Chapter 41: Chapter 41

James paused for a minute not knowing what to say.

" Are you sure you're ready? I'll be so happy if truly you are because Ivan is also schooling over there"

" Wow, you don't mean it . Ivan is here ?"

" Yes Abby . He is and he too couldn't believe it "

" And we haven't met! I can't believe it . I need to reconnect with him. Its high time we all meet. I can't wait for this to be all over. So I can now have time for myself and my love ones"

James chuckles " it's just a matter of time. Everything will fall into place"

Abby sighed " I hope so"

" You just wait and see"

" Alright if you say so. By the way we've been talking about other things, we didn't even talk about ourselves."

James laughed " but we're good and we always do that all the time . We talk about ourselves."

" You know what I mean James. So how have you been ?and please don't lie to me " Abby said sternly

James groaned " please don't start with me . I'm fine and you know that "

" No no no, you're not fine. Don't even try to lie to me. I know you James. You may think you covered up your pain alot but you didn't do a nice job this time. I've noticed the way your voice goes strain one minute and next you're either groaning in pain or something"

James scoffed " I'm serious Abby . Nothing is wrong with me, I'm perfectly alright"

" No you're not perfectly alright. It's shows in your voice that you're not. Just please tell me the truth James. We're both in this relationship together and I should know whatever is wrong with you" she pleaded

" Abby please"

" Just tell me james, I want to know. I'm scared shitless that it's something serious "

He exhaled loudly " you have nothing to be afraid about. I can deal with it"

" Then let's deal with it together"

" Ok fine you wanna know?"

" Yes I have the right to know. I'm your girlfriend"

" Okay, I'm battling with this pain inside my stomach and it's intensifying everyday" he calmly explained.

Abby held a breath " Have you gone to the hospital?"

"Yeah, I have gone to the hospital. I took a test and I was asked to come collect the result today which I'm finding it hard to go"

Abby tried to be strong for him. She doesn't need him to know that she was scared for him.

" Have you told anyone at home about this?"

" No I haven't"

" God!James! Why are you trying to do this to yourself. For crying out loud you're living alone in that room! What if something happens to you in the middle of the night ? Why are you hiding it from everyone?"

" Because I don't want you to worry too much about it"

" I'm worried shitless. I'm only trying to contain myself, now you make me wish I was in Nigeria. I wouldn't allow you to do this" she said angrily

" I know"

" Please you need to call someone. Your neighbor or something to help escort you to the hospital! Please James. I'll be so mad if something happens to you"

He chuckled " nothing will happen to me. I'm a big man and you know that"

" Stop the jokes please"

" This is why I didn't want you to know. You always worry too much. I promise you love, I'll go to the hospital today " he assured her

" Please do. That will put my mind at rest"she told him

" I know and I'll do what makes you happy. You know I love you"

" I love you more"

***

The hospital was filled with chaos. The nurses and doctors were going helter skelter. There was an accident that occurred today and about twenty patient were brought in. Thank God no lives were lost but alot were injured badly.

James was filled with fear for this young boy who is of the age of 7-8 years. He is also among the patient that were brought in from the accident. The child had this deep cut on his head and blood didn't stop coming out. The little boy was lifeless in his father's hand. The father also has a wound on his leg but all he was after is to save his child. Father's Love. Nurses came over to take the boy from his father's hand and that was how they were taken to the emergency room.

James was having a second thought on whether he'll see the doctor today because of how everywhere was today. The doctor pleaded with him to wait but he's taking too much time.

A nurse came out from the Ward and James hurriedly went to catch up with her " Miss! Nurse!"

The nurse who was in haste but had to stop because of James calling turned to answer " yes? How can I help you?"

James rubbed his neck nervously " please I'm asking after Dr Dele. He asked me to wait for him but he's taking too much time"

The nurse sighed " I won't lie to you dear. He's very busy inside the emergency room. The patient at just too much in there"

He sighed " what do you suggest I do then?"

" I'll advise you to wait a little bit but if you feel that you can come back later then it's alright. " She adviced .

James nodded " Alright thanks"

The nurse left in hurry. James groaned not knowing what to do. The pain is beginning to shoot up so he decided to just wait. He found somewhere to sit. James groaned in pain. He quickly brought out the medicine the doctor gave him to be taking whenever the pain shoot up.

Luckily for him, he brought his water bottle.

***

Lucy Smiled as her mom and Sarah kept on teasing her. The two became so close that one will think her mom was the one that gave birth to Sarah.

" Mom you should have seen Lucy's face that day" Sarah said while laughing

Sarah now calls Lucy's mom 'mom' and it's  really does sounds funny in a way. Lucy rolled her eyes at them.

" You two should please leave me alone. Don't put me in your conversation" said Lucy then pouted

" You're just jealous " Sarah teased

" You two are insufferable"

" Even I your mother ?"

Sarah tongue out at her " you lack no respect at all"

Lucy glared at her" I'll slap you"

" Hey you two should stop. Come over here Lucy" called her mom.

Lucy dragged her feet and went over to them. She sat beside Sarah who wouldn't stop making funny faces.

" Mom tell Sarah to stop. She's annoying"

" Isn't she your friend? "

" Really mom? Is that all you can say?You just met her today for crying out louds"

Her mom chuckles " always remember that i don't take sides"

" Mom!"

" Just listen please"

Lucy pouted then sat calm

" Girls, listen attentively. Let me tell you two a story" she begin.

Lucy was surprised,her mom has never said any story to her.

" Wow I love stories " Sarah squealed.

Lucy's mom chuckled and then she started

" There live a young girl called Lucretia. She lives with her sick grandmother. Lucretia is an orphan. She has to struggle to earn a living . One most precious thing Lucretia cherish most is her beauty. She has this beauty that even people living around them were jeolous about. She was everyone's favorite except the jeolous ones  in the community.

Lucretia was in secondary school as at then. She was in ss1. She always top the class because of how intelligent she was. She has a best friend, and her name was Maryanne. Maryanne loves Lucretia like her blood sister. The two always do things together, they understood themselves so well that even teachers began to notice their closeness.

But what they weren't happy about is the fact that they were not in the same class. Lucretia was in A and Maryanne was in B class. It actually pained them but they had nothing to do about it . Their life kept on moving smoothly not until this day when Maryanne came to school with a swollen face. She looked like someone that was beaten beyond recognition.

Lucretia took her time to ask her what happened and the former didn't want to say anything not until Lucretia had to forced her. So she said the truth. Her uncle was the one that gave her that beating. She was blamed for things she didn't do. Maryanne case was different. She had a parent but they were leaving in the village, there uncle was the one that brought her to the city in the name of helping her. Quite alright he put her in a school but she had to pay for it. She paid for it by doing the whole house chores every blessed day.

The uncle has two children but he always pampered them alot that they also treated Maryanne as a maid. Maryanne always cried every day to sleep when she thinks of how her life was going to end. She was tired of the suffering. She just wanted to be with her parents. She wanted giving up on school but Lucretia made it her daily job to advice her not to give up yet.

They continued their friendship until this particular day when things took a turn. Lucretia's grandma sickness worsen. She had no money on her to take her to the hospital. Maryanne was also pained that she was of no help. Lucretia tried begging for money but it wasn't enough for the drugs not to even talk of taking her to the hospital.

The government hospital were locked as at then. It was under construction. It's either private or nothing and there was no money to afford a private hospital.

Then it happened. The day Lucretia dreaded so much. Her grandma passed away. All hell broke loose as Lucretia couldn't take it. She was down and lonely. Her friend also tried her best but Lucretia was just too broken. Her only family was gone. Who will she call her family ? She has no one.  No relatives. The only relative she have and knew are all gone. She questioned  God alot that at time she thought of committing suicide but has never succeeded.

Maryanne felt so bad for her friend that she wish she can solve all her problems. She herself had her own problems not to even talk of her friends problem .  Things became hard for the girls.

Lucretia started a maid job but luckily for her,her boss was a nice person. She really helped her alot. At time she gifted her clothes and things that are of value.

Life went back to normal for Lucretia. She was okay again but at the same time lonely. Whenever she goes back home after work , she always cry herself to sleep thinking about her grandmother. She was happy but at the same time sad. Whenever she sees how other children behave rudely to their parents she only pitied them. Parent she wish she had.

Life kept on moving smoothly. As time passes Lucretia began to get use to this loneliness. At times Maryanne too visit when she is less busy at home. They do spend time together and also do some of their assignment.

The two always share how they'll like their future to be. They both have always wished for a Happy home in the future. They with their husband and kids.

Life is too short not to be happy. At the end they achieved that . They both got married to their husbands and they also have kids"

She ended the story.

Sarah smiled " I'm really happy they finally achieved their dreams"...

Lucy nodded in agreement " but I don't know why I get the feel that this is a story of people I might know "

Lucy's mom smiled " you're right about that . This is a story about I and Abby's mom"

The girls were flabbergasted.