ABUSED
Episode 28
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The gentle breeze blowing through the window made my room calm, my bed is so soft and smooth as I rolled from one edge to another. I roll every morning to get sleep off my eyes; a form of excercise I observe before getting ready for mediation.
I feel super excited today I can’t really place it but today looks promising; probably it’s because Maxwell said he is going to take us out. I had thought about what he was up to that he doesn’t want to share.
Well, I love surprises but this one is killing me already. Where could he wants to take us to? I tried to get my mind off it but the curiosity is engulfing me.
So, after my meditation I went straight to Ella’s room, she was still sleeping when I entered. I moved to her bed side and prayed for her while holding her hands
” Amen” she muttered weakly
” Good morning sis”
Good morning sister Ruth”
” How was your sleep?”
She smiled at me, but in pains. It hurts my heart seeing Ella in pains as have tried with the help of Maxwell to help ease her pains but no changes. The pile of drugs lying on her table did little to relieve her of her pains🥺.
” I’m grateful for the opportunity to see today Ruth. I just want this pain to go away”
” The doctors have tried their best, how about we go to the US…”
” No! There’s no need Ruth”
” We have the money, I see no reason we should…”
” Hmmm. You won’t understand Ruth but you will soon when the pains finally go away”
” Ella you are getting me scared😩”
Typical Ella laughed, she does this whenever one is getting serious with something. Ella has a way of making one look stupid sometimes. She takes things lightly.
” Biko prepare today o. Maxwell is coming to take us out who knows he is going to put a ring..”
‘ Ellaaa. ”
” Yes na. What are you expecting before?”
” Well… I don’t know..”
” Ruth! You need to give love a chance not everyone is like Ade or Reuben. There are good eggs in the midst of the bad ones. Don’t let the devil blindfold you into thinking that all men are the same. If every one is the same the world would be miserable. Yes we might have similar characters but we aren’t wholly similar”
” Ella what about you😩”
She smiled at me looking upwards as if trying to find the answers from there
” I have chosen my path. My desires are being fulfilled. My siblings are doing well nothing gives me more joy than that. My time here is not much…”
” What are you saying Ella? You got a whole life ahead of you”
” Stuck in this wheels for the rest of my life”
” Ella I will always be by your side. I will be with you from dusk till dawn”
She held my hands and both cried our hearts out😥😥😭.
” You are a sister the prison gifted me Ruth”
” You are one life gave me. I love you Ella🥺🤎”
She wept holding my hands, I dried her tears with my palm. She smiled and sniffed
” Have you told Maxwell how you feel?”
” Yes”
” Hmmm. You are blushing”
I don’t know why but by the mention of that name I can’t help but smile
” Look at me Ruth. Enjoy that phase fully. I won’t let you get trapped with while fate is giving you a clean slate to start with’
I don’t know why Ella is talking this way but my heart beats by each words that comes out from her mouth.
” No matter what I will be with you”
” You have been with me. And no matter what remember that you family so don’t forget my siblings I entrust them and everything I own to your care”
” Elllaa stop! What are you saying?”
” I’m only preparing…’
” For what?’
” Your wedding😁”
We both burst into laughter, Ella is something else. I remember when we met she seems quite cold. I never knew beneath her gruff exterior lies a sweet and lovely soul but alas we got so close.
” It’s ok. Today is going to be a good day so enough of the tears huh’ she blurted out.
I cleaned her up with the help of the nurse, the house help brought breakfast which I had to cajole her to eat for Ella is gradually loosing appetite for food; she ate just for medication.
Through it all Ella takes each pain that comes each day strong. I keep her happy, we listened to sermons to encourage her and give her hope.
We were having a fun time when Maxwell called to tell us to get prepared that he would come pick us up by dusk.
” Dress your best today Ruth”
” Why?”
” Who knows, he is…”
” Oh! Ella the prophet”
” Ok o. A prophet is without honor in his home”
” Abeg pack well”
” All I know is that I won’t tag along if you don’t dress your best”
” Ok mommy’
” Yes! I’m your mama”
We continued with our conversation, played chess which I have lost several. Ella is good at chess and she always rob it on practically.
We had a nap in her room when we got tired. She woke me up
” Madam time don dey reach o’
” Let me…”
‘ Don’t worry, the nurse will help me. Just go and get ready”
” Ok mommy’
” That’s my girl”
I rolled my eyes which made her giggled. I left for my room confused on what to wear. I wonder where we are going to, Maxwell didn’t give me any clue last night.
He was so excited when I told him how I feel about him last night. Oh! Last night was lovely, I didn’t even know when those words went out of my mouth. He was over the moon when I said I love him, he hugged me while making promises to me. I cried on his shoulder, God is merciful to me. I felt unworthy of his love and He gave me Maxwell to mend my heart.
I can’t forget yesterday for the rest of my life. I took my bath, went to my closet pondering what to wear. Finally, I settled for a red floor length gown embellished with shiny silver stones. My makeup was light and hair was packed to one side of my face. I smiled at my reflection, I look beautiful I must confess.
Walking towards Ella’s room a message popped in, it was maxwell saying he was on his way. I met the nurse adjusting Ella’s dressed as I walked in, she looks beautiful in the black gown
” You look stunning Ruth. Maxwell will be dazed”
” You look dashing your self. Who knows.. ”
” Abeg joor. Nobody knows”
I thanked the nurse as I wheeled Ella to the sitting room. Soon Maxwell arrived; he looks beautiful in his black tuxedo.
He complimented our outfit but kept his eyes on me
” Are you complimenting me or Ruth? Let me know before saying thank you biko. ”
He laughed
” You look beautiful Ella’
” Ehn better. Thank you”
He reached out to her and wheeled her out while I followed behind.
We both helped her into his car carefully as she was in pains.
We hit the road to only where Maxwell knows. The ride was fun as Ella kept teasing us and telling Maxwell that she is going to be the Maid of honor on our wedding day.
We arrived the venue for an occasion I think as I saw people entering into the beautiful decorated hall, some standing outside in clusters, I recognized some of our church members. I perceived it was a wedding as people were beautifully dressed.
We got down, helped Ella into the wheelchair, Maxwell pushing her, I followed. He took us to a room behind the hall, I wondered why we didn’t go through the main entrance.
” Well… we shall take this route into the hall”
” Why?” I queried
” Ruth!!! No dey spoil sweet moments biko”
” Ok”
” But Maxwell o. I don’t want to be in the light. Just keep by the corner”
” No. We are in this together o. You want run now abi”
” Three is a crowd”
” Don’t worry I got you Ella”
He took inside the hall ordering I shouldn’t take a step. I sat on a chair nervously
” Shall we?” He jolted me back to reality
Smiling I received his extended hands and followed. He went through a door leading to the podium of the hall.
I was greeted with an arousing happy birthday song. My heart melt, I couldn’t withstand the overwhelming emotions as tears trickled down my face. I spotted Ella at the front row smiling at me.
I have never had a birthday celebration in my life, I recall how surprised Maxwell was when I told him on his birthday. It feels like a dream being on this stage and all eyes were on me.
I held my mouth in surprise as they all sang and wished me well when Ella shouted plus one as I was unable to voice it out. How can I? I’m shocked to my bones, I cut the cake as the crowd spelt my name and cheer us up.
His elder prayed for me, our choir unit delivered a beautiful rendition, the MC was on top of his game as he kept everyone laughing too tears. It felt surreal
I had to pinch myself severally to confirm it wasn’t a dream. There was food, drinks and snack going round
“How did he pull all this without telling me” I whispered to Ella as we sat close to her
” Ella on the beat” she whispered back
I looked at her in bewilderment, so she knew what was up all along and pretend not to know.
The highlight of the event was when I summoned to give my speech. I felt dumb for some minutes, I had to comport my self and talk from my heart.
I thank everyone, Maxwell, Ella and God Almighty for such a day. I was still pouring my gratitude when I was interrupted by Maxwell
” Ruth, I don’t have much to say but I just want you to know that I love you with all my heart. I prayed He brought you my way. Please take my last name” he knelt down revealing a a shiny right
I am sure dreaming I couldn’t move the shouts from the people and the look on his face kept me struck to a spot and of course Ella
” Yes” she yelled and everyone joined
I smiled and nodded my head in response, the cheers from the crowd as we hugged, flashes from every corner were hitting us.
I cried, could to this be happening to me I thought.
It was really an emotional moment I ran to Ella we both hugged each other in tears .
” You are aware of this?”
” No. I just joked about it” she said sniffing
Maxwell joined us, holding my hands. Congratulations were pouring in from everyone.
Exhausted from the whole event, Maxwell drove us home. Again Ella couldn’t keep her mouth all the way.
“I think we need to go search for your mom together Ruth”
Why ruin this moment for me I thought.
” Yes Ruth. God has shown you mercy you need to reach out to her”
I kept mute as they both pressed on
” Please dear. ”
” Ok. I will but..”
” No but” Ella bloated out
We arrived our house, I kept looking at the shiny metal nesting my finger.
” We are home” Maxwell informed after opening the door
We helped Ella down our house help wheeled her in
” I never knew doctors can be this romantic”
” Now you know”
” You and Ella tricked me”
” Did we? Ruth, I know you love me. You are just finding it difficult to say. Well I didn’t plan to do this though. Ella knows about the birthday part but not this. When you professed your love for me last night I thought I should just propose. I have been longer to hear those words from you and finally you did. So, why should I wait? I can’t anymore🥰”
‘ What about your parents?😩”
” My family knows you are the one I am in love with so they weren’t surprised when I told them”
” They don’t know about my condition…”
” Because they don’t need to know… I know it’s enough.”
” And my background?”
” Ruth! We need to find your mother”
” They didn’t ask?”
” I explained to them ”
I was surprised
” So they know everything”
” They know what they need to know. We just want you to connect with your family”
” I will” I cried out😭
” We shall do this together”
I can’t just believe fate has finally smiled on me. I don’t mind what lies ahead but I was more than willing to reach out to mother now.
To be continued..
