Desperate Moves

3

A nurse came in two hours later to give me my medication. I wish they could just stop stuffing me with all these drugs and allow me to die in peace, I thought. I didn’t have the willpower to continue living. I wanted it all to just end.

Cynthia tried feeding me the food they had brought for me, so I could take the drugs. I didn’t want to eat and I made them know that but I think they were saying I had to, since I couldn’t take the drugs on an empty stomach. After about three spoons of the food, my stomach threatened to empty itself of its contents if I added as much as one more spoon. I shook my head at the sight of another spoonful of rice and thankfully, they didn’t press. The nurse placed the tablets in my palm, gave me a glass of water and nodded for me to go ahead and swallow them. I shut my eyes tight and dropped the drugs in my mouth after taking a sip from the glass of water. The nurse left after making sure I was as comfortable as possible.

Tosin offered to pass the night in the hospital with me. I tried shaking my head in protest but he wouldn’t have any of it. I gave up trying to make him go. For one, I didn’t even have the strength to keep shaking my head. I was drained, physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Cynthia left for home, but not before promising to return the following day with food. I simply laid there looking up at the ceiling till I was overpowered by sleep.

“Please, don’t hurt me. Please.....!” I screamed and woke up with a start.

“Don’t do it please....” I let out a shriek when I felt a hand trying to hold me.

“Edi, it’s me. It’s Tosin.” I stopped screaming when I recognized the voice as Tosin’s. He pulled me into a tight hug and rubbed soothing circles on my back. I was trembling severely. Seconds later, a nurse came rushing into the ward to ask what was happening.

“What is happening here?” she asked as soon as she got to the door, moving closer to the bed.

“Everything is fine, she had a nightmare.” Tosin responded still holding me close.

When she got to where I was lying, she laid a hand on my forehead, pulling it back she said,

“Her temperature is high; I will get her something to bring down the fever and enable her sleep.”

I couldn’t stand more drugs, at least not at the moment. Moreover, I couldn’t afford to sleep again for fear of another nightmare, so when she said that, I shook my head vigorously, as much as I could, silently pleading with Tosin not to let her give me more drugs. Tosin understood.

“Please, is it possible that she does not take the drugs?” Tosin asked, obviously sounding torn and confused.

“But she needs to sleep, if not, her temperature will keep rising.”

“I don't want to sleep again!” I said frantically.

The nurse opened her mouth as if to say something, but she changed her mind, looked from me to Tosin and then left.

I tried every trick in the books to make Tosin go to sleep but none of it worked. I felt really bad for putting him through such stress. He had to go to work in the morning and I didn’t want him looking pale and haggard by daybreak.

By morning, dark circles had started forming under Tosin’s eyes as a result of stress and lack of sleep. He reluctantly left after I practically banished him from the hospital to go get some sleep and then prepare for work. Even though he co-owned the company he worked at, he was a very strong hand, as he was very good at what he does. Most clients usually wanted him when it came to repairs, maintenance and assembling of computers or its parts. I eventually managed to drag myself over to the bathroom to freshen up after the doctor had done his rounds. The doctor had informed me that I will be ready to leave in a couple of days if I got better by then.

Cynthia returned later that day as promised, with food. Tosin and two other neighbors, Anastasia and Anaele were in the company. I was surprised when she also handed over my phone to me. When Tosin saw the confusion on my face, he explained that the men did not carry anything from the house. At that point, I realized I had been too occupied with my situation to even ask how the others were faring from the attack. I was partly shocked and partly relieved to find out that the attack was only in my room. Then my mind went racing again.

So those men were not robbers, they did not come to rob me, or any other person in the lodge at that; their only mission had been to... I couldn’t even bring myself to pronounce the word in my head.