CAMARADERIE TROUBLES

What?!” bimbo roared.

“You can’t be serious” Florence’s face was as pale as sheet.

Nurse Chinwe blew out her bubble gum, making a pop sounds as she scribbled something on a large hospital book, looking totally unconcerned. “Well, I am very serious, madam” she said nonchalantly.

“Well, it can’t be. Doctor Johnson can’t be on a trip; the doctor himself told us to come today” bimbo barked as his eyes flashed in rage. He fisted his palms by his side, hoping he wouldn’t fly into pieces from excessive anger.

Nurse Chinwe raised her eyes slowly from the journal in front of her, looking up bimbo with an irritated look on her face. “See mr man, come and be going. Ahan, what is it? I told you the doctor has travelled, what do you want me to do?” She hissed.

Florence’s eyes watered as she hopped nervously. She glanced back at IK who was seated on one of the hospital benches, then looked back at the nurse with a pleading look. “But… but my son is very ill… he grows weaker every minute. He needs to be treated, nurse, please”

Nurse Chinwe glared at bimbo for a prolonged moment, then glanced at Florence before resuming chewing her bubble gum. “We have some student doctors in the hospital”

“What? I am not putting my son’s life in the hands of some quack untrained doctors who don’t even know the definition of malaria” bimbo raved, his voice rang out, attracting stares from some people in the hospital.

“bimbo…”

“Bia take yourself and your son’s life out of here, before I throw you out; ogini?” Nurse Chinwe flared up.

“Oh no, please…” Florence pulled a raving bimbo aside, casting a worried glance at the nurse and another glance at IK. He was now lying on the bench, not looking good at all.

bimbo was beside himself with rage. “How can people be so heartless?” he stared at Florence, not really seeing her. “that doctor told us to come today knowing fully well that he would be travelling… So callous”

Florence pulled closer to bimbo, lowering her voice as she spoke. “You have to calm down bimbo, you can’t consistently lose your temper like this, IK’s best interest is at stake here”

bimbo shifted uncomfortably. “What do we do, then? You don’t expect me to leave IK here, in the hands of God knows who, do you? And just look at that nurse. She’s the same as the other heartless nurses in this hospital”

“But what other choice do we have? We have to. And no, we are not leaving him in their hands, we are leaving him in God’s hands. It is not up to them to heal IK, it is up to God.” Florence placed her palm gently on his chest. “Please bimbo, we can’t afford to be destabilized now. We have to remain calm for IK’s sake. He is feeling really bad that he is putting us through so much struggles, we need to hide our anxiety from him, bimbo.”

bimbo swallowed and nodded.

Florence smiled faintly. “Everything would be fine, bimbo, we just have to keep our faith strong.”

this terribly unpleasant situation. If only he had money enough to take IK to a

the reception desk and felt extreme

*****

in the shifting darkness. Amanda and Solomon lay asleep on a mat on the floor. Selena didn’t remember ever seeing a mat in their house. The room was very unfamiliar; and why? why didn’t her mum wake

be seeing IK anytime soon… She sighed and lay back on the bed. She felt sick. Selena ate next to nothing the previous day, Amanda and Solomon were not any better. Since Mr Simon’ two children were off to boarding school, Selena and her siblings were the only children in the house. Selena couldn’t help but think they would have been better with Aunty Naomi. She was like a second mother to them and surely, Amanda and Solomon would have been much livelier with her than they were here. The previous night, they had been as quiet as a mule. Selena didn’t

drew closer to the door. Selena raised her eyes

and frowned at the sleeping children till her eyes landed on Selena.

the bed and

her soft tone, her face looked displeased. “Don’t you do morning chores in

blinked. At home, IK mostly did all that needed to be done while they prepared for school; she couldn’t say that now, could

She turned to leave, then glanced at Amanda and Solomon who were still fast asleep. “Amanda is

frowned. “Dust

edge of the bed for a few seconds. So much had changed within so short a time and she

and determination, she stood up and pushed her small feet into her rubber slippers. It wouldn’t do to have Mrs Simon come back to meet her

stool. She dragged it to the sink and climbed to give her height advantage over the sink. She smiled when she thought of what IK would say if he saw her now. He always teased her whenever she climbed a

the dishes, but not now. For the first time,

*****

smell grew stronger with every laboured breathing he took. It was a direct contrast to the nice and homey smell of their home. IK wondered if he would get used to it; wondered if he would get used to the smell of drugs, of blood, of everything that combined to give hospitals that awkward sickening smell. He missed home… He missed the softness of his bed

to put his mother through so much pain and struggles. IK didn’t see his father anywhere around but he knew undoubtedly that his father must be going through so much in trying to see that he was okay. Why was he the source of some much pain and turmoil? His siblings were gravely unhappy and it was entirely his fault. IK could not wipe away their sad faces from his

fell over his mother’s face, the way he had seen his father do so many times. Worry lines etched Florence’s face even in her sleep, making IK feel even

the hand on her face and opened her eyes. IK’s face came to view and she jumped up,

in alarm. “Why are you crying? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” she stuttered, hoping at

head. “I’m sorry, mum” he muttered as his eyes teared up

for what?” Florence muttered in

this? Everybody is worried about me… Everyone is suffering because

ever blame yourself for anything, do you hear me?” she

“But mummy…”

it even thinking it, do you hear me? You did not bring this sickness upon yourself and I won’t have you blaming yourself,

stiffly. Florence bent and kissed his forehead. “Thank you, mummy” IK

blinked back tears as she smiled. “Just be fine for me, okay?