Window Love

39

39.

Adnan

Couple of weeks passed and there was no strong communication between Adnan and Farida, she still harbor resentment towards Adnan. A month later her father was promoted and transferred to Abuja. She tried to inform Adnan and at least meet him for the very last time before they relocate, unfortunately Adnan had travelled to visit a distant relative at the time, so she left without a farewell. At least she was close and they wasn't communicating much, that was preferable to Adnan. the pain could be bearable. unlike leaving unnoticed, he even thought she had left without telling him on purpose. Adnan felt hurt, he tried to cope. the first 3 months were not as easy as he thought. it was like being trapped in a cage and yelling for help but nobody would help. he tried reaching her countless of time but it would only ring and nobody picks it up. he was left with no choice but to try move on.

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8 Years later.

The telephone had rang over 5 or 7 times probably and there was no one close to pick it up. Hajiya walked to the sitting room as fast as she could.

"Hello."

"Hello, good evening. please am i on the phone with family of uhmm.. Mr. Adnan Abdulrazak?"

"Yes, who is this."

"My name is sergeant Kola Johnson, From Federal Road Safety. i called to inform you that Mr. Adnan just had a ghastly motor accident around the Umaru Musa Yar'adua express way, we found your number to be which he had called last. As i speak right now we're taking him to the hospital, please we'd like you to come stay and with him."

"Accident? Inalillahi wa'ina illaihi rajiun." she wailed in grief.

"Madam don't cry, just make sure you're here on time."

"Okay, please stay with him." she pleaded.
"I'll ask his uncle to join you. we're not staying in Abuja we're in Lagos, but i'll make sure we book a flight to Abuja right away."

"Ah, no oh, no problem ma, we'll wait, but please come because it is very serious."

"What hospital are you taking him to?"

"National hospital ma."

"Alright, i'll let him know. i'll do just that."

"Okay."

Hajiya Larai made few calls afterwards, breaking the bad news to Adnan's father was quite difficult, she couldn't do it herself, she knew she can't bare it so she had Uncle B help her do it. Uncle B was Adnan's only Uncle, Adnan even nicknamed him "Uncle B" from "Uncle Bashir". they were more of close friends than the uncle to nephew thing. Uncle B was still young, at least 10 years older than Adnan. they'd watch and argue about soccer, they'd go catch movies together and even work together at his father's Company.

Hajiya, as they call her, to show some respect to the fact that she once performed Hajj, and was wealthy and capable. anxiously kept her eye on the watch, Alhaji is taking too much time, she wondered if Uncle B had summon the courage to tell him. it's been exactly 30 minutes since after she informed Uncle B and there's been no calls from Alhaji to confirm if it was true or not or to even inform her if they were going.
Couple minutes passed and she was wondering if Alhaji would ever call. there, the telephone rang again. this time, she was sitting very close to it. she picked it up quickly.

" Hello, ina wuni." (Good evening, in hausa)

"Ina lafiya, haba Alhaji I've been waiting for your call for over 30 minutes now."

"Yes, so i told the road safety guy we are--"

"Okay, toh naji, i'll be set before you get home."

"No, i'll try not to cry again."

Hajiya was not the type to hide her feelings, whatever she felt she shows it. while on the phone she thought of Adnan and cried, Adnan has been more than a stepson to her, he had touched her heart from the very first day she came into their house, he'd say, at first he never had the chance to spend time with his mom, and she's his second chance losing it would be his biggest mistake.

They arrived at the National Hospital Abuja. at 10:15 Pm. it was really dark, the journey was
slow and late, since they boarded their flight at exactly 8:00 Pm, there's been too many check points on the road and the traffic was hell.

It is not a new thing that the traffic in Nigeria is always terrific, like the government always promise of good roads and many more and afterwards don't see to fulfilling them.

Uncle B and two doctors led them to Adnan's ward, there he lied, half covered in a white and light blue sheets, all soaked in blood. it is totally inhuman not to feel pity for Adnan, he's lost himself, his soul might not come back, he might not breath again. these thoughts ran through Hajiya's mind and she fell back leaning on Uncle B's shoulder, she weeped so hard beneath her breath. it doesn't look like he would make it out of the pipes connected to his nose and mouth. he was in coma.

A month passed and there was no changes. Adnan laid still, lifeless on the bed. If Hajiya wasn't a devoted Muslim she could probably pray to all the gods that there is, for help but as she could only make more than enough Nafilah, she just kept her faith in it.

She had just concluded her Salatul Asr, when she heard Adnan groaning in pains. she felt so happy as she rose up to seeing he was moving his body again, his eyes were open, he looked confused and so she tried to calm him down.

"shhhh shhhh shhhhh.." she patted him.
"Haba babana, don't force yourself mana. try to calm down kaji." she added. gently patting his head, and her hand wrapped around his neck.

"What happened to me, umma." (mom)

"Nothing, you're getting better my dear. allow me to go bring the doctor."

"I only knew it was you from your voice, my eyes are open i can feel it but my view is blurry. i can't figure out what it is i am looking at." tears rolled down to his cheeks, as he sobbed.

"Toh fa! look, bari inje in kira likitar." (let me go and call the doctor)

"I'll be back in a jiffy." She made for the doctors office immediately.

Couple of minutes later, Hajiya came rushing back with two nurses and a doctor. she was full of excitement, even though she was a bit worried deep inside. what Adnan had just told her makes her fear if nothing is wrong with his sight.

"He's sleeping already." says one of the nurses.

"Okay, we will just check him. madam can you please wait outside?" the doctor requested.

After minutes of checking Adnan, the doctor came out of the ward with the nurses and explained his current condition to Hajiya. it's obvious he'd get better soon, the smile on her face tells it all.