Tragic Date

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next day in the morning was Saturday. Jim cleaned the house and his compound.

"It's been long since I used this PlayStation I bought and was all because of hustle hustle everyday" Jim said as he went to plug the PlayStation sockets to the fuse just then a knock came on the door.

He left what he was doing and went to open the door.

"Aaah! Like you knew I needed someone to play this PS with" Jim said when he opened the door.

"PS what? Please go and bring champagne let's pop and celebrate the contract your company won" Umaru said smiling.

"Oh that! Thank you for the tips and tricks Ha-ha, it worked hmm I'm now like a celebrity in my office" Jim said as he went to his bar and brought two glasses and a red wine.

"Here" Jim gave Umaru a glass and poured him some wine.

"Cheers to more winnings" Umaru said.

"Don't forget that I always win you on this game.." Jim was interupted.

"Which game?" Umaru asked.

"PS of course. I've won you so many times my brother but you won't say the truth" Jim bartered.

"I taught you how to play this game remember? Guy I'm your king in this game and in other games too" Umaru laughed.

"Wait which other game? Jim asked to be sure.

"In wooing a lady of course. You are a novice for that side" Umaru said laughing.

"Oh please! girls are not my problem. I am a one girl kind of guy and that girl has to be the one" Jim calmly said.

"That's up to you entirely" Umaru said.

"You see the day before I was sacked?" Jim asked Umaru appearing serious.

"Yes" Umaru replied.

"I met a girl at the train station, she was cute and I liked her. I wrote down my number on a paper, threw it to her and rushed out of the train... Do you know that when this girl called me she harassed me with harsh questions, then after the day I was sacked I went to the mall to shop and I met her there again, she even embarrassed me but guess what?" Jim who have gotten Umaru's attention asked.

"What happened?" Umaru asked curiously.

"Do you know that the lady happened to be my boss in my company? Guy you need to see how strict this lady is to me but to my surprise yesterday she asked me to go out with her today by 2:00 hmm" Jim narrated.

"Wow! Grab that opportunity and tell her how much you feel about her" Umaru suggested.

"I can only try but I pray I don't disgrace or put myself into trouble because I can't afford to loose this job... Two hundred thousand naira every month salary ah I can't afford to loose this job, it's even better I keep my feelings to myself than let it out and get into trouble" Jim said.

****

After Umaru was gone, it was 1:30pm when Jim who was dressed already, locked his door and drove out to meet Joan.

He got to a U-turn then a car hit his car from behind. He got injuries and became unconscious. People around rushed him to the hospital.

When the news got to Joan, she rushed to the said hospital.

"Doctor, Erhm...the man that had an accident, that was brought here, how is he?" Joan asked the doctor who was just coming out of the theatre.

"He will be fine. He sustained some injuries that will take some time to heal and he needs a lot of rest too" The Doctor said.

"Is he in pains please tell me?" Joan asked anxiously.

"Like I said Ma, he needs a lot of rest and we will also do our best. Excuse me please" The Doctor said and went his way.

"I caused this! This is my fault because if I had not fixed a date..." Joan paused when the receptionist who was talking to a man pointed at her.

"Perhaps a policeman" Joan muttered to herself. The man approached towards Joan and greeted, "Good afternoon, my name is Umaru and I'm Jim's best friend, the receptionist over there said you came to see him too" Umaru explained.

"Ok no problem, I'm his boss at the office, the doctor said he will be fine after some rest " Joan said.

"How is it... Did he sustain lots of injuries?" Umaru asked.

"The doctor said a lot but that he will be fine" Joan said.

"Aww poor Jim! And his parents dare not hear of this because Jim is their only child, they may even die of high blood pressure before Jim recovers" Umaru said with pity.

"He will recover" Joan said with some hope.

"But you can go and maybe come back later, so that you too can rest and take some food" Umaru said.

" No I will be here till Jim recovers. Thanks for your concern" Joan said as she found herself a chair.

****

In the evening at the hospital, Joan asked a nurse which room Jim was kept and she was directed.

When she got there, she slides the door open, her eyes was filled with tears as she saw Jim's head and hand was bandaged.

Just then, Jim moved his leg and opened his eyes quietly. Joan turned when she heard.

"Where am I?" Jim asked looking at the ceiling and not seeing Joan yet.

"Oh my Lord, Jim! You are awake" Joan screamed as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Ma'am what happened? Ah My head!" Jim groans as he tries to move his head.

"Please stay where you are. You had an accident... I'm so sorry" Joan explained as tears ran down her cheeks.

"You are crying? Oh please don't. As you said I had an accident and it's normal for me to feel pains but I will be fine okay?" Jim said consoling Joan, who wiped her tears and held Jim's hand tightly.

The whole night, Joan rested on Jim's body.