The Butterflies... Episode 6

Ayomide had finally woken up after a really long sleep. Tofunmi’s heart was literally in her mouth all through as the doctors and nurses walked back and forth the hall way. She had never experienced anything like this before. Her parents had never been sick enough for her to bring them to the hospital; neither has Tade or even herself gotten critically ill. She couldn’t even make any meaning out of all the doctor had been saying. All she wanted to hear was that he will be fine and they would go back to their normal lives.

Tofunmi had rushed to the hospital having gotten home to meet an empty house and called her mother who described the hospital where Ayomide had been rushed to. She had met her mum and her sister at the hospital looking worried. Mrs. Badmus did not just look worried, she was pissed. She had blurted out after Tofunmi had greeted her:

See, you have to look for that Dayo or is it Dapo you said his name was, because I don’t understand the type of disease he transferred to your womb before you conceived this boy. The doctors have had to run series of tests again as Ayo’s health is not improving…

Tade had cut in: see ehn sister mi, whoever that Dapo is, God must punish him well for us, with the way he’s been making us bear all the issues that have arisen with the birth of this boy…

Shhh… what issues? Children fall sick all the time now. Besides, Ayomide is my son. I don’t understand why you’re bringing Dapo into this issue. Just pray that he will get better Tofunmi said as she walked past her sister to look at her son.

The doctors had asked that they go pay for more injections and drips that will be passed into the boy as they were urgent to help him regain consciousness. It was not long after the injections were administered that Ayomide slept and didn’t wake up till the following morning.8.20am. Tofunmi had told her mother to go home to her dad and that she would stay with her son in the hospital till he got better. The doctors had diagnosed the little boy with something called cerebral malaria and went on to explain why it seemed like the boy was unconscious, stating that he had been infused with intravenous quinine and that procedure will be repeated after about  4hours till the baby got conscious… Tofunmi just kept nodding her head like she understood. All she wanted to hear was that he would be fine, and he obviously looked better than he looked when she saw him last night.

***

Good morning sunshine…

Ade was so thrilled to be back in Ibadan. He had intentionally refused to tell Tade the exact day he was coming back just so he could surprise her. He was still overwhelmed by the effort Tade had put into getting a gift across to him especially because he thought Tade wasn’t happy with him. He had hurriedly packed a few of his things and drove down to Ibadan that Saturday morning, wearing the Next shirt Tade had got him for his birthday

Tade had such a long night. Her sister had insisted that she went home to help their mother with whatever help she needed, that she would stay back look after her son. Ade’s call had woken her up

Good morning dear…

I’m on my way to your campus right now…

Oh, you didn’t say you were coming… I’m not on campus at the moment. My sister’s son has been critically ill for a while now. So I came home to help mummy out with the running around at the hospital. I’d soon be on my way back there…

Ade had insisted that he would see Tade even if it meant him coming to the hospital to meet her folks. He wasn’t sure he was ready to meet them though; he was kind of glad when Tade had said she wanted to keep her relationship away from her parents for a while; he didn’t even bother asking why, he was just glad. But now, he wanted to get more serious with his life, with his babe, and he wouldn’t mind meeting Tade’s parents, her sister and her son.

Tade described Rehoboth Hospital at Aare, Bodija Estate to him. She got up from bed immediately to get dressed and rush to the hospital. She did not want Ade coming to her house, not yet. Tade had also told her mum not to bother coming along to the hospital, insisting that she needed to rest especially since Tofunmi was back. Her mum couldn’t agree more. She had barely slept well since the sickness started a week ago. Tade hurried to the hospital with food for her sister and Ayomide. She was glad that Ayomide was now awake and was smiling, even though he still looked a bit weak and not as lively as he used to be. She had taken pictures with the boy, sang for him, made him laugh…

Tade’s phone rang. It was Ade.

Ok… yes, that’s the street. Drive straight down; you would see a cream building with deep brown roof on your right. The hospital is beside it…

Tade had told her sister that her boyfriend that she had always talked about was on his way to the hospital. Her sister smiled at her…

That’s why you didn’t let mummy come, abi? I knew something was up, with your high spirit this morning…

Haba, sister mi. It’s not because of him oh, it’s because Ayomide is now better…

They both looked at each other and bursted into laughter. Tofunmi knew her sister too well to fall for the excuse she just gave.

Tofunmi was ready to savour every bit of this moment – her son was getting better, her sister was in love even though she hoped for the love of God that the guy wasn’t just toying with her little sister’s heart, her mum was going to clock 50 in a week’s time, things were getting better for her dad at his work place… she didn’t have it all, but she loved the peace she was feeling at that moment.

Ibinabo’s call had interrupted Tofunmi’s thoughts. She had totally forgotten that she had a phone since she got back from school the previous day…

Tof baby, haba now. I’ve been calling since yesterday and you didn’t pick, Ibinabo said

Tofunmi could sense the worry in Ibinabo’s voice. She really had to give her credit for being so caring…I’m sorry dear… yes, he’s better now. Thank you so much. And thanks for helping out yesterday…

They had talked for a while and she even spoke with Tofunmi’s son… Ibinabo was a really sweet person, Tofunmi thought to herself as she stared at her son who was muttering words she really couldn’t pick as Ibinabo sang for him over the phone. Tofunmi had asked that Ibinabo extends her greetings to other roommates as Ibinabo ended the call.

Tofunmi checked her phone after she dropped the call. She had missed several calls from Ibinabo and some other people, 8 of them were from Temiye plus a text message from him.

She hissed as she read the message…

Hey beautiful, how are you and how have exams been? You’ve been on my mind as usual.  Just checking on you… Take care dear… T.ye”

She couldn’t understand what this guy’s drift was. Temiye Benson had been on Tofunmi’s matter for some time now. They grew up together in the same church, were put in the same Sunday school class as kids, and most times, they were paired together for activities in the Teens Church. She couldn’t deny the fact that she enjoyed his company when they were younger but then, Temiye was a very jovial person and he made friends with everyone in church. He however singled Tofunmi out and was closer to her. They had parted ways when he to travelled to the United Kingdom for his University education and even though Tofunmi knew she would miss her friend, she was glad that he wasn’t around when things took another turn and she got pregnant with Ayomide.

Temiye had found a way to keep in touch with Tofunmi after he travelled and had found out about Ayomide. It was a very awkward news for him; he couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Tofunmi of all people, the daughter of a deacon had gotten pregnant. He didn’t even know how to react but had tried to encourage Tofunmi to do all she could to get back on her track with her studies. Tofunmi had done her best to cut communication with him but he seemed like that one person you would meet in life who wouldn’t go, no matter what. She had changed her line and was shocked when he called her on her new number. She suspected her sister to have been the brain behind reconnecting them together but she decided not to ask her.

Temiye had come out plain in one of their conversations that he craved for something deeper with Tofunmi, that he cared a lot about her and the fact that she had a son was not a big deal. Tofunmi had laughed and told him to forget about that idea but instead, be on the lookout for girls in the UK. When Temiye got back into the country after obtaining his Masters degree, he had gone looking for Tofunmi who was already in Ife. He had contacted her again and this time, she was really beginning to lose her patience as it seemed to her that he wasn’t even hearing all she had been telling him about not being interested.

Now, he had been calling and Tofunmi was in no mood for any man-related issues. Temiye was doing well for himself in a multi-national company in Lagos. She wondered to herself what his issue was with getting a girl in the UK or in Lagos where he was now based.

She was about returning her phone into her bag when Temiye’s call came in again

Temiye, I don’t have time for all these. Can you do me a favour? Tofunmi did not even allow him to start off the conversation as she answered the call in annoyance

Yes dear, anything for you… Temiye said

Can you not call back ever again? Tofunmi said as she hissed and ended the call.

Sister mi, you have to take it easy oh. Your response was way too cold, it doesn’t matter who the caller was… Tade was interrupted by Ade’s call… ok, on my way…

Sis, I’d be back… she said as she patted her sister, winked and smiled at her, while taking her leave to go meet Ade who was standing by his car at hospital’s car park…

*the butterflies

*faith Tunde-Yara

*photo credit: article.wn.com