HIM

CHAPTER 26

"Tell me, who's Flen? " she asked me.
Well, should I answer her honestly?
"A friend from school, " I answered before I could even think properly.
Just the same time, I heard my phone vibrate; someone was calling.
'Flen' the screen read.
I walked to her window, that was private enough. OK, there was nothing private between us yet anyway.
Well, in as much as I wanted to stay in that call forever, I couldn't; that'd be rude. So I told him my situation and he asked to meet later.
"Sure, see you then, " I answered.

I then walked to Cindy who was lying on her belly, feet up. She seemed to be copying notes.
On seeing me, she stopped writing and looked at me, "Do friends make people blush that much? "
I didn't even know I had done that!
Then a message from Gabby popped up.
I hated the way I had to bring up an excuse every time Gabriel texted. So I called him instead, that would make sense. I explained myself well enough and I must say I liked this boy, he was so understanding.

That was enough interruption, so I put the phone on a silent mode and went back to sit with Cindy on her bed.
"Sorry about all that, " I apologized.
"It's OK, I still want to know who Flen is, don't skip it, " she said.
"OK, I have a crush on him, " I shyly answered.
"Mmm... Does he know? "
"No. "
"Well, why not tell him? "
Who thinks telling a boy you have a crush on him is the easiest thing to do?
"Am sure you know that's not easy, " I told her.
"Well, it's not, " she answered and went on to writing.
"Do you play truant that much?" I asked her noticing she had two full pages to write.
Maybe there was even more than that.
"Yes, this are a week's notes," she answered flipping more pages for me to see.
"Gross. Why so? Have you been sick that long? "

She closed the books then placed them on top of her drawer then sat up, curling her knees.

"It's a long story, " I noticed her cadence was low now and her expression changed.
"I have all the time, " I answered.
"Did you see a little girl on the sofa? "
"Sure, what about her? "

"Her name is Joy Melanie. She's 7 months. When she was born, we were all happy, especially me since I'd so much wanted a baby sister. One captivating thing about her was the smile she always kept as soon as she started smiling; she's always a happy child.
But something about her was strange, she always seemed comfortable in one position, any adjustments would send her crying. That is, she was always lying down."
Where this story was headed seemed painful, so I moved closer and took her hands in mine.
"So she was taken to the hospital. It took a whole two months to figure out her motor neurons were not functioning;that meant her movement was impaired. It was the heaviest news I've ever heard in my life.
That was how she became a hospital baby, she has to go for regular checkups. Some times she gets so sick and spends days in hospitals, that's when I have to stay home with my little brother.
"Sorry, honestly I didn't know it'd be that complex. How did your Mum take it? " I asked.
"Well, it wasn't the easiest thing to listen to. She's had two miscarriages after my birth. So getting a baby with such an impairment wasn't what she expected. But she has had to live with it since we don't have a choice in what we get in such cases.
In fact, Joy is the most loved kid in this house honestly, much attention and care is given to her, everyone loves her; she's just irresistible. Mum is always staying strong and happy for her.
Though doctors say she won't make it to 2 years. So every beat of her heart is so precious to us," she explained sadly.
That was so hurting.
"What about your father? "
"About him, his reaction was different. It took him time to accept the situation. It got worse when her mother-in-law came home one day and shouted at him; blaming him for all the misfortunes befalling my mother.
He was deeply wounded, that night he came home drunk. Mum let him lie on the couch, but the following day I heard them more like shouting at each other.
Mum talked him to understanding she didn't care what her Mum said about him.
That was the weakest I've ever seen him.
He never drank again. He works so hard to meet all expenses since Mum had to quit working.
Every night he walks in, he makes sure he sees Joy. And if she's asleep, he just takes her little fingers into his, and that always wakes her up smiling. She's sensitive to her father's touch, " she answered smiling.
Wow! I found myself smiling too.

"How do your parents manage all the hospital bills? "
"It's all expensive but we've had help from wellwishers. Mostly from the church, they contribute a lot towards her health.
She also has health covers, I mean it's too much but God has been faithful."
I admired her greatly.
"Cindy, you're the strongest girl I've ever met."
"No, Joy is. Enduring all those drugs, syringes and machines but still staying happy is surely the greatest thing, " she argued.
Yes, Joy was the strongest.
"Though I wish I had been earlier here, " I said regretfully.
"No Linn, it's never late. If you're someone's salvation, the right time is always predestined. "
Whoa! She was unbeatable!
"About you, which year of study?" I asked switching the subject.
"Am third, at Bridge. You're at Lakeview, right? "
"Yes, how did you find out? "
Maybe it was Grandma.
"I've seen you a lot going to school, last time I kept watching you wishing I had the same chance, " she said, her head down the entire time.
"Oh, I'll give you that chance by helping you catch up on areas I can, " I assured.
"Thanks, your family is surely the best. I won't have to miss school anymore and now I got you helping me out, " I saw a tear fall from her eyes.
"Miss school?"
"Yeah, your Grandma told Mum that anytime she has to leave for hospital, she can always bring Joseph to your place," she clarified.
I didn't know that other side of her though, but surely she was the best!
And just like my mother always does to me, I pulled her in for a hug.
I knew she needed it.
***
We were walked up to the gate by Mrs. Ted after they insisted we eat. Am glad they didn't bring the cake on the table though.
"You two were wonderful, " she said.
"So were you," Grandma returned the compliment.
Then someone suddenly bumped into me unexpectedly.
Tiny Joseph!
I laughed before carrying him so that he was on my belly.
"Jop misses me already, huh! "
He just giggled.
"Well, bye for today. See you tomorrow, " I told him giving him a peck on his cheeks.
I then put him down, but he proceeded to Grandma.
Grandma just tickled him, so he went hiding behind his mum.
Loveable child!
We finally left.

On reaching our gate, Grandma spoke.
"You know Linn, when your Mum brought me here I wasn't all too happy because I thought my life belonged in the village. I always wanted to stay and die there. But after the encounter with The Ted's family, I wish I came earlier, " she confessed.
Perfect timing!
"Granny, it's never late. If you're someone's salvation, the right time is always predestined. ''
Sage.