******
As Duke,
Jidenna and watchers looked in shock; Lola touched her face, speechless.
Daniela raised her hand one more time but Duke gripped her hand firmly and dropped
it down. His eyes were brutally red. He pointed at her.
“Don’t ever
in your life repeat this again! It is over!”
“What do
you mean it is over?” Daniela raised her voice.
He lowered
the volume of his voice. “You are creating a scene here. I am no longer
interested again. The relationship is over.”
“What!” She
uttered. “Are you leaving me because of her?”
Jidenna
took Lola away as tears started to form around her eyes. Duke opened the
documents in his hands to show her. Two male security officers were walking
towards them.
“Dr. Lola
and I went to see the doctor that can help me win my case. I don’t even
consider her as a friend. You don’t trust me and I can’t be with you anymore.”
“I am sorry
Duke. I was only jealous.”
“Jealous?
Jealous of what? Did you see me in an uncompromising position with her? Did I
kiss her?”
“No. It
will never happen again.”
“Yes, it
will never happen again. You and I can never be a couple again.”
Daniela
tried to hold his hand but he quickly stepped away from her and gazed at the officers.
They went to her and told her to respect herself otherwise; they would drag her
out of the place. Duke walked inside the building without turning back. Duke
felt bad, insulted and downgraded. How could Daniela slap Lola? How was he
going to show Lola he was deeply sorry?
“Don’t
touch me.” Daniela said to the men. “I will leave.” She motioned towards where
she parked her vehicle, entered and drove off.
Duke
searched for Lola around the ward but didn’t see her. He looked for Jidenna but
couldn’t find him too. He asked Oliver who said he doesn’t know where they
were. On his way to the dressing room, a nurse approached Duke and informed him
Wole Bello wanted to see him urgently.
Duke
quickly went to photocopy the documents and went to Bello’s office. He met him
with the lawyer of Mr. Eddy.
“Where have
you been?” Wole Bello asked Duke.
“I went to
sort out some things.”
“You didn’t
give us a feedback on the problem with Mr. Eddy’s leg. He wants to sue the
hospital.”
“Is he
awake?”
“Yes,” the
lawyer answered. “My client is awake and he demands twenty million naira from
you.”
Duke was
tempted to laugh but the thought of picturing Lola’s face as Daniela slapped
her, made him gloomy and weak in his body. He managed to smile and gave copies
of the documents to Wole and the lawyer.
He
explained briefly, on how he suspected Mr. Eddy had another surgery.
“I will be
suing Mr. Eddy twenty million naira for defamation of character and a strategy
to impose a false accusation on me. I will like to have a word with him now.”
“Wait,” the
lawyer rose on his feet and stared at Duke. “I had no idea he had another
surgery after yours.”
“He should
have explained that to you.” Duke told him.
“This calls
for celebration.” Bello cheered.
“Yes sir
but I have to see Mr. Eddy first.”
*******
Jidenna had
taken Lola into the dressing room. She had to hide her face from the people in
the ward before she could get there. They were sitting on the bed. Lola cried
and Jidenna consoled her with thoughtful words. She cleaned her face and looked
at him.
“Thank
you.”
“Don’t
mention.”
“I am fine
now. I think your patients need you.”
“They need
me. You need me too.”
Duke opened
the door and they stared at his direction. Jidenna stood and glanced back at
Lola.
“I will see
you later.”
She gave a nod
and smiled faintly at him. “Okay.”
Jidenna
left the room and closed the door. Duke moved closer to the bed but remained on
his feet.
“I know
there is no amount of words I can say now that can reveal how sorry I am. I
apologize on behalf of Daniela. I have broken up with her…”
Lola
appeared surprised. “You didn’t have to break up with her.”
“It is not
your fault.” Duke said. “I wanted to do it.”
“And you
used this opportunity to do it? She would blame me.”
“No. I
don’t want you to blame yourself. I shouldn’t be telling you this but my
relationship wasn’t working. I think it’s best I remain single for now before
going into a new relationship. It is not your fault. I am sorry. If there is
anything you want, ask me.”
Lola rose
on her feet. “It’s okay. I am better now. I don’t want anything from you. Have
you seen Mr. Eddy?”
“I am going
to see him now.”
“Can I come
with you?”
“You can
but I want you to rest or probably go home.”
“I don’t
need rest. I need to be there with you.”
Duke
smiled. “Thanks Dr. Lola.”
“You’re
welcome.”
*******
Dr. Yvonne came out of the OR happy. The son of the man in coma had a successful surgery. He was recovering in the Intensive care unit. A family member was contacted and he came with the wife to see the baby and ask of the welfare of his brother and family. Nurse Oliver broke the news about his sister-in-law’s death. The man and his wife cried. They paid some bills and the wife went home with the baby. The man stayed behind to stay with the brother’s son.
Dr. Yvonne came out of the OR happy. The son of the man in coma had a successful surgery. He was recovering in the Intensive care unit. A family member was contacted and he came with the wife to see the baby and ask of the welfare of his brother and family. Nurse Oliver broke the news about his sister-in-law’s death. The man and his wife cried. They paid some bills and the wife went home with the baby. The man stayed behind to stay with the brother’s son.
Jidenna
went to see him. “Your brother is in coma and we need you to pick an option.”
“What are
the options?” He asked.
“Do you
want us to pull the plug or allow him breathe through an oxygen?”
“If I allow
him continue to breathe through an oxygen can he ever wake up?”
“He can wake
up anytime.”
“For how
long?”
“I can’t
tell but it could be a day, a week, months or even years. It depends.”
“I have to
see the other members of my family to discuss it. Don’t pull the plug yet.”
“That’s okay.”
Yvonne went
to see Dr. Wole Bello and met him with Dr. Wendy. They told him about Duke and
the anger she had for Lola increased. If she had been the one to tell Duke the
idea, he would be with her. He would be proud and that could increase the
chance of being with him intimately.
*********
Mr. Eddy
was already seated on the bed, preparing to stand up when Duke and Lola walked
inside. His lawyer was with him and Duke assumed he had told him his plan.
“Dr. Duke,
I can explain.” Eddy quickly said.
“What can
you possibly explain?”
“It was the
work of the devil.”
Lola spoke.
“What if Dr. Duke never found out you did a second surgery without his
knowledge, you would have ripped him off of a huge amount and tarnish his image
in this hospital.”
“I never
intended to sue him.”
“So what
made you do it?”
Mr. Eddy
gazed at Duke. “Can I see you privately?”
“Whatever
you want to say, say it now. No one is leaving this room.”
He dipped
his hand into his pocket, brought out a complimentary card and extended it to
Duke.
“Do you
recognize it?”
Duke glared
at it and looked at Lola and the lawyer. He glanced back at Lola. “Please, I will
like to talk with him in private.”
“That’s
okay.” Lola said.
She and the
lawyer left the room.
*********
Lola
checked on Ahmed in the ward and met him attending to a man in a kaftan. He was
being prepared for an operation. The man had a broken leg with a bone ripped
out of it. He explained he heard gunshot in his neighborhood and jumped down
from the second floor of his building out of fear. Two men saw him and brought
him to the hospital. He spoke in Hausa and English.
Lola joined
him. When he was about taking him into the operating room, Zara saw them.
“You guys
should be careful with this Hausa man. He must be a Boko Haram member.” She
said smiling at them.
Ahmed
frowned deeply but didn’t say anything. Lola looked at him and smiled gently.
He took his face away. Without Dr. Duke, Ahmed with the help of Lola performed
the surgery.
********
Jidenna was
writing on a report when Zara and Melvin started talking as if he wasn’t able
to hear them.
“I am
certain Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Lola are close because they are having a secret
affair.” Melvin said.
“That is
what I suspected too.” Zara said.
Jidenna
stopped writing, thought for a moment and continued to write and listen to
them.
She added.
“Lola told Ahmed she knows she will be among the top two. She is ready to use
what she has to get what she wants.”
“I hope she
won’t start sleeping with one of the doctors here.”
“She might
want to deceive a doctor and make him believe she likes him. She knows how to
use people.”
Jidenna
started to get irritated. If only they knew, Jidenna wasn’t the kind that
responded to gossip. He was searching for Lola to know the truth.
********
Lola and
Ahmed came out of the OR happy. The surgery was a success but they looked
exhausted especially Lola. She knew Ahmed was gloomy despite the smile on his
face. She washed her hands and prepared to leave. On her way leaving, she
hesitated and faced Ahmed.
“I know you
are unhappy with what Dr. Zara said.” She told him.
“I am
disappointed. Even if the patient is a Hausa man, that does not give her the
right to call him that. I am Hausa.”
“I know.”
“I am not a
Boko Haram Member.”
“I know
that too. She is ignorant for her to say that. I will talk to her to apologize
to you.”
“I don’t
need her apology. I need her to learn how to talk. Ever since we started
working here, she behaves as if she is better than us.”
“The best
thing to do is to ignore her.” Lola said and glimpsed at the right side and saw
Duke. He raised his hand and gestured for her to come. She looked at Ahmed. “I
will see you tomorrow. Immediately I am through, I will go home.”
“That’s
okay. Thanks.”
“You’re
welcome.”
Lola
motioned towards Duke and they walked side by side.
“I won’t be
suing Mr. Eddy anymore.” Duke told Lola.
“Why?”
“The
complimentary card he showed me belongs to my girlfriend’s father. I mean my
ex-girlfriend.”
“I don’t
understand.”
“Daniela’s
father is the elder brother to the governor of this state. He built a hospital
recently and he will be opening it by next month. He wanted me to quit my job
here and work for him. He was going to offer me the position of chief of
surgery.”
“Did you
decline the offer?”
“Yes. I
don’t want to work for him. I love it here.”
“So how did
Mr. Eddy get Daniela father’s card.”
“He sent
him to sue me, thinking I would reach out to him for the money. I would be
indebted to him and he would force me to work in his hospital. He offered me
the money to pay Mr. Eddy but I refused. That was what got Daniela upset and
she came here thinking I was having an affair with you.”
“I
understand now. Does Daniela know about the plan of her father?”
“I doubt
that. She might be possessive of me but she would never do such a thing.”
“I hope you
are right.” Lola said. “I am glad everything is over.”
“I will
inform Dr. Bello that I won’t be suing Mr. Eddy anymore. I don’t have time for
that.”
“No
problem.”
They saw
Jidenna heading their way. They faced each other with a smile on their faces.
“Dr. Lola.”
Jidenna called her name as he moved nearer. “I want to see you when you are
through.”
“I am
through with her.” Duke said and tapped Jidenna by the arm. Duke walked away.
“What is
it?” Lola asked him as she noticed an apprehensive expression on his face. They sat down.
“I just
want to clarify something from you and I want the truth.”
Lola was
obviously surprised at his question. “No. Dr. Ahmed and I are just colleagues. I
consider him a friend too. Why ask me such a question when you know the truth?”
Jidenna
answered. “I heard a rumor you are having an affair with him.”
“I am
supposed to be angry but I won’t. Who is spreading such rumor?”
“To avoid a
disagreement, there’s no need to tell you. I believe you.”
Lola had a
plan to cancel the dinner plan after Duke told her he had broken up with his
girlfriend. It gave her hope that they might have a chance to be together. The
words ‘I believe you’ made her compassionate and reconsider Jidenna. She beamed
at him.
“Don’t
forget to send me the time and location for the restaurant on Saturday.”
“I can’t
forget that.”
*******
Around 7:
21pm, Duke returned home and met Daniela waiting in his living room. He didn’t
say a word to her, dropped his bag on the couch and dialed a number on his
phone.
Duke spoke
on the phone. “Good evening. I want you to come tomorrow morning with new
locks. I want to change the old ones.” He stopped talking and listened.
Daniela
rose up and gestured closer to him. She was looking regretful and almost
shedding tears.
He said.
“That’s okay. I will wait for you but if there’s an emergency that needs me to
be at the hospital, I will call you.” he listened to the person. “That’s okay.
Bye.” he ended the call.
She fell on
her knees but Duke raised her up.
“You don’t
need to beg me. If you can’t trust me, the relationship cannot work.”
Tears began
to drop from her eyes.
“Daniela,
you don’t need to cry.” Duke added. “My decision is final.”
“But you
promise me we would be together forever.”
“I never promised
you that and you know it.”
She wiped
the tears off her face. “Is this about Lola?”
“Dr. Lola
is an innocent woman unfortunate to receive a slap she didn’t deserve.”
“Are you in
love with her?”
Duke gazed
at her with a ridiculous look on his face. “No.”
“Do you
like her?” Daniela asked.
“I don’t
hate her.”
“Then give
me another chance.”
“I can’t
give the daughter of my enemy a chance.”
“What is
that supposed to mean?”
Duke
explained how he found out her father was behind the lawsuit against him.
“That is
impossible.” Daniela stated. It was obvious she had no idea about it. “My
father can never do such a thing.”
“Well, he
did it. You can ask him.”
“But you
can’t end the relationship because of what my father did.”
“Daniela,
we can’t be together. You know when I make a decision it is final.”
Daniela’s
face fell. It seemed Duke had made up his mind and there was no going back. “I
will confront my father about what he did. I will go in and get my things.”
Duke waited
for her in the living room. Some minutes later, she returned with her bag and
walked towards the door. She turned back to look at him.
Duke?”
“Yes.”
“I still
believe in us. If you change your mind, call me.”
“You know I
won’t change my mind. Don’t wait for me. Move on with your life.”
Daniela
heaved a sigh, walked out of his abode and entered her car. Duke felt relieved
when he heard the sound of her car as she drove away.
*******
“I think it
is a good decision to give Dr. Jidenna a chance.” Bidemi told her daughter,
Lola after they ate dinner.
“You are
saying this because you haven’t seen Dr. Duke. I am not saying Dr. Jidenna is not
good enough but there’s something about Dr. Duke that makes me happy whenever I
see him.”
“But you
said he broke up with his girlfriend and told you he wants to be single for
some time.”
Lola didn’t
tell her mother about the slap. “Yes.”
“That means
you shouldn’t wait for him.” Bidemi said.
“I know and
it seems involving himself in a relationship won’t happen soon.”
“That is
exactly what I am saying.”
“I have heard
mom.” Lola’s phone beeped and she grabbed it to look at it. She smiled.
“What is
it?”
“It’s a
message from Jidenna. He wants us to chat.”
“I think
you like him.”
“I didn’t
say I never liked him. I do.”
A concerned
demeanor appeared on her face. “Are you in love with Dr. Duke?”
Lola faced
her mom instantly with her eyes widened. “Love? Why do you ask?”
“You prefer
Dr. Duke to the other doctor. If you like Dr. Jidenna that means you love Dr.
Duke.”
She stood
up. “Mom, love is a very strong word. Goodnight.”
Bidemi
sighed. “Goodnight.”
*******
The family
of Amara arrived into the country and went straight to the hospital. Oliver
attended to them and took her parents to see Lola. Lola explained her condition
and informed them Amara had a surgery in few hours’ time.
Lola took
them to see Amara. They met Fred with her. Fred greeted them and they answered
forcefully. Lola and Fred gave them privacy to talk. Both of them went to sit
down and waited.
“I wonder
if she will tell them the truth.” Fred spoke to Lola.
“I am sure
she will do the right thing,” she said. “She loves you.”
“But she
refused my proposal at first.”
“She was
probably scared she would never see her family again if she marries you. Just
keep your fingers crossed, if they love their daughter, they will agree for you
to marry her.”
“I hope so.”
“I hope so.”
“How are
you feeling?”
“I am
feeling better.”
“I hope you
have been taking your drugs.”
“Yes.”
“That’s
good.”
Zara walked
up to them and faced Lola’s direction. “Have you seen Dr. Duke?”
“No. I
don’t think he is around.”
“I thought
you would know since you have been following him around.”
Lola looked
at Fred. “Please, excuse me.” She walked quite away from him and Zara followed.
“Dr. Zara, I don’t like the way you talk to me.”
“How do I
talk to you?”
“You are
not my superior here. We are equal.”
“And what
makes you think that?”
“You and I
are on the same mission. I will advise you to concentrate on that mission and
stop gossiping about me.”
Zara folded
her arms and glared at her. “What gossip?”
“I am very
sure you are the one saying Dr. Ahmed and I are having an affair.”
“I don’t know
what you are talking about.”
“You can
pretend but spreading false news about me won’t work. I might act quiet but I
am not a dunce.”
“I never
called you a dunce and I am not the one spreading false news about you.”
“No
problem.” Lola said. “Dr. Ahmed needs an apology from you.”
“He doesn’t
need an apology. If he cannot agree with what I said yesterday, he can go to
hell. We should be careful in this hospital. He can even be a Boko Haram
member.” Zara hissed and walked out on her.
Lola shook
her head.
*********
There was a beautiful smile on the face of a pregnant woman.
Melvin had revealed she was having twins. She glowed as she received the news.
“Dr. Melvin,” she said. “This is a miracle.”
“Dr. Melvin,” she said. “This is a miracle.”
“Why would you say that?” He asked.
“My husband and I have been childless for the past five
years of marriage. I can’t wait to tell him the news.”
“I am happy for you ma.”
“Thank you.” She rubbed her stomach. “You haven’t told me
the sex of the babies.”
“You are having a boy and a girl.”
“Wow! This is amazing. Thank you so much doctor. I really
appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. Your babies are healthy. You don’t have any
complications. I will only advise you to eat plenty of fruits and have enough
rest.”
“I will do that.”
A female nurse came to the room. “Dr. Melvin your attention
is needed at the ward.”
“Okay.” He looked at the pregnant woman. “I have to go now.”
“That’s okay.”
Melvin turned to the nurse. “Please, escort her out of her.”
“Yes sir.”
********
Amara’s family and Fred wished her well as she was taken to
the operating room. Lola was filled with joy. Amara had told her parents the
truth and they promised to hold a meeting after the surgery. They welcomed Fred
into their family and congratulated him about the engagement.
Duke came to the hospital late. The locks in his home had
been changed. Dr. Duke went to the OR to watch what Lola as she operated on her
patient with Melvin and Ahmed by her side. She had no idea he was there. Duke
was proud of Lola. He was proud of the others too.
The moment Lola finished, Duke left. Lola came out to give
good news to the loved ones of Amara.
********
On Saturday
evening, Lola enjoyed the company of Jidenna. She told him about herself
without mentioning anything about her father. He noticed and decided not to
ask. He was afraid asking her about it might likely upset her.
“What about
you?” She asked him.
“My sister
used to live with me until she got married. I live alone now. I lost my parents
a long time ago.”
“I am sorry
about that.”
“That’s
okay. I am supposed to be in charge of the family business but I can’t because
of the nature of my work.”
“Who is in
charge of it?”
“My sister
and her husband.”
“For real?”
“Yes. Well,
I inherited the family business and my sister got a house and an amount of money.
My business is safe. I have a manager and a supervisor to monitor the daily
activities there.”
“It seems
you are from a rich family.” Lola said.
Jidenna
chuckled. “The only thing I can tell you is that I am very comfortable.”
“That’s
nice to here.”
“Thanks. I
am very happy you are here with me.”
*******
Lola took a
taxi home and told her mother everything.
“Did he ask
you to be his girlfriend?”
“Yes but I
told him to give me time.”
“You
already know the answer.”
“I know
mom. I will definitely agree but I am going to take things slow.”
“Better.
Even if you say yes, don’t sleep with him.”
“I will
when I know he is truly the one for me.”
*******
On Monday
morning, Jidenna couldn’t stop smiling. Duke noticed and was tempted to ask the
reason for his cheerfulness.
“It’s a
secret.” Jidenna told him.
“That means
you won’t tell me.”
“I will
when the right time comes.”
Oliver
motioned to them. “Dr. Duke, your attention is needed at Dr. Bello’s office.”
“Okay.”
The brother
of the man in coma informed Jidenna not to pull the plug. He wanted his brother
to remain in coma. He believed he would wake up one day.
Duke went
to the office and entered. He met Dr. Wendy, Dr. Yvonne and two prominent
members of Bells Helping Hands Initiative (NGO). Duke sat down. He was also a
member. Lola knocked on the door and entered. Duke and Yvonne were surprised to
see her.
“Please,
sit down.” Bello told her.
Lola sat
down. She didn’t know why she was called to the meeting. She wasn’t a member.
What was she doing here? She asked
herself silently.
Dr. Wendy
gave them a file separately and they read the content.
Wole spoke.
“The NGO wants to be in charge of the payment of a patient with a kidney
transplant but something occurred. Another patient needs the same amount for a brain
surgery. Which do we attend to first before we can come up with the same amount
in three weeks’ time?”
“Why is Dr.
Lola here?” Yvonne asked.
“I value
her decisions.” Wole said.
“I know she
has been making the right decisions here,” Duke said. “But this isn’t the
protocol. We should follow the procedure. We have to be professional about
this.”
“I know Dr.
Duke,” he said. “We have decided her opinion matter and that is why we agreed
for her to be here.”
“But you
didn’t ask of mine and Dr. Duke’s opinion on this?” Yvonne said.
“I know but
the four of us voted. It is four against two.”
Lola kept
quiet. Duke looked at her and returned his gaze to Wole. He questioned him.
“How
critical is their conditions?”
“They are
both critical. Although, the kidney patient is the first on the list but the
patient with the brain hemorrhage urgently needs surgery as soon as possible.”
“How old
are they?” Lola asked.
“The first
patient is a seventy year old man and the one with the head trauma is a nine
years old boy.”
Duke
glanced at the documents to read again.
Lola spoke.
“Can the first patient survive until three weeks’ time?”
“Yes.” Dr.
Wendy said. “The surgeon in charge told me. The thing is, he is supposed to
have the transplant first.”
“Can the
boy survive in three weeks’ time?”
“It is
difficult to tell. I don’t know.”
Lola kept
quiet to think. Their eyes were on Lola, Duke and Yvonne.
Yvonne
said. “I think the man deserves to have his surgery. He is the first patient on
the list.”
“That is
not the issue Dr. Yvonne.” Duke said to her. “I have looked into the case file
of the boy. I doubt if he can survive the surgery.” He looked at Dr. Wendy.
“You are the one in charge of this operation. You should know how it will end.”
“I know his
case is critical but I can’t promise he will survive with or without the
surgery. He has fifty percent chance of survival.”
“Then he should be operated first.” Lola said. “He is just a boy.”
“Then he should be operated first.” Lola said. “He is just a boy.”
“What about
the old man?” Duke asked in a surprised tone.
“He should
wait.”
“I
disagree. This old man has more chance of survival. He should have the surgery
immediately.”
“The boy
can still make it.” Lola said. “He can survive the surgery and it’s better he
is operated on first.”
“You are
making a decision because it involves a boy.”
“He might
survive the surgery.”
“You don’t
know that.” Duke said. “What if he dies?”
“You don’t
know that too.”
Duke
frowned and glared at Wole. “I want the man to have the surgery.”
“What about
you?” Wole asked Lola.
“I want the
boy to have the surgery.”
“We will
have to vote. Who agrees with Dr. Duke decision?”
Only Yvonne
raised her hand.
“Who agrees
with Dr. Lola’s decision?”
All of them
raised their hands except Duke and Yvonne.
“Majority
wins the vote.”
Duke rose
on his face. “This is not a good decision.” He walked out of the room angrily.
Lola hoped
she made the right choice. Duke was right. She made such decision because it
involved a little boy.
********
To be
continued….
Waoooooh very interesting I pray the little boy survive it, now I see duke and Lola are gonna have issues, but still love each other.thanks carina j.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear
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