I could vividly remember those times in the hospital wards when I was no longer myself; it felt like my body no longer belonged to me. I had gone through several tests, procedures, and surgeries, all to the extent that I was now used to the pain. Various tubes ran across my chest, stomach, and some other body parts. I had gotten used to the smell of the hospital, and I had also stopped counting days since it was now running into months.
I have a very close pal then; I mean very, very close. Not only that, but I can say then we were kind of inseparable. She would come visiting even when she was supposed to be receiving lectures; she would come by to the hospital just to relieve my parents so they could rest, and she would sit to gist with me while telling me the new things in our higher institution. She was more than a friend, and I love her heart.
One particular day, she had come and was not allowed to enter because the nurses claimed it wasn't visiting hours and that they wouldn't allow two people to stay with me at a time so the ward wouldn't be too packed. My mom had slept off on the chair next to me, and I wouldn't want to disturb her, I don't know what she did, but I knew she gave the nurse something in a nylon, and she was allowed to enter. I just smiled and greeted her.
The following week, she came by again, and this time she was allowed in without hesitation. I saw in her hand a flask and the same colored nylon she had given the nurse on duty the past week. As she moved closer to me, I asked her weakly with a smile, "Are you trying to bribe the nurse again?"
She smiled as she dropped the flask on the table, "Well, if that's what it takes to keep you alive and be allowed to see you, then a big yes." She responded.
Even though I was weak, I managed to give a smile. That was Teni (not her real name), a very friendly and soft lady. She has a sharp mouth too, but she controls herself well. You might be thinking we were lovers, and then you're right. We were. And she carried my pains and burdens as if they were hers.
"I can see Mum's fast asleep today again. Is it that you never allow this woman rest at night?" she asked me.
I just smiled to wave the question off as she sat next to me on the bed and opened the flask, filling the air with the aroma of jollof rice and chicken. "Should I feed you, or will you eat for yourself, or do you want us to wake Mum up?"
"Come on, take things slowly with me. Do you enjoy bullying me?" I said weakly.
"Not at all, I enjoy seeing you strong enough to talk back at me" she said with a smile.
"I'm sorry I won't be eating much, though; the nurses asked me not to rush things, you know I just did another surgery two weeks ago. I would have appreciated pap, but thanks for this too..."
She looked at me with a teary and smiley face as she replied, "I know, dear, I just want you to be strong and heal fast."
And that was how she did come occasionally; sometimes it was after lectures in school, other times she wouldn't even go for lectures at all. She would always come to keep me company, make me smile, and gist me about the various dramas in school, with both students and some lecturers who acted as if they were gods. And there are times that she would just sit and hold my hands while I fall asleep, and the only thing keeping her company would be the whispers from the other patients and their families or the beeping sound of the monitor next to me.
One particular night, I woke up to find she had already slept off as she rested her head against the wall. That was her first time to sleep over. I wanted to tell her she's already doing enough; coming by occasionally is more than enough already, and now she's sleeping over, I feel bad. But then, I decided to not bring it up yet, or maybe I was just too weak to.
So, I whispered her name, she opened her eyes slowly, and said, "You should be sleeping."
At first, I wanted to say, "But you shouldn't be here too. What about your mom? Won't she complain...." But then, I decided not to. I guess she knew I would say something like that; that was why she said what she said too, so I responded, "You should too."
"Well, someone needs to keep watch." She said.
I didn't say anything again that night, but deep down I appreciated her, and that night I realized how love can be so loud yet quiet; I realized how deep and steady it can be.
When I finally got discharged, she was there, helping me carry some of my things. She even rushed back up the stairs so she could help push my wheelchair.
After a few months, almost a year, I decided to resume back to school, and guess what? She was still there. She helped me pack for school and made me feel comfortable. As she was about to leave that day, she looked me in the eyes and said, "Don't even think for a second that you can start eating any rubbish; stay away from everything you were asked to."
"Yes ma'am,"I shouted, laughing.
"I’m being serious here, take enough time to rest as well. Would help you with whatever I can in school."
After then, we saw each other constantly, sometimes in class. There were times she would walk me to my hostel. I was staying off campus but still very close to school. We would talk, play, gist, and all. And I can't deny I miss her even as I write this.
Then, slowly, life began to pull us apart. It started when she lost her sister, who was her closest person. She was the one who usually covered up for her back then when she returned home late after coming to visit me. Even I know it wasn't easy for her to handle. I did my best; I went visiting countless times, I called and all, but it was just too much for her. She said she kept seeing her in the house and couldn't get her out of her head; her parents had to send her to another state to stay with a relative.
And that was how things began to go south; there was no way I could visit. We talked on the phone, but with time that began to reduce as well. "I have been busy," "Can you call me back tomorrow," "I need to rest now..." and such was usually her response, and I'd always respond, "I understand, it's fine." Even though it wasn't.
Just recently I finished a glass frame for a customer; it was the type she usually admired. I held the frame in my hand and stared, and the more I stared at the frame, the more I saw her reflection instead of mine.
I won't want to lie or pretend. I really miss her. It has been years, though we talked some years ago, and it was obvious she had moved on. She's someone I can't hate or hold a grudge against no matter what she does. I miss her, though, not in the heartbreak kind of way, but in that aching kind of way you feel when someone once made your world lighter, better, and brighter.
Like I said earlier, years have passed. And I've healed, learned, and grown. But there are times I still hear her voice; there are times I still hear her laugh filling the hospital ward as everyone's attention would be drawn to us.
I don't know if I can say her chapter has ended; this is life, and no one knows; we might still see/meet. But then, she was never one to ask for anything in return; she gave her all, and she kept showing up again and again until we drifted apart.
And I feel that's how some people are destined to be in our story; they are not meant to stay till the end, they would only stay long enough to remind you what love and realness feel like.
I don't know where she is now; maybe she's still spreading her smile, helping someone out, married, working.... I can't say.
And as I remember her today, I really pray the heavens remember her for good. And if these words find you, Teni, I am very grateful. Thank you for all that you do. Thanks for staying even when others left, thanks for the care and love, thanks for the jokes, for your smile, for your visit, and all. Thanks for teaching me what genuine love and care are.
Many thanks for the memories.
Kindly click link to participate in this amazing writing contest.
All pictures are mine.
Thanks a lot for stopping by, kindly do well to stop by my blog @marsdave for more exclusive and amazing content.
Thanks a lot.
What an inspiring story, I could feel the sense of belonging in every word that was written. I could tell she was so precious to you, and like you said, certain persons aren't meant to stay in our lives forever, but then that vacuum that has been created, who is gonna fill it up again when it's empty?
Well, some people just tend to leave marks that no one can actually replace.
But then again, life will happen and it often bring our way new people that will/can fill up that space in their own different/special way.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
💯❤️💯
Very beautiful story. It reminded me of a good friend I had at school. That kind of friendship is not usual in real life, and its a precious thing when you find it.
Of a truth it's rare, but when you find one that's genuine, hold it tight.
I'm glad my story reminded you of yours..
Thanks a lot for stopping by.
💯❤️💯
People like your friend are the ones who leave a lasting impression on others. It's a shame they couldn't stay together, but who knows, maybe life will surprise them.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Excellent day.
This is beautiful story, packed with heavy emotions.
Life just has a way of doing things, and I've realized that no matter how strong you are, losing someone can tear you apart.
It must've been a tough time for the strong girl who stayed by your side to break down like that.
I hope you find your peace, and maybe one day, fate will bring you both back together