The Longest Night - Episode 10

 

​We drove into the hospital premises and went straight into the Accident and Emergency ward. I ran straight for the reception.

“Where’s my hus.. . Uzor Obi. I’m his ex wife”. I almost said husband and the sound of the ex wife sounds strange to me.

She eventually raised her eyes from the book she was looking at like her life depended on it.

“Madam, don’t you see people sitting down? Or you think you can jump the queue”?. 

I turned back and saw 3 persons sitting down. I looked back at the nurse who went back to her book . I stylishly went to sit down. The woman I sat beside comforted me encouraging me everything would be alright and not to pay any mind to the sarcastic nurse. I silently thanked God I wasn’t in the mood, else I would have been the reason she sits down to think of  her downtrodden life.

After what seem like an eternity, I was called forward. I stated my name and my reason for being at the clinic. Silently I prayed Uzor was fine. My body shivered but I had to be strong for my daughter. Upon hearing her dad’s accident, she’s been crying and praying.

“We called his wife and she ignored our calls severally and when we tried again, her phone was switched off”. The nurse said with a dismissing grin.

His wife? I thought to myself

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. Was Uzor married again just barely  months after our marriage ended. I guess to him the marriage ended long ago. 

“Can we see him?”. I asked, Uzor's marital status meant nothing to me.

“Come with me”. She said as she leisurely walked out of her booth and walked towards the room.

Immediately we walked into the room occupied by two patient, one severely injured and the  other with mild injury. At the far end of the room, the man who was severely injured laid, with his leg hanging. My heart sank as all I could imagine was the amount of pain he must be going through. 

The nurse walked slowly and stopped at the bed of the man  with his legs hanging.

“This is Uzor Obi” . She said and walked away.

I almost dragged her back to tell her that couldn’t be the father of my child but I looked closely and I could recognise the features,then she spoke again 

“He’s unconscious, I’d advice you come see the doctor”. She said sympathetically.

Ada clutched close to me, holding me so tightly and not ready to let go. I could tell she was frightened. I was frightened too but I had to conceal it.

We walked to the doctors office and we sat down. The doctor told us Uzor was in a coma as the accident was fatal and he was severely injured. 

I made all the deposits of the hospital bills and started calling everyone. The fact Uzor I spoke with some hours ago now laid on an hospital bed totally unconscious sent shivers down my spine.

“Can I see him again”. I asked the nurse

“Yes you can, though there’s nothing you can do but to pray and hope for an improvement in his health”. She replied.

I simply nodded my head and made my way to Uzors room.

He laid still . I couldn’t ask any questions but just simply stared and wished in my heart for the best and speedy recovery.

I left the room really scared and mortified. Ada still held closely to me and  finally found her voice.

“Mummy, would daddy be fine”?. She asked innocently.

“Yes my love”. I answered a question I wasn’t even sure about.

Some moments later, Tunde was at the hospital. He asked what happened.  I didn’t have the slightest clue. 

It’s been 3days since the accident and Uzor was still unconscious. My life revolved around him as I come in the morning to clean him after dropping Ada off at school. I patiently waited everyday for him to blink at least. The doctor assured me that he would pull through but encouraged us to constantly talk to him like he could hear us.

What kept me going was the series of calls I got from friends and family, encouraging me. They even took turns to sit with me and also pick up Ada from school. 

Yemi was always there to support me. He came around when he was free and prayed with me from time to time. He gradually won my heart even if he wasn’t trying too hard, but his actions tugged my heart strings. Despite the circumstances surrounding me, I wished for a break, a break where I’m lost in his warm embrace, his lips properly nested on mine and throwing the keys of reasoning so far away. Amidst my thoughts, he sent a text message.

“I really want to spend every breathe I have left in this world with you And if it’s patience I need to achieve that, it’s a virtue I’m working toward. You are worth the wait”.

His messages always left me speechless and giggling like a teenager who’s got her first crush. Usually, I don’t reply but this time I picked up my phone and sent a reply that shook me.

“With you, I feel alive and the pressure of the world is literally off my shoulders. You are my blessing and I thank God for you daily. I can’t wait to be in your arms ”.

As my marriage suddenly crumbled, expressing my feelings to Uzor seem like petrol engulfing my marriage into a more burnt crisp of nothing. I decided to keep it in most times but being open to Yemi seem strange but felt so good. 

With the weekend approaching, I dropped Ada at Dera’s place so as to ease the reality of the hospital on her. After I retired for the evening, my door bell rang. I  glanced at my wall clock , it was 6pm. Who could that be I thought to myself. I look through the peephole and my heart went on a frenzy. There were actual butterflies in my tummy as I could feel them fluttering. I opened the door and he walked in almost like a song was being played to usher him in.

Read " The Robbery Attack " by the same author ( Nancy Eseosa )

. He set down his bag of groceries and pulled me into a hug. I looked at him and expecting a kiss but he simply put a hand over my shoulders and we made way to the kitchen.

We made a simple meal of pasta with Turkey. Making food never seem so fun, he did all the cooking and didn’t accept my help. All he needed was my taste buds to regulate the food. 

We made it to the sitting room to eat when he brought out a bottle of wine. After eating, he put on a movie and we practically sprawled on the rug, laughing and having a good time. Gradually I laid my head on his chest and he pulled me close. He whispered in my ear “You are so beautiful”. That made me smile. He proceeded to touching my face and framing it in his hand, I closed my eyes waiting for his lips against mine. 

My phone rang and that placed a pin on the electric moment. I looked at the caller Id and it was the hospital.

“He is awake”. Was all I heard and I felt the blocks of my world in my hands.