Episode 4
Doctor Gideon’s Wife 💔
While I was pacing up and down the hall, Tricia was calling my line repeatedly. I kept declining and when she wasn’t going to stop, I had to put my phone on plane mode. I wasn’t in the mood for any n0nsense at that moment.
I had two things bothering me ….my two year old son battling for his life in the emergency ward and….my wife, sitting by the far end of the hall, dressed up in rags.
How do I face the public after now?
After about three hours, Doctor Desmond’s finally came out.
I ran to him and held him by the shoulder.
“Hope my son is fine.?”.
“He will be fine, it’s nothing that serious, it wouldn’t had escalated, had he been given treatment earlier, but he would be fine….you can go and see him now but remember not to wake him up…. put yourself together, he will be fine”. He consoled.
At last, peace returned to my heart..
Sandra didn’t move. Though, she wasn’t very far away from we stood but it seems she didn’t even know the doctor was out.
I had to go and tap her on the back before she sat up with a start.
“Are you sleeping?, the doctor said we can now go in and see our son”.
Before I could finish speaking, she was already running down the hall. I followed quietly from behind.
When I entered the ward, she was seated at the edge of the bed, holding Emmanuel’s hand and crying softly. two nurses were cleaning up the ward
I looked at my son, he didn’t look any better to me, he was still breathing weakly and his face was still pale.
“Emmanuel, please be strong for mama”. Sandra sobbed.
“He will be fine”. I tried to assure her when I wasn’t even sure myself.
I was patiently waiting for the nurses to leave the ward before I speak to Sandra.
She had somehow succeeded in ruining the reputation I have been building in my work place. I had seen the way all the nurses were staring at her as she ran down the hall earlier. I’m sure they will be wondering why the ‘almighty’ doctor Gideon’s wife was not properly dressed.
“Why are you wearing that?”. I finally voiced out, immediately they left.
“Wearing what?”. She asked.
“You’re on rags, do you not know?”. I asked.
“Am I?, but I don’t have a better clothe”. She replied, straightening the collar of the shirt.
I felt more embarrassed, and couldn’t find anything else to say
That afternoon, I was forced to go into the market and buy her some clothes.
I took her into my office and handed them to her.
“Please, change that”.
I got a text from Tricia later in the evening
“We need to talk”.
At that point, I had to block her number. At a time like this, all I need is to stay focus.
Our boy remained in the hospital for four days and those times, Sandra and I were sleeping in the hospital with him.
She only went home once to make food for us and get him some clothes.
I was also granted partial leave since I couldn’t concentrate on treating anyone, remembering I have a sick son in another ward.
Desmond and the other doctors stood in for me.
He was finally discharged on the fifth day. During those days, I gave my family my full attention. I vowed to become responsible if that is what will make my son live for me.
I spent a week at home with them before I fully recovered from the shock he put me through.
We had a patient who was newly discharged before the incident. We call her Mrs Williamson.
Mrs Williamson was so fond of me while at our hospital, she always addresses me as ‘my in-law’. She said she would like me to marry one of her daughters.
“Gogoo, is in the nursing school, both of you will make a very good couple”
I always laugh whenever she said that. I didn’t tell her I was married because I thought she was only being an old woman.
She had given me the phone once to speak with the girl and I must confess… she have a really nice voice..
So as I was driving to work that morning, I got a call from her..
“Good morning, my in-law”. She greeted.
I nodded, wondering why she had called because ever since she left the hospital, we haven’t spoken.
“Good morning, ma”. I responded.
“Will you be chanced on Sunday evening?, We are organizing a welcome party for Gogoo, I will like you to be present”.
Before I could reply, she added👇
“Please, do this for mummy”.
By now I knew I had no choice than to go, after all it’s just a harmless party. Maybe from there I would let her know that I am a married man.
“I will be there, ma”. I promised.
“That’s my son inlaw”. She said as she hung the phone.
I smiled. All these old people are the same all over the world….
#Story from from Joy Ifunanya’s story room.
