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.”

he had just put his three children in the care of his pastor friend. He knew Pastor Peter well enough, but then, one could never really know someone, right? Frustration ate away at bimbo’s insides. He hated being unable to do anything about this terribly unpleasant situation. If only he had money enough to take IK to a standard private hospital… But no, this was all he could afford, or try to afford. Even the expenses in this government hospital seemed like an

the reception desk and felt extreme

*****

the shifting darkness. Amanda and Solomon lay asleep on a mat on the floor. Selena didn’t remember ever seeing a

anymore. Her parents were gone; she wouldn’t 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

to the door. Selena raised her eyes to the door as it

at the sleeping children till her eyes landed

stood from the bed and knelt. “Good morning ma”

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

be done while they

can prepare for school”. She turned to leave, then glanced at Amanda and Solomon who were still

frowned. “Dust affects

She opened the door and walked out. Selena released a relieved breath and sat at the edge of the bed for a few seconds. So much had changed within so

Simon come back to meet her on bed now, would it? A small lamp lit the sitting room, driving away the darkness. She

round until her eyes landed on the 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 stool to do the dishes at home. Her smile wiped off. IK wasn’t there and

happily while doing the dishes, but not now. For the

*****

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

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

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

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

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

head. “I’m sorry, mum” he

Florence

this? Everybody is worried about me… Everyone

softly, sitting beside IK, on the bed. “Don’t ever

“But mummy…”

did not bring this sickness upon yourself and I won’t have you blaming yourself, do you hear me?” Florence’s voice

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

be fine for me,