The Guy I Never Met

Just Being Here

CHAPTER 5: Just Being Here.

Kemi was on her bed in her pyjamas. Her body was hot, then cold, then hot again.

Fever.

She had taken Paracetamol earlier. It helped for a little while. Now her head was pounding again and her bones felt heavy.

She picked up her phone. Ola’s last message was still there:

Ola: You sound tired. Rest well, okay?

She hadn’t replied. Not because she didn’t want to.

Because she didn’t know how to say "I’m not okay"without sounding like a problem.

Her fingers shook as she typed:

Kemi: I’m sorry. I’ve been quiet.

Kemi: I don’t want to stress you.

Three dots.

Ola: Hey. Don’t start with sorry, okay?

Ola: Friends check up on each other. That’s what we do.

Ola: Are you fine-fine? Or fine-like-“I-don’t-want-to-talk-about-it” fine?

Kemi laughed softly. It hurt her head, but she laughed anyway.

Kemi: The second one 😅

Kemi: I have fever again. I think it might be malaria.

Ola: Okay. Breathe.

Ola: First, is there something light at home that you could have?

Ola: Anything at all?

Kemi: I have some snacks. I’m not hungry though.

Ola: I know. Fever kills appetite.

Ola: But try small. Even a little bit.

Ola: I’ll wait.

She could hear his voice in the text. Gentle. No pressure.

Kemi got up slowly and had some snacks. It tasted like nothing, but she forced it down.

Back on her bed:

Kemi: I ate.

Ola: Proud of you. See?

Ola: Now meds. Did you take anything?

Kemi: Paracetamol earlier. But it’s not working again.

Ola: Hmm. Paracetamol only handles fever. It doesn’t treat malaria.

Ola: You really should see a doctor and get tested.

Ola: Promise me you’ll go if it gets worse?.

Kemi: I won’t be seeing a doctor. I will be fine very soon since I’ve taken some medicine.

Kemi: You don’t have to worry about me that much.

Her chest felt tight sending that. She didn’t want him to worry from Nigeria.

Ola: Kemi, stop.

Ola: I’m allowed to worry. You’re my friend.

Ola: And it’s okay to be tired of being sick.

Ola: You don’t have to be strong for me. Not today.

Ola: You can just be Kemi. The one who’s sick and scared and just needs a friend.

Kemi’s eyes burned.

Kemi: What if I’m a burden?

Kemi: You said you love making friends and getting to know people. What if being sick makes me boring?

Ola: I said I love getting to know people. And I’m getting to know you.

Ola: All of you. The laughing you. The quiet you. The sick you.

Ola: None of it is a burden. None of it is boring.

Ola: I’m here because I want to be. Because you’re my friend.

Kemi: You’re too good to me.

Ola: And you’re worth being good to. Simple.

A pause.

Ola: Have you drink some water?

Kemi: Not really.

Ola: Small sips. Dehydration + fever = bad combo.

Ola: I’ll stay here with you till you feel better, okay?

Kemi: You don’t have to.

Ola: I know I don’t have to.

Ola: I want to.

Ola: Tell me something to keep your mind off it. What song have you had on repeat?

Kemi: Camilla Cabello’s cover of "Anyone" by Justin Bieber.

Ola: Ooooh that one. It’s so soft.

Ola: Send me a voice note humming it.

Kemi: My voice will sound like frog 😂

Ola: Then I’ll get to hear frog-Kemi. Win-win.

She sent an 8 second voice note. Hoarse humming.

He sent one back 30 seconds later. Off-key, singing along.

Ola: See? Now we’re both frogs. Friends.

Kemi smiled into her pillow.

Kemi: Thank you, Ola.

Kemi: For not leaving. Even when I go quiet.

Ola: I’m not going anywhere.

Ola: Just being here is enough for me.

Ola: And you being here is enough for me too.

Later, her eyelids got heavy.

Kemi: I think I can rest now.

Ola: Good. I’ll check on you later.

Ola: Make sure you rest well and don’t stress yourself too much.

Ola: You could postpone your work till tomorrow. Work can wait. Your health matters.

Kemi: Okay. Thank you, Ola.

She set her phone down. For the first time that day, she didn’t feel alone with the fever.

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TO BE CONTINUED....