Company

After Midday

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Professor MacPherson drove his car gently after midday. When he reached the front of a black gate, the car hooted. One of the security guards heard the hoot of the car, he ran to the direction of the gate and opened the gate. Professor MacPherson entered through the gate, he parked the car under a tree and alighted from the car. He walked towards one of the buildings and entered through one of the doors. When he entered the waiting room, he gazed at everywhere and everyone, but he couldn’t see Evelyn. He left the waiting room for one of the males’ wards. He knocked at the door, opened it and entered. When he entered the ward, he could see Evelyn and Mrs. Anthony, sitting on a couch close to Mason’s bed, while Mason was sitting on the bed. They must have been discussing before professor MacPherson arrived.

“Hi! Everyone!” professor MacPherson said.

“Good evening, professor MacPherson,” Mrs. Anthony and Evelyn said.

“Please, come and sit down here,” Mrs. Anthony said and stood up.

“No! Please, sit down. I will sit beside Mason instead. Mason, how are you?” professor MacPherson said, and sat on the bed close to Mason.

“As you can see, I am fine. Thank you for everything you do,” Mason said.

“Don’t mention it. I hope you have eaten?” professor MacPherson said.

“Yeah, I have. You must be coming back from work,” Mason said and grimaced.

“You are right. Mrs. Anthony, I didn’t know you would come here. Thank you for your love and support. May God bless you unconditionally,” professor MacPherson said.

“Amen. I brought food for Mason; I will be on my way back home soon,” Mrs. Anthony said.

“It’s okay. Mason, I hope you have overcome the headaches?” professor MacPherson said.

“Sure! How is Ayla?” Mason said.

“She is fine. She should be in the company of Landon. The duo miss you very much,” professor MacPherson said, and glimpsed at Mason.

“I miss them more. Send my regards to them,” Mason said.

“It’s okay. When would you be discharged?” professor MacPherson said.

“The doctor said anytime from now, I would be discharged,” Mason said.

“Yeah. He should be discharged in two days' time,” Evelyn said.

“That’s good. It means you have been responding to treatment. I wish you would have your complete health once more,” professor MacPherson said.

“Amen. I guess you have to go now; at least, you need to rest after all the tedious work of the day,” Mason said.

“You are right. Please, cheer up,” professor MacPherson said.

“I will,” Mason said.

Professor MacPherson removed 100 USD from one of his pockets, he handed the money to Evelyn.

“Please, take the little I have,” professor MacPherson said.

“Thank you, professor MacPherson. This is a whole lot,” Evelyn said, and put the money inside her purse.

“Thank you,” Mason and Mrs. Anthony said.

“I want to leave now,” professor MacPherson said.

“Let me see you off,” Evelyn said.

“There is no need, thanks though,” professor MacPherson said.

Professor MacPherson stood up from the bed, he walked towards the direction of the door and exited the ward. He walked to where he parked his car and drove the car away gently. Mason, Evelyn and Mrs. Anthony continued their discussions.

After about 12 minutes' drive, Professor MacPherson reached his house, he parked his car, carried his briefcase and alighted from the vehicle. He walked towards the direction of the door and knocked on the door repeatedly.

“Ayla, open this door!!” professor MacPherson said.

Ayla had been so engrossed in the film she was watching that she couldn’t hear her father’s voice. Professor MacPherson pushed the door and it opened. He entered the sitting room and met Ayla gazing at the television.

“So you couldn’t hear my voice because of this film?” professor MacPherson said as he walked to the sitting room.

“Oh! Welcome dad! I am sorry,” Ayla said and muted the television.

“Thank you,” professor MacPherson said. He glimpsed at the television, placed his briefcase on the table and sat down.

“How was work today, dad?” Ayla said.

“It was fine; how was your day?” professor MacPherson said.

“It wasn’t fine, dad. Everywhere is boring,” Ayla said.

“I am sorry for that. Haven’t you seen Landon today to keep you company?” professor MacPherson said.

“No, I haven’t seen him,” Ayla said grimly.

“You look worried. Is anything the problem?” professor MacPherson said.

“No dad; I only miss mum,” Ayla said grimly.

“C'mon, Ayla; mum will come around soon. Give Dad a smile,” professor MacPherson said.

Ayla gave a fake smile and glimpsed at the television. Professor MacPherson stood up from the couch and carried his briefcase.

“Lest I forget; I was at the hospital today,” professor MacPherson said.

“Really? So you were still able to make it to the hospital?” Ayla said.

Professor MacPherson dropped his briefcase on the table and sat down on the couch.

“Sure! I was there in the morning and before coming home,” professor MacPherson said.

“That’s good of you, dad. How about Mr. Mason?” Ayla said.

“Mason is fine. He has come around. The doctor said he would be discharged anytime from now,” professor MacPherson said.

“Wow! I am happy for Mrs. Evelyn. I guess Mrs. Evelyn is at the hospital?” Ayla said.

“Yes, she is at the hospital. I also met Mrs. Anthony there,” professor MacPherson said.

“Alright, dad. I am famished already,” Ayla said.

“You ought to be; it’s getting late already,” professor MacPherson said.

Professor MacPherson took out some money from one of his pockets, he separated 14 USD notes from the money and handed them over to Ayla. Ayla collected the money and smiled.

“Thank you, dad,” Ayla said.

“You have to go to the cafeteria now before it gets darker,” professor MacPherson said.

“Alright, dad,” Ayla said and stood up.

“Before you go, switch off the television and other electronics,” professor MacPherson said.

“Alright, dad,” Ayla said.

She walked in the direction of the television, she switched it off alongside other electronics. She walked to the door, opened it and exited the sitting room. Professor MacPherson glimpsed at the briefcase on the table.

“Macpherson, you are undoubtedly tired and you need to rest now,” professor MacPherson sighed.

He stood up from the couch, carried his briefcase and walked to his room. When he reached his room, he dropped the briefcase on the table and walked in the direction of the wardrobe. He undressed himself and removed hangers from the wardrobe. He hung his clothes on the hangers and hung the hangers back inside the wardrobe. He removed his night coat and wore it. He switched off the light of the florescent bulb and walked in the direction of the bed. He lay on the bed with his left leg going eastwards and his right leg going westwards. He gazed at the darkness that had occupied the whole part of the room, he slept off and snored.