DEATH CAN WAIT.
EPISODE 5.
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(AT THE HOSPITAL)
Mrs Anderson (Shola's mom) walked into the hospital ward, carrying a container of freshly cooked food for Shola.
She had taken her time to prepare her daughter's favorite meal, just as Doctor Collins instructed her to. Upon entering Shola's ward, Mrs Anderson was relieved to find her sitting up in bed and looking healthy.
"Doctor Collins said I should bring you something nutritious to eat," Mrs Anderson said, as she placed the container of food on the bedside table.
"Thanks, Mom," Shola replied, forcing a weak smile at her.
Mrs Anderson moved closer to check her daughter's forehead, ensuring her temperature was normal. "How are you feeling now, Shola?" she asked.
"I'm fine, Mom," Shola replied, trying to conceal the pain and the frustration of being alive again.
"The doctor has informed me about the toxic substance and drūg usage in your body," Mrs. Anderson began. "How did this happen? If it weren't for the way we raised you and your good character, I would suspect you were involved in drū-gs, something you would never do."
"It's not drugs, Mom; I already told the doctor that too," Shola insisted. "I must have been exposed to the toxic substance unknowingly. I don't know how it all happened."
"Alright, dear. Just remember to be careful," Mrs. Anderson said. "Your health is paramount, and you should always pray for God's protection every time."
"Okay, Mom," Shola said, nodding.
"By the way, your father has been calling from the pastor's conference in Abuja," Mrs Anderson continued. "Thank God it's nothing serious to worry about, so I informed him and your siblings that you're recovering well."
"Everything is okay now; they shouldn't worry," Shola replied.
"Come eat your food, and then we can go home," Mrs. Anderson said, pulling the table closer to Shola.
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4:00pm.
(BRIGHT FUTURE ACADEMY)
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day at Bright Future Academy. Israel began gathering his belongings, and he locked them securely in his locker before heading home.
When he arrived at home, he jumped onto his bed, exhausted. But after a while, Israel picked up his phone and logged onto WhatsApp. He was checking for messages from the guy who had promised to help with his music career by connecting him with Don Jazzy.
"Hey, what's up?" Israel messaged him quickly, noting he was online. "You said you'd help me meet Don Jazzy. What's the update?"
Shortly after sending the message, Israel got up to get a glass of water. He was thirsty after his long walk from school in the heat.
Upon returning back to his room, from the kitchen, he heard his phone beep and it was a reply from the guy he just messaged.
"Calm down, Israel," the WhatsApp texts read. "I've got everything under control."
Israel felt frustrated by the guy's response. "Is this all he has to say after ignoring me for days?" he pondered, and then decided to call the guy via WhatsApp.
"Hey, what's going on?" Israel demanded as soon as the call connected. "I've been trying to reach you for days, and you just ignore my calls like that?."
"Relax, Israel," the guy replied over the phone. "I told you I will link you up with Don Jazzy soon. Just be patient; things like this take time."
"Remember, I told you I didn't have the money," Israel said, expressing his worries. "I had to sell my mom's chain to fund this, and now, my sister is angry with me for selling the inheritance our mother left for her."
"Calm down now," the guy responded. "I know Don Jazzy and his artists, and I promise to make this happen soon. Just trust me, okay?"
"Also, be aware that I will need more money this weekend," the guy added. "Please send about fifty thousand naira to me, I need it to keep planning the meetup."
"What!" Israel exclaimed over the phone. "After selling my mom's chain worth three hundred thousand naira and sending you that money, you're asking for more? Where will I get fifty thousand naira from?"
"If you want fame, Israel," the guy replied, "then know that these things aren't easy. You have to spend money to get there."
Israel was frustrated, and he abruptly ended the WhatsApp call while the guy was still talking. Though he didn't know where the deal was heading or how he would raise fifty thousand naira, he was determined to send the money regardless.
All Israel desired was a chance in the music industry, and this ambition blinded him.
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(ROADSIDE RESTAURANT)
It was already 10 p.m., and it was time for Israel's sister, Serah, to leave the roadside restaurant where she worked. The restaurant owner, who is an Anambra woman, called her over and Serah hurried to her side.
"Here is your pay for the day," the restaurant owner said, handing Serah two thousand naira.
"Thank you, madam," Serah replied. She took the money and was about to leave when the woman called her back.
"I went to the bank this evening, but it was already past 4 p.m. and I couldn't deposit today's sales," Serah's madam explained. "Here is three hundred thousand naira; take it home and return with it tomorrow morning."
"Okay, ma," Serah said, accepting the envelope containing the money from her madam before turning to leave. For some reason, Serah's madam couldn't take the money home because her eldest son used to steal her money a lot.
When Serah arrived home late that night, she met Israel awake and waiting for his dinner. Although she was still angry with him for selling their mother's chain, but she wouldn't starve him.
So Serah reached into her bag, brought out the food she had stolen from work, and handed it to Israel in silence.
As Israel ate, Serah dropped her bag beside him and went into the bathroom to shower. Just then, her phone began to ring.
"Big sis, your phone is ringing," Israel called out to her from the dining area.
"Don't touch my phone!" Serah shouted from the bathroom. "I'll return the call when I'm done bathing."
But Israel's curiosity was piqued, and he wondered why his sister would reply with "Don't touch my phone," instead of simply saying "I'll return the call later."
"But come to think of it, I've never seen my sister with a guy before." Israel thought deeper. "Maybe it's her boyfriend, and Serah doesn't want me to know him."
That curiosity led Israel to pull his sister's bag closer to see who the caller was. However, his eyes caught sight of a brown envelope, and he was shocked when he opened it to find a large sum of money.
"Wait, where did Serah get this huge amount of money from?" Israel wondered. "Here I am desperately in need of funds for my music career, and I know Serah won't give me any if I ask her."
With that thought in mind, Israel counted out fifty thousand naira from the envelope and carefully placed Serah's bag back exactly where he found it.
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(BRIGHT FUTURE ACADEMY)
The following day at Bright Future Academy, Shola walked into the classroom after her failed sÙicide attempt.
Israel was already in the classroom, and he tried to talk to Shola about what made her collapse in class the previous day. However, Shola brushed past the musician, unwilling to discuss her problem with anyone.
Nkechi's eyes followed Shola as she walked to her seat. She then turned to Ajoke and Amaka, and they all wore the same shocked expression on their faces.
"How did this happen?" Nkechi said in a low voice. "Shola is supposed to be dead after inhaling the toxic substance, isn't she?"
"I wonder why she's still alive too and even in school a day after," Ajoke replied. "Maybe they were able to save her in time at the hospital."
"That's impossible," Nkechi interjected. "The substance seller guaranteed me that the toxicity was potent and worked within minutes."
"Perhaps the toxin wasn't as strong as promised," Amaka added. "What would you have expected from the seller? Of course, he wouldn't spoil his market by telling you the toxins are fake."
"So, what are you going to do now?" Ajoke asked Nkechi. "Samuel will never be yours as long as Shola is still alive and with him."
"Maybe we should go see Baba," Nkechi replied, turning to face Amaka. "You said Baba's powers are strong, didn't you?"
"That's what I said," Amaka replied. "But you all called me superstitious and said you will use the substance on Shola instead. It failed you, and now you want to try what you call 'superstitious'?"
"Come on, Amaka, just take us to Baba after school," Nkechi urged. "Difficult times like this call for quick and stronger action."
"All right, then. We'll go after School today," Amaka assured them.
TO BE CONTINUED...
@Berry Tyra