The birds had barely left their nests when Bernard showed up in the hospital. His eyes were red like a fire flame. One could easily notice that he didn't have a sound sleep. He kept a vigil all through the night praying fervently for divine intervention and calling Gloria on phone to know the situation of things. He hastily walked into the hospital only to see his wife patting Anita who was already asleep.
Anita had cried unceasingly until sleep finally enveloped her. Chioma and Gloria would slumber a bit and jolt awake at intervals. They wished all these incidents were figments of their imaginations but it was a sad reality.
"Sweetheart, how are you doing? Chioma, are you okay? How is Ngozi too" Bernard approached his wife to ask in detail. The information he received was far from pleasing. He buried himself in deep thought. The fact that Ngozi's late husband's family was treating her like a slave might have ignited all these problems. If they had left her in peace and consoled her instead, perhaps, all these problems wouldn't have befallen her. To him, those people are heartless with no iota of sympathy. Even, if Ngozi had done something wrong in the past, at least, this is not the best time to pay her back with the wickedness in their hearts. It was even more heart-wrenching that the family wanted to destroy her life for no just cause. They wanted to show her they were devil incarnates in human form.
Gloria released a heavy sigh. It was obvious from her facial expression that things were far from normal. She just needed to state how things are going maybe to know which direction to go. She carefully explained Ngozi and mama's predicament to her husband
"You mean their situation is that critical? What did the doctor say about Mama's health, what's the nature of her sickness?" he inquired.
"She was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and chronic typhoid/malaria" she replied The sickness had been diagnosed two years ago and mama had been given the recommended medications but the drugs were temporary as surgery was required. Johnson, Ngozi's late husband had promised to fly her to India for the surgical operation as the doctor had suggested but unfortunately, his untimely death crushed the promise.
Bernard sighed heavily again. Mama's situation reminded him of his younger brother, Uche. Uncle was the last child of the family. He had a hole in his heart too. Nobody noticed until medical examinations revealed it. It was during his final exams at the University of Lagos, that he slumped and had difficulty breathing. He had to be supported by oxygen before the doctors in the teaching hospital could operate on him. Fortunately, he was able to survive it. Thank God for money and Divine healing.
Anita jolted again from her sleep. She was crying profusely and panting heavily as if she had been running for her life in her dream.
"What of grandma and my mom? How are they feeling now? Are we all going home together soon?" She asked breathlessly. She kept her gaze on them in expectation of a reply.
"Yes, dear. Your mum is fine, a grandma too. They are both feeling fine and you will be going home very soon. Just calm down. Promise me that you will be fine" Gloria responded with a smile, trying her best possible not to betray her grief.
It was yet another day, a busy one for the sun too as it shone brightly. People trooped in numbers into the hospital either to check on their sick relatives or to be treated for one ailment or another. Bernard sighted Raymond, a long-time friend. They had lost contacts after their NYSC service in Kano. His phone was stolen around Oshodi in Lagos when he was coming to visit his uncle. He was able to get a new phone but unfortunately, he couldn't retrieve the SIM because he wasn't the person that registered the sim card in the first place. His younger sister had done that on his behalf. He rather let it go since the recipient was no more in Nigeria. She had traveled abroad with her husband immediately after they got married.
"Raymond! Is this you? Oh my goodness! You are now looking so handsome" What have you come to do here?" He shook hands with Raymond though the latter's face wasn't as cheerful as expected.
"I brought my wife here some days ago. She went into terrible pain after she delivered a baby. Her condition worsened when the baby died two days after. She is still undergoing treatment for now. You won't believe that this could have been our joyous moment. She had been having stillbirths all these years only to lose the surviving baby to the cold hands of death" Raymond explained. He felt sad and Bernard tried all he could to comfort and encourage him.
"It's going to be fine, my dear friend. This too shall pass. It's a matter of time. You have to be strong for your woman. I know how you feel but you need to be strong, Raymond" Benard emphasized. He beckoned to his wife and introduced her to Raymond. Raymond was pleased to meet her. They exchanged pleasantries. He asked about what had brought them to the hospital and the couple explained too. They all prayed for divine healing. Benard requested to see his friend's wife. Raymond obliged and they all went to see her in the female ward. She looked pale and weak. One could easily sense that she had been feeling so terrible all the while. Bernard offered a little prayer before they left the room so that doctor and nurses could carry out their duties.
Bernard was full of pity for the young woman in the sick bed. He prayed for her quick recovery. Raymond's wife reminded him of when Gloria was still carrying her babies in her belly. There was no single complication whatsoever. His wife ate a lot. She was always eating as if she died of hunger in her previous life on earth. He didn't have much money then as he was still struggling to earn a living but he tried his best to satisfy her. He ensured there was enough food at home even if it had to cost him the last Kobo in his hands. Looking back at those days now, he smiled within himself. He was happy with the woman God has given him as a wife, she had never been a burden to his life.
"Do you believe in God? Do you believe in His Divine intervention? Raymond asked the couple. Chioma's eyes had been soaked with tears already.
"Yes. we believe in God and his miraculous healing," they responded.
"If you do, then, let's pray. Our God is miraculous. I have tried Him time without number. He has always been there for me and my family. We are testifiers today. Things can still come back to normal. We just... Doctor Anthony came out from the emergency ward as they were about to pray.
"I'm sorry for interrupting you. Please, we need to talk in my office" he said.
"How are both of them doing now? Are they okay" Gloria stared into the doctor's eyes? She needed an immediate response to calm her fears but Doctor Anthony was in no hurry to reply. He only asked them to follow him into the office. Gloria was beginning to lose her patience but before she could urge the doctor to tell them what was going on, he was already heading into his office. They had no choice but to follow him like obedient lambs while they prayed in their hearts that the doctor's information was going to be favorable.