Feeling Loved

*Benneth: Can I say that this room is tensed? I don't like how you both are silent. 

*Chizzy: You'll never be comfortable in a quiet place. We're both worried about what they're both discussing in the doctor's office and you're here talking trash. 

*Ben: Did I call your name sis? Anyways, Jessica, have you eaten anything? I nodded, still placing my hands in my chest. 

*Ben: Eh? 

*Chizzy: This is no time for that your question and answer Ben. You...... The door opened and Mrs Ogba walked in with the doctor.  I stared into there faces but it was just plain, no emotions.  

Mrs Ogba sat down and the doctor asked me to lie down and I did. 

*Doc: Like I told you, we were able to collect some sperm samples as evidence which we'll keep safe in case she needs to file a report.  

*Mrs. Ogba: I heard when you said that. But is there no way the culprits can be found with those samples? 

*Doc: I'm sorry madam. Our hospitals are yet to get the equipments for that. I even doubt if its here in Nigeria. 

*Ben: What nonsense? Stuffs like these are easy to trace in the states. I..... 

*Mrs. Ogba: Benneth you're not in the states. I'll advice you keep quiet for now. 

*Ben: Sorry doc. 

*Doc: Its okay young man. 

*Mrs. Ogba: So doctor, you said you've ran all the necessary tests right? 

*Doc: Yes madam. 

*Mrs. Ogba: And she's not pregnant or infected? 

*Doc: Not at all madam. We just found some traces of staphylococcus in her but we started treatment even in her unconscious state. I heaved an audible sigh of relief and everyone in the room looked at me. 

*Doc: Its okay Ander. You're fine. I nodded with a smile and Chizzy started rubbing my arm. 

*Doc: She'll be free to go home by next week. 

*Mrs. Ogba: Thank you doctor. 

*Doc: You're welcome. He left the room and Mrs. Ogba smiled at me. 

*Mrs. Ogba: You're fine my child.  

*Me: I'm also very lucky ma.  

*Mrs. Ogba: That's why you shouldn't bother about anything else because God is always by your side. She looked at her wristwatch. 

*Mrs. Ogba: It’s late now. Ben and I will be on our way. I'll be travelling to China tomorrow to get some supplies done but Ben and Chizzy will be here for you. 

Once he drops me off at the airport, he'll get you and Chizzy breakfast and some change of clothes. Daniel will also be home tomorrow. 

*Me: Thank you ma. God bless you a lot. 

*Mrs. Ogba: He will. And before I come back, make sure you're used to calling me mummy and not that ma.  I smiled and thanked her again. 

*Mrs. Ogba: And if I don't come back and you're discharged, don't hesitate to follow them home, is that clear? I looked on in confusion. Who are the them? (forgive that blunder)... Hope its not Dera and her mother? She read my confusion and redirected it. 

*Mrs. Ogba: I'm talking about my children. 

*Me: Oh! Thank you ma. She stood up and approached me, gave me a peck and left the room. Benneth did the same, promising to come early tomorrow. 

*Chizzy: Those people. Very wicked species of human beings. You won't believe what they told us. Without being told, I knew she was referring to the two villains at home. 

*Me: Tell me please. 

*Chizzy: Daniel had gone to school to look for you that Monday but you were not there so he went to your house. He asked after you and your mother told him that you went out on an errand. He called your line but it was switched off so he left. 

He kept going from your school to your house every day till that Saturday when I followed him to your house. I insisted I'll go to your room and wait for you till you return. I went to the BQ but your room was locked. 

That was when they told us that you had invited a guy to your room and when she found out, she was beating you and you ran away. 

*Me: Chineke! Why will mummy say something like that nau? 

*Chizzy: That's not all. Dera started telling us how you flirt with every guy in the neighborhood, how loose you were. I didn't believe that but Daniel was already mad. We got home and he vomited everything to mummy. 

*Me: Now I understand why he spoke to me like that when I called him.  

*Chizzy: But you don't have to worry. I believe mummy will tell him everything tonight and if he doesn't apologise to you, I'll disown him. I was forced to laugh.  

*Me: Chizzy you need to help me cause I doubt if I can walk properly. I just remembered how I could barely walk that night. 

*Chizzy: Its alright. Let me help you up. She helped me stand up on my feet and pleaded with me to close up my legs. I did and it hurt. 

She kept on pushing me to try. After some minutes, I started walking round the room, but I was limping. 

*Chizzy: At least, your legs ain't open. She guided me to and fro. I stood at the window and looked out into the dark night. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. 

*Chizzy: Come in. Fred walked into the room. He was no longer with the same clothes I had seen him with so I guessed he had gone home. Like he did that evening, he was with a bag. 

*Chizzy: Hi. 

*Fred: Hi. He dropped the bag and walked up to us. 

*Me: Fred, meet my best friend, Chizzy....Chizzy, that's the guy who had hit me and brought me here, Fred. Fred laughed at my dry joke.  

Chizzy extended her hand and he shook it. 

*Chizzy: Nice meeting you Fred. 

*Fred: Pleasure is all mine.  He turned to me immediately. 

*Fred: Your friend is gorgeous. We laughed and Chizzy thanked him. 

*Fred: Jessica, I'm glad you've got someone to keep you company tonight. I went home to change my clothes and bring you dinner. 

*Me: That's very kind of you Fred. 

*Fred: I also had plans to spend the night here but since your gorgeous friend is staying behind, I'll have to leave now. I'll see you tomorrow. 

*Me: Now that's funny. Did you think I'll let you suffer yourself by spending the night here? 

*Fred: I.... 

*Chizzy: Its settled now. I'm here so thank you very much  

*Fred: That's what I expected to hear Miss gorgeous. I beg to leave you two now. 

*Me: Thanks. But, the food, don't you think it won't be enough for my friend and I? 

*Fred: Oh! Like I said before, I thought I would spend the night here so I had packed dinner for two.  

*Me: Okay. Thanks alot. 

*Chizzy: Thank you. 

*Fred: You're welcome. Let me leave now. 

*Chizzy: I'll walk you to your car. 

*Fred: That will be nice. They both left the room while I dragged my feet to where he dropped the bag. I had faith that if I continue practicing, I'll be able to walk perfectly in some days.

***********************

Chizzy and I ate away on the plates of breadfruit (ukwa) Fred had brought. It was so delicious with the right spices, it was in a lunch box so we guessed he made it himself. 

Chizzy wouldn't stop talking about how handsome Fred was and then how fluent his speech are. I knew without being told that she's got it hot for him. She even told me they'd exchanged numbers at the car park. 

After eating and putting away the lunch box, she opened the cupboard and got out bread which had crunches label and greased it with butter generously.

 I was even surprised at the amount of provisions Fred had brought me. Being with Chizzy, I always eat plentiful and excessively. 

Even now, we ate a good quantity of the bread before we showered and talked some more. Daniel had called before we slept and I refused to speak with him. 

  The next morning, just after Chizzy had helped me shower and put back the hospital cloak on me, Ben came in. I looked at the clock and it was some minutes last 8. 

Me: Good morning. 

Ben: Yes dear. Good morning. Chizzy just waved and entered the bathroom. 

Me: You're early. Didn't you drop mummy anymore? Ben smiled and I realized I had taken the first step in accepting that I was now part of the Ogbas' family. 

Ben: Her flight was scheduled for 7:30. So sis, I dropped mum off before coming. It was my turn to smile.  He handed me the minibox he was carrying and helped me open it. There were towels, clothes and some slippers. 

Me: We're not living here are we? He laughed out loud 

Ben: Now I knew you would say that. I didn't know which of them to bring so I decided to come with as many as possible for you to choose from. 

Me: Nice. But I don't see any food with you. He hit his forehead with his palm. 

Ben: Give me twenty minutes. I'll be right back.