Episode 20

Last updated on March 30th, 2023 at 11:59 am

Jude and I were back to our usual strained relationship. I tried not to worry. A part of me knew the sweet time was going to come to an end. At least, he still dropped our allowance and managed to talk to me and play with his son, but that was it. I got no more help with the chores too.

The other time he was gone for a week, I later found out that he had been with Faith. After begging him that night, I looked through his phone when he slept. This time I actually confirmed that it was Faith I saw at the family event. I saw her pictures on his phone prior to the event but she was usually without makeup. At the event, she was heavily made-up. I really wish I didn’t look at his phone. I stayed awake drinking very cold water after everything I saw.  He had anticipated me hounding him when he returned and told Faith in their chat that he would handle me. He later informed her that I was mellow.

She was mellow. She knows she cannot try rubbish with me. I read. I don’t know why the cold water occurred to me, maybe it was a craving, but I just kept drinking it. 

***

“Ah, Mrs Alaka. No no no. What’s happening? This was not what I saw the last time you came.” The doctor said, shaking his head as he checked my blood pressure. I was at the doctor’s, all week I battled with non stop headache, nausea, and pain around my stomach. To worsen it, all my clothes got tight and this could only mean that I added weight suddenly. It was a really tough week and finding the clothes that fit was a struggle this morning. I had to drop Dimeji at Sarah’s office as I was too weak to log him around.

“Madam, we have to admit you. I made a mistake trusting that you were actually fine.” The doctor announced.

“Admit? It’s just a headache and some pain, nothing serious.” He looked at me as if to tell me this was not up for discussion, so I kept quiet. 

“Please where is your husband? Should I call him?”

“He is at work.”

“We need to tell him, should I call him or will you do that?” The doctor asked. I thought about my strained relationship with my husband and I didn’t think I could bear to tell him that I had brought more problems for him, so instead I said, “Doctor, you can call him. Thank you.”

***

“Mrs Lape, I have called your husband.” The doctor came to announce it to me in the waiting room.

“Oh, thank you. When would I be admitted?”

“Right now. This is not a joke, ma.”

“I know, I just thought maybe I would be allowed to go home and pack my things.”

“That’s why we called your husband. He has to help you with all that or at least, a friend helps you.”

“Okay sir.”

“A nurse would be assigned to you immediately and we would be watching you closely. If it gets too risky, we would have to induce you.” Hearing all this made me nervous. My son was there with Sarah and I did not tell her he would be there for the next few weeks, I only told her I would be back in some hours.

***

“That’s how they admitted me o. The doctor is trying not to scare me by giving me all the details, although he tells Jude.”

“That’s silly. Who is at risk? Is it Jude?” Vic replied.

“What can we say? You know Jude is my husband and the father of the child.”

“It’s okay. How are you going to handle Dimeji now?”

“See ehn, I don’t know. I had to call Sarah to tell her what’s on ground. I have not even seen Jude, he should be here after the close of work, I think.”

“I wish I was around really. But coming to Osogbo cannot work for a while now.”

“I get it. I get it.”

“You don’t have other friends that can help you in Osogbo there?”

“No o. Jude doesn’t even like seeing me with anyone.” I had ended my statement before I processed what I said. This my mouth ehn. Typical Vic just deflected and continued the conversation.

“Ehnehn, okay then. Please, I have to go; I’ll call you tomorrow. Be good, please.”

 “Thanks dear.” I said and ended the call. I was sitting in the hospital’s compound. I heaved a sigh and looked up, it seemed like it would rain.

 

I expected Jude to have come around or at least called me, but he had not done any of them. I also called him but he did not pick my calls. He had not replied to my messages either. These coming weeks were going to be tough. I tried to think of how to handle Dimeji, but nothing came to my mind. Jude would definitely gloat; he had reasons to be angry about me taking my son from his family house. But I could not have predicted my condition deteriorating.

***

“Madam, have they not brought your essentials?” The nurse asked. She looked mean. I reckoned she was assigned to me intentionally, she looked like a nurse I could not play around with.
“No, they have not.” I replied.
“Okay, but you have to take a shower soon and eat o, so you can rest.” I doubt that was up for any debate.
“No problem. I will soon go inside.”
“Soon go inside? Madam, don’t make this hard o. Hmm.” 

“Yes ma, I just want to try my husband’s number.”
“Okay, please, I don’t want to meet you outside when I come again o.” The nurse replied and left.

I tried Jude’s number and it was switched off this time around.