Dedicated to the one who still text me clara_ibi

~Chloe~

I got to the hospital at exactly 4:04pm and I mentally cringed at the smell that welcomed me. It smelled like yeast and garlic with a dash of ginger spilled all over the floor.

"Blurgh I hate the smell of hospitals" I muttered to no one in particular. Just as I was about to take a step to walk further into the reception of the hospital, someone roughly pushed me aside as a doctor and three nurses rushed into the reception heading for a ward.

"Emergency! someone please get doctor Gbenga! The patient is in critical condition " One of the doctors yelled and I thanked the security who pushed me out of the way. I took deep steady breaths making an attempt to head to the receptionist who had a name tag on her. But the main entrance of the hospital burst open again and this time I was quick to move out of the way. I sighed almost regretting my decision to come here but the thought of Michael Jordan appreciating my presence motivated me to move forward.

I made sure that the coast was clear before moving towards the receptionist. I got to her table and tapped on it, she looked up at me and I smiled briefly at her. She scoffed at me before facing the computer in from of her.

You must have forgotten, this is a Nigerian hospital. If not you wouldn't have smiled.

"Hi, um...sorry I...um...excuse me Miss, I um... " I stuttered.

"Yes, yes what is it? Eni to bale soro soke ko gerraouta here. " She said irritatedly

( Translation: Anyone who can't talk loud please get out of here ).

I closed my eyes taking a deep breath trying to calm my rising anger.

So much for respect begets respect...

Abi oo she is even Yoruba self

I responded in agreement to my subconciousness. Knowing what was at stake, I would receive more insults which she was going to throw my way if I used the same approach. I had to try a different approach knowing she is probably reacting this way because I smiled.

Or because they haven't paid her salary for three month, and let's not forget you're a student who is still in her a school uniform...

Before my subconscious could finish up with what she was saying, I spoke up wanting an escape from awkwardly standing in front of this rude lady.

"Aunty Bimpe I'm just here to see a friend I won't..."

"Ehenehn...No, just hang it. I am not your aunty oh! whoever that is, is in that village of yours. "

"Fine! I'm here to see my friend Michael Jordan..."

"Oh so you must be the girlfriend that put him in that condition. Kia that fine boy, you are lucky I'm not a student in your school if not I would have beaten the hell out of y..."

Before I got the chance to correct her, i heard a loud voice calling her name to correct her.

"Bimpe! Why would you be harassing a patient like that? I've told you to stop jumping into conclusion ah. My apologies on her behalf. Come with me, I'll take you to him "

I smiled at him as a sign of thanks before following him. Before I turned a corner following the doctor that was leading the way, I turned around to take one last look at the receptionist. Turns out she was staring daggers at me and giving me the stink eyes as well. I closed my eyes and stuck my tongue out at her before she was completely out of sight.

"There, ward 101, you have 10 minutes. So make good use of it. " The doctor who I believe is in charge of taking care of Michael Jordan said once we had arrived at his room. I smiled briefly and responded.

"Thank you I won't be long."

He opened the door for me and I walked in before shutting the door behind me. I looked at Michael my formal sit partner from junior school days. His face was contour into a frown due to the cast on his face. I didn't know if it was because of the cast or because he was actually frowning at me. I sighed remembering how the scorpions did injustice to him that day.

"Hi Micha..." I tried to speak but he cut me short.

"Don't. You don't deserve to call that name."

I sighed knowing he had a point. I really don't deserve to call his name or even be in the same room as him. I had failed him, as a friend and as a fellow human being. But I was too scared to stand up for myself, for him, and of cause for what is right. I owe him an apology and that was just what I was going to do.

"Michael I am so so sorry for the..."

"Save it. I don't need your apologies, where has that ever gotten me. "

" It's not what you think. I didn't mean..."

"Of course you didn't. Look if you don't have anything better to say then, please leave. I don't want you sticking around being the reminder of why I'm even here in the first place."

That was all it took to break me. I couldn't believe he was talking to me in this manner. Who am I kidding? I deserve every atom of hate he was showing me right now. I had the chance to save him but I didn't. Instead I let my cowardice get the best of me. With tears hanging loosely in my eyes, I muttered an apology once again and turned my back to him before letting the tears flow freely from my eyes. With out another word I left the hospital and headed home in a Danfo bus.

I got home thirty minutes past five on the dot and I met mom in the sitting room. I just greeted her and went up to my room to freshen up. She called out to me, but I was too tired to respond. I was feeling emotionally drained from the way Michael responded to me at the hospital. That guy was the best sit partner I could ever ask for in my junior secondary school days. I guess it was too late now to change the hands of time or to say sorry. He wouldn't even give me a chance to apologise or accept my apologies.

I got to my room and dumped my school bag on my study table before heading to my walk in bathroom to take shower. I came out of bathroom wrapped in my bathing robe 1 hour later, reason for my exhaustion long forgotten. I changed out of my robe into an army green joggers and a black baggy shirt.

I sat on my study table needing to go though the day's work but the loud grumbling of my stomach reminded me that I haven't had dinner yet. With that in mind I left my room descending the stairs and headed for the kitchen. I meet mom preparing dinner and decided to join in. While I was helping mom clean and shred the carrot for the Shawama, my mind went back to the letter from Joel that belonged to Zoe.

I wonder what is in that letter anyway.

What do you think could possibility be in the letter?

My subconsciousness asked me sarcastically and I glared. And at that moment, mom decided to interrupt.

"So Chole. How was school today? " She asked.

"Fine, the usual. "

"You know there is more to life than the four walls of the School" She said.

"So you're saying I should indirectly become Zoe ?" I tackled but I immediately regretted it. I sighed and apologized, Zoe will always be a pain in everyones ass but especially me. Its a huge relieve she isn't home that's why the house is calm.

Wanting to change the awkward moment my apology created, I decided to ask about her job.

"So how was work?"

" I got demoted Chloe. From assistant manager to the receptionist."

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A/N

Thank you all so so much for 1k reads in really grateful😊😊😊😊 but I don't mind if you guys can speed up this reads 😓😓😓
I would appreciate it 😌😌😌😌