Saved by my nightmare (A Nigerian Story)

CHAPTER 54

Sorry I've not updated in a minute, gurl's been mad depressed. Like!!! I'm broke😪. Universities should open ASAP please, I need moneyyy!!!

Happy independence day to my Nigerian friends. Drop your flag 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

Abuja, Nigeria
2020.

"How are things looking?" Maliya whispered as she spoke to Tunde, a fellow resident in orthopaedics.

He'd been part of the team that was on call and so, was there for Rayyan's surgery.

Maliya pushed down the fear she felt in consideration for Rumaysa who was presently watching Maliya and Tunde speak.

Her posture, her expression, her edginess all screamed her want to know what it was that Tunde was saying but Maliya had stopped her.

"The doctor in charge didn't discuss anything with anyone other than Doctor Paul but from the surgery, I think he could become paraplegic in the worst case scenario but as to whether it'll be temporary or permanent, we'll just have to wait and see"

Maliya's gut plummeted as she muttered a 'thank you' to the young resident who walked away, smiling.

Paraplegia.

The word continued to reverberate in her head as Maliya looked on, unfocused, stuck in a trance that was borne by the horror of her reality.

Paraplegia was especially common in orthopaedics and physiotherapy wards, a condition where both legs of a person became paralysed. Most paraplegic patients had been involved in accidents, developed stroke and in rare cases, felt a spontaneous lack of feeling in their limbs.

Maliya felt a cold, unpleasant feeling envelop her as unwanted thoughts continued to plague her mind but she forced it down, all too aware of the intense gaze that threatened to bore holes in her scrubs.

With her back facing Rumaysa, she adjusted her expression into one of false relief, making sure to keep some traces of worry so Ruma wouldn't suspect anything.

It wasn't that hard, seeing as worry had merged with her blood, forcing itself through every vein and artery until it had situated itself in her body, trickling alarmingly fast into her heart.

Years of lying to patient's families in order to placate them aided Maliya in maintaining the perfect amount of relief as she turned to Rumaysa, even if she felt none of it.

Rumaysa's expression softened a little as Maliya turned to face her, seeing the relief that caused her friend's tense expression to soften.

Rumaysa sighed heavily, eyes still trained on Maliya.

"What'd he say?" Her question was expected, normal even but Maliya didn't know how to respond.

"Well, the surgery was a success" A truth, not quite the truth but sufficient enough.

The glee in Rumaysa's features, the absolute happiness that radiated off her tired face made Maliya's gut churn with guilt.

"Alhamdulillah, so he's alright now bah?" The overjoyed Kamardeen sibling asked, unable to conceal the smile on her face.

"Well, we'll have to wait for the doctor in charge, he'll be able to tell the situation of things better" Maliya spoke slowly, watching Rumaysa's smile thin a little.

She didn't want to give her too much hope.

"Ohh, okay" Rumaysa said, sighing heavily as she walked back to the chair.

Maliya smiled sadly at her retreating back, startled as her phone began ringing.

She pulled out her phone to see her brother's name displayed. Khalil had been there earlier, he'd come to see her before he went back.