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.