My Life as Queer

-09

I and Uthman decided to take turns to watch over Adams. I was broken but Uthman seemed destroyed. I couldn't imagine witnessing all of that episode from alpha to omega, the little I witnessed really got a better piece of me and I can only imagine how Adams was feeling. If the heart monitor wasn't beeping, I would have concluded he was dead. I removed my gaze from Adams and looked at Uthman who sat on the bed next to Adams, he was a total wreck and I felt bad I wasn't there to stop it on time. Uthman looked up at me with teary eyes. His eyes where red and swollen from crying and I blamed myself for not doing something in time. I watched as Uthman opened and closed his mouth to say something but the words not coming. I got up from the white chair I sat on. I walked up to Uthman and all I could do right now was hug him. He needed it. He was still shaking from the experience and I understand. "He will be fine Uthy." I paused to pick my words cautiously. " He is safe now, it is over." I sat still with my hands around him consoling him. "But why?" Uthman said shaking. "How does this change anything." Uthman got up to look at me and I felt my heart drop. "Why wouldn't they leave us be Segzy. Why?!" I didn't know what to say and hugging him was all I felt was what he needed. He looked like he could break any moment and hugging him would prevent his body from falling apart.  "Uthman you have to go home to freshen up and rest please." I retracted to look at him. "I would stay with him today." He shook his head in disagreement. "Come on Uthy, Adams is also my friend ok. You need to rest." "Don't worry Uthman, we would stay with him." Musa said. I had forgotten Musa was here watching this sad drama and I felt embarrassed he had to witness all that had happened and happy he was here, here to save the day. Uthman looked up at Musa with that look that said 'thank you' and smiled weakly. Uthman got up and took Adams hands in his and squeezed it lightly. He bent to kiss Adams forehead and I just sat still watching helplessly. I looked up to see Musa's reaction was not different. He was sober. "I would be coming around when I am rested." Uthman said and left giving me a hug and handshaking Musa. I walked to Adams bed and sat beside him I stared at Adams laying unconscious in that bed.

Why does this have to happen to you Adam
Really what will this change?
If at all they wanted a change, this isn't the way it should be.

I was so deep in thought and didn't know Musa had walked up to me. He held me by the shoulder and I jolted to reality. "Are you ok?" He asked me with concerns written all over his face. I wasn't ok. "I am." I lied. He dragged the chair and sat beside me. "Where are his parents?" His parents had died during his third year in a ghastly motor accident alongside his two siblings on there monthly visits to school and ever since had been fending and caring for himself. His aunt's and uncles were either far away or dead. I and Uthman were the only families he had now. "they are no more." I said. I heard Musa mutter something but I couldn't decipher. "doesn't he have any relatives or uncles?" Musa asked looking at Adams. "He--" just then my phone rang and it was my mum.

"Hello mum."

"Oluwasegun where are you?"  Whenever my mum calls me by my full name, it's either something was wrong.

"I am in the hospital." I confessed.

"Why?" She paused and I heard she was talking to someone in the background. "What happened? Where you sick?" She finished breathlessly.

"No." Should I tell her what happened? I thought to myself looking up at Musa and back at Adam like they could read my mind and answer.

"Then what are you doing at the hospital? Evangelism?" My mum requested. I heard Mrs Johnson voice in the background, she was saying something.

"Adams was robbed and beaten, so we rushed him down to the hospital for treatment." I paused to catch my breath and I heard mum yelling.  "The doctor said he sustained lots of injuries and maybe lost his memory." I concluded. I had lied but it wasn't entirely a lie. I looked up at Musa to know if I had done well and he had this satisfied look on his face. My mum asked for the hospital name and requested I sent the address right away. My mum loves my friends like they were hers. On many occasions when mum has a party and my friends are invited, when people ask if we were hers, she wouldn't hesitate. It's only families that know we aren't related and still refer my mum as their adopted parent. Musa looked at me with worried eyes. Doesn't he want my mum coming over? "What is it?" I questioned. He squatted beside me and looked straight into my eyes. "I am worried for you." He paused and examined me carefully. "I know you're affected by this." Yes I am I thought to myself. He shouldn't really worry about me, "I will be fine".
He took my hands into his and squeezed it gently. "I have to leave now." He smiled warmly. He was our saviour and thanks to him, I wasn't dead. What ever happens to my friends affects me too. He deserves an accolade. "Musa I had a wrong idea of you but your actions now makes me guilty of such ideas." I said looking straight into his eyes. "Thanks to you Adam is alive-- or maybe partly alive." I looked towards Adam and I really wish and prayed he survives this. "I feel honoured. I called and you came despite all I did to you." I said almost to tears. "How can I ever repay you?" I tried to hold back my tears but I failed, they flowed freely. Musa cupped my face in his palms and used his thumb to dry my face. "I guess not all men in uniform are heartless and stone hearted after all." He smiled.

Why did I even think all military men were all stone hearted? Musa was different. He was strict but gentle.

I looked at him as he watched Adam closely. "Now we just have to hustle for money to pay the bills." He said still looking away. I studied him and smiled to myself. He was different. He got up and straightened his khaki and smiled again. "I would come around after work ok?" I wished he could stay a little longer but he had to go to work. I nodded. Then he left with a "take care".

I looked back at Adams and thought about the good and bad times we had together. The four of us. This isn't bad, this was terrible. Then my thought went to Boma. He hasn't called still. He was the list of my worries right now. If I had just one wish left right now, I would wish Adam quick recovery. I sat there watching the heart monitor beeping away till I gave up to sleep.

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