Even in Death 10

Wale's family members also came visiting. Femi's parents would also come once in a while to visit. 

Femi had lost so much weight within a week. The doctors, nurses and visitors looked at her in sympathy. She would sit quietly beside her husband wondering if he would ever open his eyes, wondering whether he would be able to say goodbye. Suddenly she longed  to be the last face he would see before going to the after life. 

The doctors prognosis was bad. He has a 10 percent chance of recovery he had told her because of the extent of his injuries.

On Sunday, she decided to take the day off to visit her mother. Wale's sister had been insistent she would sit with him for the day.

She woke up late and decided not to go church. Was it fitting she should be in the presence of God, after all she had done? She queried herself. She had a leisurely shower and told the maid to make toast, and coffee for her. She ate slowly and dressed up in slacks and a crimson top. She felt like wearing red for reasons she couldn’t explain. She thought wryly that it could be because her hands were stained with blood. She shrugged the thought away and told the driver to take her down to her parents place

Her mother was all over her. Fussing and clicking her tongue

‘I don’t know how or why this happened to Wale. He has always been a careful driver'

Femi said to herself callously ‘ Kongi is what happened to him!’

‘What did you say Femi?’ her mother asked looking her over worriedly and Femi realised she had actually whispered her thoughts

‘Nothing mom'

‘I hope it’s not that you’ve started talking to yourself. Please ooo'

Femi smiled reassuringly

‘Don’t worry too much mom, Wale will be alright', yeah right!

‘Amen ma' she repeated dutifully ‘Suddenly I’m ravenous!’ she declared

Her mother went into the house to get her something to eat

Femi glanced idly around the garden, she adjusted herself slightly in the hammock she was occupying, admiring the rich, fragrant display of exotic flowers. Her father had travelled to the village to sort out an issue. She was glad she didn’t have to face him, he always could see through her, his eyes piercing. In the hospital he had been too busy fawning over the immobile body of his son in law.

Her mother was back soon afterwards with a mountain of jollof rice and peppered goat meat. Femi ate with much gusto and even asked for a second helping. Sated she went to lie in her old room which was still intact. She sprawled on the bed after taking a cold shower and dressed up in one of the casuals in the wardrobe. She slept very soundly and eventually woke up when it was dark. She rubbed her eyes and standing up, went in search of her mother. She found her in her room flipping through a magazine.

‘Atlast! Sleeping beauty wakes!’ her mother declared with a smile ‘I checked in on you twice and decided not to disturb you. You were looking exhausted when you arrived here'

Femi gave her a still sleepy smile 'Mom I’ll spend the night if you don’t mind'

“What a thing to say! This is still your house. What would you want for dinner?'

‘Anything light, mom' she replied lying down on the bed as she promptly fell asleep again.

Her mother looked at her with adoration. Her beautiful, intelligent, humane and peerless daughter!. She hoped fervently that Wale whom she knew was the love of her daughter's life would soon make a total recovery. She had been doing novenas on his behalf. She sighed as she got up to go to the kitchen.

Femi woke with a start around 3am. At first she thought she was in her room until she realised she was in her mother's room. She rolled over to switch on the bedside lamp and she realised she was all alone on the bed and in the room.

Shivering, she pulled the duvet over her head and tried to sleep, but, sleep wouldn't come. Eventually, she pulled the covers away and bare footed found her way to the kitchen. She was surprised to see the light on and even more  taken aback to see her mother hunched over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table

'Couldn't sleep?' Her mother asked wryly. Femi kissed her in the cheek and took the seat beside her.

'No sleep for the wicked, huh?' Femi jokingly replied. Her mother prepared a cup of coffee for her adding sugar and cream. Femi smiled her thanks

'I've been worried about Wale. I've gone to see a goodly prophet I know but all he says he sees is darkness'

Femi hid a smile as she bent her head to take a sip of the large mug of coffee.

'Darkness is not my portion, not the portion of any member of this family!' Her mother continued with fervour.

'Mom don't worry yourself, Wale will be alright. Very alright'

'Amen!Amen!!'

In an undertone she whispered 'And I will be, too'

To be continued...