The Longest Night - Episode 3

 

Sitting on a bench in the corridor of the hospital, alone with my thoughts and fears. My emotions was mixed as I was thankful for my sister’s safe delivery. Her daughter was hale and hearty, but my mind soon wandered off to the problems I was going to face at home, my loveless marriage and my dwindling self esteem.

I drifted off for a moment with Ada laying on my laps, I felt a tap and was alert. I noticed Ada shivering and trying to cuddle up, I held the back of my palm against her body and discovered her temperature had spiked.

“Mummy, I’m very cold” . She said with laboured breath.

I held her close for warmth but discovered our clothes were still wet after been drenched from the rain.

Soon she was gasping for air and having laboured breath. I screamed for help and some nurses ran to my side.

“ Is she asthmatic?” a nurse asked

“Yes she is”. I answered.

“Where is her inhaler? you can’t buy inhaler for her?”

I looked at the nurse, and decided to answer her sarcastic question calmly.

“We were robbed on our way here, her inhaler was inside the car”. I answered, half mortified as the nurse carried her to the examination room.

We had learnt the hard way to always carry inhaler where ever we go after Ada had an attack at an event

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-longest-night

. The chaos accompanied was second to none as everyone ran in different direction seeking for help. Thankful for the timely intervention of a nearby pharmacy. 

I looked at my daughter finally resting and breathing fine. Tears dropped down my face as I looked at her, I seek for a solution. I craved for change. In that moment, I desired to pray but I had no strength, all I did was cry and hope in my heart, God hears the silent desires of my heart.

I wiped my eyes, I was beginning to shiver and stood up to check on Dera and Tunde. Tunde had since returned from his unprecedented trip and was successful. He came in to check on Ada before proceeding to stay with his wife.

“The latest mummy and daddy in town”. I teased as I entered into Dera private room. 

They both looked up and smiled. Dera was better as she was making small talk with her husband.  It was indeed a long night. I glanced at the wall clock to see if the night had ended, it was just 10.45pm. 

“How is Ada? hope she is better?” Tunde asked.

“Yes she is. So good to see you talking sis. The Lord is Good”.

“All the time” Dera replied faintly.

“Your husband called and asked to speak with you, he mentioned he tried calling you but your number wasn’t connecting”. Tunde said

The Joy in the heart met an abrupt end, it was replaced with sadness, anger and frustration. I nodded and requested for his phone to call Uzor.

I stepped outside of the room to call Uzor, I knew the conversation wouldn’t be a pleasant one and I rather not serenade the environment with my sadness.

I dailed the number, and on the first ring, he answered the call.

“Tunde my guy, how’s the baby na?”. He was happy. It made me more depressed knowing I wasn’t the source of his happiness.

“Uzor, it’s me”. I replied.

I could feel the jovial and happy Uzor that answered the phone moments ago soon replaced by an angry man.

“Where Is your phone madam, I have tried your number countless times”.

“We were robbed on our way to the hospital, they took the car, my phone , money and...

“They took my car?” He interrupted.

“Yes, they did, I tried to...

“Shut up woman, you see what your careless attitude has cost me? And you mentioned we... did you take my daughter on your wild goose chase?”

“She’s fine and here with me. We are both fine”.

“Who cares if you are fine? I’m asking about my daughter and you tell me you are fine? Start thinking of a way to get my car back. Do not return to this house without my car”.

With that he ended the call. The tears started flowing down. He didn’t even care how I was faring. 

I felt  touch on my shoulder, I shuddered and turned to see Tunde with concern written on his face .

“Sinach, what is wrong?”

The flood gates were wide open as I cried and wailed like my life depends on it.

I recounted my ordeal to Tunde who made alot of ohh and ahh’s and left his mouth hanging most of the time. After hearing my epistle, he promised to talk with Uzor and promised everything would be better. 

I felt a bit relieved and made my way to see Ada.

It was some minutes after 11pm as we honked at my residence. The thumping of my heart could be heard from a mile away. Chidi, our security man opened the gate and Tunde drove into the house. I felt my heart was going to jump out of my body.

Tunde rang the door bell a few times before Uzor came to the door. 

“Tunde, what are you doing here at this ungodly hour” Uzor asked.

“Ada had an attack, she is fine but we are here to take some clothes so she can change, to avoid the cold”.

“Where’s my wife?” Uzor asked.

Where was I at this moment? You might ask, I was hiding behind Tunde’s car. Waiting for the signal to come out once the coast is clear. I wasn't  ready to meet Uzor’s fury because it was a clear path to meet my maker.

“Sinach”.

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

. Tunde called out.

As soon as I heard my name, I came out and walked towards them. Uzor looked at me, I imagined myself dead if only looks could kill. 

I walked into the house like a child who was anticipating being punished by her parents. I made my way to the  room to take a warm shower and change my clothes.

There she was lying on my bed half naked, she was talking on the phone, expressing her disappointment over her inability to go clubbing today because her boyfriend’s wife was robbed. It seem like a dream even to me, she noticed my presence,ended her call and tried to cover up. 

A part of me wanted to throw caution to the wind and pounce on her with the little strength I had left. But the other part cast my mind to Exodus 14:14. I walked away soliloquising “Not today Satan”.

I picked my clothes and walked away from the temptation that presented itself in a human form and went into my daughter’s room. With her clothes in a bag alongside toothbrush and toothpaste, I got dressed and made my way to the door when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. 

I walked close to the mirror and noticed I wasn’t myself any longer. I sighed and walked away with my overnight bag as today wasn’t the day to reflect on my dwindling personality or appearance.

I walked into the sitting room and signalled Tunde that I was ready to leave, he rounded up his conversation and stood up to leave. I felt ridiculed that my younger sister's husband was advising my husband who was some years older than Tunde.

Uzor looked at me and didn’t say a word. With Tunde leading the way, we stepped out of the house as Uzor shut the door behind us. 

We drove out of the premises to the hospital which was a new fortress for me, away from the hurts and problems. All I could do was pray silently that God had mercy on me And give me strength because I don’t know how much longer I could hold on.