Hacked Chapter 9---- About Stephanie

                 

 

                   CHAPTER NINE
                  About Stephanie 

When our last clinical posting as an undergraduate was announced. I was so bothered. I didn't know how to break the news to Stephanie, my room mate. Coupled with the fact that I have not been able to get the dream I had few days ago off my mind. Why are there so many lifeless bodies? Aside Mom, whom I know is really dead, why is Father's body also lifeless, he is still alive.

We were to spend four weeks at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Wasinmi, Ekiti. "How will Stephanie cope without me during these weeks" I mumbled  to myself, as I turn my back against the notice board to look for an empty seat.

I found one close to the Post Natal ward. I was still in my scrub, although done with the day's shift. I just wanted to relax a little, before making my way, back to the hostel. I got myself thinking, about Stephanie again and again. I thought about how she was going to react to the news I had just confirmed.

She is the only person I probably talk to, aside my patients in the Teaching Hospital. I talk to other people only when necessary, like replying to questions or asking for directions.

Stephanie and i have gotten so close to the extent that i feel I do not need more friends. How i met her still remains a mystery to me.

I saw her in front of my room crying, one evening after I returned from home, where we had just concluded the three years remembrance of Mother.

I was so surprised because, despite her tears, no one seems to notice her, no one seems to care. Everyone just passes her by without saying a word to her.
I live in a private student hostel close to the Teaching Hospital. I'm sure we won't be less than fifteen on my floor. But, to my surprise, no one heard her, not to talk of give giving her audience. 

I asked her " young lady, who are you?"

"Stephanie" she replied.

"Why are you crying and why are you sitting in front of my room" Instead of replying she bursted into tears again. I moved closer to her, held her hand, with my right hand and parted her back with my left hand. It was after  this, she was able to open up

" I fled home because I am being abused sexually, by my mother's new husband. He has refused to give me money for my exams, unless i allow him have his way on me. I told my mother, but she said I was only looking for a way to separate them. She told me, my step father is the breadwinner of our family. She can't leave him, she doesn't want to go back to suffering again.

She said, my father had made her suffer enough, before he finally dies of an unknown disease. I can't continue staying with them. Please, help me! I have no where to go, I can't go back there".

I started weeping alongside her. Her voice cracks and her tears keeps flaring up as she begged me to save her.

"You can't push her away" I said to myself. "After all, you were once in this same situation. It could have been better, if you have had her kind of courage to flee" I mumbled to myself. I helped her up and took her into my room.

She came with nothing, so I allowed her use all my things including my clothes.

She then walked in, one day and told me,she had also gained admission to our school. I rejoiced with her, and we moved on with life.

She goes to classes as I do and returns as I do. She listens to me, when I talk, and understands me when I don't want to talk. She often eat little or no food at all. I love her so much, because she is tolerant. I never bother her with anything, i do all the washing, all the cookings, all the chores. I see ninety percent of me in her.

On getting to the room, I said to her, "Stephanie, I will be going to Ekiti in three days time. It is the last posting as a medical undergraduate student". I finally broke the news to her without even saying hello first. She dropped the napkin she was holding in her hand and picked it up again. 

"Okay" she said, and nothing further. She changed her location, and sat at the edge of our 39 by 80 size bed facing the side of the window.

I sat close to her, touched her shoulder. "I know how you must be feeling, you can't stay alone without me. I know, don't worry too much, its just a month. I will be back soon" I held her hand this time around "Come on, You will be fine!"