Jamaica

Chapter 34

"250,000 Naira?" Silence fell on the face of the cashier as he stared into Abisola eyes. At about 8 am in the morning, Abisola was already in the bank to make an easy withdrawal. She had a plan that she wanted to carry out, and  the money she was about to withdraw, was what she needed. But she was about to meet with resistance from the cashier.

"Do you have a problem with me taking out my money?" She blasted out, as if she was ready to face anyone that got in her way. There was frustration on the face of the round-faced cashier,  who didn't like the idea of seeing so much money being withdrawn. And Abisola was the bank's first customer for the day.

"Uhm, if I may ask, what do you intend to do with the money?" He stuttered. 

"Aha, are you asking me what I want to do with my own money? Did I make the mistake of  opening an account in this bank?"

"No, I'm just concerned about..."
"About what?!" Abisola had started raising her voice and this attracted the bank manager who came forward and asked what was the matter was. Abiola looked at the manager angrily but went on to tell him what the cashier had told her. After listening to her, the bank manager told her to follow him to his office. When they got there he told her to sit down and wait. He left the office and a few minutes later came back.

"Madam ehm, please accept my apologies if you find the cashier's attitude offensive. However it is the policy of this bank to ensure the safety of our clients funds. 250,000 is a lot to take out. I mean, if you understand what I mean." 

Abisola wasn't in the mood to hear a story of safety and security. All she wanted was to take out the money and go ahead with her planned intentions. And her intentions was to visit Femi at the hospital and ask him questions concerning his involvement with Jamaica. She had pegged their relationship on the answers he would give her. Looking at the manager, she wondered why he was wasting his time  talking instead of meeting her demands.

 Then the door opened and a woman walked in pushing a small trolley with a bag on top of it. Abisola looked at the bag and felt that perhaps her money was inside the bag. She watched as the woman set the bag down on the manager's desk and handed him a paper. He went through the paper and then looked at Abisola. 

"Here sign this paper to acknowledge receipt of the amount you requested for." Abisola took the paper and after going through it  signed and handed it back to the manager. "Here, make a copy of this paper and bring it to me." He told the woman. The woman left and minutes later, came back with the paper and gave the manager a copy. When she  left the office, the manager looked at Abisola and smiled.

"Well your money is in the bag," he said, pushing the bag towards her. He got up and gave her the printed receipt. Abisola got up and thanked him and left immediately, leaving the bank manager angry. But this didn't bother her as she was on her way to the hospital. When she got there she didn't wait to be received by the doctor whom she had last visited. Instead she went directly to his office and knocked. 

"Yes, come in." Abisola went right in and sat down much to the surprise of the doctor.

"How are you, sir?"
"Abisola, I'm fine, what about you?" He asked, observing her carefully. 

"Ehm I came to see Femi, how is he?" The doctor leaned back in his chair and gave Abisola a concerned stare.

"He's alright and like I told you he will soon be discharged."
"You mean today?" Abisola said, trying to mask her annoyance.

"Yes, in the afternoon. Will you be around to pick him up?" He asked as he observed her.

"Well, I may have to ask for permission to leave work earlier. I cannot come out like that." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes while the doctor slowly nodded his head.