TWENTY-TWO
Kola nestled his head into his pillow, observing the stillness in the hospital ward. It was an early morning, probably six. Kola was in thought. What will really be the outcome of my DNA? Have I indeed been fathering a son that isn’t mine?. Kola shook his head, trying to dispel all the thought with a j**k. A chill rose to the top of his stomach. It purred for a while then grilled into stillness. Minute later, it aroused the need for him to visit the toilet. Kola hated it when he needed to use the toilet. It had often taken him so much effort using his crutches. Kola prayed it settled till mid day when Nkiru would come. They can both go home. He thought. He was done staying in the hospital. He had been discharged for two days but he told the doctor he would like to see his DNA result before he leaves.
Kola stared through the window anxiously, trying to catch a glimpse of the fresh sun wriggling out from the clouds. But instead what came in was the sound of the heavy traffic and the warble and whine of patrol cars, whirring consistently and breaking the peace of the morning. A distant shot was intermittently bawling. It all reminded him of Lagos.
Doctor Chuks came that morning and swept Kola a look. He was in a smart Calvin Klein shirt that shot his broad chest out. Its sleeves were rolled up to the elbow to reveal a gold wrist watch. He had a well-ironed black trousers that ran smartly to his ankles over a pair of laced black boots. He had indeed taken time to spruce himself that morning. He looked really fresh with his face glowing under a patch of morning powder.
” Morning Mr Kola.” he greeted. “You have really added flesh staying here.”
“Morning Dr Chuks. Why won’t I add flesh when all I do is eat and sleep?” Kola chuckled.
“You need some rest. But first if all, I think you have to go home. You sound nostalgic”
“I told you I can’t without the DNA result.”
“It is ready. But I don’t think you can manage any news with this your condition?”
“There is no problem Dr Chuks. Just tell me. Am I the father?”
“Give me a minute” Dr Chuks said and went through his file, paging the papers.”Yes I have it. I thought I left it in the office. Have a look yourself!” He handed a paper to Kola who stared at it. ”
“You aren’t the father I am sorry!” Dr Chuks dropped the bombshell when he realized Kola was finding it hard to make out what was written in the paper.
“Are you sure about this result Dr Chuks?” Kola asked. He was alittle confused.
“Of course yes. I have been in this for many years. You were there when I took the samples of the blood from you and the boy, before I took them to the lab.”
“Oh my God! So I have really been a fool all my life?” Kola cursed himself as he stared at the paper again. Dr Chuks pointed at, where it was written in paper for clarification.
“You need to take it easy with yourself. Remember you need to recover fast. I have other patients to attend to, so do have a nice day!” Dr Chuks smiled and walked away.
Kola did not reply him. He laid back his head and nestled it again into the pillow. He sighed down. He had suddenly been fraught with utter dejection. I lost everything because of this boy. He repeated to himself. His face frozen with a permanent sneer of frustration. He wondered how he would ever start again.
Memories of how he went shopping to give the boy a surprise birthday party flooded his mind and made him squeeze his face more in irritation. He tried to count how many times he had borrowed to pay Lara’s bills and the school fees of the boy. He tried to count, but instead he twitched his mouth and rolled his head trying to obliterate all the thought.
“That’s the price you have to pay for been an unfaithful husband.” A thought mocked him. ” There is always a price to pay for adultery, or don’t you know? You have the best woman any man will die trying to get but you foolishly choose to be a pawn to be played by some overambitious girls. Good for you!”.
Kola agreed to that and sighed. He began to smile at himself in sombre silence.Nkiru came in minutes later with a bag. Kola was happy to see her. Should he confess to her or just have a fresh start? He debated. Nkiru was looking good in a smart tailored shirt tucked neatly into a mini skirt that mirrored the structure of her waist. Her hair well packed into few bundles to dangle behind. Her eyebrows tarred, her face powdered and her lips glowing in red lipsticks. She smiled at Kola as she put down her bag.
“Morning.” She greeted. ” Hope you slept well?” She sat at an edge of the bed.
“Yes I did. I thought you are going to work. Why stop by again?” Kola grimaced
“I told my boss I will resume late. I couldn’t bring food for you yesterday.”
“OK. You don’t need to do the stress again. I am going home today.” Kola said and smiled. He watched Nkiru’s face break into a radiant smile.
“Wow. I am happy for you.” Nkiru said between smiles.
“I have stressed you enough. God bless you.” Kola said passionately.
“Amen.” Nkiru nodded her head reluctantly. She stared at the paper beside Kola which was his DNA result.
“What’s that paper beside you?” Nkiru pointed at the paper Kola kept a distance away from his pillow.
“Oh thank God you found this.” Kola picked the paper and handed it over to her. She stared at it but didn’t understand. She had to look up to listen to Kola. ”
“I have a lot to tell you Nkiru.” Kola began.” I wanted to tell you this at home but I think it is better here. I want us to enter our home as if we are just married again. I want us both to forget our past.” Kola said with a voice that had an edge of tears.
“You once caught me with a lady in my office. Right?” Kola asked with an apologetic look.
“Yes and I have wondered why she hasn’t come to visit you.” Nkiru sneered.
“She isn’t that good woman you think. She had a son for me and I have spent all my life taking care of both her and her son at our detriment.”
“Hmm seriously?.” Nkiru sighed, listening with rapt attention.
“In fact it was because of the boy I had this accident. I was going to Ibadan to give him a surprise birthday party in school before I had this accident. Now few days ago, her friend came to me to tell me Lara told her once that I am not the father of the boy. I was mad Nkiru. I didn’t believe it at first. I had to beg Dave to travel to Ibadan to bring the boy. That day I called the grandmother many times assuring her of his safety.”
“Okay the boy is with the grandmother, not the Lara you mentioned.”
“Yes with the grandmother. I visited them once in a while. So when he was brought , we had our blood taken for a DNA. Now this is the result ” he concluded. Nkiru stared at the paper with a fastidious examination. She began to laugh later.
“So you have been fathering a boy that isn’t yours? Good dad!” She laughed again.
“I have been a fool Nkiru.”
“You don’t know this Lagos girls. Thank God she didn’t make it two or three for you. ”
“What pained me was that because of her, I treated you badly.”
“You have lent your lessons now. See, at first when you told me about the divorce thing. I was not mad. I just took my fate. I knew you have another woman and I realized only few men will wait for four years without a child. It takes a man with the grace of God to wait. I met my pastor and other counselors in church all they told me was that I should continue to pray for you. I am really happy things are turning out this way.”
“God has used this accident to teach me a lesson.” Kola said and smiled. ” I just thank God for everything. But first of all Nkiru, I need you to forgive me. I have really treated you badly. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me.”
“I have already forgiven you.”
“Oh my God! Thank you. I believe soon God will bless us with a child. God has taught me a great lesson with this. ”
“Yes that is why we need to thank God in every situation.” Nkiru put in.
“Let me eat. I want us to go home now. “Kola concluded happily.
Kola ate the toast bread and tea that was made for him ravenously. When he finished, Nkiru helped him to the bathroom where he had his bath. He came back and dressed. Nkiru helped him to button his shirt. When he was done, Nkiru gathered every of his things into a bag. He got up and Nkiru held him by the hand. They walked to Dr Chuks office but didn’t meet him. They took their way gently out of the ward. They met a few of the nurses and workers who were happy and bade them farewell. They walked gently into the sun. Kola held Nkiru with a hand and his crutch with the other.
” We need to get a taxi.” Nkiru said.
“Do you have enough money for that?”
“I should.” Nkiru nodded. They flagged down a taxi and Nkiru haggled for a better price. When the driver agreed, Kola ducked in carefully with the assistance of both the driver and Nkiru. Much effort was made not to hurt his bandaged leg. Nkiru flopped after and slouched into the car seat tiredly. She was happy. Something told her she had won. That was God winning her battles for her. She smiled at that.
“You think you have won indeed?” Another thought questioned. It was the tiny wild voice in her head. “No you haven’t. You will still understand the battle doesn’t end here. No this story will not end like this, never!”
Nkiru shot her eyes to dispel the thought and the tiny wild voice. She hummed a song as the taxi careered on through the express way. Breezes flooded in from the window and she enjoyed it.
To be continued…..
ยฉ Emmanuel Erondu, 2019
