Likewise, it enabled her head to be raised by a nurse, who was checking the progress of her drip. When the nurse saw him standing by the door, she said, “Kindly come in. Did you get the fruits?”
“Yes nurse.”
“It is all right. You can serve her,” the nurse said, and excused herself. Now, Olivia looked searchingly at the young man, who was holding a pack before her. She was certain that she had not met him before, except three hours ago.
“Hello, can I sit down?” He asked, and moved his eyes from Olivia to the visitor's seat beside the bed.
“Oh! Kindly do. I greatly appreciate your help.”
“You are welcome,” he said, and sat down. Then, he handed over the fruit pack and skewer stick to her after peeling off the cling film. She collected it and glanced at him, then, back to the fruit, before she muttered, “Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure. The nurse said you need it. Eat.”
Furthermore, she began to eat the chunks of watermelon. Louis, who had noticed that she was not comfortable with his presence, busied himself with his phone. Then, Olivia was able to steal a look at him from time to time.
'He looks harmless.' She thought. At that point, the ward was getting too quiet, and Olivia decided to chat him up.
“Hi, I'm Olivia. Mind if I meet you?”
Forthwith, Louis raised his head from his phone, revealed his beautiful set of teeth, and said, “Thank you, Olivia, I'm Louis. We can talk after you are through with your fruit.”
“Okay, Louis,” she agreed, and ate her fruit quietly. When she was through, he collected the empty bowl from her, trashed it, and inquired, “You must be starving. Do you mind if I get more for you?”
“No, Louis. I'm good with this. Thank you, once again.”
“Oh! Think nothing of it. Like I said, I'm Louis Bailey. From the Actuarial Science Department. What about you?” He asked.
To Olivia, Bailey sounded familiar. During her days at High School, she had a School Mother by the name Julie Bailey. She was always doting on her and made sure she was always happy.
'It may be a coincidence,' she dismissed the thought, and responded, “Nice to meet you, Louis. I'm Olivia McGregor. I'm from the Information and Communication Technology Department.”
“Wow! That is good. I'm glad to meet you. I must mention that your face is new in the campus.”
“It is possible. I'm in my first year. And you?”
“Oh! I see. I'm in my final year.”
“I see. It is my honor to meet you on a day like this. I'm sorry if I disorganized your schedule.”
“No. Olivia. It was just how we were destined to meet. Imagine what would have happened if I was not there to give you a support.”
“You are right.”
“So. What did the doctor say was the problem?” He asked while going through the prescription on the side stool beside her table.
“Acute stress.”
“Oh! I wish you get better soon.”
“Thank you for your wishes.”
“What could be responsible for the stress, if I may ask?”
Now, Olivia adjusted, looked at him and informed, “I must have over worked myself with school work.”
“I see. Please don't be too hard on yourself. I'm convinced that by now, you must be thinking of how to adjust.”
“I won't. I have to adjust my reading schedule. Thank you for your concern.”
“It is my pleasure.”
While they chatted, the doctor knocked and walked in wearing his white coat and stethoscope around his neck.
“Good day, doctor.”
“Good day, doctor.”
They greeted each one after the other. Then, Louis stood up and attempted to leave, but the doctor stopped him and announced, “Don't bother to leave, young man.”
Meanwhile, he turned to Olivia and informed, “You can be discharged any time from now. I can see you have rested enough.”
“Thank you doctor.”
“Don't mention. Make sure you take your prescriptions religiously, and have enough rest.”
“I will do just as you said, doctor.”
“That is good.”
Now, the doctor faced Louis, who was beside her bed, and advised, “Kindly, take good care of her, and ensure that she rests and takes her prescription. As you can see, stress is not good for anybody. Promise?”
The amazed Louis, who was surprised at the trust that the doctor reposed in him, played along, “I promised, doctor," he accepted cheerfully.
“I like that,” the doctor complimented, and faced Olivia, and instructed, “You can relax. The nurse will be here to prepare you for discharge very soon.”
“It's okay, doctor. Thank you, once again,” she responded, and laid back on her bed. Thereafter, the doctor walked away, and shut the door. Now, Louis adjusted himself, and was about to go back to his phone when Olivia stated, “I suppose you would want to leave. I will be fine by myself.”
Louis looked into her weak eyes, and testified, “I just promised the doctor that I will be by your side. I don't wish to break that promise. At least, not too soon.”
Now, she was speechless, and only looked at him. On a second thought, he reasoned that she may be uncomfortable with his presence, and would not wish to go contrary to her wish. Then, he attempted to get up from his seat, and pointed out, “I will leave if you are disturbed by my presence.”
If he was aware that his statement was enough stress for Olivia, he would have held it back because she was disturbed, and tried to get up from her bed to stop him.
“Not at all,” she announced with a start. “I wouldn't want to take the whole of your day,” she clarified. Nevertheless, Louis was moved when he noticed that she was hysterical, and consoled, “I can understand. Just relax while we wait for the nurse.” He watched her lay back on the bed quietly, and afterward, he sat down on his chair, and kept himself busy with his phone.
Back To Olivia's Bedroom
After she slept off, she saw the picture of the man in a white suit. He had some semblance with Louis. He was as cheerful as he was when he appeared in Louis' bedroom, but that time, he was closer, and attempted to be more intimate. Likewise, he sat beside her on the bed, and she was frightened. Then, she woke up suddenly, and asked, “How did you get here?” As usual, she was alone, and she attributed it to hallucinations. At that point, she was nervous, and broke out in a cold sweat when she recalled that it was over between her and Louis. She looked at the time, and it was 4:30 AM.