ENIOLA: Beauty For Ashes

Chapter Thirteen

Watching Kingsley fuss over Eni's medication, her comfort and basically everything centered on her made Oge feel somewhat grateful. She didn't know what else to do for her friend other than just be there.
After Eni's meltdown, she was put to sleep with a sedative for a few hours.

Oge went home to get some rest, called in sick at work and returned to the hospital with a flask of pap. She ran into King on her way to the ward. He was on the phone, barking out orders with a very stern look on his face. She waited for him to finish before waving hello.

"You look better. Good morning" he said.

"You look...agitated. Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm just trying to sort some things out. I see you brought breakfast"

"I did. Just pap. I figure she can only eat light food till her stomach lining heals right?"

"Right"

"Are you okay? You look like you haven't had any sleep"
"Yeah...I had a couple of surgeries through the night. I'll be heading home soon but I had to check on her first. She's awake and withdrawn, side effect of the sedative I administered. Come on"

Now Oge was seated no on the spare bed, watching King spoon-feed her because she was too weak to feed herself.
Each time the spoon went into her mouth, he'd whisper encouragement.
It was cute to watch, yet Oge couldn't help but feel a little protective. Eniola had been through hell and the last thing she needed was a man trying to prey on her vulnerability through acts of kindness.
He stepped out to take another call, giving them some privacy.
"Oge, I'm sorry" said Eniola.

Oge shook her head vigorously. "No apologies babe. You don't owe anyone any apology. Just let us take care of you"

"Thank you so much for being there for me"

"What else can I do? Though the doctor seems to be doing more. Are you comfortable with him? He's all over you" said Oge.

She managed a small smile. "I'm okay with him. He's very...fatherly, sort of"

"Fatherly? Girl do you have daddy issues?"

"I don't have daddy issues, you this woman. It's just how he is. You've seen the way he is all the times I've been admitted"

"Hmm. Well, I'll be damned if I allow any man try to take advantage of you. If he rubs you the wrong way, just let me know"

"Yes ma"

King came back in to check her temperature.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"Well, I'd like to breathe the air outside. Hospital air sucks" she replied.

His chuckle made Oge roll her eyes. It's like he was deliberately flirting with her or something.

"Don't worry, you'll be discharged this evening. Total bed rest and hydration young lady. I know I said to call me when you want to make bad decisions but no more bad decisions, okay?"

Oge wanted to interject, but she looked at the bed and saw them holding hands.

When did this one start abeg?

"Yes sir. No more bad decisions, I promise. Thank you Kingsley"

"You're welcome. I'll call you tomorrow. I need to rest"

Oge followed him outside.
"What are your intentions with her?" she asked.
"Intentions?"
"Yes, intentions. You're flirting with her, hovering, holding hands?! What's all this? Make me understand because I don't like it one bit"

He let out a tired sigh.

"Well, I don't know how to answer that. I just know that from the very first time she was wheeled in here with that...monster of a husband, I just took it upon myself to make sure she wasn't alone. I don't know why or how I arrived at that decision but I feel like that's what a good person will do when you see someone in true pain, don't you think?"

Oge frowned, trying to read his expressions. He sounded genuine but she wasn't buying it.

"I don't buy it. But I can't deny the fact that she feels comfortable with you. That woman has been through so much. You heard her yesterday. She's so strong; I can't even believe it took her that long to breakdown. I don't want anyone taking advantage of her" she said.

"You're protective of her" he said.
"You bet I am."

"Good, because she needs you and I won't be there for her physically all the time. You need to help me take care of her, if she needs anything that you can't provide, tell me"

Oge scoffed.
"Tell you? Omoh you're taking her case personally. This is serious. I hope you're not into her? She still hasn't told me what transpired between two of you at the club. Did youuu....you know?"

She could tell from his laugh that he was really exhausted.
"No, we didn't. I really need to go before I collapse here. I'll call later. Take care"
"Yeah, you too"

She still didn't know what to make of the man. He seemed like he cared but she was going to keep an eagle eye on him, just in-case.
Eniola was fast asleep when she returned to the ward so she went out for a walk.
Her heart was heavy for her friend, thinking of things she could do to help take her mind off the horrible experiences. The breakdown and reveal of all she went through kept ringing in her mind. Her wails hurt to remember.

She thought about the first time they met. She wondered what a fresh babe like Eni was doing working as a record keeper in their yeye firm. At first she thought that their boss was sleeping with her and changed her mind when she witnessed her threaten him openly for daring to touch her inappropriately.

For some odd reason, other co-workers didn't really like Eni. Her beauty, intelligence and naturally sophisticated nature came off to them as pride. Even when she tried to extend a hand of friendship, they rebuffed her, preferring to spread rumors about her in their cliques.

Oge didn't like that and started little conversations with her on a daily that soon graduated to spending lunch breaks together and moving their tables close to each other.
When news went round that Eni quit, all the stories that had been cooked in gossip corners came flying out. Oge fought the urge to go crazy on everyone and lost the fight one Friday afternoon.
Her words were cruel and cut to the bone as she told them what she really thought of them. No one was spared, not even Oga Felix. By the time she was done, the office was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
She was genuinely expecting to be fired but that didn't happen. Oga Felix wasn't about to lose any more staff.
The respect she had for Eni was at an all-time high now. She saluted her friend's bravery and resilience. Now she had to make sure she got better, no matter how long it'll take.