Clueless

Are you okay?

Jane's POV

I had afternoon sift today, so only Jane went to work. She left very early as possible, to avoid issues. Mr Anthony, our manager is now recuperating, but still at home.

Grace would be back by four today and I would be resuming my sift by two. I had bread, toast bread to be precise, the only thing available at home at that point. I couldn't even finish it, I didn't have appetite for food, which is unlike me, a voracious eater.The whole house was as quiet as a graveyard, no one was even at home, since everyone went to their various workplace and the young kids in our compound were already in school. Our versatile landlord was into estate management, where he gets to take interested people to sites and finished house and persuade them into buying the proposed houses or land. Basically, Mr Williams, our landlord built a three storey building, on a three plots of land. We lived in the second flat, which was a room self contained. My clothes were so dirty due to the fact that I didn't wash any during weekend. I tried to fetch water to wash my clothes, so I won't go to work naked. Ugh i wasn't strong enough though. So I resulted to talking to them to the dry cleaner to wash them, I ironed too! I didn't have the patience for that really. I used the opportunity to get some food stuffs with the little money I had on me, about fifteen thousand naira. Surprisingly, cooking was one of the things Grace loved to do. She cooked mostly and I'd always enjoy her food. I managed to cook with the help of the YouTube video I watched online in my phone. It was past 12 by then, I rounded up what I was doing. Realising how much I was in need of some sandals and shoes, they are all worn out, I thought of wearing Grace's,I knew she wasn't going to say anything. I wore a blue pants and a casual top. I was offered a ride by a neighbor of ours, who dropped me at a walking distance from work.

For once, I felt I could have just stayed by at home, seeing how just a few people were in the restaurant. High level of austerity and absolute recession leading to apathy in all areas. People venting anger on their fellow ones, as a result of poverty and unemployment. Inconsistent patronage of our reliable. customers was an understatement.

I handed over the food to amazed Grace, who took it and found a place at the back of the counter to eat. I wasn't active, as I felt very weak and faint. I heard a few of my co-workers gossiping how pale and White I looked. Grace and I weren't friends with any of them, so I didn't care of whatever they were saying. I was only worried of how obvious I looked sick and pale. I sluggishly took orders and served customers, feeling dizzy most times. What the hell is wrong, I never felt like this in a very long time, I asked my self at intervals. I literally begged Grace, who was tired too, to wait fore till 9 pm, when we will be closing finally at work.

"Are you for real right now? So you want me to 12 hours today, for what, I can only wait till 6 at least, Grace said looking at me. She glared at me, further, perhaps something was going on her mind

"Are you okay? she asked with a concerned face.

" I think I need to go this the hospital, this time around. I can't help this funny feelings, lest I forget, I vomited twice, very early today, I said. She came close, feeling my temperature and pulse

" What the heck do you know? I said irritated at the fact that she always tried to ascertain things, especially things related to health issues.

" Come on girl, I would at least try my best, right? she said trying to justify herself.

" So two things now; please wait for me till 9 pm, then before we go home, we will ask for tomorrow off, in order to go to the hospital, i asked with a pleading eye to get her attention.

" What if Mr Antony doesn't like the fact that two of his prominent workers take a day off in his absence, you know him, don't you? I said trying to remind her. He was discharged already and he was resting at home to recuperate.

" We could work things out Grace, can't we? my health matters here than any work that can't even break me even, I said. Then she looked at me with a touch of sympathy.

" It's fine, okay, she said looking at my legs. " So you even wore my slippers without my permission. I will definitely punish you one day ,mark my words, she said in a playful way.

Grace's POV

She hasn't been so serious about going to the hospital, she must have so sick indeed and it's all written on her face too. I noticed this ever since she got to work, but I didn't look at it as serious.

We both pleaded a day off from our head chef, as he was the one available, Mr Antony was still at home. We told him the situation at hand and he agreed immediately. I'm sure he must have gone noticed Jane too throughout the day. He was considerate and nice enough to let us resume work, after we must have returned from the hospital. He even permitted us to leave earlier. So we boarded a taxi, taking us back home, instead of trekking like we do sometimes, to save and we arrived at exactly 8;30 pm at night.

I opened the door and helped her inside, leaving her to rest after talking some pain reliever we had left at home.She left the kitchen open and wide, flies and insects were playing around. I chased it with the long broom in our kitchen and washed the plates we used to eat. Before I could go back to the room and ask for what she will eat, I heard her snoring lightly. So I just ate some fruits in the fridge _ watermelon and pineapple, since she was asleep and the situation at hand made me lose appetite. I lay quietly beside her, spreading the blue stripes blanket on my body. I remembered her telling me she will actually make me worry about her soon. I never knew it was going to be like this,was it on purpose?

My mind travelled far and near down the memory lane. "What happened to her? What if she had a terminal disease? What is really wrong with her? What! What! What! was the only thing i was thinking. I prayed solemnly that I shouldn't have to lose the only person I call my own sister, friend, guardian and family.Nothing must happen to her and she won't die.

Well, what was I thinking, it could be malaria or a minor illness. Nobody is born complete and perfect. There should be ups and downs in life. She might even be reacting to something or the other. I dozed off to sleep in the cool weather after concluding our early visitation to the hospital the next morning. There we will get to know what's really happening to her and all will be well.