At the School Clinic.
Louis was moved with sympathy. He held her before she could slump and carried her into one of the cars which happened to be his. Instantly, he drove off. He came to a screeching halt at the school clinic’s vestibule, and the long, high noise attracted the security guards on duty. He did not need any other announcement to make, as the caregivers came running to the car with a wheeled stretcher.
“What happened to her?” A concerned caregiver asked.
Louis got out of the car and opened the back door where he laid her.
“I don’t know, Nurse,” he answered, and the caregivers gently carried her onto the wheeled stretcher.
They wheeled her to the Intensive Care Unit where the doctor was waiting for her. Louis closed the door before he drove to the students’ car park and parked his car. He picked up her purse and joined her in the clinic.
While waiting patiently, the voice of one of the nurses jolted him off his reverie, “Kindly get some fruits for her.”
“It is all right, nurse,” he said and walked briskly to the car park like a man whose wife was in labor.
He drove quickly to the grocery shop on the campus and got a bunch of watermelons, which was the only fruit he could think of that was rich in nutrients. Then, he requested it to be cut into chunks. The grocer did and packaged it properly in a disposable transparent bowl and covered it with a cling film.
Afterward, he returned to the clinic and met the nurse working on some papers at the reception.
“Nurse, here is the fruit,” he said and handed the pack over to her.
She appreciated him and instructed, “That is good to hear. Kindly take it to her. She is in ward 204.”
There are needs that every human possesses, which would surface naturally when the need arises. The need for responsibility suddenly surged up in Louis and he was managing it with joy.
“It is all right, Nurse,” he said and moved.
He walked to the ward, following the directional arrows on the wall which led him to his destination. He got into ward 204 and met Olivia sitting on the iron hospital bed with the head raised by a crank. He met a nurse who was checking the progress of her drip.
When the nurse saw him standing by the door, she said, “Come in, please. Did you get the fruits?”
“Yes, nurse.”
“It is all right. You can serve her,” the nurse said while she excused herself.
Olivia looked searchingly at the young man holding a pack before her. She was certain she had not met him before, except three hours ago.
“Hello, can I sit?” He asked as he moved his eyes from her to the visitor’s seat beside the bed.
“Oh! Please do. I greatly appreciate your help.”
“You are welcome,” he said and sat down.
He handed over the fruit pack and skewer stick to her after peeling off the cling film.
She collected it and glanced at him, then back to the fruit before she muttered, “Thank you for this.”
“It is my pleasure. The nurse said you need it.”
She began to eat the chunks of watermelon and Louis noticed that she was uncomfortable with his presence. Therefore, he busied himself with his phone. Then, Olivia was able to steal a look at him from time to time.
‘He looks harmless,’ she thought.
At that point, the ward became too quiet and Olivia decided to chat him up.
“Hi, I’m Olivia. Mind if I know you?”
Louis raised his head from his phone, revealed his beautiful set of teeth, and said, “Thank you, Olivia. I’m Louis. We can talk after you are through with your fruit.”
“It is okay, Louis.”
She ate her fruit quietly. When she was done, he collected the empty bowl from her, trashed it, and inquired, “You must be starving. Do you mind if I get more for you?”
“No, Louis. I’m good with this. Thank you, for this, once again.”
“Oh! Think nothing of it. Like I said, I’m Louis Bailey. From the Actuarial Science Department. What about you?” He asked.
Bailey sounded familiar. She recalled her days at High School and her School Mother by the name Julie Bailey. She was always doting on her and ensured that she was always happy.
‘It may be a coincidence,” she dismissed the thought and responded, “It is nice to meet you. I’m Olivia McGregor. I’m from the Information and Communication Technology Department.”
“Wow! That is good to know. I’m glad to meet you. I must mention that your face is new on the campus.”
“Yes. It is possible. I’m in my first year. And you?”
“Oh! I see. I’m in my final year.”
“I see. It is my honor to meet you on a day like this. I’m sorry if I disorganized your schedule.”
“No. Olivia. It was just how we were destined to meet. Imagine what would have happened if I was not there to give you support.”
“You are right.”
“So. What did the doctor say was the problem?” He asked her while going through the prescription on the side stool beside her table.
“Acute stress,” she answered.
“Oh! I hope you get better soon.”
“Thank you, for your wishes.”
“You are welcome. What could be responsible for the stress, if I may ask?”
Now, Olivia adjusted, faced him, and informed him, “I must have overworked myself with schoolwork.”
“I see. Please don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sure by now, you will adjust.”
“I won’t. I have to adjust my reading schedule forthwith. Thank you for your concern.”
“It is my pleasure,” he responded.
While they were chatting, the doctor knocked and walked in. He was wearing his white coat and stethoscope around his neck.
“Good day, Doctor.”
“Good day, Doctor,” they greeted him one after the other.
Then, Louis stood up and attempted to leave, but the doctor stopped him and announced, “Don’t bother to leave.”
Meanwhile, he turned to Olivia and said, “You can be discharged at any time from now. I can see you have rested enough.”
“Thank you, Doctor. Yes. I have rested enough.”
“Don’t mention it. Make sure you take your prescriptions religiously and have enough rest.”
“I will do just as you said, Doctor.”
“That is good.”
Now, the doctor faced Louis, who was beside her bed and advised him, “Please, take good care of her. Ensure that she rests and takes her prescription. As you can see, stress is not good for anybody. Promise?”
The amazed Louis played along, “I promise, Doctor.”