Bibi - CHAPTER 12

In the time of trouble, may He hear thee. May the God of Jacob protect you.

***

Lagos

The day before Christmas

Christmas was in the air and Lara was feeling giddy. She had decided to move back to Nigeria for good. She had been out of the country for a long time and after all the talk by her parents and friends, she had given in and thought things through. She had several interviews lined up the first week in January and she was looking forward to acing them.

She had been on her computer all day, helping to proofread and write a foreword for her friend’s new book. Her phone suddenly rang. It was Jimi. She picked his call and they bantered back and forth. After their initial meeting, she had been cautious about him and had tried to give him some distance especially when she realized that he was into her, but Jimi had broken through each wall and every barrier she had erected.

“Aunty Lara, do you want to eat anything?” Their housekeeper asked her.

“No, I’ll be going out with my friend in a bit.”

“Ah. Okay. Is your friend a man?”

“Aproko. Why do you want to know who I’m going out with?”

“Aunty, no vex o. It’s just curiosity.” Jane scratched her head.

“You know what they say right? Curiosity kills the cat.”

Jane chuckled and Lara gathered her laptop and charger. She headed to her room to change her clothes.

When Jimmy called to say that he was around to pick her up, she had changed into a pair of black leggings and a floral dress shirt. She chose to complete her look with a pair of Karl Lagerfeld Sneakers. They were going to see a movie at Film house IMAX in Lekki.

“Babe, Jimi hugged her when he saw her. You look great. You smell nice too.”

“Does that mean I don’t usually look great? Lara pouted.”

“C’mon, babe. You know what I mean.”

“Kidding.” Lara chuckled.

Jimi strapped on his seatbelt once they were in the car, and she strapped on hers too. “Alright,” Jimi rolled his palms. “Let’s roll!”

“Yes, let’s.” She responded.

She was spending Christmas Eve with a guy who seemed to be into her as much as she was into him. That was beyond amazing. Nigeria was being good to her, and she was excited about the days to come. 

****

Lagos…..

Christmas Day

Lara snoozed her alarm clock for the third time. She had gotten home late the night before. She was in no mood for church but knowing her parents were particular about attending the Christmas Service at St Peter’s Cathedral, she got dressed.

Her phone vibrated on the bedside table. She picked it and saw several Merry Christmas messages.

The church was bustling with activity when they arrived. People were dressed gorgeously like they were all out to outdo each other. “Hmm… Naija no dey carry last.” She thought.

“Dekunle, how are your parents? Are they planning on coming for the service today?” Her mother asked one of their family friends on his way into the church.

Dekunle bowed his head. “Good morning Mrs. Fernandez. I think they’re on their way.”

“Okay, well, I hope I’ll get to see them after the service. Nice attire by the way.”

“Thanks, ma.” He said and smiled in Lara’s direction.

“Hello.” Lara waved at him. All these small boys of yesterday had become grown men. What a wonderful world! She thought.

The choir sang “Oh come, oh come Emmanuel” and memories came flooding Lara’s mind. Memories from high school at The Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls.

“God sent his son Jesus into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world may be saved through him.” The minister preached.

Lara’s mind wandered during the service. They were expecting family and friends at the house later in the day.

Three hours later, they were back home, and her mother was busy dishing out instructions to the caterers. “Jemima, I want the perfect English Christmas pudding. Please make it just the way I like it o!” Ireti ordered.

She heard a car honking. Their gateman opened the gate and the car drove into their large compound and parked at the covered parking area.  

The sounds of laughter filled the family sitting room as Lara descended the stairs. She recognized the Odilis. She saw them occasionally whenever she worshipped at her parents’ church. Soon their entire house was filled with friends and extended family members.

“Good afternoon ma, good afternoon, sir.” She curtsied and greeted the guests.

“Lara, how are you? I don’t think that you have met our son, Jidenna. He just moved back home from Sweden.” Obi Odili said to her

Jidenna stood and held his hand out to her. “Hi, Lara. Pleased to finally meet you.” His hand lingered in hers.

“Same here.” Lara smiled and her gaze swept across his features. He wasn’t bad-looking at all.

“That’s a lovely dress you have on.” Ifeoma Odili said to her. “This is our daughter, Grace. Not sure if you have both met before?”

“Hello, Lara.” Grace greeted her with a warm smile. They were meeting each other for the first time.

“Our son, Bade and his wife are vacationing in the US at the moment.”

“I was just going to ask about him,” Obi said, reaching for some chin-chin on the table.

Lunch was served shortly, and everyone had their fill. Their merriment was interrupted by a man who introduced himself as Akin T, a saxophonist.

He began to play the saxophone and people stood to dance. When the music was over, they all applauded him. “Wow!” Lara thought. The guy was good.

“Your parents told me you’re here to stay just like me. How do you feel about that?” Jidenna inched closer to her and asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“I mean… it’s okay. I guess.” Lara stuttered. She hadn’t noticed his presence. Perhaps that was because she was so engrossed in the music. “When people first suggested staying back to me, I thought it was a preposterous idea. I’ve lived abroad for a while and wasn’t sure I would adjust well.”

“What made you change your mind?” Jidenna probed.

“Well, wanting to be closer to my family was one of the factors plus being in the company of some of my friends again has made me realize all I have missed lately.”

“I can relate with that,” Jidenna said. “Can I have your number if you don’t mind?”

While she wasn’t quick to give people her phone number, she liked Jidenna’s aura. He seemed like one of those people who had a good head on their shoulders.

When she excused herself later to go and attend to her friends who had just arrived, she felt like punching the air. Yes!!! She had gone from zero to hero in recent times. From feeling unseen to grabbing the attention of eligible bachelors.

Butterflies danced around in the pit of her stomach when Jimi called to let her know that he had just arrived.

“Hey, you made it!” Lara hugged him. Jimi looked cute in a black and white striped shirt and jeans. His pair of black moccasins added to his debonair look.

“Yep, I did. Have to meet the parents today.”

“Aww, you’re so sweet.” Lara giggled like a lovestruck teenager.  

Her parents were laughing loudly when she and Jimi approached them.

“Mum, dad. This is my friend. His name is Jimi.”

“Merry Christmas Sir and Ma. Such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard great things about you from Lara.”

Jimi was such a charmer. Lara mused.

“Merry Christmas, my dear,” Ireti responded.

Segun studied the young man and smiled at him. “Merry Christmas Jimi.”

“You didn’t tell me it was going to be a full house here,” Jimi whispered into her ears while they walked away from her parents.

“I tried to tell you.” Lara chuckled. She suddenly felt like she was being observed.

When she turned, she noticed Jidenna was staring in their direction. Her gaze met his, but his face was expressionless.

****

Chicago…

Christmas Day

Ana, Peyi, and Bibi sat at one of the waiting areas in the hospital. Bade had been moved to the ICU. He had sustained injuries to his spinal cord which was caused by the impact of the truck which collided with his car. The police had carried out their investigation and deemed the drunk truck driver, the cause of the accident. He had also sustained injuries though not as life-threatening as Bade’s.

“This is all my fault.” Bibi sobbed.

Ana hugged her tight. Stop saying that.

“If only I….”

“Sshhh…” Her father cautioned. “You were not the truck driver who hit your husband’s car.”

“I should have told him not to worry about taking the food to Neville and Melissa when he insisted.”

“I think we should head home and come back tomorrow. We don’t know how long the surgery will take.”

“I can’t leave here.” Bibi wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

“Darling, your father is right. You need to rest tonight so you can be strong for Bade. He is going to draw from your strength in the days to come or he’ll be broken when he realizes how injured he is.”

Bibi gave in to her parents’ advice. The drive home seemed long. Bibi hugged herself at the back of the seat. She didn’t think that she would be able to sleep at all that night.

Her mum came in with a cup of tea when she had changed into her nightwear. “I brought you sleepy time tea. It should help you relax and sleep a little tonight. Bade is going to be all right. I have sent a prayer request to my prayer group and every one of them is lifting Bade in prayer.”

“Thanks, mummy, but what are we going to tell my in-laws? Do you think they’ll hate me?”

“Why do you think they’ll hate you? Is there something you want to tell me?” Ana probed.

“I guess…. I guess it’s just me.” Bibi stuttered.

“Let us pray”. Ana said to her daughter, holding her hands.

Bibi felt a calm envelope her thereafter. She drank some tea and sleep claimed her thereafter. 

****

The sounds of birds chirping outside woke Bibi. There was a song in her heart. “He has promised, He will never fail…. His faithfulness is forevermore.”

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It felt as though someone was whispering the words into her ears.

Hours later, she and her parents were back in the hospital. They went to the receptionist and requested to see Bade.

The white lady peered at them through her large glasses. “And you are?” She said to them.

“His wife and these are my parents.”

“Okay, he’s been transferred to the step-down unit. It’s on the 7^th floor.”

“Thanks,” Bibi said to her. The receptionist nodded. “No problem.”

Bibi gasped when she saw Bade lying on the admission bed. He had several tubes attached to him. She almost ran out of the room.

“You have to be strong for him.” Her father said and held her arm.

“We have to let your in-laws know about this,” Ana said to Bibi.

“I’ll call Segun to let him know. Let me handle this.” Peyi said to his wife and daughter.

“Thank you,” Ana said to her husband who was already walking out of the room.

“All will be well. Bade is going to be okay.” Ana said to her daughter.

Bibi sobbed. “Oh, Lord! Have mercy.”

One of the doctors walked in at that moment.

He shook hands with Bibi and Ana. “Hi…. I am Doctor Bergdorf, one of the trauma surgeons in this hospital. I performed the surgery on him last night.” He said, turning to look at Bade.

Bibi’s heart pounded. “Is he… Is he going to be, okay?”

“I have good and bad news, unfortunately.” The tall white doctor said to them.

“The good news is that his condition is stable. He will pull through. The bad news is uhm mm. You know that he sustained injuries to his spinal cord, and we had to quickly carry out an operation last night. The injuries were quite substantial What that means is that he may develop paralysis which may be temporary or permanent. We’ll know in the days ahead.”

The shock of his statement rippled through Ana’s heart, but she composed herself for Bibi’s sake.

Bibi could feel her heart shattering into pieces. Bade! Paralysis? How?

“I rebuke it!” Ana said a little loudly.

“What did you say?” The doctor asked wrinkling his nose. Ana walked away and went to stand by the window.

Bibi hugged herself. She had no words.

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of such news.” The doctor said, looking into her eyes. She saw sympathy in them. “Your husband looks to be a fighter. He’ll pull through.”

“Thanks.” Bibi’s voice broke as she blinked to hold back her tears.

“Bade may not be able to walk again,” Bibi told her father when he walked back into the room.

“And who told you that?”

“The surgeon who operated on him last night just left the room. He told us that he doesn’t know if the injuries he sustained to his spinal cord will result in permanent paralysis or not.”

“Woo, stop repeating that nonsense,” Ana said to Bibi.

“Mum….” Bibi snapped at her.

“Say ye unto the righteous that it shall be well with him.” Ana quoted the words from the book of Isaiah.

“Dad, Bade may be paralyzed.” Suddenly, the dam within her broke and she found herself sobbing loudly.

“I am pregnant.” She blurted. “I don’t know if I can carry this baby to term with all this….”

“Ahhhh… Why didn’t you tell us?” Peyi said holding her.

“We wanted it to be a surprise,” Bibi muttered.

“You will carry this child to term by the grace of God,” Ana stated.

Both her parents tried their best to pacify her. Her mother led her out of the room afterward. “Let’s go get some fresh air.”

Peyi sighed. “Why, Lord? What is the purpose of all this?” He questioned God in his heart.

He moved closer to Bade and began praying for him.

****

Hours later, Bade woke up to the sounds of beeping machines. He opened his eyes slowly. His vision was blurry, and his head felt like it had been hit by a rock.

“What am I doing here?” He managed to ask a lady who was dressed in blue scrubs.

“You were in a car accident last night. You were brought here shortly after that.”

The events of the previous night suddenly flashed into his mind. He had dropped the food basket at Mr Neville’s home and was on his way back home when he was suddenly hit by another car. That’s all he could remember.

“I am Nurse Freda.”

Bade shut his eyes and opened them again. The light in the room was blinding.

Bibi walked into the room and saw the nurse standing by Bade whose eyes appeared to be open.

“Is he awake?” She queried the nurse.

“Yes. He woke up just now.” Nurse Freda answered.

“Thank God… Thank God.” Bibi said over and over.

“Oh, my goodness.” Bibi pulled the chair by Bade’s bed and held his arms. “Baby, I’m sorry.” She said brokenly.

Although his mind was very foggy, he could make out his wife’s face.

Bade frowned. “Why are you sorry?”

“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t suggested taking food to Melissa and ….”

Bade raised his hand and cut her off. “This is not your fault.”

Bibi sniffed trying hard not to break down in front of him. He didn’t know the extent of his injuries.

Silence filled the room afterward.

“How are you?” Bibi asked, holding his fingers in hers.

“Terrible. I feel pain all over.”

The nurse heard that and replied. “That’s why I’m here. To administer your medication. We don’t want you feeling pain.”

He tried to move his legs, but they felt heavy like they were not there. “I can’t feel my lower body. Am I badly injured?”

Bibi sniffed and looked away from him. She didn’t know how to break the news to him.

****

Ireti had just finished her workout session with her new fitness instructor. She was 60 and in the best shape of her life. She was healthy and she was grateful to God.

“My back is hurting.” She said on walking into the family sitting room where her husband was enjoying a cup of coffee.

“I will never understand why you’ve chosen to kill yourself with all that strenuous exercise.”

“Segun, but you know my instructor doesn’t let me do the hard stuff.” Ireti countered.

“Then why are you complaining of backache after working out? Cancel the class, let’s take walks around the neighbourhood or better still, use the treadmill our son bought us.”

“Segun, you can’t understand,” Ireti said dismissively.

“Then don’t be complaining to me about backaches. I’m not sure you remember you are not a young flower.” Segun snapped.

“In other news, I am developing dementia, or I have amnesia.” Ireti retorted, reaching for the pot of coffee.

Segun chose not to respond and concentrated on the newspaper he was reading before Ireti interrupted him.

The phone rang and Ireti picked it. “My in-law, I am sure you all had a great time yesterday. Bade and Bibi kept sending us pictures and videos. We miss you all. Ah okay, you want to speak with Segun. Hold on for him.” She passed the landline handset to her husband.

“What? What did you say?” Segun looked uncomfortable. Ireti looked at her husband after he had exchanged pleasantries with Bibi’s father.

“Bade was involved in an accident last night? How? How did it happen?” The lines around Segun’s forehead gathered into a frown.

Ireti’s heart thudded within her chest. She jumped up from her seat as though a force had lifted her.

Segun rubbed his face with his palms when the call was over. “Bade was involved in a ghastly accident last night. They had to operate on him, but his condition is stable now.”

“Ye!!!! Mo gbe.” Ireti said in her mother tongue.  “Mo ku o!!! Won ti pa mi! My only son!! Ye!”

“Pull yourself together, Ireti. Peyi says his condition is stable. He is responding to treatment.”

“I almost didn’t want him to go on the trip, but you know, I didn’t want Bibi to think otherwise. Segun, what are we going to do?” Ireti’s hands trembled as she spoke.

“We get on the next flight to America. Good thing we don’t need a visa. Lara doesn’t need one either.” Segun replied, trying to stay as calm as possible even though he was horrified. He couldn’t let Ireti see how much he was shaken by the news.

They called Lara and broke the news to her. “We have to leave for the US immediately. Let me call Jola to book the tickets.”

“I can book it,” Lara told her father.

“Let Jola handle it. You can start packing up our things.”

Lara thought about the interviews she had lined up. She would have to let them know an emergency had come up for her.

****

Pere rolled over on his bed, putting his arms beneath his head. The police hadn’t been able to track Adesua and Wole’s whereabout. Every time he went to the police station, they told him stories. He missed his son. He missed Tonye and daily the wounds of Adesua’s betrayal festered. He was angry at everything! He was angry at the scammers who had defrauded him. He cursed them every day.

His mother and sister had visited and stayed with him for a while. Their company had helped to keep him sane. But eventually, they had to head back home and now the hole in his heart had gotten bigger. Some nights when the pain in his heart became too much, he took to drinking. He had filled up the bar in his house again. That was something he had vowed to stay away from in the past and he had kept his word until now. There was also the issue of his being celibate. That had gone on for a while and he didn’t know for how long he could go on. He sighed when he remembered the girl from the club the other night, Nneoma. She had left an impression on him and for the past three months, he had battled with the thought of going back there. But he wasn’t sure she would still be there. Maybe he would ask Akin for her contact one of these days.

He had gone back to work, and things were looking brighter. George had used his connections and gotten them a contract to build an estate in Eko Atlantic and funding was underway. They would be signing a partnership with Benson Builders, a thriving real estate company in the coming weeks.

Agnes knocked on his door. “Oga, your friends are here to see you.”

“Do you know their names?” Pere asked, standing up.

“Uncle Akin and Uncle George,” Agnes replied.

“Tell them I’ll be with them shortly.”

Agnes nodded and walked away.

“Wait! Guys, why do you look so morose? Did someone die?” Pere teased. He sincerely hope that they didn’t come bearing some kind of bad news.

George was the first to speak. “There is a problem. Bade was involved in an accident recently.”

“But I thought he was in the US for the holidays?”

“Yes, that’s where he was involved in the accident. Bibi told me it’s very bad. He may no longer be able to walk.”

“What?” Pere exclaimed, clearly dazed.  “How did it happen?”

Akin narrated Bade’s ordeal and silence engulfed the room.

“Oh, man! This is so sad. So, heartbreaking. Bade, of all people! Why?” Pere queried.

“He may end up in a wheelchair. No one knows at this point.” George said regrettably.

“How is he going to cope in a country like ours that has zero facilities for helping the disabled cope with life? He may be better off staying back in the US.” Pere said thoughtfully.

“I know right. I have thought about it too.” Akin stated.

“We’ll need another financial adviser until when Bade can join us again,” George remarked.

“That’s true,” Pere said, rubbing on his stubble.

“We were on our way back from a meeting when Bibi called me. We thought we’d stop by and let you know.” George elucidated.

“Thanks for letting me know guys. I’ll try and say a prayer for Bade.”

“Yeah, I’m sure he could use that,” Akin answered gazing at his wristwatch.

“Alright, Pere. We’ll take our leave now.” George announced. The men stood to leave.

“Akin, do you remember that lady from the club the other night?”

“Yeah, the one that caught your fancy. That’s the one you are referring to right?”

“Yeah,” Pere responded.

“Her name is Nneoma.”

“Yeah, that’s her name. Do you have her contact?”

Akin raised a brow. “Do you want her mobile number?”

“Yeah, that’ll be great,” Pere answered.

“Here you go.” Akin said after sending Nneoma’s phone number to Pere.”

“Thanks, Akin.”

“Anytime man!” Akin replied. Pere walked them to their car and watched George drive away in his BMW SUV.

****

Bade was moved to rehab several weeks later. He had lost the use of his legs. He had no feelings whatsoever in them.

His parents and sister had flown into the United States several weeks ago.  While his parents were US citizens, Lara was a British citizen which meant that she could travel to the States without a visa. Everyone was currently fussing over him. He noticed that Bibi had been distant and though he had tried to convince her that none of this was her fault, she carried the guilt of his accident like it was a piece of an expensive Louis Vuitton ensemble.

He was grateful that they were not saddled with the responsibility of paying for all his hospital bills. The other driver was at fault and his insurance company was paying the full cost of all his medical bills.

“How are you feeling son?” His father’s voice filtered into his thoughts.

“Dad, I don’t know. I feel numb. It’s like I’m in a bad dream.” Pain seared Bade’s heart as he spoke.

Segun placed his hands over his. “It feels like a bad dream to all of us, but you know what? We are glad that you are still here with us. We are glad that we didn’t lose you.” His voice trembled. “Your mother and I would have been shattered.”

“But what kind of life lies ahead of me as a paraplegic?” Tears found their way out of the corner of his eyes. He blinked and fought them.

“We’ll take it one day at a time, son. We are all in this with you.”

“Thanks, dad.” Bade managed to say. Gosh! Why did this have to happen to him? What did the future hold for him?