FED UP [Xxix]

(...continued...)


As they got close to Mrs Biodun’s house, Mabel’s phone rang. It was her mother. She picked but she wasn’t hearing well.
  “Hello…hello,” she kept saying.
Then she heard her mother calling her “Mabel Mabel”, with a worried tone. Her heart jumped into her stomach.
  “This one my mum is sounding like this,” she said “Who knows what happened?”
  “It could be network,” Margret said. “Try calling her back.”
                Mabel tried severally but her mother’s number was not going through. Her palms were getting wet with sweat and a bit shaky.
  “Oh God what is this na?” she said.
  “It may not be something serious,” Margret reassured her.
  “I hope so o.”
  “Should I turn back?”
  “Lemme try calling Cynthia first and know.”
  “Ok.”
                Mabel dialed Cynthia’s line and she picked.
  “Is everything ok?” Mabel asked in a hurry.
  “Yes,” Cynthia replied. “Why are you asking?”
  “Mummy just called me now and she was sounding somehow.”
  “Really?”
  “Yes. Is she there with you?”
  “No she is outside. Let me call her.”
                Cynthia called her mother who answered from the backyard. She came and took the phone from Cynthia.
  “Mummy is there any problem?” Mabel asked.
  “There is no problem o,” her mother replied.
Mabel heaved a sigh of relief.
  “Then why were you sounding as if something happened?” she asked.
  “I wanted to ask you whether you have the balm with you so I can massage Cynthia.” 
  “And I was thinking something happened?”
  “Why will you think so?”
  “The way your voice sounded when you called me.”
  “The network has been bad. I wasn’t even hearing you.”
  “You just need to change your network provider.”
  “The thing is tiring. Are you with the balm?”
  “Yes I have the balm here with me. I will bring it back when I come. Is Cynthia complaining of pain?”
  “Not seriously.”
  “No problem then. I will not waste time.”
  “Ok.”
  “Don’t forget my yoghurt o,” Cynthia shouted from the background.
                Mabel hung up.
  “You see,” Margret said to her. “You would have given yourself high BP for nothing.
  “My dear,” Mabel said and sighed. “These past few days have not been easy at all.”
  “I understand. It will get better with time.”
                Margret got to the entrance of Mrs. Biodun’s house and parked.
  “You can find your way from here right?” she asked Mabel.
  “Yes,” Mabel replied. “Thanks a lot dear.”
  “Make sure you don’t stay too long. Cynthia needs to start her drug as soon as possible, and she may have needs only you can solve.”
  “I know. Thanks.”
  “I will talk to Segun.”
  “Whatever.”
                They side-hugged and Mabel stepped out of the car. She stood for a while and waved as Margret drove off. When Margret’s car was out of sight, Mabel went to the gate of Mrs Biodun’s house. It was a self contain apartment with a big gate. She pressed the door bell and waited. No response. After pressing for a while and no one came to open the gate, she called Mrs Biodun on phone. Mrs. Biodun wondered where the gateman was and said she was coming to open the gate herself. Moments later, the pedestrian gate opened.
  “Good evening ma,” Mabel greeted Mrs Biodun.
  “Evening my dear,” Mrs Biodun replied. “Come in.”
  “Thank you ma.”
                Mabel went in and she locked the gate behind her.
  “How are you?” she asked Mabel.
  “I am fine ma,” Mabel replied.
Mrs Biodun noticed the customized take-away drug pack she was holding.
  “Are you the one taking all those drugs?” she asked.
  “No ma,” Mabel replied. “My younger sister.”
  “Ah ah. What is the matter?”
  “We have been in the hospital all day.”
  “What is wrong with her?”
  “She is not too strong.”
  “Eiyaa. How is she now?”
  “She is fine though she has not yet started taking the drugs. At least we know what the problem is.”
  “You should have informed me so we can reschedule.”
  “It’s not a problem ma. I am here already.”
  “Ok. Come with me.”

                She led the way as they went towards the entrance of the building.

(...to be continued...)
Nedu Isaac

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