LOVE AND DIAMONDS(EPISODE 3)

KAINENE

The next morning was a Saturday. I woke up to a noisy house. Still lying on my queen sized bed, I turned left to check the time on the fancy alarm clock sitting on the bedside table. It said 7:45a.m. Oh no, why did I wake up this late? I was usually awake before 6:00a.m everyday, say my morning prayers then spend an hour in the gym we had set up downstairs. A girl has to be in shape always then I remembered last night. I rubbed my eyes clearing the remnants of sleep even though it was skill calling me back. I had this morning off but will be working this afternoon. I wonder if the little boy Naeto had woken up from the anesthesia administered to him before the surgery and his father who was kept by Dr Chuks to monitor him and to make sure he was not bleeding internally. I slipped into my dressing gown, opened my door to know the reason behind the noise this morning. I heard Preye's voice as I made my way downstairs. I entered the kitchen and behold in front of me was a very beautiful cake designed in the shape of a man's shirt with 'HBD Eedris ' written at the edge.

'Wow, wow, wow, this is very very beautiful!' I exclaimed as I drew nearer to the able sitting on the kitchen table where we do have our meals most times because it was closer to the pot and we could always help ourselves to second plates easily. Eedris is Amina's fiance and they have been together for about five years. They had met in their final year at the university and since then they have been inseparable. Eedris parents were very rich and he was the heir to his father's multinational company. Today is Eederis birthday and we will be going down to Ruiz Continental Hotel where the party will be held.

'Of course it is. It was delivered this morning and I was the first to see it.'

Leaning on the kitchen counter, I said, 'Seriously Amina, this cake is not only beautiful but handsome. I love the design. Eedris is a lucky man o. Abeg, give me the number of your baker make I collect an for future purpose.' They both turned towards me gazing, mouths wide open. 'What?' I asked, abeg close your mouths before fly go enter am. Can't someone require the services of a baker again? It may be for an aunt, friend or colleague, so why the reaction?'Tell us more.' Amina said while carefully wrapping the cake and placing it inside its box.
'Friend ke, colleague ko, make I hear. Later now, you will be asking us for tips or which dress to wear for this date or that.' Preye said.

'Abeg shift joor. You eh one day I will know that little secret of yours you have been hiding.' I retorted back at her while opening the fridge to get a bottle of drinking water.

'Y'all know that I am a saint and got no secret.' she said in an American accent.

'See this one o , anyway what time is the party, I think I will come from the hospital.'

'Its starting 8pm officially but the red carpet is by 6pm.' Amina answered.

'Who has time for red carpet? I will meet you guys there. Sorry I couldn't help in the preparations. I will give Eedris his birthday present when I come.'

'We understand, you have to help save lives. By the way, what kept you at the hospital last night?' Amina asked. I narrated the events of last night. When I ended, all I heard was "aww, its a pity', that came from Amina. 'Such beautiful family, what about the wife?' Preye asked.

'Well, I don't know. I didn't see a ring on his finger. Whats for breakfast? I am hungry.'

'Scrambled eggs, toast and coffee.'

'Thanks dear, you really know how hungry I am after those grueling hours in the OR. When are you guys leaving?'

-Just after breakfast.' she replied. I ate breakfast then went upstairs to my room hoping to have a decent power nap before going to work.

################################################################################Dr Biola sat in her office seething furiously. How can chief nominate that little girl of yesterday Head of Pediatrics in this hospital when I am there? That cannot happen. I must fight it. I have been in this hospital for more than ten years and I deserve a reward. She thought. Dr Biola even though a pediatrician has never liked children. She was only in it because it was a thriving career then and it paid very well. Immediately she finished her houseman-ship, she had applied for internship at St Anne's Hospital and has been there since. She isn't married even though she had been in relationship but none led her to the altar. Recently, it has been on the hospital's grapevine that she was currently in an abusive relationship with a man who was separated from his wife when she had been seen in the hospital with either bruised cheeks or a black eye which she usually wore glasses to cover up. Still thinking of the perfect plan to render chief's attempt futile, she picked her bag from the table and left the hospital.
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 RAYMOND


When I opened my eyes blinking a couple of times, the lights were really bright everything seemed so blurry at first. I felt a numbing pain all over my body. I lifted myself with difficulty and looked around, the room was not familiar to me. These walls are painted blue but mine was painted white and purple. I can remember driving home with Naeto after our night out around 7:45 pm before..... Oh God! The accident. Where is Naeto? Where is my son? I can't stay here without knowing the whereabouts of my son. Olivia will not forgive me if anything happens to him. I had promised her that by the grace of God that I will make sure he grows up to be a successful young man even better than me his father. I could remember Naeto and I were singing to the lyrics of Tuface's 'true love' when suddenly an upcoming trailer from the opposite side of the road rammed into ours and before I could slam the brakes, the deed had been done. My head had hit the steering and I lost consciousness. I have to get an answer. As I stood up to go in search of Naeto, the door to my room opened and a tall,slim and beautiful nurse walked in carrying a tray. When she realized what I was trying to do, she dropped the tray she was holding and quickly rushed to my side. 'Don't move sir, you will only hurt yourself more'

'But I have to know where my son is. I have to find him. I need to be sure he is safe. Please nurse, do you have any idea of his whereabouts?' I asked her as she helped me adjust the bed setting to enable me sit properly.

' He is in the children's ward currently being looked after. Why don't you relax, take your medication and maybe in an hour's time if your energy is up to it then I will take you there. You must love your son so much to be this anxious to see him.'

'Oh yes, I do love him so much, he is all I have got in this world. I can't bear losing him. Thank you nurse.' I said taking the medicine she handed to me and gushed it down with water.


One hour later, we were on our way to the pediatrics wing of the hospital. I opened the door to my son's hospital room and behold there on the bed was Naeto lying down with all sorts of wires on his body and a lady holding Naeto's hand and whispering some words I couldn't fathom who on hearing the door open turned and infront of me was a beautiful lady with the most gorgeous pair of brown eyes I had ever seen.

KAINENE


When I heard the sound of the door open and close I turned and in front of me was the same handsome man who was involved in an accident last night on a wheelchair looking at me. Last night I couldn't see his face properly but right now it was as clear as crystal. He looked like he had just stepped out of the cover of a GQ magazine. We stood there staring at each other for some minutes before I said,' Good morning Mr Nwachukwu, I am Dr Kainene and I am the pediatrician in charge of your son.' he nodded and I continued 'I and my team have been able to stabilize him so he is out of danger. But we have to keep him for a week or more depending on how quick he recovers.'

' Thank you doctor, can I stay with him for a while?'

'Yes you can. He will need a familiar face when he wakes up. If your strength is up to it then fine.' I replied while adjusting the pillows on the bed.'Nurse make sure you contact me if there is any change in his condition.' As I turned to leave, the door was already opened from outside even before I could touch the door handle, an elderly woman probably in her early sixties in iro and buba came in shouting, 'Where is my son and grandson? They want to kill them for me, Olorun o ni je a raburu! Is my boy alright? She asked hugging Raymond then going close to the bed to see Naeto.

Yes he is, the doctor said he is out of danger but he needs time to recover.'

'Oh my boy. Omo omo mi yo yee. Enitan will live.' She had named him Enitan when she first came to the hospital room after Naeto was born.. 'How are you Raymond?'

'I am fine mama. I will be discharged tomorrow. When did you come?'

'Just now o, I heard it from Abdul the driver who came to pick me from the airport so I told him to drive me to the hospital.' she said while unwrapping and wrapping back her buba.

'Lauretta is at the house. Why don't you go home and freshen up, by the time you come back, Naeto will be awake by then.'

'Okay my son, if you say so but don't hesitate to call me if Enitan wakes up.' Then she turned to me and said,'Thank you doctor.'

'You are welcome ma. I am just doing my job. I will be going now.' I said.

'Thank you doctor Nene.' Raymond said. I just smiled and left the room.

LOVE AND DIAMONDS(EPISODE TWO)

KAINENE
'Good Afternoon doctor Kaine' Kiki, the receptionist at the reception greeted when I walked into the hospital's lobby to resume my afternoon duty.

'Afternoon Kiki, did you check the charts today?'
'Yes. Dr Olubanjo said you should meet him once you come today and Dr Mark requested you to scrub in with him for a tonsillectomy by 3:00pm.

'Okay... Thanks, I will be in my cubicle. 'Okay ma'am. I entered my cubicle, I sat down, pulled off my shoes  then went over my patients files I had left yesterday. Twenty minutes later, I was done and made my way to Dr Olubanjo's office.


.'Afternoon doc', Dr Olubanjo's secretary greeted me as I entered his office.

'Afternoon Stella, is Chief around?

'Yes he is, you may go in,' she said.

'Thank you Stella' I said. Giving three soft taps to the door I waited.
'Yes, come in.' I heard Chief's sonorous voice as he ushered me into his plush office adorned with exquisite and sophisticated furniture, with two office desks at the corners with Chief seated on a chair behind the one at the western part of the office which had two chairs in front of it.

'Afternoon chief'

'Afternoon Kiane, you may sit down . How are you?'
'I am fine chief.' I replied. Dr Olubanjo popularly known as chief was the chief of pediatrics in St Anne's Hospital Maitama, the largest hospital in Northern Nigeria. Having known him for almost eight years when still in the university. He was like a father to me. He was one of the professors that taught us pediatric during my fifth year in the university. We actually became close during that period when I wrote my fourth medical school examination. After the exams, I remembered him calling out my name in the class.

'Who is Kainenechukwu Meludu?'

Nobody answered and I couldn't answer because I was afraid of the reason why I was called. It is not everyday a student is called out by a professor unless it is something serious or negative. He repeated my name again. I really wanted to stand up but I couldn't bring myself to do so as if I was glued to my seat.


'Okay, since the bearer of that name is not present in my class, let us begin the business of the day.' he finally said. I felt a surge of relief run down my spine immediately. We met again in my final year when he became my academic adviser and my research supervisor. I had gone to his office to get my research topic approved.

'Good morning sir.' I greeted him as soon as I walked into his office.

'Yes, how may I help you?, he asked me without looking up from his laptop meaning obviously he was very busy before I entered his office.


'Sir, I am here to get my research topic approved as you are my supervisor.'


'Okay, sit down. What is your name?' He had asked me still typing away on his laptop.


'Mmm... my name is Kainenechukwu Meludu.'He suddenly looked up to me, bringing down his glasses to the tip of his nose. ' Really?' he asked.

'Yes sir.' I replied in a low tone which I had used to answer my name praying that he wouldn't bring up the incident that happened in class. Unfortunately that was not meant to be because the next thing he said was 'Hmm, so you are the infamous Meludu? Where you in my class the day I released your results?.'


'Mmm....yes I was.' I replied.


'Well, I have been waiting to meet you and now I have. I must tell you this, you are an exceptional brilliant student and I will encourage you to do your specialty in pediatric. Keep it up. Choose your topic because I know you will choose a very good one. Come back on Monday for my approval, if I am not available, give it to my secretary. Hope you like children?'


'Yes sir, I do. Thank you .' I said and left his office. That day marked the beginning of a very close relationship between us. He was like a father to me having lost my parents at th tender age of five.

Back to the present.###

'So Kaine, I have seen your results from the last residency exams that you wrote and you performed excellently well. I think you are the best resident I have had in a long time. Very hardworking both in practice and research. You know I am on longer young and very soon I will be relinquishing my rein of power as the head of pediatric and so I have given the hospital board your name as one of those that are eligible to succeed me when I retire. I just want to inform you so you wouldn't be taken unaware.' he concluded and inhaled deeply.



'Sir I..... I..... I mean I don't know what to say. I am still young and I don't really have much experience like others.' I said this because I had only been a resident for five years. 'Dr Mark, Dr Biola and Dr Rukewe have been here long before I came. They even have more experienc than I do.' I countered him.

'I know Kainene. But I have chosen you to this job because I trust you and you are so good with the children. It is just an offer but do consider it okay.'


'Okay chief, even though I am not so enthusiastic about the offeri, I am still grateful for considering me for such a responsibility. I will not disappoint you.'


'I know you will not'

'Thank you Chief.' I said. 'Please tell Aunt Tinuke that I really miss her and her ewedu soup that I would drop by one of these days to see her'
'Oh dear.' he chuckled. ' I will dear. She really misses you.'


'Thank you Chief, have a nice day.' I said and left his office.
##########################################################################


I was sitting in my cubicle after a busy day from the wards to the theatre and back to the wards again before I finally took a break. I was already feeling cramps on my legs and I had had to drag myself to my cubicle, my haven of rest. I looked at my Chris Aire wrist watch which I had gotten as a birthday present from Preye last year. It said 7:45 pm. Slipping off my boots, I allowed the cool fresh air coming in from the windows cool my feet as I stretched it on top of the desk. Leaning back in my chair,I closed my eyes to enjoy few minutes of peaceful existence when suddenly the intercom on tin desk rang jostling me up. 'Hello,' I spoke into the receiver .

'Dr Kainene, you have been requested to come immediately into the ER (Emergency room). There has been a fatal accident involving a man and his child.''Oh no, not this time.' I thought. Just now I was about to rest. Anyway, I had already sworn the Hippocratic oath so I don't have a choice right now than to get myself ready to save lives for an average of time of 8 hours meaning another night at the hospital. Putting on my boots, I grabbed my coat from the hanger and left my cubicle to the OR (Operating Room).

******************************************************************************
The accident involved three persons. The driver of the trailer,a five year old boy and his gorgeous father. I know I am supposed to keep it professional but I couldn't help but admire the body with full muscular abs and arms and .. Okay stop, I chided myself. For all I know, this man here has already been taken. He has a five year old kid who is so gorgeous with long eyelashes fanning his chubby cheeks meaning his wife is probably somewherei. The man had some bruises on his face and arms while the little boy had deep cuts on his face and arms and some pieces of broken glasses which found their way into his body because the car fell onto his side as the trailer and its drunk driver suddenly swerved from the left side of the road to the right hitting the car which made it to jerk violently to the side and saumersaulted once on the road. That was the information I got from the paramedics who brought them in. Ihad instructed the nurse to give them some IVs (Intravenous fluids) as the peripheral circulation is possibly shut down before the man was taken over from of from another doctor while I concentrated on saving the child's life.
Six hours later, I was done with the surgery and the child had already been moved back to his room. Back in my cubicle, I filled the necessary paper work handing it over the nurse in charge picking my bag from the table, I made my way to the door , bade goodnight to the nurses and dragged myself to my Toyota Rav 4 2010 model I had bought as a birthday present to myself I drive straight home. Luckily the girls were still sleeping and I didn't want to disturb them so I quietly tip-toed to my room, had a luxurious and refreshing bath and whoop, I jumped straight to bed only covering myself in only my towel. It was 6:15 a.m, I will able to have a decent sleep before I begin another afternoon shift and I can't wait to see them especially .... I drifted to sleep.

LOVE AND DIAMONDS(EPISODE ONE)

KAINENE

          A scream from the room next to mine woke me up. It was the voice of Amina, my house mate and bestie. I shared a house with two girls whom I had met during my service year in Abuja, Amina and Preye. We were more like sisters though from different mothers. We had made a decision after passing out to keep the house since we were retained in the various establishments which we had worked in during our service year.
I yawned loudly and climbed off my bed and headed to Amina's room. Her room was dark so I switched the bulbs on only to see Amina sweating and panting profusely even with the Air-conditioner on.I walked up to her sitting on her bed and asked, 'What happened?'
She heaved and in batted breath she responded, 'I had a terrible nightmare and my head keeps banging and ...
'Oh its okay. It was only a nightmare, let me get you something to calm you down. I felt her forehead with the back of my palm, 'you are obviously running temperature." Just as I was about to stand up Preye walked into the room in lazy steps. I was not surprised that she was just coming, our rooms were next to each other because the Preye I knew  was a deep sleeper to the extent that a gun fired next to her bed wouldnt wake her up. She came close and sat on Amina's bed. I told her to stay with Amina while I go to make a hot mug of cocoa for Amina. I shifted my eyes to the bedside clock, it was 3:45 a.m
.I entered the kitchen which was situated directly across the living room downstairs. I poured hot water from the flask to the mug and waited for the cocoa I had put into it to dissolve. What could be wröng with Amina? I thought because she looked very fine to me before we went to bed. We had watched our favourite serial, Hunger games usually aired Thursday nights at 7:00 gmt. I thought about how we met and our different background. Amina, a graduate of Chemical Engineering working with Tulhill Corportion. The second daughter of a Gwari muslim family. Her parents were living in Kaduna . Preye, the only daughter and the last child of her oil-magnate parents, the Ibiaris , a graduate of Information Technology, majored in web designing and computer programming from Harvard University who against the wishes of her parents to remain abroad their reason being that they do not want her to be a victim of the security challenges in Nigeria came back relocating to Abuja where she maintained a low-profile cautiously staying away from the social environment. Her reasön being that she wanted to know more about Africa, Nigerian and the community life having spent 75% of her existence abroad. She had gradually adapted to the situation in Nigeria. She was the most boisterous of us all though she could be temperamental atimes.
Switching off my reminiscing mode, I picked the mug of cocoa to meet a calm Amina with Preye still at her bedside. Adjusting her pillows behind her so she could sit up, I handed her the cocoa which she drank.
'So tell us about the nightmare', I said.
I was in the middle of a big beautiful garden adorned with trees and flowers of various kinds. I was admiring the beautiful scenery when suddenly I heared a loud scream, as I turned to locate the direction the scream came from and behold, I saw a fierce looking stocky man raising up his dagger to stab me with it, then I shouted and woke up'.
Hmmm... I sighed, "Did you have any argument with anybody?"
'No'
Anyway, just be careful. You never know who is being vengeful for no reason', I said.
'Wonders shall never end, I don't believe in dreams but this one is quite scary Amina. Thank God you weren't killed in your dream', Preye said.
I stood up from the bed, went into Amina's ensuite bathrøom to get some pain killers which she took with water. It was 5:00 a.m so we decided to stay with Amina till daybreak incase she had another nightmare. We climbed into bed with her which was big for us three, covering ourselves with the duvet, we slowly drifted to sleep..

###########################################

Grrrh...grrh....the alarm clock at the bedside went on. I suddenly jerked up from the bed, it was already 6:30a.m. I turned to my side to still discover that Preye and Amina were still sleeping. Well, I can understand for Amina but Preye, I can't leave her on that bed especially when she told me she had an important presentation this morning by 8:00a.m at work.
I shook her, 'wake up Preye, it is already late and you have a presentation by 8:00a.m'.

'Oh! Leave me alone, can,t I have some minutes sleep'.

'No butterhead you can't', I said shaking her harder and poured her a bottle of cold water I had brought from the kitchen.

'Aaargh', she shouted, 'whats the time now?'
'It's 6:45a.m already'.
'Ah Oh my God, I am finished', she quickly scampered off the bed and ran out of the room.
'Oh no, I am done for', she screamed, scattering clothes from her closet on to her bed. Meanwhile Amina was still sleeping peacefully so I decided to let her be. I covered her with the duvet then I left for the kitchen to make a light breakfast of sandwich and coffee for Preye. Some minutes later, I was done and left the kitchen only to see Preye on her way to the front door.
'Preye! Wait, won't you have breakfast? I have already made breakfast for you and I don't want you breaking down during your presentation', I said.

'No, I am already late', she replied still holding onto the door handle.
'Chilax, it's just 7:20a.m, you can still be there early, the roads are free and I can even drive you there'.
'Wow, that's so nice of you. Are you not on call this morning? She asked.
'No I am not but I will be in the afternoon. So calm down and eat your breakfast', I said as we walked into the kitchen.
'What can I do without you', she said and started eating.
' A lot', I replied, 'do you still want me to drive you down to Garki?
'No don't bother', I am already familiar with the roads so I won't get lost again'.
I laughed hysterically. She said this because on a certain day when she was still new in Abuju and just got her car, instead of driving to Garki where the company she was working for was located, she mistakenly took the road to Nyanya and by the time the made it to her place of work it was already 12 noon and her boss was cross with her for the rest of the day.

'Okay, I believe you', I said pouring hot water from the big jug into my mug. Some minutes later, she was done and I hugged her and wished her good luck.
'Thanks girl and emm.. by the way, I saw Dennis yesterday and he asked of you'.
' Okay', I said frowning not wanting to visit that part of my life which is dead and buried.

'Jeez, why did you scrunch your face like that? I only delivered a message, you don't have to take it personal', she said. I just shoved her out of the house so she would'nt make any other annoying utterances.

################################################################################
RAYMOND



'Naeto, hurry up, I have an important meeting by 9:00a.m and I don't want to be late.' I called to my five year old son as I lifted my brief case from the breakfast table.

'Coming my daddy.' I heard him reply from his room upstairs.
'Naeto, hurry up young man or you will drive yourself to school this morning.' I wondered what he went up to his room to get even after his nanny/the housekeeper Lauretta had already prepared him for school.
'Naeto, I am going to ... I said as I turned only to find him looking down at me from the top of the stairs with an innocent face pouting.
'I am here my daddy', he said as he ran down the stairs to meet me. I hugged him ruffling his dark silky hair. Slowly pulling him away to look at him, I asked,
'So what held you up son?'

'Hmm... I went to get mummy's picture.' he said quietly.

'Why?'

'My teacher asked us to present pictures of our parents for the school's family album.'
'Naeto' I said bending to be at the same height with him, placing my hands on his shoulders, 'you cannot take your mummy's picture.'

'But why daddy? He frowned stomping his little feet while batting his eyelashes as if he was about to cry. 'All my friends can bring their mummy's pictures and I cannot. Its not fair dad, I will leave you and find another mummy. I don't like you anymore.'

'Hey buddy, you know it is just the two of us now because mum is in heaven watching us right now but don't worry, I will find you a mother who will love you so much.' I said as I wiped away the tears running down his chubby cheeks.
'Seriously daddy' he said to me .

'I am serious buddy and what do you say about seeing your grandma tomorrow. She is coming to visit us and she will come with lots of goodies for you.'

'Really daddy?" He asked batting his eyelashes moist from crying. I nodded. "Wow, I love you my daddy and I love grandma cos she gives me lots of toys.' he replied his eyes widening with excitement. I wondered how a person could go from hating someone to loving him within the space of a minute. I usually let him get away with so many things when Mrs Coker my late wife Olivia's mum is around. My little son has got her wrapped around his little finger. I do not mind because I want my son to have the best childhood even though I miss Olivia so much especially those nights when I feel lonely.

          Olivia, my late wife, best friend , companion,lover and the mother of my child died five years ago while giving birth to my joy Naeto. I can still recall the gory details of her death. She had a high risk pregnancy caused by pre-eclampsia during the second trimester but we were able to manage it until the eight month when she had to be admitted into the hospital. She had had an emergency surgery to save her and our baby but unfortunately she didn't survive. I felt as if my world has gone dark and there was not even a glimpse of light at the edge of the tunnel. She had made me promise even as she went into the theatre that no matter what happens to her that I would love our son, our miracle and that I would find happiness. She also told me not to grieve so much for her that she had fulfilled her mission on earth and her Creator has called her back to Him. Even as she held my hand in a tight grip and continued talking, I kept on wondering why she had leave me when we were still beginning our lives together. She was only twenty-six years. Even in pain, she had tried to cheer me up. I told her that I know she would come back to me but that was the last time we saw each other because unfortunately she didn't make it. She died one hour after giving birth to my son due to excessive bleeding. After Olivia's death, I decided to focus on my son and shower him with lots of love which I knew was what Olivia would have loved me to do instead of grieving to long for her. Olivia's parents were very helpful during those dark moments. Even though the had lost their precious daughter, they helped me take care of Naeto.      

After the burial mass held for Olivia, Chief Coker drew me aside and told me, ' It was a lovely ceremony.' I blinked away the tears pooling at the corner of my eyes. He continued, 'I know Olivia is happy wherever she is. It is very painful to lose a loved one most especially a wife. I want you to know that we are ever ready to help and support you and our grandson. My wife is willing to nurse our grandson till he is old enough to stay on his own.' I thanked him. I was grateful for having such wonderful parents-in-law.

'Lauretta!', I called the housekeeper who came in from the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. 'I will pick Naeto from school myself so don't worry about preparing lunch for him or dinner for us cos we will be eating out and we will be late.

'Yes sir, have a nice day and you too Naeto.' she said .

'Have a nice day too Lauretta.' Naeto replied.

'Thank you Lauretta.' I said. She smiled and returned to work while we left.

New serial( Love and Diamonds)

I will be starting a new story right here titled love and diamonds.  New episodes shall come up on Sundays. But if you want to get the story faster then log onto nairaland forum/literature/ love and Diamonds.  Thank you.