From Housemaid to Oga’s Wife Episode 8
Nnenna was getting better. Her body was responding to the treatment. Though she still felt weak, she could sit up and talk. The nurses checked her daily and confirmed that her temperature was coming down. Martins stayed close, helping her with food and medicine. “You will soon go home,” Martins told her. “You just need to rest and obey the doctors.” Nnenna nodded. “I can’t wait to leave this place,” she replied weakly. The hospital room was quiet most of the time. Martins made sure she lacked nothing. But outside, something was about to go wrong.
A woman named Mama Chidinma, who lived on the same street as Martins and Jessica, brought her sick son to the same hospital. She had gone to the pharmacy section when she saw Martins stepping out of a room with a food flask. She greeted him. Martins smiled and replied quickly, looking uncomfortable. “Ah ah, Oga Martins, you’re here?” she asked, surprised. “Yes, I came to check someone,” Martins replied and quickly walked away. The woman looked at the room he came from. She noted the room number.
Later that evening, Mama Chidinma returned to the hospital with her husband. As they passed the same ward, she peeped and saw Nnenna on the bed. She whispered to her husband. “Is that not that housemaid that works for Jessica?” Her husband looked in. “Yes, she’s the one. And Martins is here with her?” The woman shook her head. “This one looks like something is going on o.” She didn’t waste time. When she got home, she walked straight to Jessica’s flat and knocked.
Jessica came out and greeted her. “Mama Chidinma, welcome. Hope your son is okay now?” The woman nodded. “Yes, he’s better. But something happened at the hospital.” Jessica looked curious. “What is it?” she asked. “I saw your husband at the hospital,” the woman said. Jessica’s face changed. “Hospital? He told me he travelled to Abuja for business,” she replied quickly. Mama Chidinma raised her eyebrows. “He was with Nnenna. I even greeted him. He had food in his hand. Check room 6A. That’s where she is.” Jessica’s mouth stayed open for a moment.
Jessica didn’t wait for another word. She picked her car keys and left the house. She didn’t even call Martins on the phone. She drove straight to the hospital. Her thoughts were scattered. What was her husband doing with Nnenna at the hospital when he said he was in Abuja? She kept driving until she got to the hospital gate. She parked and walked into the building, heading straight to the ward section. She stopped at the nurse’s desk. “Please, I’m looking for one Nnenna,” she said. The nurse pointed. “Room 6A.”
Jessica opened the door to the room and walked in. Nnenna was sitting up, eating. Martins was sitting beside her. He stood up as soon as he saw Jessica. “Jessica!” he said. Nnenna was shocked too. “Jessica?” she echoed. “Martins, you told me you were in Abuja!” Jessica shouted. “But you’re here! In the hospital! With this girl!” Martins scratched his head. “Calm down,” he said quickly. “I just came back this afternoon. I heard Nnenna was sick, so I decided to check on her.” Jessica folded her arms.
“You came back this afternoon? But you didn’t come home first?” Jessica asked. Martins looked down. “I was planning to come home later. I just wanted to see how she was doing. You haven’t even cared to check on her, why?” Martins asked Jessica.
Jessica turned to Nnenna. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?”
Nnenna looked down. “I told you I wasn’t feeling well, and that I wouldn’t come to work for some time,” she said.
“But you didn’t tell me it was serious. I didn’t even call to check on you. I’m sorry,” Jessica said.
Martins quickly added, “That’s why I had to come see her. She has been in the hospital for days now.” Jessica looked around the room. “Is it that serious?” Martins nodded. “Yes. She had malaria and typhoid. The doctors placed her on bed rest because of the pregnancy. And the stress worsened her condition. That’s why I come here to support her.” Jessica calmed down. She sat on the chair beside the bed. “I didn’t even know it was this serious.”
“I’m sorry for shouting just now,” Jessica said. “I was just confused. You didn’t tell me you were coming back from Abuja today, and seeing you here with her shocked me.” Martins touched her shoulder. “It’s fine. I understand. I should have informed you.” Jessica nodded. “Anyway, I hope she’s getting better now.”
Martins replied, “Yes, she is. The doctors said she can go home today.” Jessica turned to Nnenna. “I hope you’ll continue to take your drugs at home and rest well. Don’t stress yourself too much.”
“Yes, madam. I will rest,” Nnenna said. Her hands were on her belly. She had been watching the two of them. She was surprised Martins acted so calmly and managed the situation without any sign of panic. She admired how he stood his ground and still defended her. But she also felt guilty. She had caused confusion in Jessica’s home, even though Jessica still didn’t know the full truth. As Jessica stood up to leave, Nnenna forced a smile. “Thank you for coming, ma,” she said. Jessica waved. “Take care of yourself.”
Martins followed Jessica to the car. As they walked, Jessica turned to him. “Please next time, just tell me the truth. Don’t lie. If you had told me you were going to check on Nnenna, I wouldn’t have been angry.” Martins nodded. “You’re right. I’ll be more open next time.” Jessica smiled. “Anyway, since she’s going home today, please make sure she gets there safely.”
“I will,” Martins said. Jessica entered her car and drove off. Martins stood there for a moment, watching her leave before he returned to the ward.
Back in the ward, Nnenna had finished her food. A nurse came in with her discharge papers. “You can go home now,” the nurse said. Martins helped Nnenna pack her things. She was still weak but strong enough to leave. As they walked out of the hospital, she turned to Martins. “Thank you for standing by me. I saw how you defended me in front of your wife.” Martins smiled. “You are carrying my child. I won’t leave you. Just take care of yourself. That’s all I want.” Nnenna smiled quietly.
They got into Martins’ car and drove off. Nnenna didn’t say much. She leaned against the seat and looked through the window. She was thinking about the day’s events. Jessica had almost caught them, but Martins covered it up again. How long will the lies continue? That question stayed in her head, but she didn’t speak it out. For now, she was just grateful that she was alive and strong enough to go home. Martins looked at her and said, “We have to be more careful from now on.” She nodded silently.
To be continued
