Life is beautiful with the right people.
When Naomi woke up, she felt better, and for the first time in 3 months, she felt light and filled with energy. She breathes in deeply. She felt her baby move in her belly. She giggled and rubbed her stomach.
Her giggling attracted Eric who was reading a magazine.
" Finally, the sleeping beauty is awake," Eric said smiling. Naomi smiled back. Her eyes were filled with appreciation.
Eric came to her side. He checked her temperature.
" The fever has subsided entirely. You are cured"
" Thank you, Doctor Eric," Naomi said. Eric frowned that she wasn't calling him by his name yet.
" Though it is a very pleasant thing to call me by my profession, I will be more pleased if you call me Eric," Eric said grabbing an apple from the fruit basket he brought.
Naomi was not sure why he wants her to be informal towards him. Is it that he loves her? Why would a handsome man like him want a pregnant woman? Or maybe he wants her baby. Or he wants to adopt her for his wife. Maybe he was looking for a child and wanted to take care of her so that when she gives birth, he will take the baby.
Naomi looked at him suspiciously.
" Why did you help me?" Naomi asked
Eric was startled by her question. He can't tell her that he liked her. It will sound so untrue and hideous.
" Well, you fainted in my presence. I couldn't just let you be or let others handle you. I am a doctor and my conscience will thrash me if I ignore you. Moreover, I have seen you for weeks, and you seem like a good person. I don't know what your story is and I won't force you to tell me but just accept me as a help God sent to you" Eric explained genuinely.
Naomi looked at him dazed.
" I am not asking you to agree to it immediately. After all, we are strangers even do we know each other casually. I will give you some time to think about it. But, you have to stay in this hospital or a hotel. I can't let you go back to that slump. Please" Eric said slightly irritated. He can't imagine how she has been surviving the ills of that place.
" Okay, I will think about it," Naomi said even if she has no option but to accept his offer. She hopes it was God sending her help.
" Okay! I will leave to continue my business for the day. If you need anything, ask any of the nurses to call me." Eric walked towards the door. He was about to walk out when he met Mama Suleja at the door. Eric turned towards Naomi to confirm if she knew the woman before letting her in.
" Naomi! " Mama Suleja exclaimed with fear written all over her face.
" Na Temple come to call me for where I dey o. He says 'Oyibo don faint them rush am go hospital'. My heart fly. I go distributor shop, drop my business, come run come fine you" Mama Suleja demonstrated with her plump body shaking as she talk.
Naomi smiled. The bond between them has blossomed over the months.
" Wetin happen?" she asked with concern.
" No panic. Na small fever" Naomi assured.
" Small fever? Something wey make you faint. Shebi I dey tell you make you dey cover your self well before you sleep. Mosiquto wey dey that place na soldier them be. Once they suck you like this, you go get malaria" Mama Suleja explained funnily.
Naomi laughed at her explanation. This woman was just too funny. She takes life so simply. All she needs is food for her children and a roof over their heads. Naomi pitied her sometimes when her children fell ill. She gets locally-made concoctions and gives them. It will surprise you how fast they will heal without proper treatment. When Noami had asked her if she ever dreamed of leaving the bridge. She laughed and said that the bridge was now like a home to her. Even if she were to leave the bridge, she will likely rent a house close to it. A week outside the street and the bridge will make her homesick. The bridge was home and her identity.
" I don dey well now. Make you no worry again" Naomi assured
Mama Suleja breathed in relief.
She could finally sit down.
Naomi saw her sweating and increased the Ac for her.
" This hospital fine oo, see as everywhere dey like a hotel" Mama Suleja commented looking around the place. Her eyes landed on the fruits and vegetables placed on the fridge.
" Shebi na apple be that?" she asked Naomi
"Yes na Apple. Carry them make you give Suleja and his brothers. I no like apples" Noami said.
" Ahhhh! " Mama Suleja exclaimed and collected the apples.
" Wait first! That fine man wey I see before I come inside. Na him carry you come here abi?"
Naomi nodded.
" Na the pikin' papa be that?' she asked
Naomi laughed at how funny she looked while asking.
"No, na one of the customer wey I meet for madam Taste and See place. Him na doctor too" Naomi explained. She didn't want to tell her too much yet. To avoid getting excited about anything.
" Oh okay. The man fine sha" she said with a teasing look.
" Mama Suleja! No, be like that. The man just help me" Naomi said wondering what was going through her mind.
" ok oh. Make I believe you. "she said grinning.
Naomi looked at her and laughed. This woman was ridiculous
Mama Suleja later went home after Noami fell asleep.