You Need To See This

Kehinde was in a virtual business meeting when a message popped up his phone screen. He did not want to be distracted so he refused to read it. But then another message popped up his phone screen again. So he picked up his phone. Excused himself from the meeting putting the meeting to a pause. He read the text. They were all from Eno.

“Uncle K, come to the hospital”.

“You need to see this”.

K wondered what it was that made Eno to ask him to come. He decided to reply her telling her he was busy. But before he could hit the send button, he received another message.

“I think she will wake up this time. She has been moving her fingers more often. And her eyes keep shaking”.

On seeing this message, K ended the meeting and rushed to the hospital.

On getting to the hospital, he had not expect nor prepare himself for what he faced at the hospital. Before him was Lanre’s mother and brother. They were not allowed to go inside Lanre’s ward because he had placed a restriction on anyone that comes except Eno and himself.

Olamide waved at him. He walked up to Olamide and asked him how they got there and did not inform him before coming.

“So you are the one that kidnapped my daughter and faked her death?” Mrs. Olayinka asked K. He was quiet for a while not knowing what to say to the woman. Then she asked that he takes her to go see her daughter. K sighed. He led them to Lanre’s ward.

He watched Lanre carefully to see if there was any movement from her but he did not notice anything. He felt frustrated. He called Eno outside leaving Lanre’s mother and brother alone with her.

“Why did you lie to me? Did you do it because of her mother?” K asked. Eno shook her head. She told him she did not lie to him. She told him she did not even know if Lanre’s family members were in the hospital to visit Lanre. Lanre had indeed made some movements.

“Why is she not waking up even after one year of receiving treatment? They f**king keep telling me she is responding to treatment, but yet nothing”. He said frustrated.

“You should go home now. Go and stay with Modupe”. Kehinde said.

“But her nanny is with her”. Eno said. K told her to go regardless. That he will stay with Lanre.

“I want to stay with her too”. Eno cried. K told her Lanre would be more at peace if someone she knows stays around her daughter.

Eno shut her eyes trying to fight her tears. She told him she would go but if Lanre wakes up, he should bring them back to the hospital to see her. He told her he won’t relent. So Eno went home while K remained in the hospital together with Lanre’s family. He tried to send the mother and her brother to his house, but Lanre’s mother refused to leave.

“After making me mourn my daughter for one year, you want to separate us again? Kehinde, kill me! Just kill me!” Mrs. Olayinka cried sitting on the floor and flagging her hands in the air.

“I will go. Just give me your address. But allow her to stay”. Olamide said to K. K found himself in a situation which he cannot help. He decided to send Olamide to his place while letting Lanre’s mother stay behind. The both of them slept in the hospital.