about Gospel, God knows where he had gone to.
Mrs k: Amanda my child, who was that man that was with you here?
Me: He’s the guy that hit me.
Mrs k: okay dear. You said you got conscious today?
Me: Yes ma.
Mrs k: Its alright. Gospel will be in town by tomorrow. He traveled to pH for a meeting. I don’t want you to call any other person. We’ll take care of you till you get better and I promise you,you ain’t going back to that house.
Before nko? I thanked her with all my heart. We were talking about something I don’t remember when the door opened and the doctor walked in.
Doc: Oh! Good evening ma
Mrs k: Good evening doctor. How do you do?
Doctor: How do you do too. I’m elated her family members are here alre-ady. Are you her aunt?
Mrs Kalu looked at me and smiled before turning to the doctor.
Mrs k: She’s my daughter.
Doctor: Eh? Amanda…..
Mrs k: But she has not being staying with me. But from this moment, I’m not letting her out of my sight anymore.
Kamsi and Kenneth smiled and the doctor nodded.
Doctor: Okay ma. plea-se, follow me to the office. I’ll love to discuss one or two things with you.
Mrs k: No problem doc. After you then.
I watched them leave and so many thoughts c@m£ to my head. I have always seen Nigerian movies and talks like this always confirmed that the girl is pregnant. “God plea-se help me, I don’t want to be pregnant”.
I closed my eyes and prayed silently while Kamsi held on to me.
BEING ALONE
EPISODE 12
Kenneth: Can I say that this room is tensed? I don’t like how you both are silent.
Kamsi: You’ll never be comfortable in a quiet place. We’re both worried about what they’re both discussing in the doctor’s office and you’re here talking trash.
Ken: Did I call your name sis? Anyways, Amanda, have you eaten anything?
I nodded, still placing my hands in my che-st.
Ken: Eh?
Kamsi: This is no time for that your question and answer Ken. You……
The door opened and Mrs Kalu walked in with the doctor.
I stared into there faces but it was just plain,no emotions.
Mrs Kalu sat down and the doctor asked me to lie down and I did.
Doc: Like I told you,we were able to collect some sp-erm samples as evidence which we’ll keep safe in case she nee-ds to file a report.
Mrs k: I heard when you said that. But is there no way the culprits can be found with those samples?
Doc: I’m sorry madam. Our hospitals are yet to get the equipments for that. I even doubt if its here in Nigeria.
Ken: What nons-en-se? Stuffs like these are easy to trace in the states. I…..
Mrs k: Kenneth you’re not in the states. I’ll advice you keep quiet for now.
Ken: Sorry doc.
Doc: Its okay young man.
Mrs k: So doctor, you said you’ve ran all the necessary tests right?
Doc: Yes madam.
Mrs k: And she’s not pregnant or infected?
Doc: Not at all madam. We just found some traces of staphylococcus in her but we started treatment even in her unconscious state.
I heaved an audible sigh of relief and everyone in the room looked at me.
Doc: Its okay Ander. You’re fine.
I nodded with a smile and Kamsi started ru-bbing my arm.
Doc: She’ll be free to go home by next week.
Mrs k: Thank you doctor.
Doc: You’re welcome.
He left the room and Mrs Kalu smiled at me.
Mrs k: You’re fine my child.
Me: I’m also very lucky ma.
Mrs k: That’s why you shouldn’t bother about anything else because God is always by your side.
She looked at her wristwatch.
Mrs k: Its late now. Ken and I will be on our way. I’ll be travelling to China tomorrow to get some supplies done but Ken and Kammy will be here for you. Once he drops me off at the airport, he’ll get you and Kammy breakfast and some change of clothes. Gospel will also be home tomorrow.
Me: Thank you ma. God bless you a lot.
Mrs k: He will. And before I come back, make sure you’re used to calling me mummy and not that ma.
I smiled and thanked her again.
Mrs k: And if I don’t come back and you’re discharged, don’t hesitate to follow them home, is that clear?
I looked on in confusion. Who are the them?(forgive that blun-der)… Hope its not Nenye and her mother? She re-ad my confusion and redirected it.
Mrs k: I’m talking about my children.
Me: Oh! Thank you ma.
She stood up and approached me, gave me a pe-ck and left the room. Kenneth did the same, promising to come early tomorrow.
Kamsi: Those people. Very wicked species of human beings. You won’t believe what they told us.
Without being told, I knew she was referring to the two villains at home.
Me: Tell me plea-se.
Kamsi: Gospel had gone to school to look for you that Monday but you were not there so he went to your house. He asked after you and your mother told him that you went out on an errand. He called your line but it was switched off so he left. He kept going from your school to your house every day till that Saturday when I followed him to your house. I insisted I’ll go to your room and wait for you till you return. I went to the BQ but your room was locked. That was when they told us that you had invited a guy to your room and when she found out, she was beating you and you ran away.
Me: Chineke! Why will mummy say something like that nau?
Kamsi: That’s not all. Nenye started telling us how you flir-t with every guy in the neighbourhood, how loose you were. I didn’t believe that but Gospel was alre-ady mad. We got home and he vomitted everything to mummy.
Me: Now I un-derstand why he spoke to me like that when I called him.
Kamsi: But you don’t have to worry. I believe mummy will tell him everything tonight and if he doesn’t apologise to you, I’ll disown him.
I was f0rç£d to laugh.
Me: Kammy you nee-d to help me because I doubt if I can walk properly. I just remembered how I could ba-rely walk that night.
Kamsi: Its alright. Let me help you up.
She helped me stand up on my feet and pleaded with me to close up my legs. I did and it hurt. She kept on pushing me to try. After some minutes, I started walking round the room, but I was limping.
Kamsi: At least, your legs ain’t open.
She guided me to and fro. I stood at the window and looked out into the dark night. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Kamsi: Come in.
Ted walked into the room. He was no longer with the same clothes I had seen him with so I guessed he had gone home. Like he did that evening, he was with a bag.
Kamsi: Hi.
Ted: Hi.
He dropped the bag and walked up to us.
Me: Ted, meet my best friend, Kamsi….Kamsi, that’s the guy who had hit me and brou-ght me here,Ted.
Ted laughed at my dry joke.
Kamsi extended her hand and he shook it.
Kamsi: Nice meeting you Ted.
Ted: plea-sure is all mine.
He turned to me immediately.
Ted: Your friend is gorgeous.
We laughed and Kamsi thanked him.
Ted: Amanda, I’m glad you’ve got someone to keep your company tonight. I went home to change my clothes and bring you dinner.
Me: That’s very kind of you Ted.
Ted: I also had plans to spend the night here but since your gorgeous friend is staying behind, I’ll have to leave now. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Me: Now that’s funny. Did you think I’ll let you suffer yourself by spending the night here?
Ted: I….
Kamsi: Its settled now. I’m here so thank you very much.
Ted: That’s what I expected to hear Miss gorgeous. I beg to leave you two now.
Me: Thanks. But, the food, don’t you think it won’t be enough for my friend and I?
Ted: Oh! Like I said before, I thought I would spend the night here so I had packed dinner for two.
Me: Okay. Thanks alot.
Kamsi: Thank you.
Ted: You’re welcome. Let me leave now.
Kamsi: I’ll walk you to your car.
Ted: That will be nice.
They both left the room while I dragged my feet to where he dropped the bag. I had faith that if I continue practising, I’ll be able to walk perfectly in some days.
Kamsi and I ate away on the plates of bre-adfruit (ukwa) Ted had brou-ght. It was so delicious with the right spices, it was in a lunch box so we guessed he made it himself. Kamsi wouldn’t st©p talking about how handsome Ted was and then how fluent his speech are. I knew without being told that she’s got it h0t for him. She even told me they’d exchanged numbers at the car park.
After eating and putting away the lunch box, she opened the cu-pboard and got out bre-ad which had crunches label and greased it with bu-tter generously. I was even surprised at the amount of provisions Ted had brou-ght me. Being with Kamsi, I always eat plentiful and excessively. Even now, we ate a good quantity of the bre-ad before we showered and talked some more.
Gospel had called before we sle-pt and I refused to speak with him.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 13