LULU'S POV

I didn't like keeping people waiting because I personally hated lateness and tardiness yet I was an hour late for my meeting with the Director in charge of the dispensary at the village. I'd gotten caught up in making orders for the green houses and coordinating everything with Marini. It's not like he could leave since he was on duty but still it was not a good image.

I drove past the faded sign post for the dispensary and it came into view ten minutes later. I would have thought I was at the wrong place were it not for the long line of people in front and the fading Nyali Dispensary painted in the front of the building. The sun was scorching hot and most of the people were lying under the shades of trees probably unable to stand. The building itself looked like it had seen better days, it was small, the paint was chipping off and it was definitely unsanitary even for a hospital. So as not to take up any shade, I just parked my car in the sun and got out locking it behind me. I was wearing gray cargo pants, a baggy t-shirt knotted at the front and a pair of sneakers. It might have been an official meeting but there's no way I was going to wear a blazer in such a weather. My sun glasses shielded my eyes from the sun as I walked across the dry courtyard towards the building. Most people looked at me in awe and wonder probably since I looked so out of place. I hope they didn't think I was cutting the line when I walked to the front desk. The nurse at the reception looked to be in her late forties with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She had a tired smile on her face making me and wonder how many hours she had been on duty.

"Excuse me, sorry to cut the line but I'm here to see Doctor Ezra."I requested.

She looked up from whatever she was writing probably ready to call me out for my rudeness but once she saw me her smile got wider.

"Miss Lulu, hello. I'm so happy you're here. The doctor told me to expect you."She expressed.

Looks like I didn't even need to introduce myself, my reputation preceded me.

"I'm sorry I'm late, got caught up elsewhere. Can I see him now?"I asked.

"Yeah of course, his office is down this corridor to your left, I'm sure you won't miss it."She explained.

"Thank you."

"No thank you, seeing you here gives me hope."She smiled and I just nodded at her before leaving her to her work.

The corridor was filled with people either getting tended to by the available nurses and doctors while others were lying on Shukas on the floor. It was so cramped I had to walk over people to get to where I was going. My heart broke seeing all of them like that and I had to keep blinking to hold in the tears.

I found the doctors office, knocked and walked in without waiting to be invited in. With all the noise going on around me, he probably didn't even hear the knock. His office was neater than the rest of the hospital but still in bad shape. On one corner was a wooden table with plastic chairs, cabinets against the walls full of files, medical posters on the walls and on the other side was an examination table where a small boy was being examined by who I assumed to be Doctor Ezra.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a patient. I'll wait outside."I apologized and the Doctor turned to face me.

"Lulu Kawira if I'm not wrong?"He quizzed.

"At your service."

"Just a few more minutes."He requested and I nodded before walking out and propping myself against the wall next to his office.

The doctor was old, maybe in late fifties but he looked kind and capable from what I'd seen. I'd leave my assessment of him for later when I'd held more than a thirty second conversation with the man.

I took my time looking around and the more I looked the more fault I found. The building was not even complete since it had no ceiling and some of the electric wires were hanging out in the open. I knew the building wasn't old, probably about five years but it looked like it had been there for fifty years considering its state. Health care was important, probably the most important after food, it even came before education so I definitely had to prioritize it. The residents of Ndoto would not continue suffering due to poor medical conditions, not under my watch.

I retrieved my phone to write down some notes and just as I typed in the first word, someone ran into me carrying a tray of syringes and bandages. My phone fell from my hand and so did everything else they were carrying. Before I could even open my mouth to apologize for being on the way they were already attacking me.

"Seriously? Watch where you're going. Are you blind? What is wrong with you. Maybe you're stupid or something. This is a hospital not a place to loiter around..." She continued yapping about but I just stood there silently watching her.

She was young, dressed in a blue nurses uniform, her hair was braided and tied off into a bun. She had minimal make up on and could be considered beautiful were it not for her ugly personality. I took my time observing her and then her face registered in my brain. I'd seen her before on the night I went to visit Korir in his home. She had been the girl getting too cozy with James. Well no wonder James had said he'd prefer marrying one of his cows before he married her. She had an ugly personality which I'm sure she thought he didn't know but James was perceptive. I wanted to feel jealous of her but the more she ran her mouth, the more sorry I felt for her. It must have been terrible pining over a guy who would never want you on top of having an ugly personality.

I had no idea for how much longer she ran her mouth towards me but she was cut off by Doctor Ezra who opened his office door.

"What is all the noise about?"He asked looking at the both of us.

"She ran into me making me drop everything."Whatever her name said pointing an accusing finger at me.

"I'm sorry for running into you."I apologized trying to be the better person even if I'd just been standing there minding my own business.

She was the one at fault but I didn't want to waste my precious time arguing with her. Maybe she was overworked like everyone else and needed someone to let her frustrations out on.

"Nalutuesha don't let this happen again. Now pick up your things and get back to work."Doctor Ezra scolded.

"But.. But...." She stuttered looking at me with a murderous gaze.

"No buts. And for future reference, Miss Lulu here is an esteemed guest and you should treat her with utmost respect."He continued.

Her eyes widened in recognition and awe before it changed quickly to jealousy and hate. She huffed and stomped her foot like a disgruntled child then bent over to pick up her things while still muttering curses under her breath. I waited for her to leave before picking up my phone that was thankfully unharmed and following Doctor Ezra into his now empty office. He motioned me to an empty seat before taking one on the opposite side of the table.

"It's a pleasure having you here Miss Kiarie. I've heard a lot about you from the villagers and its nice to finally put a face to the person."The doctor started and I smiled.

"I hope I haven't disappointed your expectations."I teased.

He chuckled shaking his head "Quite the contrary, you've superseded them. I didn't know that the clinic was on your radar but seeing you here gives me hope."

"If I'd know it was in such a bad state, I'd have come soon. From what I've seen, I've decided to prioritize it. Healthcare is important and should be available for all."I insisted.

"You haven't seen the half of it miss...." He continued but I cut him off.

"Please call me Lulu, Doctor Ezra. You are old enough to be my father. No need for the formalities."I corrected politely.

"Only if you call me Ezra."

"It's a deal, so what can you tell me about the dispensary. What are some of the challenges you go through?"I asked grabbing a small notebook and pen from the pocket of my pants to start taking notes.

"Where to begin?"He sighed running his hand over his face.

He looked around and I gave him time to compose himself. Maybe things were even worse than I thought.

"Everything is wrong. We don't have the right equipment, enough medicine and we are terribly understaffed. We don't have beds so we only do outpatient which is terrible since the closest hospital is eighty kilometers away and with our rough roads it takes two hours to get there. In emergency cases most people die on the way. We don't have a mortuary so there is terrible disposal of the deceased. To be honest need a whole new hospital seeing as we serve over five villages."He explained and I hummed noting it all down my mind running a hundred kilometers per second.

"Then I'm going to build you one."I mumbled to myself but the doctor heard me.

"Pardon me?"

"You said that you need a new hospital and I'm going to build you one."I informed him and his eyes lit up in excitement.

"But how miss? Sorry Lulu."He corrected himself when I gave him a about playful glare.

"With a lot of money, resources and manpower. I'm rich in the first two but I'm short of manpower. We're already so stretched because everything needs attending to so I'll be short of manpower but don't worry. I will figure it out."I consoled both of us.

"Maybe I can help miss. At this time of year there's not much to do since its the dry season so a lot of men just loiter around looking for a way to feed their families. I'm sure a lot of them will be willing to volunteer, you don't even have to pay them. Just feed them and their families. That's all they need."Ezra advised and even though the idea of me paying the volunteers didn't sit well with me.

"Thank you Ezra, I will put it all into consideration. Anything else that I need to know so I can compile the file to send to our donors for the funds request." I asked.

He nodded and our meeting went on for another thirty minutes. He gave me all the information that I needed solidifying my decision to make sure the hospital was in a better state in the next few months.

"Is the land that the dispensary is located in public or private?"I asked as we were concluding the meeting.

"It's private, it was donated it seven years ago for the construction to begin."He replied.

"Okay thank you, I'm going to need the deed and those agreements plus the exact measurements so that my engineers can start drawing the blue prints."I requested and he nodded before getting up to look through a few files to get me what I needed.

Ten minutes later we were saying goodbye at his door.

"Thank you so much Lulu. You are a blessing from God."Ezra expressed smiling appreciatively.

"It's all by His will that I'm here. He blessed me and my sisters so we're helping out the less able in return. Don't worry doctor. By the time I'm done, you will even have an ambulance."I informed him and he beamed.

"I can't wait."

After our final goodbyes I walked out of his office, through the dispensary into the boiling weather outside. I had all the documents that I needed in hand and a made up mind. I just needed to meet up with Rashid to finalize everything.

Just before I got to the car, the hot headed nurse I'd ran into blocked my path. I hadn't talked to her before but she was getting on my nerves. I was busy and didn't have the time to deal with her. I tried to sidestep her but she blocked my path.

"Can I help you?"I asked in a bored tone giving up the thought of walking away without confronting her.

I could easily take her in a fight if it came down to that but I was in public and I had an image to maintain.

"Actually yes. You can stay the hell away from James. He doesn't need you and would definitely not go for a city girl when he could have me."She attacked trying to get in my face but I backed away, not because I was scared of her but scared for her.

I almost burst out laughing at how insignificant her threat was. It was like the textbook threat of every mean girl in every book and movie. She needed to get a life and pick on someone else, I didn't have the time nor energy to entertain her nonsense.

"I don't have time for this."I murmured and saw a chance to step away from her so I did.

She didn't like the fact that I had just ignored her so good since she grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back. Out of reflex I grabbed her hand and twisted it behind her back making her yelp in pain. I knew people were looking and I didn't want to cause a scene so I needed to be fast but I couldn't just let her go. She'd be relentless and next time I'd do more than twist her arm.

"Listen and listen to me good because I'm only going to say this once. James doesn't want you and I don't want you around him. He might be too much of a gentleman to hit you but I'll not hesitate to put you in your place. I'm not some city girl you can just mess with. I'm a boss queen you measly little roach so if you ever cross my path again I will whoop your ass. Stay away from me and James. He's mine."I threatened in a low tone and twisted her hand a little more for good measure.

She yelled profanities and I stopped just short of breaking her hand and pushed her away. She stumbled forward and landed on her knees. I'd have hurt her more for trying to intimidate me but Ezra was already understaffed and I didn't want him losing an employee. A lot of people were staring at us but instead of getting judgemental looks for hurting one of their own they were just glaring at Nalutuesha. Looks like everyone knew about her ugly personality. I wasn't proud of some of the things I'd said to her but I got protective when she mentioned James. We might be taking things slow but I had no intention of letting him go. It's like I had told her, he was mine.

I watched her pick herself up and walk away like a wounded puppy but no one offered her any sympathy. I got back into my car and drove out of there. The day was barely over yet I was exhausted physically, mentally and physically. There was still so much to do so I had to suck it up.

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Our queen meets Nalu.. Is she a threat or is she not? We'll see as the story progresses.

Thank you so much for the support so far guys. Keep voting, commenting and sharing. I love you all. ❤️❤️.