STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER THIRTY - EIGHT

"Happy New Year!" The two families heard the sound of celebration of the New Year but they could not be part of it. A full week had passed and the couple remained in unconsciousness, to the torment of their family. The two mothers sat in the hospital's chapel, each lost in thought.

"Bimbo, can you imagine we spent Christmas and New Year in the hospital, not knowing what is going to happen to our children." Mrs. Babalola said crisply.

The other Bimbo sighed in exasperation, "The enemies of our children will not have peace in Jesus' Name! Ah! Our precious children, beaten into a pulp by a useless criminal! Beaten like animals! But why are they not waking up? Ah! Aye mi (my life)!"

Mrs. Babalola grabbed her best friend's hands, "Bimbo, we need to stay strong for our children o. This is not a matter of getting angry. I understand how you feel, but remember that the Doctors are giving us their final prognosis in the morning, we need to pray for strength for whatever will come."

Mrs. Olanrewaju was shaking her legs in dramatic fashion. She was in a lot of heartache and she feared what the Doctors would find after they regain consciousness; if they regain consciousness.

****

Mrs. Babalola had just completed a bed bath for Antonio and was clearing up. His face was slightly swollen and had some wounds plastered to heal. He had sustained injuries on his arms, especially the left one and had bruises all over his body. He was an embodiment of pain.

"Ayo, please take these dirty clothes back home and when you are coming back, bring two pairs of fresh shirt and trouser for him. Thank you my dear." She said to her maid.

"Yes Ma." Ayo replied and left with Antonio's dirty clothing.

She had refused to sit outside today but decided to minister God's Word on her son and talk to him. Chief Babalola was reading through his email on a sofa not far from the bed in the private ward. His wife was massaging his fingers when she suddenly felt a movement. She looked up and saw that Antonio's eyes were opened. She rubbed her eyes to be sure of what was happening before her.

"My angel! You are awake!" She screamed in delight.

Antonio closed his eyes and whispered, "Funmilola."

"She's sleeping." His father quickly replied and threw his phone on the sofa as he stood up.

"The Doctors are taking good care of her, so don't worry." His mother added quickly.

"My dear, can you see me clearly?" She asked. She turned to her husband, "My dear, call the Doctor." The Chief pressed the help button by his son's bedside and took his left hand in his.

"Thank you for coming back to us. Thank you my son."

"Dad, Funmi was hurt," he stammered. Tears fell down his face as he remembered the blow she took for him. After all he did, she cared for him and laid down her own life to save his.

"That fool is back in jail. It was Hassan and John that came looking for you after you left. I called them and updated them about your wife's disappearance. They apprehended him, called the police and ambulance." Chief Babalola said. Antonio could only smile in return as his jaws ached and it hurt so much to speak.

****

Visitors came and left, bringing gifts of money, food for the care givers; as well as encouragement and prayers were offered. Two days after the New Year, Funmi woke up from her unconsciousness. Upon arrival at their family hospital where they were admitted, several emergency tests were done, including X-rays, head-to-toe examination of the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, limbs and spine. She was finally diagnosed with fracture of the thoracic spine but they were waiting for her to wake up to carry out Neurological tests to check the extent of the damage. This would be determined by her ability to move, sense and feel all the positions of her limbs. The outcome would determine the appropriate treatment or worst case scenario, surgery.

Funmi asked frantically about Antonio upon regaining her senses. It has been hours since she woke up but things were just becoming clear.

"He's awake now too but in a lot of pain. They had to do so many stitches all over his body. That good for nothing criminal did him great harm." Kemi said with tears running down her face. Lately she had become rather overly emotional. She concluded it must be the pregnancy hormones.

"Kemi, what is wrong with my back, it hurts so much?" Funmi complained.

"The Doctor will be here in a bit. Can you see and hear me?"

Funmi wanted to roll her eyes at her friend. Of course she can!

Mrs. Babalola entered the room at that moment, as her own mother went home to get some rest after so much persuasion.

"Hello my dear," She was looking at Kemi with a small smile. "How is the baby?"

"Doing fine Ma." Kemi replied, wiping her face with her hands.

"I would like to see Funmi alone if you don't mind."

"Not at all. I will see you in the evening. I will bring you fries and tomato sauce." Kemi said to her friend, trying to cheer herself up. Funmi loves fries and tomato sauce and even the present condition cannot stop her from eating them.

"No Kemi, I don't think I can stand that now. I want one large chocolate cake and 2litre Coca Cola." Funmi interjected.

"Alright Funmi. I will talk to the Nurses." Kemi replied and left.

Mrs. Babalola sat down and said, "Aren't fries your favourite junk food anymore?" She was trying to relieve the tension in the room.

"I need some sugar in my system to calm my nerves," Funmi replied. The memories of the horrific night filled her mind and it was taking so much willpower not to go crazy. If only her heart was the only aching thing, her body too was now a mess as well. She was aching all over and felt like taking all the pain killers her hands could reach. But, she was happy that Antonio survived, but what now? What about their broken marriage and her broken heart?

"Are you sure you it is just nerves?"

Funmi was not a child. She could understand how Antonio became such a good lawyer. His mother just asked a leading question. She groaned inwardly and tightly said,

"I'm not pregnant."

"Not yet but you will soon be, after all this is over."

Funmi did not argue.

"My daughter, Antonio came and confessed everything to us before all of this happened and we are very disappointed that He did not top seeing that slut."

"Don't call her that please. She's the love of his life. He loves her and she loves him still."

"No! Antonio loved her once upon a time but not anymore."

Funmi sighed. "Antonio slept with her on the eve of our marriage anniversary. He betrayed us and I don't think I can handle any more lies. I love him mother." She began to weep.

"I love him and he said he loved me too but this betrayal? If he had told the police about that hideous man, we wouldn't be here right now." Angry tears fell down her face.

"Please forgive him. He was seduced and he needed to fake a show of affection."

"Then he is a coward and a liar!" Funmi retorted. "He played both of us and now, Sharon too is broken hearted believing he would leave me for her and start their lives afresh in the UK."

Her mother in law was speechless.

"I want to sleep please. Kindly come later to visit."

Funmi closed her eyes while the older woman stood up to leave.

"Forgive us all Funmilola. Please, forgive us."