“Shot! ” I screamed. “By who? ”
She squinted “Who else…who else if not Chuks? ” she sounded like she was about to cry. I was speechless, the world became blank before my very eyes. I stood like a Zombie until Lola poked me “What are we going to do?! “she screamed.
“Where is Somto and how did you even find out?” I asked in a strangled voice. She looked at me like I was out of my mind. “He’s in UBTH… why are you so calm? ” she asked looking flustered. “Let’s go!” she screamed pulling me by the hand. We flagged down the first taxi we saw and headed straight to University of Benin Teaching Hospital. We met about six other students there and they informed us that Somto was in the accident and emergency ward.
I was devastated but not a single drop of tear came out from my eyes, I was obviously still in denial about the news. “What about Chuks?” I asked hastily “He tried to run away but he was mobbed by some angry students, he was later rescued by some security men and handed over to the police.” one of the students replied.
“He’s going in for attempted murder—or murder pending Somto’s survival.” another student quickly added. I gasped, it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn’t dreaming, everything was real! Somto’s life was hanging on a thread, Chuks was in police custody and I was right here in a hospital.
I rushed into the waiting room panting and sweating profusely. One would expect me to be drenched in tears after all that had happened but I just didn’t feel the urge to cry. I was overwhelmed with anger, regret and fear. I was angry at Chuks for trying to kill Somto and I regretted ever getting involved with either of them. I also feared for Somto’s life, all these had happened because of me. if I hadn’t loved both of them, Somto would not be in the hospital fighting for his life and Chuks wouldn’t be in police custody for attempted murder. I caught sight of Somto being wheeled out of the A&E ward by two nurses and three surgeons . I ran up to one of the nurses and grabbed her arm “Where are you taking him to?!…is he going to be alright?” I asked, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. She stopped and urged the surgeons and the other nurse to continue without her. “Who are you? are you related to the patient?” she asked calmly. “Yes I am…is he going to be alright?” I asked bursting into tears. She held my hand softly “He’s still alive but I can’t say anything else for now—just pray he makes it through the surgery they are about to perform on him.” She walked away, leaving me all alone. Lola was nowhere to be found, she must have lost her way while trying to run after me(Ubth is a very big and complicated hospital).
I sat on the floor and wept even more, I released all my pent up emotions that very moment. I didn’t care about the people staring at me. Suddenly, a doctor walked up to me and tapped my shoulder. I was startled by her touch, I quickly wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “You’re disturbing our patients.” she said frowning.
“I’m sorry.” I muttered standing up. I was led to the waiting room where I sat down with the friends and relatives of other patients. I was sobbing and begging God to spare Somto’s life. I would never forgive myself if he died because of my mistake. “God please spare him—it’s my fault, take me instead!” I pleaded desperately. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if he lost his life. An intelligent 400level Mechanical engineering student preparing for his I.T, the only son of his parents for that matter! I would definitely die of immense guilt if he passed away. worst still, the whole school knew that I was partly responsible for what happened and his parents would definitely find out about it someday.
Lola finally found me after about twenty minutes. She was panting “I’ve been running around looking for you…any news? ” she asked panting. “He was taken to the theater about twenty minutes ago.” I replied without looking at her. My eyes were red and swollen from crying. She sat beside me “How are you feeling?”
“I don’t know.” I replied blankly
She placed her hand on my shoulders “Be strong—we’ll pray for him, he will make it.” I nodded and hot tears streamed down my face. “I will never be able to forgive myself for this.” I cried until I fell asleep on the chair. I was jerked awake by the grunting of an old accident victim. I woke up and found Lola sleeping soundly. ‘she’s indeed a true friend’ I muttered inwardly. I checked my watch, it’s been over two hours now and still, there was no news of Somto. I walked back into the ward and saw the nurse I spoke with earlier, she was trying her best to pacify a huge woman dressed extravagantly in a red laced skirt and blouse. A huge gele stood perfectly on her head and her gold purse and shoes shone brightly in the ward. I walked closer to them and to my greatest surprise, I discovered that she was Somto’s mother! I felt a lump in my throat, she must have taken a flight from Delta immediately she heard the news. Someone in school must have informed her—perhaps one of Somto’s roommates did. She was sobbing and saying things like “Who must have done this?… my son is a quiet person, he doesn’t look for trouble…all he cares about is his studies.” Her phone rang and she picked it up. “Honey where are you?…our son is in the hospital fighting for his life and all you care about is business! if I don’t see you here in the next one hour, don’t bother to call me your wife again!” she hissed angrily. I wondered if she knew that her son was shot because of a girl—’she can’t find me here, I can’t let her find out about my involvement in the attempted murder of her son’ I muttered. As I was about sneak back into the waiting room I heard the shrill voice of the nurse “Hey—where have you been?” I froze. “You’re related to Somto Okoye right?”
Somto’s mother squinted, she wore a confused look on her face “She’s related to my son?—young lady who are you please? ” she asked frowning.
To be continued.
