More than a Chance

Episode 20 - Divine Intervention

The colonel closed his eyes and he was lusting with desire when she rubbed his belly. He dipped his hand into her blouse and rubbed her bare bosoms. She moaned softly, and put her hand in his trouser.

It's around 10:02 a.m. and Nike had not seen Aaliyah on the school premises. She covered for her when the principal asked after her. Her class was rowdy, no one to engage the students so Nike shuttled between her class and Aaliyah's. She decided to go and look for her at home during break time. “I hope she's fine,” Nike thought.

Nike knocked on Aaliyah's door gently and it became incessant when there's no response. She asked her neighbor, who was washing clothes outside the compound when she came in. “Please have you seen Aaliyah this morning?” Nike asked.

“No, I haven't seen her nor did I hear her opening her door this morning. I think she's still inside,” said the neighbor. Nike walked hurriedly through the passage and she banged on the door.

Nike banged the door harder and this time around it became a burden to the ears of Aaliyah. She groaned in pain, she's too weak to raise her voice. But the banging was sickening to her. She struggled to wriggle out of bed.

Her legs quivered as she walked subtly toward the door. The door banging continued. “Please, I'm coming,” she said faintly but Nike couldn't hear her. “What's happening, I hope isn't what I'm thinking? Nike thought. She turned back to leave and became more worried. Two steps away from the doorstep, Nike heard the sound of door lock from inside and she's aghast when she saw the door opened.

Aaliyah opened the door and slumped into Nike's hands. This frightened Nike and she screamed for help. And the neighbor ran inside and she was panting in terror. “What happened?” The neighbor asked. And when she got closer, she saw Aaliyah in a bad condition.

Aaliyah's rushed to a nearby hospital. Her body temperature has risen beyond normal, and she looked lean and pale. “What happened to you?” Nike asked. Aaliyah was saying something to her but her voice was quite vague. Nike tried to read her lips but it was almost impossible.

The principal saw Nike's classroom had become rowdy too after the break-time when he's coming back from Aaliyah's classroom. “What are these ladies taking their job for?” he muttered. He went straight to his office and began to draft a query letter addressed to the two.

Adewale had dressed up, but he kept smooching his wardrobe. He's looking for his hand chain but he couldn't find it. “Where could this thing be?” he growled. “Are we good to go bro?” Murphy asked from the living room. “Sure I will be ready in a jiffy,” he replied.

Danny was already waiting for them at the “Ovation spot”. The music in the background was subtle. He checked his wrist-watch and it's five minutes after seven in the evening. He's running out of patience. Just in time, Adewale and Murphy pulled over at the parking lots.

“Good evening sir,” they greeted Danny. “Good evening, you may have your seats,” he replied. “Thank you sir,” said Murphy.

“But why did you guys kept me waiting for this long?" he asked. “Sorry sir, we had a flat tire on our way coming here,” Adewale answered. “Oh! Sorry about that.”

“How was the business trip and your stay in Germany sir?” Murphy asked and Danny smiled. “Thank you, it's okay except for the extreme cold I had to deal with,” he replied. Danny coughed lightly and covered his mouth with his handkerchief. “Sorry sir, I can see the cold is still bothering you," said Adewale. “Thank you, I will get some drugs along my way home," Danny said and he sips his wine.

“You may call the waitress, so you can place your order. Murphy what would you be drinking?” Danny added. “Soft drink will be fine by me sir,” Murphy replied.

“Oh! really?” Danny said and he then nodded. “I don't take alcohol anymore sir,” Adewale told him. “Hmm! Since when did you give it up?” he asked. “Since the last time we were together here sir.” Danny gave him a delving look. “Did I make you give up taking it," he asked. “No sir, maybe it was just a coincidence," said Adewale.

“Okay then, so I'm left to merry alone. You don't even want to celebrate my return from Europe. Or are you guys not excited to see me?” he added. “No, is not like that sir,” Murphy said.

“I have fought hard to give it up, I don't want to relapse so soon,” Adewale said. “We can always celebrate with pepper soup and soft drinks sir," Murphy suggested. “Okay, fine then, if that's what you prefer to take,” said Danny.

The waitress took their order and left to bring it.

“What of Aaliyah, when last did you see her?” Danny asked and from Adewale's reaction, Danny could tell there's an issue. “I hope you haven't crossed that line?” he asked Adewale. “No, I haven't sir,” he replied.

“Okay, good! But this look in your eyes could tell there's something amiss. Is better you start telling me something. Do you know anything Murphy?” he asked.

Murphy scratched his head, he peeked at Adewale for consent. “What do you mean, I'm asking you a question and you're looking at him for approval? You're suspended for a week,” He told Murphy angrily. “I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean it that way.”

Adewale cleared his throat. “I'm sorry sir, I met with her last weekend but it didn't end well.” Danny looked keen to listen. “Have you taught her how to drive?” he asked. “No sir.” “Oh, my God, are you kidding me? Do you mean for over two months, you haven't done anything about that?” Danny asked.

“Yes sir.” Adewale replied and he narrated everything that happened to Danny.

Nike was waiting for the doctor in the hospital reception. She waited precipitously, she prayed everything should be fine with her friend. Her face was down in her palms, she didn't realize when the doctor got to her. She's lost in anxiety. She over reacted when the doctor tapped her on the shoulder gently. “Oh my God!” She exclaimed.

“Are you alright?” Doctor Johnson asked and she sighed. “I'm trying to be, and please how's Aaliyah doing?”

“She'd be fine, but we have to place her on admission for at least three days to monitor her response to the treatment,” said doctor Johnson.

“So that means, I have to be with her over the night," Nike suggested. “Yes, you have to, should she needs anything. And thank you for saving your friend's life,” he replied. “She will do the same for me, can I see her now?” “Sure but please don't interrupt her sleep,” he said.

Nike saw Aaliyah sleeping peacefully. She looked pale and she has lost weight. She saw the liquid drops from the drip that was passed to her vein. She looked helpless. Nike didn't know when tears began to roll down her cheek. She tried to hold it back but she couldn't. “Aaliyah is such a kind-hearted lady with a beauty that didn't only revolves around her but also emanates from inside. She doesn't deserve all of this pain she's getting from her loved ones,” Nike thought.

She ambled to a seat next to her bedside and she sat quietly. She watched over her friend as she sucked in every little air. Though Aaliyah looks battered, but the illness couldn't get away with her beauty. “Thank God today's Friday at least by Sunday, she'd be discharged,” Nike thought.

Aaliyah opened her eyes gently, she coughed incessantly. “Sorry dear, do you need anything," Nike asked. And a nurse came in to check her. “Is she okay?” The nurse asked. “I don't think so, please kindly call the doctor,” said Nike. When Aaliyah saw Nike, she gave her a gentle smile and it gladdens her heart. The nurse checked the drip and it was empty already.

“Please can you kindly follow me?” The nurse asked Nike. “Okay, I hope there's no hassle,” Nike said. “You will have to help her get another dose of drips at the pharmacy.” Nike followed the nurse, Aaliyah called her but her voice was too weak for Nike to hear. She sighed and groaned in pain.

It's 12:09 a.m. when Nike got to the pharmacy on the hospital premises. She didn't see anybody to attend to her. Nike went back to tell the Nurse. “That can't be possible, someone must be on duty,” The nurse assured her and she checked the names of the workers in the register. “Let's go,” she told Nike.

“Mrs.Ojuolape!” The nurse called from the canter and Ojuolape sprung out of sleep. She quickly wiped her eyes but it was crystal clear that she had just woken up. She showed up at the canter, and greeted the nurse. “Good evening ma, what can I do for you?” Ojuolape asked. “So you're sleeping on duty,” said the nurse.

“No, I'm not. I was only looking for something in the inner office,” Mrs. Ojuolape denied. “Look at your eyes, please don't lie to me again or else I will report you,” the nurse said.