Beautiful stranger - Episode 7

 

Nora feared it would come to this. Toni stared at her. Nora
swallowed painfully as she watched Toni wipe her own
tears. “We have talked about this before.” Nora said quietly.
“About me dying peacefully, right?” Toni asked as she
approached her sister slowly. “I am afraid, Nora . I want to
live.”
Nora firmed up as she tried to fight back her tears. “Stop it,
Toni.”
Toni wanted to stop the tears but she couldn’t. “Nor…Nora.”
She stuttered amidst her tears. “Nora…Nora.” Toni cried and
broke down into her arms.
Nora shut her eyes as she hugged her sister close. “We can
do this, Toni. We would.” She said and kissed her scalp.
“Let’s do chemo, Toni.” She whispered to her.
Toni broke away from Nora. “NO! I don’t want it. I can’t
afford to fade away before my own eyes.”
“Toni, listen, we can survive chemo. I know this. You are a
fighter. You will survive it, you can’t take another surgery.
You are too weak for it.” Nora replied.
Toni sniffed. “I want to love Jerry

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/beautiful-stranger

. I can’t do that in chemo.”
Nora sighed. “So, you are willing to risk everything for him?
What about me, Toni? Toni, you can do this Chemotherapy
once and for all, and come back and love your man. You do
the surgery now, you have seizures, and you get weak,
then stronger…then weaker again. Is that what you want?”
“That way I won’t have to fade away before his eyes.” Toni
replied.
“That way you get to kill him inside. You would break
everything that is left of him. Is that what you want and…
and most importantly, he would never forgive you for
doing this to him. Let’s live through this and never look
back.” Nora pleaded.
Toni smiled faintly. “Let’s? There is only one person in this
room with Cancer, Nora, and it isn’t you.”
Nora nodded. “Yes, it isn’t me and yes, most times, I wish it
were me. I can’t watch you lose your spirit. I can’t watch
you fade away.”
“Let me have the surgery.” Toni replied.
Nora shook her head. “No, Toni. I can’t.”
Toni sank into a chair. “What do you want, Nora?”
“Let’s go in for chemo. I will be with you every step of the
way, I would never leave your side.” Nora said.
Toni smiled. “Is there a part where you get to share in my
pain? Because sitting and watching my pain can be pretty
useless, don’t you think?” she asked with a soft chuckle.
Nora didn’t understand how Toni did it. She had changed
the whole situation in a flash with a laugh. Little wonder Jerry
was enchanted by her, who wouldn’t be? Toni was a
beauty. She ravished from the inside such that what people
saw on the outside as beautiful was only a compliment.
With thoughts in her heart, she snuggled up on Toni’s lap.
For a split moment, she wondered who needed
comforting…it should be Toni, but then, she knew she did
too.
***
“Hi Doctor Jerry.” A nurse greeted as Jerry walked in with
Emeka. “We have missed you around here.” She added as
she turned into one of the private wards.
“I don’t get it.” Jerry started.
Emeka stared at him. “What?”
“How can people look into your eyes and lie?” Jerry asked.
Emeka chuckled. “That’s rich, coming from you.”
Jerry stopped. “Dude, that nurse just lied that she missed
me. Clearly no one did. Survival rates have gone up, how
could I be missed?”
Emeka smiled. “You are not the only problem that the
Hospital has, besides, mentality is very important in saving a
patient. Both from you and the patient, so sometimes, you
might be doing your best and the patient isn’t. And most
importantly, it is God who saves lives. We are just the
tools.”
“I am such a faulty tool then.” Jerry said as he pushed his
office door open. “So, the director wanted me back because
the patients have increased here at the hospital or because
you put in a good word for me?”
“Me? I had nothing to do with it. Why would I want to ruin
your honeymoon?” Emeka asked as he took a seat. “Patients
have increased. With all the happenings in town, casualty
rate has gone up and as such, the tendency for mortality
rate too is upped. This is where we as Doctors come in, we
try to reduce the mortality rate.”
Jerry nodded. “Toni thinks I should join a help support
group for my drinking issue.”
Emeka smiled. “Interesting. The fact that you think it is an
issue means it is an issue. I am happy to learn that you are
going to stop.”
“I just want to make her happy. I don’t want to do anything
that would hurt her.” Jerry said.
Emeka shook his head. “You just missed a vital step to
redemption.”
“And that would be?” Jerry asked.
Emeka sat up. “You are doing this because it is best for you.
It is obviously going to be good for her too, but first, you
are doing it because it is the right thing to do.”
Jerry sighed. “I guess you have a point.”
“I always have a point.” Emeka replied as he relaxed in his
seat. “So, what is your plan for the new girl? When do I get
to meet her?”
“Which of the questions should I answer first?” Jerry
retorted.
Emeka grinned. “You would make a very jealous lover. So,
when do I get to meet Miss?”
Jerry cleared his throat. “I don’t know. I am not ready to
have you tell me that you saw her in your dream in a
wedding gown and that you know she is for you.”
“Guy! I am not that kind of guy. I won’t do that to you, but if
she is for me, you can’t put asunder.” Emeka replied with a
smile.
“You are not her type.” Jerry replied as he hung his
stethoscope around his neck.
Emeka smiled. “You are not a very good judge of character.”
“Case closed. You are not meeting her. About my plans? I
really do want to be with her and I’d do everything to be the
perfect man for her.”
“Jerry, you are a good guy. That I know. And I think you
have found someone special but I must remind you, you
are walking on a thin line with the little lies you have started
building, you might want to break it all down, you still have
the time.” Emeka said, standing up. “When I eventually meet
her, I would introduce myself as a Doctor. At least that way,
you won’t have told too many lies.” He said and gave Jerry a
light tap.
Jerry swallowed at Emeka’s words. Emeka’s words had a
way of turning into a nightmare for him from the little he
had seen.
“Let’s go do some rounds, bro.” Emeka called as he walked
out of the office.
Jerry took a deep breath and followed him.
***
Nora shot a wicked glance at Toni. “Are we really watching
this?”
Toni chuckled. “We just finished the first half. A few minutes
break and they will be up and running for the second forty
five.”
“I don’t like football.” Nora replied angrily.
Toni nodded. “But Mommy, you said I can watch whatever
I want and that you would be by my side all the way. Did
you forget?”
Nora groaned. “This is cheap blackmail, Toni. It is
ridiculously cheap.”
“Wrong. It isn’t cheap. If it was, it won’t be costing you this
much discomfort.” She replied with a smile.
Nora frowned.
“I think you should learn to like football. I bet James likes
football and if you want to warm your way into the heart of
that guy, you should know a little more about the sport.
Start by picking a team.” Toni advised.
Nora hissed.
Toni nudged her in the waist. “Dear Nora, this advice is
priceless. I can assure you that most ladies that lose their
guys to the sport don’t understand that they could actually
enjoy the sport together. If she is so unwilling to love the
game, she can love the boys.”
Nora stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
“I am being honest here. There are a lot of cute guys that
play football.” Toni replied. “So, let me bring you up to
speed with football. To start with, the team in the red jersey
is Arsenal and the team in the blue jersey is Everton-”
“-Not interested.” Nora replied.
The doorbell went. Nora sprang to her feet in delight. “I’ll get
it.”
“Why do you hate football so much?” Toni asked, laughing.
Nora ignored her and hurried to the door. Toni focused on
the Television as the players from both teams returned to
the field.
“Hello, Toni.”
Toni turned round and smiled. “Hey! James! How are you?”
James smiled. “I made it in time for the second half, so I am
great.” He said, taking a seat.
“What do I offer you?” Nora asked.
James shook his head. “Nothing. I just need to focus on my
boys.”
“Arsenal.” Toni asked
James nodded with a smile. “We are the best.”
Toni hissed.
“Let me guess, Chelsea?” he asked.
Toni smiled. “Atta boy! Jose’s Army. The Roman empire!”
Nora fumed as she watched her sister bond with James. “I
think Arsenal will win.” She said, jumping into the
discussion.
Toni turned her head at Nora with a cynical smile. “I see…”
Nora nodded and took her seat beside James. “You know,
the best thing about football is the passion. I think they put a
lot of passion into it.”
Toni sneezed.
James stared at Nora and then at Toni. “That was awkward.”
“Was it?” Toni asked.
James nodded and turned back to the Television.
“Goal!” Nora shouted as she watched the ball roll into the net.
James stared at her. “I thought you were in support of
Arsenal?”
“They scored, right?” she asked, dumbly. “They are wearing
the blue jersey, right?”
Toni stared at James with a smile. “Now that is Nora’s sense
of humour. She knows that Everton scored, but she just
wants to troll you.”
James stares at Nora. “You are mean.”
Nora nodded with a smile. “I know.”
Toni winked at her and walked away.
Nora watched the rest of the game in silence. Toni had just
covered up for her. Once again, she found herself
competing needlessly with Toni who was in no competition
with her.
James was enjoying the game, but Nora’s silence was
worrisome, so he turned to her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…sure.” She replied.
He shook his head. “You are lying to me.”
“No. I am fine.” She replied.
James stared at her. “I don’t care if you don’t know jack
about football.”
“Really?” she asked.
James smiled. “For now… After a while, you can start
supporting Arsenal, so we can tease Toni together.”
She smiled back. “It sounds like a good idea.”
“I want you to go out with me.” James said. He stared at
Nora. “Officially, I want to be your boyfriend.”
Nora stared at him. “I don’t know about officially.”
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I think so.”
James smiled.
***
Jerry replaced his stethoscope around his neck as he took
his seat beside a patient. “I heard you haven’t been taking
your medications, ma’am.”
Mrs. Aiyenugba turned away from him. “Where have you
been?”
Jerry smiled faintly at Emeka and then back at the woman. “I
had to go away for a while. I am surprised you are still in
the hospital.”
“I like it here.” She replied and then turned towards Jerry. “I
really do.”
Emeka gestured to Jerry and walked out. Jerry stared at her.
“Why would you love it here? You should be with your kids
and grandkids.”
Mrs Aiyenugba scoffed. “They don’t care about me.”
“Why not? Your daughter brought you here, remember?”
he asked.
She nodded. “I do, but, they don’t want me at home. I
caught them saying they have booked me in at Victoria’s
Homes. They are just waiting for me to feel better, so I
would just stay here till I die. You would let me, right?”
Jerry hesitated. “I…I don’t think so.”
“Why not? I have my own room here, there is a Television
too and I am sure you would visit me every day, right?
Well…when you are not spending time with that cute girl.”
Jerry stared at her. “What girl?”
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed the smile on your face since
you walked in here, you hardly smile like that. Who is she?”
she asked with a smile.
Jerry smiled at his favourite patient. She was a comic relief
and was known for pulling silly jokes, but then she was
right about his smile. The thought of Toni made him happy.
He was going to go home to see her no matter the time he
closed from work. She really did light up his world.
“So, who is she?” she asked again.
Jerry drew closer to her. “Toni. And yes, she is amazing.”
Mrs. Aiyenugba nodded with a smile. “I know she is. My
husband thought I was the most amazing woman in the
world too…and I thought he was, until he left me. I then
knew he was the most selfish man. He decided to cheat me
by dying first.”
Jerry chuckled. “Come on…”
“I am serious, why would you leave anyone you love to
suffer? The one who hurts is not the person who dies, it is
the one they live behind.” She said.
Jerry nodded. “But won’t it be selfish of you if you had died
first and left him behind?” he asked.
“I am the woman.” She replied with a smile.
Jerry smiled. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “Yes. Ladies first, it is.”
Jerry laughed. “You are unbelievable, Mrs. Aiyenugba.”
“Betty.”
Jerry smiled. “I would never call you by your first name.”
“Why not? It is my name and I am giving you the right to
call me by it.” She replied.
Jerry shrugged. “I choose not to. You could be my Mom.”
She nodded. “Speaking of families, how is your family?”
“They should be fine.” He replied.
She stared at him in a puzzling manner. “They should?
When last did you phone them?”
He sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Your mom is going to end up in Victoria’s Home too.” She
cooed as she picked up a newspaper. “Mothers are a gift
from God. They are your first defence. She is the mother
lion, she is ready to tear apart the hyenas for her cub. Why
won’t the cub love her when he should?” she asked.
Jerry swallowed. “I…I love my mom.”
“Show it.” She replied.
He nodded. “I would call my family.” He said, standing up.
“You won’t. I know that look.” She replied.
He bit his lower lip, “I will prove you wrong.”
“This is not about me. This is about you, Jerry. It is about
you. Just you and you alone, no one else.” She replied and
dropped the newspaper by her bed. “Tell the Doctors I am
not going home. I have no place to call my home. I will just
stay here till I die. At least, I will have a casket to call my
home when I am gone.” She said, sliding down to rest.
Jerry took a deep breath and walked out. He was lost in his
thoughts about what Mrs. Aiyenugba had said that he didn’t
see Emeka approaching him.
“Guy!” Emeka said as Jerry walked past him.
Jerry stopped and apologized. “I am sorry.”
“This Toni girl will be the death of you.” He said with a smile.
Jerry smiled faintly. “When last did you call your parents?”
Emeka shrugged. “I don’t know. My sister keeps in touch
with them, so that should cover for both of us, right?” he
asked with a grin.
“Love your parents when they are alive.” Jerry said.
“ Oshey, Aristotle!” Emeka mocked. “You shouldn’t spend
too much time with Mrs. Aiyenugba, that woman pollutes
the mind.”
Jerry frowned. “She is a good woman. She made me realise
how unfair I have been to my parents.”
“We are busy, Jerry. We have a lot to do. Even our parents
know that.” Emeka replied. “Please ignore that woman,
besides, the hospital is tired of her consuming space. I think
they are calling her family in tomorrow.”
Jerry blinked. “Her children don’t want her.”
“That’s understandable. Look at how quick she has poisoned
your mood. She is a venom.” Emeka said with a smile.
Jerry ignored him and turned to walk away. Emeka hurried
up to him. “What do you want, Emeka?” Jerry asked.
“Why are you so serious, Jerry?” Emeka retorted. “I think
you are paying her too much attention.”
Jerry pushed his office door open. “Why shouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. She is just a patient.” He replied. “You don’t
owe her anything, do you?” Emeka asked.
“I know I don’t, but she has given me a reason to think
about my family and myself too.” He replied.
“I think you should think more about the surgical cases that
we have this night. From what I heard, you are leading a
surgery.”
Jerry’s face fell. “No.”
“Look, man, I want you to believe in yourself. You have to
save a life today. Save another tomorrow. And then, next
tomorrow…and then, you won’t have to worry no more.”
Emeka said with a smile.
Jerry swallowed. He had a lot to worry about. The nurses
always looked defeated before any of his case. The mere
sight of Jerry made them believe they were fighting a lost
battle, he had never proven them wrong. They talked in
groups in the hospital and he was sure he had a role to play
in it. Emeka always inspired him, but then, he still felt
defeated. The nightmare of his first case never let him be.
***
Toni struck the keys of her laptop as she typed. Nora stared
at her. Toni had not said a word to her since James left.
“Are you not going to talk to me?” Nora asked. Toni had her
headphones on, but Nora knew she could hear her. “Toni.
Please.”
Toni turned at her. “How much longer?” she asked.
Nora swallowed. “I don’t know what came over me. I…I
was jealous.”
Toni smiled. “Nora, I can never hurt you. I hope you know
that.”
“I do. But what about James? He can hurt me.” She replied.
Toni shook her head. “No, he can’t hurt you. You have
control over your heart, you decide what comes and what
goes and in this situation, it is hard to decide because of the
emotions, but still, you decide.”
Nora drew closer to her. “Forgive me.”
“I hold no grudge against you.” Toni replied. “I wish I knew
how to, but I don’t.”
Nora grinned. “Thank God,”
“Yeah.” Toni replied. “I am going to church tomorrow. Are
you coming?”
Nora stared at her. “Oh…no. I will just stay here.”
“Why? Still fighting with yourself?” Toni asked with a smile.
“Because if you think you are fighting with God because we
don’t have our parents with us, you are wasting your time.
Job lost everyone and everything, yet, he trusted God and
He didn’t fail. He never does.”
Nora turned her face away. She had avoided Church ever
since their parents died. She was angry. Toni’s diagnosis
gave her more reason to be angry, she didn’t understand
why all these were happening to her. Toni never stopped
praying. Nora quit.
Toni continued typing on her laptop. Nora stared at her.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Writing.” Toni replied.
“Writing? When did you become a writer? I know you have
always been one at heart, but when did you start putting it
to some use?” Nora asked.
Toni smiled. “A week ago.”
“That’s recent. So, what are you writing?” Nora asked.
Toni stared at her. “My novel.”
“Novel?”
Toni nodded. “My life is too much excitement to stay bottled
in…I want the world to read.”
Nora smiled. “That’s lovely.”
“Thank you.” Toni replied and closed her laptop.
Nora stared at her. “James asked me out.”
“And you said yes?” Toni asked.
Nora nodded. “That’s what I want.”
Toni smiled. “I know.”
“Do you think I am right?” Nora asked.
Toni shrugged. “I really don’t know, but, I just think that you
should be happy. If he makes you happy and you make
him happy, then, it is fine.”
“You are not so convinced about James, are you? He is a
great guy. He even sensed that I didn’t know jack about
football.” She replied.
Toni smiled. “Still you should know.”
“Whatever.”
Toni took a deep breath. “Nora?”
“What is it, Toni?” she asked.
Toni stared at her. “I phoned the Hospital. I am starting
Chemo.”