Chapter 5
647 Words
Doctor’s Visit
Theme: The truth hides behind polite words.
The waiting room smelled faintly of antiseptic and coffee—a combination that always reminded Adanna of her first prenatal visits when she was pregnant with Zara. Back then, she’d sat in this same clinic with her heart brimming with joy, David by her side, holding her hand. Today, she was alone.
She’d insisted on driving herself. When she’d mentioned the appointment to David the night before, he’d immediately offered to come along, but something in her gut had whispered no. She needed space—time to think without the weight of his gaze on her.
Her name was called, and she rose, smoothing her blazer.
Inside the consultation room, Dr. Nkem greeted her warmly. He was a tall, mild-mannered man in his fifties, with silver threading through his hair and the kind of voice that made bad news sound less terrifying.
“Adanna,” he said, shaking her hand. “Please, have a seat. I’ve gone through your test results.”
She sat, crossing her legs, willing herself to remain calm. “And? What’s wrong with me?”
He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands. “Your blood work shows some abnormalities—specifically, low potassium, mild anemia, and some liver enzyme irregularities. None of these are catastrophic individually, but together, they point to… something we haven’t yet identified.”
“Something like what?” she pressed.
“That’s the thing,” he said. “It could be a dietary deficiency, stress-related fatigue, or an underlying infection. But the dizziness and memory lapses you’ve reported—they’re not entirely explained by these findings.” He hesitated, watching her closely. “Have you been under unusual stress lately?”
Adanna gave a short, humorless laugh. “Doctor, I run three companies, sit on two boards, and manage a household. Stress is my middle name.”
He smiled faintly. “Fair enough. But there’s something else—your liver enzymes suggest mild toxicity exposure.”
Her brows furrowed. “Toxicity?”
“Yes,” he said gently. “It could be environmental—something in your home, workplace, or even food. I recommend we do further testing. In the meantime, avoid alcohol, drink more water, and… if you notice worsening symptoms, come to me immediately.”
She left the clinic with the words mild toxicity echoing in her head. The Lagos traffic swallowed her thoughts, but her mind kept circling back to her kitchen. To the strange bitter taste in her tea lately.
When she got home that evening, David was in the living room, lounging in his designer sweats, a drink in hand.
“How did it go?” he asked casually, eyes still on the TV.
“Nothing conclusive,” she said, removing her heels. “They want more tests.”
“See? I told you it’s just stress. Maybe you need a vacation.”
She gave him a tight smile. “Maybe.”
He got up and kissed her cheek. “Come, I’ll make you some tea. That always helps you relax.”
Her chest tightened—not visibly, but enough for her to notice. “Actually, I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I had some coffee earlier.”
He paused for half a second before smiling again. “Alright. Dinner’s almost ready.”
Later that night, after David had gone to bed, Adanna found herself standing in the kitchen in the dim light, staring at the tea canister. She opened it and inhaled. The scent was normal—floral, with a hint of citrus. But she still poured some into a napkin, folding it carefully before slipping it into her purse.
Tomorrow, she’d send it to the lab.
She wasn’t sure what she expected to find. But something told her she had just taken her first step into a very dangerous truth.
- Writer
