The Pain – Chapter 9

Abayomi looked down at Tina and felt a deep unexplainable emotion. She looked so vulnerable and helpless as she lay on the bed and he felt a certain urge to protect her. He felt responsible for what she was going through. This happened on his birthday and he could never forget that.

“Tin-tin, we were involved in an accident last week” Mike told Tina gently. “Don’t you remember?” He asked.

“I do” Tina replied. “It’s just that trying to remember the details makes my head ache…” She said as she closed her eyes again and put her hands over her head.

“It’s okay” Abayomi chipped in again.

“Just take time to rest, you don’t need to stress over the details” He said to her as he gave Mike a stern look. “You’ll be fine” He continued as he pulled Mike over and signaled to him not to ask any more probing questions.

“Thanks so much” Tina said as she smiled at both men. “I hope this has not adversely affected our deal” She asked Abayomi looking at him apologetically.

“Not at all” He replied with a smile on his face. “You don’t have to worry. I’ve decided to stall for a while. You have all the time you need to finish up. Besides, your staff have been doing a wonderful job at following up on where you stopped. Just make sure you recuperate quickly, then we’ll talk business” He said as he flashed a grin at her and winked.

Tina smiled “Thank you.” She made sure she didn’t look directly at him when He smiled. His dimples made her shiver all over and it seemed he still had a strong effect over her. Just then, the nurse came into the room requesting that they all had to leave excluding Tina’s mum. The said their goodbyes and left. Tina sighed, relieved that she didn’t have to endure that for long.

“Abeke mi, who’s that guy to you?” Tina’s mum asked gently as her eyes twinkled with amazement. Tina turned to her mum with a shocked expression on her face.

 

Motun was seated at her office trying to finish up some work. She had a deadline to meet the next day. Her phone vibrated on her table jolting her back to reality. She looked at her phone and smiled as she picked up the call.

“Hello Abayomi” Motun said sweetly.

“Hi Motun” Abayomi replied. “How are you doing? Are you free?” He continued.

“I’m fine, just finishing up some work at the office.” She said.

“At this time?” Abayomi said as he checked his wristwatch to see what time it was. “It’s past 6pm already. What are you still doing at work?” He asked puzzled. It was unlike Motun to keep extra hours at work.

“Yeah… I have a deadline for tomorrow and I need to finish up.” She replied.

“Okay. I hope you’re almost through though.” He said.

“Yes, I am. I’m not alone in this, some of my team members are here as well. I’m just trying to finish up my bit.” She replied. “So, what’s up? To what do I owe this honour of his majesty’s call?” She asked jokingly as she reclined into her chair and twirling a pen round her fingers.

Abayomi laughed over the phone. “I should be the one asking.” He said chuckling. “I saw your missed calls yesterday. You called me five times! What’s up darling?” He asked

“Oh that” She replied. “Forget about it, the moment has passed” She said dismissively. “By the way, why didn’t you pick up?” She asked.

“Really? Just like that” Abayomi asked sounding slightly offended.

“Yep!” She replied. “You know me.” She continued. “Anyways, how’s Tina doing now?”

“She’s fine, recuperating okay” Abayomi answered. “She’s finally out of the coma. Saw her last week.”

“That’s great news” Motun replied happily. “Would she be discharged any time soon?” She asked. “It’s over 2 weeks now”.

“I don’t know.” He answered offhandedly. “I didn’t call for pleasantries Motun.” Abayomi said. “I’m being a gentle man by returning your calls. Why were you calling persistently yesterday? It’s unlike you to call me continuously without wanting to tell me something important” He said.

“Yomi, just leave it. It’s nothing.” She said firmly. “So when are you coming back to the UK? You’ve been there now for over a month.” She questioned.

“You’re changing the subject” He replied sounding disappointed.

“You know me Yomi, no need trying to beg” She said.

“Okay then, you don’t have an answer” Abayomi chuckled.

“That’s fine. At least, I know you’ll be back here sooner or later” Motun retorted.

Abayomi laughed. He enjoyed teasing and winding her up. Her reaction was always the same, and it amused him. Motun had a short fuse. She could go off almost at the slightest provocation. It was funny how she reacted whenever she was being teased.

“Of course” He said still laughing. “I have to go now.” He continued. “You can call me when you’re ready to let me know why you called earlier.” He said.

“Really?” Motun asked incredulously “Well, if that’s what you want, that’s ok” She continued. “I also have to go now. Thanks for the call.” She said.

“You’re welcome.”Abayomi said smiling to himself. “Bye”

“Bye” Motun replied as she cut the call.

What is wrong with this guy? She thought angrily as she dropped her phone on the desk. Abayomi can be so annoying at times. Why did he have to be so difficult? He can’t even take a joke! She thought. I should have told him anyway. She reprimanded herself as she stared out the window into the night. It wasn’t like she had anything to hide. I hope I’m not messing up. She checked the time and decided it was time to go. She would finish up her work at home. She had till 10am the next day, no need stressing. She cleared her desk, packed her laptop, bade her colleagues’ good bye and left the building.

Abayomi smiled at his phone as he put it back into his pocket. He knew Motun too well. He was sure she wouldn’t call back or tell him what it was. Women sha! He thought as he reclined on his bed and flipped the channel to a sports station. He needed to get his mind off Tina. Since he last saw her at the hospital some days ago, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He didn’t understand why she was in his thoughts. She wasn’t even the type of girl he was normally attracted to. I’ll get over her with time. I’m sure it’s cos the accident happened on my birthday, he thought and made a mental note to visit her. He needed to get this out of his mind permanently and focus on other issues. He had been praying and seeking God’s face concerning a wife, and he hadn’t gotten convinced about anyone yet. Thinking about Tina seemed to be a huge distraction. I’ll see her this Saturday, he thought.

 

“Mummy, there is nothing to say or explain” Tina turned to her mum sounding tired. “I’ve told you this constantly. What else do you want me to say?” She continued as she opened the door to the car.

Her mum hadn’t stopped asking what was between her and Abayomi since the last time he came to visit with Mike. She was tired of explaining that he was just a client.  She put out one leg, grabbed her crutches and made to get down from the car. She was at the airport to catch a flight to London and then Birmingham. She was going to stay with her Uncle and his family for the next one month.

“Careful” her mum said as she watched her struggle to get out of the car. She held her shoulders as she helped Tina step out of the car. The driver had come around to her side to help as well.

It was exactly 3 weeks after the accident. Her recovery had been fast. Even the doctors were amazed. All tests came out clear with evidence that she was recuperating well. Although she still had a cast on her leg, she moved around quite well on crutches.  Her parents had insisted she needed a change of environment and a place to relax. They knew their daughter well, she was a work horse. Left to Tina, she was fit to go back to work. She felt really bad that she had disappointed some of her clients. Although Amarachi told her no one was upset, she still felt she had disappointed them. She was leaving the company in good hands; at least that counted for something. She put Amarachi and Ayo in charge because she trusted them to coordinate the team properly. Amarachi had called earlier to give updates on some clients work. She had quickly stirred the conversation around because she knew her mum would get upset. If only they knew how busy she would be when she got to Birmingham, she thought as she smiled and made her way into the airport.

“Madam, can we see your passport?” One of the airport security officials asked as her mum opened her bag and brought out their passports.

The man looked through the passports and passed it back.

“Anything for your boys ma?” the man smiled sheepishly as he allowed them through.

Tina’s mum brought out a N1000 note and gave him.

“Mama niyen” he said, as he gave her a salute. “Thank you ma”.

“Jayjay” he shouted, “Help this madam here, you hear?” He said as Jayjay, a dark skinned boy who looked about 20 years old appeared, collected Tina’s bags and put them on the trolley he brought with him.

“Safe journey ma” he shouted as Tina and her mum made walked away.

“Why did you give him money now?” Tina asked sounding offended. “Indulging these people wouldn’t help us as a nation mum. It’s so wrong” she said as she carefully made her way to the airline stand.

Tina’s mum ignored her as they continued walking towards the stand.

“Tina Jacobs” someone called from behind.

Tina turned and stared into the eyes of her worst nightmare. Her jaws dropped in shock.

 

Mike was in church helping out with some technical issues. He felt his phone beep and he brought it out. It was an SMS from Tina.

Please I need your prayers now before I do or say something stupid. Just met Ugo now. We’re on the same flight. Would call later. 

Mike was shocked at the news. He decided to call Tina. Her phone was switched off. She must have taken off , He thought. Lord, please help her through this journey. Give her the strength to pull through and most importantly, let your peace envelope her, He prayed.