Unsteady Storm

Chapter One

When Nedu got up in the morning, he expected to hear some noises of cooking from the kitchen as usual because Ije was an early riser but he instead, he heard soft breathing beside him and he turned to see Ije.

He shook her. "Ije"
She turned and murmured, holding her stomach.

"Ije, are you okay?"

She sprang up immediately and made for the bathroom, sharp sounds from her throat told him that she was vomiting and he rushed to the bathroom holding her to support her, she leaned against him breathing heavily, her neck was blazing hot and she closed her eyes with her hands on her forehead.

Nedu was alarmed, Ije had never fallen sick since they got married.
"Nedu please I want to rest" she murmured staggering against him. He led her to the bed and laid her carefully there.

"Ije, don't tell me this is the effect of the alcohol you had yesterday"

She murmured something inaudible and stirred.

"Ije, what's the problem?"

"I will be fine, you are running late for work" she sighed and opened her eyes. "I'll be fine"

Nedu stared at her before nodding. "Okay, but you have to promise me that you will have a complete bed rest, okay?"

Ije nodded with her eyes clamped shut. Nedu went down immediately to prepare breakfast of bread, fried egg and pap. He put her pap in a flask which he kept on a table beside her then had a quick bath and got dressed for work.

Nedu worked as a banker in corporate bank in Lagos while Ije worked as a nurse anesthetist in Lagos University Teaching Hospital. As he drove to work that morning, his mind was on Ije, his heart was racing fast at the thought that she could be seriously sick. He tried to take his mind off her but he couldn't so immediately he got to the bank, he decided to call.

He picked his phone and dialed her number as he nodded to a greeting. She picked up a while later.

"Ije, how are you?"

"I'm good, you didn't leave some milk for me"

"Oh silly me" he smiled at the sound of her voice. "I left it in the kitchen"

"I'm so tired, I don't even have strength to get up and get some milk, I'll take it like that"

"You need to see a doctor, Ije" Nedu said.

She chuckled quietly. "Good news,  I'm fine"

Nedu exhaled. "You scared the living hell out of me"

Ije said nothing.

"Ije, are you there?"

He still got no reply and the call went off.
He panicked and dialed her number again but she didn't pick, fear tugged at his chest and he wanted to find his way back home when the manager came in.

"We have to get things going, Nedu"

He sighed deeply hoping that all was well with Ije yet knowing that something had definitely gone wrong.

***

At seven pm, Nedu closed for the day, his mind had often wafted to Ije while he worked and he spared some time to call Neche who informed him that Ije did not report to the hospital that morning.
He stopped at a nearby supermarket to get some meatpies and ice cream for Ije because she loved snacks a lot.

He pulled the car to a stop in front of the gate just to open it because he had his spare keys, he drove into the compound and got out. Everywhere was quiet, the lights were on but there was no sign that Ije was inside. Usually, she would come out at the sound of his car to give him a hug or put something that she was cooking into his mouth.

He grabbed what he bought and locked the car up, opened the door and went inside. He went up immediately to their room, Ije was lying on the bed still in pink shorts and black top. He rushed to her side and held her, she was breathing quite alright but her hands were warm like someone who had suffered a severe fever.

"Ije" he called softly.

She opened her eyes with alarm then relaxed when she saw who it was.
"You're back" she murmured.

"Have you been like this since I left?"

"Your food is in the microwave" she ignored his question.

"How do you feel? Are you sure we shouldn't see a doctor?"

She shook her head. "Nedu, go ahead and eat, I will be fine"

He exhaled deeply. "And have you eaten?"

"No appetite, but I took some pap" she sighed and turned.

"Only? That's not good, Ije"

"Nedu please go and eat, I need some sleep"

"You are so weak, how did you manage to cook for me?"

"It's a simple meal ... Noodles and egg"

"And you didn't think to eat?" He asked touching her forehead.

"Nedu please" she pushed his hands away hissing mildly.

"What's the problem with you, Ije?" His voice was calm as if he was scared to make her angry.

"Your hands are cold"

"For God's sake, Ije you need to see a doctor!" He was alarmed.

Ije sat up, her eyes drooped and her face was pale, she stretched her hand out to Nedu. "Please help me up"

He pulled her up and she staggered to the direction of the bathroom then she stopped abruptly and bent over and belching softly, she vomited and sank to the floor. Nedu was in a confused state, he rushed and pulled her up.

Her eyes were shut and she was limp in his arms. Nedu let out an exasperated breath before picking his phone to dial Neche's number.

Thank you for reading. What do you think about Ije's illness?
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