Fickle

Chapter 7

He stared at her, completely astonished by her response. 

“What do you mean by that?” He asked 

“Nothing, your royal highness, please finish eating your meal” she took the morsel up to his mouth, but he held her hand.  “What?” She asked

“Don't you act like I do not affect you in any way possible, Kulthum, I know I do” 

“Your royal highness..” 

“Stop calling me that” he sounded irritated. “I came here looking for you to rectify things between us, but you are not even giving me the chance to explain myself” 

“When I begged you to listen to me that day, did you listen?” She asked, glaring at him. Thankfully for her, she mustered up the courage not to shed tears before him, and it was really working on her favour right that moment. 

“Kulthum.. that was different. I had no idea then, but when I found out what really happened, I felt like killing myself for not listening to you, for ousting you from my home…” 

“I don't want to hear it Abdullah, it happened in the past and I don't want to go back there please…just save it” she reached for the drawer where his medication were being kept and gave it to him. “You need to rest now, your royal highness” she said and gathered all the used dishes to clean. 

“I want to talk to you Kulthum, please listen to me” he practically begged 

“You are still too weak for a long conversation, your royal highness. You need absolute rest. Please just sleep” 

“I don't want to sleep”

“Fine, I can make you if that is what you want” she dug into his drawer and fetched out an injection, which she inserted into his IV line, and seconds later, he dosed off. 

“Good night, your royal highness” she whispered and left the room. 

“How is he, your highness?” General Mustapha asked as soon as she came out. 

“How much of that did you hear?” She asked 

“Enough” he answered, “how is he doing?” He asked again 

“He is making progress. He just fell asleep now” he nodded. “He might wake up in the middle of the night famished, don't give him solid food no matter how hungry he is, there are some apples I bought for him earlier today, give him that only. I am trying to observe him for the time being. Earlier today, I noticed something unusual with him, but I can't make any comment on it until I make sure of it” she explained. 

“Do you mind telling me what you noticed, Doctor?” He asked a little worried

“It is nothing worth worrying about General, let me observe him first before I make any conclusions. He is going to be alright” she assured him 

“Are you assuring me, or yourself, Doctor?” He stared at her 

“None of the above, I will take your leave now” she said, and without waiting for his response, she left. By the time she came back home, her children were already asleep, and Anisah was slouched on the chair watching TV. 

“Your Highness, you are home already? I thought that was where you were spending the night?” Anisah sat up immediately, creating space for her to seat. 

“No, I can't stay there, I will lose my mind if I was told to stay there with him” 

“How is he doing, by the way? Is he getting any better?” She asked with furrowed brows