NURSE MY HEART

CHAPTER 1 Andre opened his eyes slightly, preventing the rays of light that emitted around the room from entering his eyes. “Where am I?” He thought to himself. This place didn’t look like his room or study where he worked. He tried surveying his environment with squinted eyes but he wasn’t accustomed to it. “Mr Andre, you are awake?” A lady’s voice reverberated around the room. The figure was so faint due to the squint but he could see her so close to the bed and she held what looked like a drip beside where he lay. “I will get the doctor immediately”, the figure said and walked briskly out of the room. Andre opened his eyes widely this time. He laid still for seconds, the reality of his environment dawning on him. It was their family hospital and he could remember this particular ceiling design so well. It was where his father had spent his last days. He had kept vigil for his father, on this bed, for days before his father succumbed to death ten years ago, leaving him with barely anything to feed on. His dad was his only parent as he had lost his mom at birth. He could clearly remember how he had tearfully begged his father’s friend who was the doctor to wake his father up. And that was where life began for him. He had vowed that he would work so hard to become wealthy that his children wouldn’t lack a thing. And now, here he was, the youngest billionaire in the country but on the bed where his father had died. He doesn’t even have a wife yet, talk more of children and he was going to end up like his father? How more ephemeral can life be? He thought sadly as he continued staring at the ceiling. “Hey, son.” A voice said almost immediately as the door opened. It was Doctor Peterson, his father’s friend. He could recognize that voice anywhere because this was exactly how Doctor Peterson sounded every day when he took him in after his father died. He would be on his bed, in the room where he was given and Doctor Peterson would greet him almost immediately as he opened the door. Andre heard this same voice every evening until he was granted a job offer and had to relocate to another part of the city where he began building his life till he became so established. Andre had made this his go-to hospital even though his monetary capacity could buy a whole hospital anywhere he wanted. “Doctor, am I going to die? Andre asked inquisitively, ignoring the greeting and turning to the doctor expectantly. He didn’t know what was wrong with him but whatever it was, he just hoped he would make it out of the hospital alive. “Is this how you greet now?” Doctor Peterson replied with a smile and checked the pressure of the drip. He then proceeded to look at Andre’s eyes like there were some hidden mysteries in there. He touched his head and nodded slightly, feeling satisfied with whatever he wanted to feel. “You’re going to be alright, Andre.” Doctor Peterson said with a glint of hope in his eyes. “You were rushed here this morning by your house workers reporting that you collapsed and when some diagnosis was carried out, we discovered that your kidney had failed. Fortunately, this is the early stage which means it can be remedied.” Doctor Peterson said and paused. It was like he allowed the words to marinate in Andre’s soul. He waited for a minute and when he realized that Andre didn’t say a word, he grabbed a chair to sit down and continued speaking. “But it can’t be treated right away. We will have to run a series of tests and some special medications for health management every day for five months. After we are sure that you’re medically secured enough to go on with the surgery, we shoot. I would’ve loved to personally handle the every day special medications and treatment but you know how occupied I can be. Instead of this, I would employ the best of my nurses to come treat you at home every evening. I hope this is fine by you.” Doctor Peterson said while searching Andre’s eyes for the right reactions. Andre heaved a sigh and looked at the ceiling again. For one, he was glad that he wouldn’t end up in this bed and staring at this ceiling bedridden for days before eventually breathing in his last. He was also grateful for how considerate Doctor Peterson was because he would have weighed the possibility of him coming to the hospital every day sickly and Doctor Peterson must have realized it was a low tendency judging from the type of person Andre was. Andre hated visiting the hospitals. So, he knew that Andre might decide to stab some days of medications to the detriment of his health. Second, he knew that Andre now works from home, and due to his introverted nature, he might find it difficult to step out after a day’s hard work. This made Andre realize this plan has been meticulously strategized. “Thank you, doctor. I am glad I am not going to die, after all,” Andre said and smiled. “Of course, I concur with all that you said. I would have a ticket of entry to my residence sent to the hospital for the nurse who would be visiting” Andre added. “Well done, son” Doctor Peterson said, patting Andre slightly on the shoulder. He then stood abruptly and headed to the door like he would be sacked if he was found in his room. “You should be discharged tomorrow, he said, without looking back. “Your house workers will be here to pick your things and take care of the rest. See you later, son.” Doctor Peterson made a final stop at the entrance of the door to wave and then he moved out briskly. Andre didn’t say a word as he looked at Doctor Peterson’s rearview. This man had grown older, he thought. He used to have a sturdy physique when his father was still alive but as the years went by, his built arms now looked like they had been starved of rigorous exercise and diet. This may be due to his undying love and commitment to the development of this hospital, he thought. Andre had imagined that Doctor Peterson was not the resident doctor as at the time his father was sick. Maybe his father would have died sooner, he agreed with himself. Doctor Peterson had gone all out for his dad, doing everything humanly possible to salvage his father’s life and now again, doctor Peterson trying his best to save his own life too. The feeling of gratitude overwhelmed him and with a hushed tone, as if Doctor Peterson could hear him, he said “Thank you, Doctor”. He then closed his eyes, trying to sleep. The days to come will be very, very long, he knew it.