They were all silent for what seemed like eternity, before Siji asked. "Is it a certainty or just a possibility?"
"It's a possibility, a risk, depending on your body."
"Let's do it then." Siji said without thinking further.
"Or can we wait for the blood coming from Ibadan?" Ese offered.
"You heard him then, there isn't much time. When are we starting Kalu?
"In a bit, immediately after your bed is prepped up."
"Bed?"
"Of course, we can't take your blood while you are standing." Kalu replied, then added. "Excuse me, I need to go and make preparations," before leaving them. The three of them stood in the waiting room, saying nothing, each in deep thought.
Soon a nurse came to summon Siji, and Ese followed. She took them to a room and told them they had about fifteen minutes for the procedure to commence then she excused herself.
"You told me both of your parents were dead." Ese accused the moment they were alone.
"I told you my mum died given birth to me. I didn't lie about that."
"And your dad? You said he died before you were born."
"Because he left my mum when she took in. According to what Ma'ami told me, they were not married and he had a family, so he left. He was dead to me."
"This is crazy. Is that man out there really your dad?"
"I don't know. And sincerely, I don't want him to be. But the only possible way I can be Rose's dad is if he is my dad. And I want that real bad."
"This makes no sense, I'm finding it difficult to believe you and Pago are half brothers."
"Me too. But we shouldn't dwell on that now, let's save Rose's life first. The only person that can make sense out of this is Ma'ami. She didn't tell me who my dad was. I have to call her now even. I need to tell her that I'm in the hospital, but alright." He said as he searched for his phone in his pockets. "I think I left my phone in my car. Can I borrow yours?"
"Mine isn't here either, it's in my car. Fatima is driving Pago down here in it for his treatment."
The nurse walked in then. "We are about to start, The doctor is waiting for you at his office madam, he said the document is ready."
"Can I get a pen and paper please?" Siji asked the nurse. She gave him the pen hanging from her breast pocket and tore a piece of paper from the notepad in her hand. Siji scribbled on the paper and gave it to Ese. "That's Ma'ami's number. Please call her as soon as possible. She was worried the last time we spoke and my phone has been off ever since. Tell her where I am, but that I'm fine."
Ese collected the paper and stepped out of the room."
"Can you please lie on the bed sir.?" The nurse said. "It's a painless procedure."
☆☆☆
Siji opened his eyes. He could see he was still in the room, and he was alone. He must have slept for a long time. He looked through the blinds, it was already dark outside. Then he looked at the clock hanging on the wall, it was some minutes to nine. He realised he must have slept for about 8 hours. He attempted to get up, then he noticed the drip. He wondered how many he had received. He felt somewhat weak, but he wanted to get off the bed nonetheless. He needed to talk to someone. He needed to know if the operation had gone well. Just then, the door opened and Kalu walked in. He smiled at Siji as he walked towards the bed.
"I see you're up. How are you feeling?"
"Hungry and weak. I can eat an elephant." Siji replied, smiling back.
"It's normal to feel that way, considering the amount of blood we took from you. The drip should help, then I'll recommend you get some blood tonic and blood boosting diet."
"What about Rose? How did it go?" He could not keep himself from asking, even though the smile on Kalu's face was reassuring.
"The operation went well, and she is fine. She is a strong kid. She has been taken from the theatre to the paediatric unit to recover. She'll be there for a few days then you can take her home. You'll keep treating her wound of course, until it finally heals. That can be done at home or here, depending on what you want."
"Thank you so much Kalu, for everything." Siji said
"It's nothing bro, I am happy to see you after all these years and I'm glad you're doing well, despite all the odds. I only wished a more favourable circumstance had brought us together again."
"Yeah, me too."
"I am sorry for all you had to go through, for everything Pago did. I knew he wasn't exactly a saint, but I'm still shocked by the things he did. And I'm also sorry for doubting you earlier on. The Paternity test that was done then was pretty convincing, but given the fact that you both are brothers, it is understandable."
"No problem, if I were in your shoes, I would doubt me too. It's all so crazy, I'm still trying to get used to the idea. Even when I had believed she was mine, I never thought it was this crazy."
"Yea, right."
"So when will I be free from this shackle?" Siji asked, pointing at the drip.
Kalu laughed before replying. "In few minutes."
"I don't need it anymore, I feel okay now."
"Just be patient. It'd soon finish. By the way, your grandma is here and she's been giving us all hell, especially Chief. I don't envy him right now."
"I don't blame her, it's about three decades of pent-up fury. Can I see her?"
"Of course, as it is, the nurses are having a hard time keeping her away. If you'd excuse me, I've got other things to handle. I'll ask a nurse to show her in." Kalu said as he began to leave.
"Thanks doc."
"You're welcome buddy. Oh! Lest I forget, Teju sends her love. She would be here, but she's so heavy now, that I had to force her to stay home."
"Thank her for me. And congratulations in advance."
"Safe your congratulations until after the baby comes." Kalu laughed as he left the room and closed the door behind him.
☆☆☆
Ma'ami walked in moments later, sat on the chair by his bedside and looked at him hard, while he smiled sheepishly at her. He had hoped his smile would work this time as it most often than not did.
"I'm sorry." He said, when he saw that she was not smiling back.
"You should be." She scolded him. "Don't you ever lie to me again Adesiji. I knew my dream was right. You could have gotten yourself killed. What were you thinking?"
Then without giving him a chance to defend himself , she started fussing all over him. "Hope you're okay? They said they had to take alot of blood from you."
"Yes Ma'ami, but I'm okay now, just a little bit weak."
"I brought some agbo for you, but they would not allow me bring it in. Ignorant people. They don't know the importance of local herbs." She scoffed. Siji could only smile at her.
"Don't worry Ma'ami, I can always take them later."
"Of course, you would. It will give you back all the blood they took from you."
"It was for my daughter you know? The blood they took."
"Yes, they told me everything." She said solemnly, then added, "and what a lovely kid she is. Thank God she made it."
"Yes."
"And her mum? I never knew you had eyes for beauty." She teased.
Siji laughed, but changed the topic. "Let's talk about her grandfather. You didn't tell me my father's name because you knew I'd figure out who he is, right?" Ma'ami went silent for too long for Siji.
"Ma'ami?" He prompted.
"I didn't want you running to him. I didn't want you to have anything to do with him, he is such an evil man."
"He is my father."
"He killed my daughter."
"She was my mother too Ma'ami. I understand your grievance. But it won't be fair to blame him only for my mum's death. He walked away and abandoned us, but he did not exactly kill her. You should try to forgive him and move on." He continued when she remained silent. "And I can still understand why you didn't tell me when I was a boy, but you should have told me when I became a man."
"I know I should have, and I actually planned to, I just could not bring myself up to it yet. I am sorry my son."
"It's okay Ma'ami, we should be grateful it did not turn out bad."
☆☆☆
He stood by the opened door, watching both of them sleep. His daughter lying on the hospital bed, in a hospital gown that was a bit oversized, and her mother, seated on the chair by the bed propping her head on the edge of the bed. He did not know how long he had been standing, but his weak body soon began protesting. He entered the room and closed the door behind him.
The sound of the closed door roused Ese, she smiled when she saw him. She stood and approached him. She hugged him tight, then curled her hands behind his neck, pulling it down as she stood on tip toe to merge his lips with hers. It had been the craziest 30 hours of her life. She had thought she would lose the two people she cared for most and she was so glad it was all over and they were alright. She couldn't stop the tears that flowed down her eyes. Siji placed his hands at the small of her back and returned her kiss tasting her tears. He pulled back after a while and smiled down at her.
"I'd wish for this to continue, but I'm afraid my strength would fail me." He said.
"Oh! I'm sorry." She said as she made him sit on the chair. She sat on the edge of the bed.
"You shouldn't be, and you shouldn't be crying either. Everything is alright now."
"I know, it's just.... it's just that I can't stop the tears."
He reached out and wiped the tears on her cheeks, then he looked intently at her.
"I want to make this right. I want us to get married as soon as possible, as soon as your divorce is finalized. That shouldn't take long now, should it?"
"No, it wouldn't." She shook her head.
"I want to claim you and my daughter as mine." She nodded, smiling at him.
"And maybe we should start thinking of giving her a younger one."
"Now you're being impatient." She protested, but the smile never left her face.
"I have been patient for too long. Eight years. Even Family Planning experts would agree with me that that's more than enough time to space one's kids."
About the Author
Soji Adeola Ayanleke was born about 3 decades ago in Kano.
He studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently and he is trying to learn Igbo and Spanish. His hobbies are reading, writing and playing some indoor games.
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