Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Valor had begun to work as a full-time doctor. He wore glasses thinking it would fit him especially with the coat and had a good reputation. As a young doctor, the work is exhaustive with a lot of emergencies. Whenever he gets home, he always finds Richard sitting outside with the neighbors jesting, but this fateful day Richard is not to be found. Valor opened the door and met him lying down on the carpet “Richard” he called him. “valor, you are back.” “Yes, so early to sleep?” “I’m awake, I was just lying down. You won’t believe what happened today.” Valor asked in desperation, “what happened?” “It's unbelievable, remember that man we met at the school gate of the school I went to for an interview.” “Am trying to remember.” “The one that asked you why I was angry.” “I can’t recall his face.” “fine that man is the proprietor of the school.” “that’s great, what then?” “I received a letter today to come to the school. When I got there, I met with the secretary. She said that with your credentials and quality you’ve shown sense of responsibility, you have been offered a position of the office of the principal, Book standard nursery school. I was confused at first and asked how and why. She further explained that all the teachers don’t like the former Principal and his troubles. He had cost them a lot of trouble, that’s why the man you met at the gate chose you because you are capable of handling the office.” Valor could not wait for Richard to continue his story. He began shouting “finally! finally! Celebrate so that you will buy me a drink.” “you drink beer?” “of course, I will drink.” “In that case don’t remove your clothes, Let’s go to the bar.” In a little while, they were already drunk.
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On a good morning, Valor had attended to a little girl. She had asthma “how are you feeling now?” he asked. “The problem in breathing is no more. I’m doing fine.” her mother helped her and said “she has not had that shortness of breath since morning. I believe the medication is working.” Valor then said “okay, that’s a wonderful improvement she has to continue with the injection. I will call the nurse to bring the injection.” returned to the little girl and said, “don’t worry you’re going to be alright.” Valor left them to see other patients in the hospital. As usual, it is always overwhelming. And carefulness is needed when multitasking.
During the afternoon, Valor went back to see his patient, the little asthmatic patients. “how is she now?” He asked her mother. “She had that shortness of breath some hours ago and she refuses to eat.” Valor gave a gentle smile and said to her, “you have to put something in your stomach. Look at your mother, she’s not happy, she’s worried about you staying hungry. The only way to restore happiness to her is to eat something.” He said to her mother “bring the food flask and try feeding her.” She replied, “Doctor, maybe you should feed her by yourself. I think she will eat from you.” He replied, “don’t worry I’m here for her, she will eat.” She opened her mouth and received the food. Valor sat beside her watching as she received the food. A nurse came inside with a man. Valor stood up to receive him, but his interest was in the child. The child shouted “daddy” the man came closer and embraced his daughter whom Valor was attending to. He embraced his wife as well. The man turned to Valor and asked, “Doctor how is my daughter doing?” He replied, “she’s responding to the treatment positively” Valor was smiling and relaxed on his chair looking at them. The young man brought out two chilled bottles of Coca-Cola drink and handed one over to his wife and opened the other for the child, about to give her Valor intervened. He said, “there will be no need for that. Cold drinks and foods induce asthma. It is not good for asthmatic patients. Let her do away with the chilled drink.” She wears a frown face as her father pets her, “the doctor said you should not take cold substance. You must keep it warm before you take it. She kept on frowning her face while her mother tried to pet her.
Valor was still smiling, he sat, relaxed his elbow on the armchair, and clasped his fingers. The young man finds it to be amusing. “Doctor why the smile, is there anything wrong?” he asked. Valor replied, “good you call me Doctor, and what should I call you?” “I’m an engineer.” “engineer Caleb nice to see you again.” valor removes his glasses for Caleb to recognize him. He was full of awe after seeing him. He said, “valor, could this be you the only man amongst men.” He releases a shout of joy. Valor stood up and they embraced each other. Caleb turned to his wife and introduced Valor to her, “this is Valor, he was my best friend in school, secondary. He is tough.” And then said to valor, “this is my wife Victoria and lovely daughter Barbara.” He answered, nice to meet you and your lovely daughter.
Valor and Caleb strolled out of the ward discussing themselves. “it is always good to have good friends back to discuss with. So how is your work and the family? How is everything?” valor asked. “Everything is fine, I’m a mechanical engineer at Tony reliable energy. My wife is a lawyer. I love her so much. What about you?” “I am currently on my marriage plan which will be happening very soon.” “when?” “date not fixed but a few months away. Engineer, I am jealous of you. How did you manage to get married so early with a daughter already?” Valor asked. Caleb laughed before he finally replied, “I got her pregnant then we married.” “that sounds interesting.” “of course. So, you treat children alone?” “yes, you can call me a pediatrician.” “that sounds good. How is your mother?” “she’s fine she has been writing to me.” “Nice, do quick and give her grandchildren.” “let her not worry, she will have it the way she wants. When they will be coming for holidays, she will be complaining of children all over the house.” “That reminds me of my daughter’s holiday where she bathed herself in engine oil.” “very terrible.” “I’m happy that I was there to stop her. I thank God that worse didn’t happen.”
One of the nurses came to Valor and said,” sir, a patient is waiting for you.” Valor replied, “I’m on my way.” Valor said to Caleb, “I have to attend to my patients sorry that I have to leave you so soon.” Caleb brought his business card and handed it over to him, “this is my business card my address is on it we can always get in touch.” “I’ll contact you soon.”