TEARS OF A HELPLESS WOMAN
EPISODE 28
I sat on the bench for an hour shedding tears and wishing I did not find myself in this predicament.
The nurse came and sat next to me as I wept.
“Dear I’ve seen you crying for hours. Don’t you get tired?.. I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude but I have never seen a woman so emotional. Instead of praying for your partner and keeping the faith, why are you crying?” She asked me.
“I have been through too much” you would never understand..” I said.
“I need you to tell me every single thing but first the patients bill has to be settled. Who is responsible for thar?” She asked.
“I will settle it how much is the bill?” I asked.
“You have to go to the accounts office. I can take you there” she said.
With the help of the nurse I went to the Accounts office.
The nurse explained that if all went well Atusaye may not need an operation, however, if their suspicions were right then he might have a dislocated knee.
After I settled the bill I sat outside and got a pen to draft all that I had been through, starting from life alone up until I met Atusaye. It was a painful story to write.
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The nurse who spoke to me had just signed out of her shift and she asked me to take a walk with her around the hospital while we discussed.
As I narrated my story to her, I noticed she was fighting back tears but she assured me that all would be well.
Although she insisted that I go and pass a night at her house, I still wanted to be with Atusaye so I passed on the offer.
The nurse directed me to a chapel within the hospital and I went there to pray. The whole night I offered Atusaye’s life into Gods hands and I asked for the grace of God to rest upon our lives.
I constantly reminded myself of Jeremiah 33v3 and I called God holding Him by his word and sincerely trusting that he would not fail me.
After praying for so long and losing every strength I had left, I lay on the floor facing the altar as I went on singing praises.
I heard someone walk into the chapel but I maintained my position.
“I knew I would find you here” I heard the voice say.
It was the kind nurse.
“How are you madam and why are you back?” I asked her as I stretched myself.
“Dear its morning, I have a morning shift” she said.
“Is it?” I asked in shock.
“Yes I knew you lost track of time, you look fatigued. Did you sleep?” She asked me.
“No…” I calmly responded.
“Dear I have good news for you but first sit here with me you look tired” she said as she sat on a bench.
When I was settled she looked at me and smiled.
“Your husband.. I mean your partner…”
“Nurse you can call him my husband its fine” I corrected her.
“Yes…. Your husband will not under go an operation. You must have really prayed because even I was in a state of shock when the doctor said that.” she said.
“Huh?? Are you telling the truth??” I said with excitement as my eyes became teary.
“There you go again dear… Why? Why are you crying?” She asked me as she put her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m so sorry I don’t mean to… I’m just happy.. Please can I see him?” I asked in tears.
“I will make a plan so your mother in-law does not see you. Now wipe your tears.. I will be right back” she said.
The nurse hurriedly left and I waited patiently.
She came in after a while and asked me to follow her.
Atusaye was seated upright and I couldn’t believe it. He was still a little weak but was so happy to see me.
I hugged him really tight and he cried on my shoulder, I couldn’t help but cry too.
“Why did you leave my side? Even when I was weak, I could feel your presence and I was comforted by your presence” He said
“Honey I may have left your side but i carried you with me. I have been in the hospital chapel praying for you.” I said..
Atusaye and I were still in a hugging position.
“Baby I’m weak but I will be OK, I promise you. I won’t leave your side” I heard him say.
I helped him lay back in bed and I covered him half way. We held hands and talked. He was very happy although he was still weak.
The nurse came in and said his mother wanted to come back in but Atusaye insisted that if she wanted to come in, she had to be OK with me being around.
The nurse went and communicated this with her but she refused to come in unless I left.
“Honey I think let me go outside. I will be back later let mum see you first” I said to Atusaye.
“No honey don’t leave my side” he insisted as he held onto my hand.
After close to an hour his mother and sister decided to join in and they sat. None of them said a word to me but Atusaye talked to me when he could.
Often occasions his mother interrupted and asked me to shut up so Atusaye could rest but eventually Atusaye started another conversation and we got talking again.
It was almost time for lunch and Atusaye asked me to go and get him food. He wanted okra and chicken just like the meal we had on our first official date.
Luckily, the nurse offered her kitchen and she asked her brother to pick me up.
I showered And changed at her house and quickly prepared the food.
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“Honey you’re back. I was waiting for you” Atusaye said with a smile.
He looked much stronger and happy.
The stares I was getting from his family made me nervous but I stayed strong for my dear Atusaye.
After dishing the food Atusaye insisted that we eat together and I joined him on the bed as we ate.
“Mum.. This is my wife” Atusaye said to his mother as ate.
“Elo efyo cakulisha icipuba ici fikali” his mum said
(Whatever charm this fool has fed you is really strong)
I could see she was very angry but I did what I had to do and ignored her.
“Honey can I give you some water?” I asked him.
Atusaye’s sister rolled her eyes as I gave him water to drink and she got up leaving the ward angrily. I wish she understood that I was innocent in all this matter.
Atusaye insisted that I go and rest at home that night and I went to sleep back at his hotel room. Things were looking good and I talked to him before i fell asleep. He insisted I go early in the morning so we have breakfast together.
The following morning just like I promised, I was there on time and I got some breakfast from the canteen which Atu and I ate together.
The doctor then suggested that Atu starts physiotherapy for at least 2weeks before he could be discharged.
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