CAMARADERIE TROUBLES novel Chapter 26

Florence was going mad with worry and worse, she couldn’t hide it from IK anymore. She paced the length of IK’s hospital room, feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. What on earth was happening?

“Daddy would be back soon, mummy” IK said, looking at his mother with worry clearly visible on his face.

Florence swallowed and walked back to the bed. “He’d better, because if not…” I just might go completely insane, she finished to herself. She sighed and sat on the bed. “I’m sorry, IK. How do you feel now?”

IK smiled. “I am fine, mum, I am only worried about you and daddy”

Florence looked straight into his eyes “I don’t want you to worry about anything, okay? Your father is fine” she said fiercely. “… he… he probably had to spend the night somewhere.” That didn’t explain why his number wasn’t going through though, but she didn’t have to say that.

IK smiled. “I’m sure he is fine.” he mouthed. He definitely knew his mum’s fears and didn’t want to add to her worry. Definitely didn’t want to mention that his joints when hurting so badly and that he had this terrible pain in his head that won’t go away.

Florence sighed. “Are you sure you are okay, IK?” IK nodded. “I’ll be back in a second, okay? Don’t go anywhere” Florence kissed IK’s head and headed out of the room. She had to dial bimbo’s number again, though it was probably the fiftieth time already but she would call even a thousand times till she could hear his voice.

Florence bumped into Nurse Tessa is the hallway and straightened herself awkwardly. She was standing with a Nurse Gbemi. “I’m so sorry”

Nurse Tessa frowned, looking worried. “Is everything okay, Florence? Is IK alright?” Nurse Tessa had been Florence’s saving grace though she wasn’t always available. It had been easy to get on first name basis with her.

“No. IK is fine… it’s… my husband. I haven’t seen him since yesterday and it is so unlike him. His phone has been off.

“Oh my God”

Nurse Gbemi shook her head. “I just pray he hasn’t ran away”

“Gbemi” Nurse Tessa warned subtly”

“What? It happens all the time. What have we not seen in this hospital? A man once abandoned his wife because she gave birth to triplets and he didn’t have money. Parents abandoned their only child in the hospital when she fell sick and they had no money. It is not a new thing. Especially with the nature of your child’s sickness…”

Florence shook her pale face. “No! bimbo would never do that”

“Of course he wont” Nurse Tessa eyed Nurse Gbemi before looking back at Florence. “I’m sure something is holding him back”

“Holding him back since yesterday. It’s almost dark, Tessa, I think it is better Florence is prepared for anything” Nurse Gbemi said.

Florence swallowed. “Please excuse me.” She didn’t think she could stomach any more of what the nurse was saying. bimbo would never leave her alone at a time like this. He wouldn’t!

“No wait” Nurse Tessa muttered as she made to leave. “Why don’t you try him on my phone?” she brought out her phone and stretched it forward.

Florence nodded gratefully and collected the phone.

“Florence”

Florence’s head snapped up and she nearly fainted with relief. “bimbo” she shrieked as she rushed towards bimbo, collapsing into his open arms. bimbo held her so close but Florence couldn’t get close enough. “Oh bimbo… I’ve been worried sick” she muttered as tears of relief flooded her eyes.

“I can imagine” bimbo whispered into her hair.

“No, you can’t.” She pulled her head back. “Where were you, bimbo? What happened? I’ve called your number almost a million times” she lamented as she stared into his eyes. She saw pain in his eyes masked with the small smile he put on his face.

“I’m sorry I caused you so much worry” he muttered. He seemed to be struggling with himself as his stroked her cheek slightly with his thumb.

“But something’s wrong, isn’t it?” Florence pulled back slightly with a frown on her face. “You look like you so exhausted, bimbo, what’s going on? Are my children okay? ”

“Yes! It’s not them” bimbo hesitated. “Florence, I don’t want you worrying about this”

Now, Florence looked angry. “What are you saying? I don’t want you giving me that because that’ll only get me worked up. You are telling me what’s going on whether you like it or not.” from the tone of her voice, bimbo knew he had no other option, and frankly, he couldn’t hide something so big from her. bimbo pulled Florence to a corner, affording them a bit of privacy and she trained her eyes on him, waiting for him to drop the bombshell.

bimbo took a deep breath, holding Florence’s hand. “Remember I told you of Mr Ishola, the client I expected to pay for an apartment?”

Florence nodded. “Of course, I remember”

“Well… he paid for the apartment”

Florence stared at him for a prolonged moment, then blinked. “But…?”

bimbo swallowed. “Jamal disappeared with the money”

“What?” Florence busted out.

“Mr Ishola is all bent on getting back his three hundred thousand Naira, I was held down at the police station till this morning. Since I got out, I have practically trekked the whole of Lagos but Jamal is nowhere to be found. His wife said he hasn’t been home for four days now.”

Florence felt her legs go weak beneath her. “Oh God”

*****

“How can be do this to us? Where are we supposed to get that sort of money?” Florence yelled at she paced in front of bimbo.

“Calm down, Florence”