The Agony Of A Weeping Child

16 - The surge

In the morning, nurses came to check on her. As soon as she opened her eyes, they started shouting, “Dr. Ben, she’s awake!”

Mercy wondered to herself why the nurses addressed him as “Doctor.” A few minutes later, Dr. Ben showed up in her room, where she had rested the previous night.

He wore a white long-sleeved shirt tucked into black trousers, with a blue tie and black shoes. In his right hand, he held a stack of files.

Mercy was surprised to see him being treated with such respect.

“How are you feeling today?” he asked.

“Are you a doctor in this hospital?” Mercy asked, frowning.

“Calm down. I’ll explain everything you need to know,” Dr. Ben said.

“I’m listening,” Mercy replied.

“Last night, I was about to buy akara before going to work, but I noticed you were getting ready to go home. It was so dark, and because of that, I decided to follow you from a distance. I saw everything—from when those guys started threatening you to when they tried to assault you. I stepped in immediately before things got worse. Yes, I’m a medical doctor, but not many people know that. I’m not proud; I live a simple life,” Dr. Ben explained.

After carefully listening to his explanation, Mercy thanked him for his help. Dr. Ben confirmed that she was recovering well but insisted she continue resting until the weekend.

She was reluctant to stay because of her business, but Dr. Ben managed to convince her, reminding her that health is wealth. When he was called to attend to other matters, he left her to rest.

Meanwhile, many customers went to Mercy’s shop but didn’t find her there. Some even went to her house, wondering if she might be mourning her late mother again, but found the door locked. They began to worry about her whereabouts.

Since her mother’s passing, there hadn’t been a single day she hadn’t come to the shop—except during the initial mourning period.

Kelly, one of her regular customers, went straight to the police station and reported a case of a missing orphan. Many of the officers there knew Mercy and were her friends. With great concern, they promised to look into the case seriously.