THE PERFECT WIFE

Chapter 16

The three of them arrived at the hospital and what Ebere saw made her cry. Blood was all over the place and she couldn't believe it was the same Nonso she had seen few hours earlier that had lost so much blood. She knew Nonso was really in a critical condition and that only a miracle could save his life.

Nonso had felt really bad when Ebere returned her wedding ring. He was hoping Ebere would give him a second chance to make things right but was wrong. Ebere had not yet forgiven him and he couldn't accept the fact that he had lost Ebere for good. After Ebere left, he kept staring at the ring on his palm not knowing what else to do. With Sandra out of his life already, he thought Ebere would accept him back and then he could have his family whole again. Seeing that he had lost Ebere for good, he went back to the hotel bar to get some drinks. He thought it was best to get drunk and forget his problems. Nonso had

always been a teetotaler but in his frustration, he over looked that. He just couldn't think straight at that moment and the only way he believed that would help him get better is to have some drinks. He ordered for alcoholic beverages with the highest percentage of alcohol just to enable him accept the fact that he had lost Ebere and it was for good. The bar attendant was actually surprised to see him ordering that number of bottles when he was the only one to drink them but he had no choice but to give him what he wants as that was his job.

After drinking to stupor, he collected his car keys. The bar attendant tried to stop him but he claimed he was alright and could drive.

"Sir, you're not in a good condition to drive." The young man who was probably in his early twenties said.

"I'm go....od" Nonso stammered.

"But sir, you don't look like you are good. Let me take you to one of our rooms and when you get better by morning, you can settle your bills and then leave. Safety first." The young man said supporting Nonso who was already staggering and about falling down.

"What is your problem young man? I said I'm fine and I can drive too. So leave my way." Nonso said and pushed him out of the way staggering all the way to his car.

The young man tried to stop him from driving in that condition but Nonso was too stubborn to listen to him. He somehow managed to open the car, ignited the engine and sped off. The young man had to pray in his heart that nothing bad happens to him on his way back home. He could tell that something wasn't right. He had seen Nonso earlier that evening during the party and he didn't appear like one who would drink to stupor.

"God please protect him and allow him get home safe." The young man prayed and thereafter, returned to his duty post.

It was not quite long after he left the hotel when he crashed head on to a truck carrying bags of rice. The truck driver tried every possible means to dodge him but Nonso lost control of the wheel and the next thing that happened was the accident. While driving back home, Nonso saw vehicles in their numbers that he couldn't tell what was going on. Other drivers in the road that night could tell that he was drunk from the way he drove recklessly on the road.

When he saw the truck approaching, he saw it in numbers that he suddenly lost control of the wheel. The next thing that happened was the crash.

Those who witnessed the accident thought he died on the spot because the car was greatly crushed and dented. The truck driver only sustained minor injuries but not Nonso whose blood was all over the place. Those who rescued him thought he was dead but he had somehow miraculously escaped death and got the chance to be rushed to the hospital.

When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, the doctors wasted no time in taking him to the emergency room seeing how bloody he appeared.

"If anything should happen to him, I won't forgive myself" Ebere said. Gozie asked her to remain optimistic that nothing bad will happen to Nonso. Nonso spent about two in the emergency room where the doctors were battling to save his life. He was in critical condition and losing all his vital signs. Not too long, Ebuka and Buchi arrived at the hospital. Ebuka could not believe that the same Nonso he saw few hours ago was the one battling for his life in the emergency room. Ebere kept crying and praying for God to save the life of her husband. It was then it occurred to Ebuka that his twin sister was still very much in love with Nonso and that there was nothing he nor Ndubisi could do about it.

The doctors came out after spending almost two hour in the Emergency room.

"How is he now doctor?" Ebere asked.

"You must be his wife I assume" the doctor said.

"Yes I am his wife. How is he now?" she asked again.

"Your husband sustained serious injuries. He had a cut in his midbrain and it may affect his ability to speak or recognize anyone. He also had serious fractures in his legs and only

God knows when he will be able to walk again. He is out of danger but yet to open his eyes. The nurses are about moving him to the intensive care ward where you can go and see him" he said and left them.

Ebere could not hold back her tears after all the doctor said to them. She blamed herself for being the cause of the accident. "if I didn't return the ring and didn't sound too hard to him, he wouldn't have got into the accident" Ebere said.

"You did nothing wrong sis. You had every right to be angry but let’s be thankful that he survived it" Ebuka said. They all went inside to see him but he was still asleep. Ebere asked them to go home that she will be the one to stay with her husband.

"Amaka go with uncle Ebuka. Your dad will be fine." she said and kissed her. Amaka was surprised to see her dad in that condition and prayed that nothing bad should happen to him. Ebere stayed all night watching over Nonso. She kept praying for God to save him and make him recover quick. She picked up her phone and dialed Chinyere's number. He told her everything that had happened to her brother and that he was out of danger too.

Chinyere was surprised to know that it was Ebere who had called her. Ever since she left Nonso, they've not been able to reach her again and they had no idea that she was back in Nigeria. She was however grateful that her brother survived the accident and that Ebere was the one watching after him and taking care of him. She broke the news to her mother who suddenly lost her peace and started panicking telling Chinyere to dress up and to start leaving for the city.

"Mama, it's late already. We can't travel this night. Let's wait till tomorrow. Besides, it is Ebere that is with him right now so you should call down. Thank God he survived the accident." Chinyere said.

Mrs. Nnonye was pleased to know that Ebere was back and was the one taking care of Nonso but as a mother she couldn't sleep that night and couldn't wait for day break to come.

Early the next morning, Chinyere and her mother Nnonye left for the city. They met Nonso still unconscious but Ebere explained to them that he was out of danger already.

"Then why is he not waking up?" Mrs. Nnonye asked.

"It's okay mama. He'll wake up. Just be thankful that he still alive." Ebere said and hugged her.

Mrs. Nnonye was left speechless. She least expected Ebere to stay awake all night watching after Nonso who had done nothing but to take her love for granted.

"Thank you so much Ebere. I'm really sorry for what happened between you and Nonso." Mrs Nnonye said.

"It's okay mama. I'm the one who should be apologizing for leaving without coming to you first to tell you what was happening."

"Aunty Ebere, I think you should take your bath and rest now. It's obvious you haven't rested since yesterday. We'll take over for now. Get some rest." Chinyere said.

"No, I want to be here when he wakes up." Ebere replied. She walked up to Nonso who was still unconscious and caressed his face.

"Wake up honey, your mom and sister are here." She said, after which she kissed him.

"I love you." She whispered.

Nonso opened his eyes the following morning and the first person he saw was Ebere. He was able to recognise her as against what the doctor had said.

"Don't tell me we are both dead" he said. Ebere was so happy to hear her husband speaking.

"No honey, you are alive. We are both alive" Ebere said.

"Are you sure this is not a dream?" he asked again.

"No honey, it’s me your wife. Its Ebere and you are not dreaming" she said smiling.

Nonso couldn't believe his eyes that Ebere was the one with him in the hospital. He looked forward and saw his mother and sister.

"So this accident was a blessing in disguise" he said again trying to force a smile.

"You still have the guts to joke with it" Ebere said pressing his hands.

"Ouch! It hurts" he cried.

"Honey, you got me really scared last night. Please don't ever do something like that again. You don't want me to be a widow at my age do you? She asked.

Your wife and your daughter still needs you" she added.

"What were you thinking brother? You want mama to die? You wanted us to start mourning?" Chinyere said expressing her dissatisfaction.

"Chinonso, please I'm begging you. You're my only son and the one to give me a befitting burial after all my days here on Earth. Don't do something like this ever again." Mrs. Nnonye said.

"Don't worry mama, he won't do something like this ever again. I promise you." Ebere apologized on his behalf.

Nonso was glad to hear those words. Ebere's words were painkillers because on hearing those words, he didn't feel pains anymore.

"I'm really sorry honey" he said. Ebere hushed him and told him not to talk anymore. "You don't have to apologize anymore. I forgive you" Ebere said.

"I love you honey. I love you so much" he said.

"And I love you much more" Ebere returned. Nonso felt so happy. He was glad to know that Ebere had forgiven him and still loves him.

He turned to his mother and sister and apologized for getting him drunk and almost killed. They forgave him and more importantly were happy to see him and Ebere reconciled.

The doctor and nurses came to check up on him and test for the stability of his vital signs. They confirmed him to be okay and Ebere was glad to hear that.

"He'll still have to undergo some treatments for another one week before we can decide if he could be discharged home." The doctor said.

"Thank you so much doctor." Ebere replied as the doctors took their leave. Nonso could still feel so much pains especially on his legs which the doctor confirmed were broken but with proper treatment would definitely get healed and that he would be able to walk again.

"What if I'm not able to walk again for the rest of my life?" He asked Ebere.

"Don't say that honey. You'll walk again. I strongly believe you will." Ebere replied.

"Honey, thank you so much for all this." Nonso said to Ebere. He knew he didn't deserve any of the kind gestures he was receiving from Ebere considering how badly he had hurt her.

Ebere leaned forward towards him and without informing him, kissed him.

"That's my own way of saying you're welcome." She said causing everyone to laugh.

That evening, the whole family came to the hospital to see Nonso including Ebuka. Amaka was so glad to see her dad again. She was so scared when she learnt of the accident and wouldn't cease praying for him. She was rest assured that God answered her prayers and saved her daddy.

Ebuka was able to see for himself that Amaka loved Nonso as much as Ebere did too. At that point, he knew it was useless trying to annul the marriage. The love between Ebere and Nonso melted his anger and he had no choice but to forgive Nonso too. Nonso was more surprised to see how much love he received from the very people whom he hurt the most. He saw everything that happened to him as the beginning of a new life for him, Ebere and Amaka.