Near Miss

NINE

It is still like a dream; an incredible story of survival. Morenike is still unable to explain the bizarre but fortunate strokes of fate that led to her survival. Surely she would not have made it if not for Seyi and she does not have the courage to let her parents know just how much gratitude she feels that he was there with her. This is reality and in her reality her parents have a well laid out plan for her to follow or she will be become an enemy of the family name. That is not to say that her family is not happy that she is alive to tell her story. As a matter of fact, there is a little gathering here in their house to celebrate her safe return. Present at the gathering were Poju, her fiancé and his family.

“How are you doing?” Poju asked after his arrival

“Good, I am fine now.”

The little gathering talked about the nation and it insecurities, poverty and the NYSC and how it has outlived its usefulness. Poju spoke with eloquence and Morenike sat by him prim and proper as the conversation moved along and food disappeared. This is the dream of her parents. A dream that Morenike also had. It is not clear what triggered intolerance for this whole atmosphere, but she is sure that if she does not leave, she might just embarrass her parents by screaming.

“Excuse me for a moment please.” She said dashed off to her room without waiting for approval.

Her parents must be outraged, but something about the bush or near death experience has loosened her up a little. She has to talk to Seyi.

“How has your day been?”

“Same as yesterday and the day before that. From the nightmare we survived to the nightmare that is the life I left for camp.”

“You have got to find a way to stay occupied.”

“Masters begin in a few weeks.”

“Still y------“The line went dead.

“What was that?” Morenike’s mother asked. She was less livid than Morenike expected. A stunt like that especially when guest are around can get one killed around here. Appearance is everything.

“Mom, I was not feeling well.”

Her mother sat by her side and seemed really concerned. Morenike was certain that she will not be so gracious if she knew about her call to Seyi.

 A strange rhythmic beep kept interrupting Datare’s peace. It nagged her so much that she was forced to leave the peaceful place she was and became alive to her surroundings.

“I think she is coming to” A nurse standing near said.

On her other side she noticed Ken who took her hand. “Where am i?”

“Hospital”. Said ken softly. “You fainted outside the gallery.”

Fainted, Datare thought that she was a very healthy person.

The doctor in the room introduced himself. “ I believe you lost consciousness because you are putting a lot of strain on your recently pregnant body.”

Datare was surprised and did not know how to react exactly. The doctor’s smile was pleasant but she looked at Ken and he was not smiling. He kept a firm hold on her hand and his eyes focused on the doctor as he gave his instructions.

“Please keep her away from any further strain for the period of her pregnancy. We intent to keep a close watch over this pregnancy; for this we will request that you bring her at least once a week.”

“When will we be able to go home?” Ken asked the Doctor.

“In a few hours I believe. There is nothing to worry about if she is not stressed.”

The doctor pasted on his expertly practiced pleasant smile and excused himself along with the nurse.

“Are you alright? You seem troubled.” She asked Ken.

“I am fine. It just taking a while for the news to settle is all.”

“Are you not happy?”

“I am happy shocked but happy.”

“Shocked? We are married Ken.”

“It is still a lot to suddenly come to terms with, but we will be alright.”

When they got back to the condo, Ken settled her in, made sure she had everything she could possibly need then without a word walked out of the apartment and drove into the night.

Seyi must have been walking for the past three hours. At the next juncture is home but he really is not in the mood to explain his mood to anyone despite their best intentions so he took the opposite junction. It is safe to say that he had been dazed since he left Datare’s place. He walked out of the house and just kept on walking. Datare is gone. Traveled out of the country. He wanted to go to her and explain everything. He was a fool to have left his phone but everything that happened after that was out of his control. He wanted to give them another chance if she was willing. He felt another part of him chip away. He resigned and went home to Uncle D house. He went directly to his room and shut the door.

The problem with shutting out the world is that he escapes into fantasy. In his fantasy Morenike waits. At that moment he felt the impulse to cry. He wanted to shed tears for the lie he feed himself and all the feelings he suppressed for months now just for the chance to make things right with Datare. Datare did not wait. He did not fight for Morenike because he thought Datare was there. He fell in Love with Mornike but again he finds himself in the position of a loyal friend. These were the thoughts that went to bed with him. Strangely enough when he woke up he felt better. So much so that he drew the curtains to let in the brilliant sunshine. He decided to go out. He zeroed in on the t-shirt he wanted to wear and pulled. Along with the t-shirt came the card that was given to him by the modeling agency scout. He looked at the card and thought to himself ‘why not’; He can make the agency his destination.

A strange thing about the ground,

Dreaded host when on high,

But there is no fall,

When on the ground.

***