Chapter 7, Episode 1

Last updated on January 14th, 2024 at 12:41 pm

Joe had been withdrawing or so it seemed. Since the last time at the eatery, his calls had drastically reduced. Immediately I entered the eatery that day, he showed me a skit on his phone and we did not broach the conversation again. Have I blown this? I needed to talk to Elizabeth, but I knew what she would say. I could pick up my phone, call Joe, and tell him yes; yes to a good life, yes to a life of no drama, but it felt wrong like I was leaving something on the table. Maybe my senses.

Tochi had visited me that evening in my hostel and every day for the past week. He had apologised, brought gifts, begged, and even brought food. He had sent a text in the morning and at night every single day. He even used the ‘L’ word. ‘I love you, Angel. I thought the time and distance would dissolve the emotions but they are only stronger. I was scared, Angel. But, I love you.’ Not being able to share this with Zabby was killing me. But I felt ashamed and guilty, she might judge me.

I liked Joe, but I had known Tochi longer than Joe. What if I said yes and Joe changed? Don’t people change all the time? It felt as if I needed someone to tell me what to say, and what decisions to make. I wished I could talk to…my mum. Not that I had ever talked to her about something like this, but there was always a first time for everything. I picked up my phone and was about to dial her number when Zabby’s call came in. Jeez. 

“Hello, Zabby.”

“Baby girl! We just hit 5k subscribers!” I jumped off the bed and screamed. Content creation was the toughest job ever. I had seen how frequently Zabby stayed up all through the night editing a video that had to go out at a particular time. I would later watch the video and see how much work she had put into it. She was not also making any money off of it at the moment, so every achievement was huge.

“Congrats to us!”

“Now, I can reach out to some of those brands. I have worked really hard to ensure a very impressive engagement rate. Angela, do you know what it takes to reply to a hundred comments? Striking up a conversation with over ninety people on every post.” She said, laughing.

“I don’t know what it takes o. But we are doing this thing, we are hacking it!”

“Hacking it, baby!” She sounded so excited. “How are you?”

“I am fine o, very happy with this news.”

“Ehn, we know. But, how are you? I feel like you have been avoiding me.”

“Zabby. Why would you say that?”

“Angela. Why would you avoid me?”

“Zabby…It’s not…I’m not.” I took a deep breath, my eyes glistening with tears.

“Angela, you know I won’t judge you, right?”

“I don’t know. I feel silly, guilty, confused…” I trailed off, my voice shaky.

“I am sorry for the times I came on strongly. But, I won’t judge you.”

“Thank you,” I replied, suddenly out of words.

“You still love Tochi.” She said quietly. It was not a question. I had not even told her that he had been reaching out every day.

“If you still love him, you should call him. But, please let Joe know.” 

“Zabby, Tochi called me.” “Oh dear!” She whispered.

 “He said he loves me, he apologised.”

“Wow, what did he say he wants from you?” I was going to reply when I remembered that he did not particularly say what he wanted.

“Nothing, he has just been very present, every single day.”

“Hmm, what of Joe?”

“Joe has been withdrawing. I think he noticed. We have not spoken in two days now.”

“Wow, Zabby. I feel you owe it to Joe to let him know.”

“Ah, yes, yes. He is a nice guy. But I feel like a bad person.”

“No, you are not. Coming clean even lets him know that you are a considerate person.” She had a point, but did I have it in me to face Joe after everything?

“We were at the eatery when he asked if I was ever going to say yes. That was the moment Tochi called.”

“Talk about Wizardry.” She said, tapping her table. 

“I could not reply to him, Zabby.”

“See ehn, there is no big deal. You can tell him over the phone. But you should tell him. The most important thing is to make sure that Tochi declares what he wants from you. No games here.”

“Okay,” I replied, quietly.

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2 thoughts on “Chapter 7, Episode 1”

  1. list of different steroids

    Prednisone Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings

    Uses:

    – Inflammatory conditions: Arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and allergic reactions.

    – Asthma and chronic respiratory issues.
    – Neoplasm management and organ transplants.

    Dosage:

    – Varies by condition and patient age.
    – Common starting dose: 5-10 mg daily, increasing as needed.

    – Consult healthcare provider for adjustments.

    Side Effects:

    – Frequent urination, thirst, or hunger.
    – Skin changes (rash, purple spots).
    – Headaches, dizziness, or fatigue.
    – Stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting.
    – Immune suppression signs: More infections, easy bruising.

    Warnings:

    – Not for long-term use without medical supervision.
    – Avoid sudden stopped; tapering needed.
    – High dose can cause severe side effects.
    – Inform healthcare provider about allergies and existing conditions.

    # Prednisone

    ## What is prednisone?
    Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication commonly used
    to treat various conditions, including inflammatory disorders, allergies, and certain autoimmune diseases.
    It works by suppressing the immune system’s response, reducing inflammation and irritation in the body.

    ## Warnings
    – **Who should not take it?** Prednisone may be harmful if taken by individuals with conditions like hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, or concurrent use of certain medications
    like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
    – **Risks associated:** Long-term use can lead to side effects such
    as bone density loss, infections (like tuberculosis), and increased vulnerability to other steroid-related issues.

    ## Before taking this medicine
    – Always inform your healthcare provider if you have medical conditions like liver or kidney
    problems, a history of infections, or mental health disorders that may worsen with
    steroids.
    – Inform them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as prednisone’s
    effects on the fetus or infant may require monitoring.

    ## How should I take prednisone?
    – **Dosage:** The typical adult dose is between 5 mg to 50 mg daily, depending on the
    condition being treated. It can be taken orally with food to avoid stomach upset.

    – **Not stopping abruptly:** Do not suddenly discontinue the medication without
    consulting your doctor, as this may cause a withdrawal reaction or exacerbate symptoms.

    ## What happens if I miss a dose?
    – Take the missed dose as soon as remembered, but do not double up on doses to avoid overdose effects.

    If a dose is significantly late, it may be necessary to adjust the next day’s schedule.

    ## What happens if I overdose?
    – Overuse of prednisone can lead to excessive steroid levels in the body,
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    Immediate medical attention is advised if an overdose occurs.

    ## What should I avoid?
    – **Alcohol:** Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of side effects, as it may
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    – **Other drugs:** Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking,
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    ## Prednisone side effects
    – Common side effects include weight gain, mood swings, headache,
    and increased thirst due to water retention.
    – More severe effects like high blood pressure, skin changes, or unusual fatigue should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.

    ## Related/similar drugs
    The following medications may interact with prednisone or offer similar benefits:
    – **Nplate:** A thrombopoietic agent used in platelet
    disorders.
    – **Saphnelo:** Treats moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

    – **Benlysta:** Reduces inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

    – **Skyrizi, Dupixent, Breztri Aerosphere, Kesimpta:** Biologics
    for inflammatory diseases.
    – **Stelara, Xolair, Montelukast:** Used for specific allergies or chronic conditions.

    ## What other drugs will affect prednisone?
    Drugs that may reduce prednisone’s effectiveness or increase its side
    effects include:
    – **Rifampin:** A tuberculosis treatment that speeds up prednisone metabolism.

    – **Antacids containing magnesium hydroxide:** May interfere with
    absorption.

    ## Does prednisone interact with my other drugs?

    Always inform your doctor if you are taking other medications to ensure prednisone is safe and
    effective for you.

    ## Popular FAQ
    1. How do I stop prednisone safely?
    – Taper off the dose under medical supervision.
    2. Can prednisone affect blood sugar levels?

    – Yes, it may increase glucose levels, especially in diabetics.

    3. Is prednisone safe for long-term use?
    – Long-term use requires close monitoring due to potential risks.

    ## More about prednisone
    Prednisone is a cornerstone treatment in many conditions, but its
    use requires careful monitoring by healthcare providers
    to balance benefits and risks. Always follow medical advice
    when adjusting your dose or stopping the medication.

    ## Patient resources
    – Talk to your doctor for personalized advice on using prednisone safely.

    – Consider joining support groups for shared experiences and
    tips.

    ## Professional resources
    For detailed clinical information, consult medical references or healthcare provider guidelines.

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