MORE THAN A CARVING CHAPTER 23(CONTD)

MORE THAN A CARVING
CHAPTER 23(CONTD)
“Iwa…..” “Fullhouse, let me be nau…..” “Okay.” He raised his hands in surrender. The three delved into other subject matter, Fullhouse was on top of the discussion and the women laughed so hard that Iwalade even forget her worries. Later on, as they went on with their gist, a lady, Gift, wearing a blue pinafore uniform walked into the balcony. Gift is one of the hospital maids that works in the VIP section. These hospital maids assist patients and the relatives staying with them and Gift was assigned to Imisi’s hospital room. “Good afternoon everyone.” Gift said with a bow and a beautiful smile on her and they all replied her. “How’s your day going?” Iwalade asked. “Fine ma.” “Meet my cousin and his wife; they came all the way from Ife to visit.” She said placing her left hand on her baby bump. “Welcome sir, welcome ma and thanks for visiting. I can see her spirit is high this afternoon.” She said with her beautiful smile and the couple replied her. Gift really smiles a lot. “Help me thank Gift o, she has really been helpful around here. In fact, the way she cares for me is out of this world, you’ll think she’s my blood sister.” Iwalade informed the couple and they both thanked the lady. “Aunty Iwalade, I’m just doing my job.” Gift said. “You take anything that has to do with me personal and you still call that doing your job abi.” “Leave that Aunty. Anyway, what do you want for lunch ma, so I can go get it for you?” “You will get lunch for my guests as well, not just myself alone.” “Okay ma.” “Aunty Iwalade, he won’t eat o, just get for me alone.” Ireoluwa informed. “Fullhouse, the food is not hospital food o, we are buying outside the hospital and the food is really good, you’ll like it.” Iwalade said. “I’ll pass, thank you….” Fullhouse declined. “You are not serious.” Iwalade eyed him playfully. “I told you so, he won’t eat.” “Ireoluwa, you will thank me later when you eat the food.” Iwalade said and then turned to Gift. “Get us amala, ewedu and gbegiri with meat and fish.” “Okay ma.”“And buy for yourself too.” “Okay ma, thank you ma.” “Ireoluwa, trust me, you will enjoy the food.” Iwalade emphasized. “Before nko, buy plenty o, she eats a lot.” Fullhouse joked and his wife smacked him. Iwalade and Gift laughed. “Don’t mind him jare.” Iwalade said to Ireoluwa, she then turned to Gift, “Please help me with my wallet.” “Okay ma.” She said but Fullhouse stopped her. He brought out his wallet from his pocket and brought out some naira notes. He stretched forth his hand to give Gift the money but she did not collect it from him. “Aunty……” Gift said to Iwalade, checking if she should take the money from Fullhouse. Iwalade understood her. “Take the money.” She said and Gift collected it. “Will that be enough?” He asked Gift. “Yes sir.” Gift said and left to get the food. “I’m leaving once they bring the food o.” Fullhouse informed. “Really.” “Yes, but don’t worry your sister inlaw is staying behind.” “It’s a lie!” Iwalade exclaimed. “I’m spending one week with you ma.” Ireoluwa said and Iwalade opened her mouth in surprise. “You don’t mean it.” “I even wish I can spend more but I need to check on our parents too before I return to Ife because of the baby.” Ireoluwa explained. “I hope you will be fine before that time. I mean, I’m seven months gone and you got pregnant before me.” “I’m eight months gone but I will be fine.” “I wish the two of you safe delivery.” Fullhouse said and they chorused ‘Amen.’ Iwalade then turned to Fullhouse, “Are you going back to Ife today?” “No, I’ll sleep over at my parents. I’ll leave tomorrow morning.” “Aww….you’ll miss your wife.” “Well, I have no choice since she’s craving to see you. Anyway, my friend, Gbotemi will come pick her up next week and take her to my parent’s place, and then I will come pick her up when she is done visiting our parents.” He informed.“Okay, don’t worry she’ll be fine.” “Yes, she will, she promised me that.” Fullhouse said and his eyes and that of his wife met. Gift returned with the food, he gave Fullhouse the change but he told her to keep it. Ireoluwa opened her food and the look alone said a lot about the food. “This looks delicious.” Fullhouse said peeping at his wife’s food. “Yea, it looks delicious……” Ireoluwa said already salivating; she always craved that particular food a lot. “It’s not too late, if you are still interested.” Iwalade said to Fullhouse. “No thanks. I need to go now because of the traffic.” He said and stood up. He turned to Gift who was still with them. “Please help me take good care of them.” “I will sir.” She said. He brought out his wallet and put some cash on the table. “Fullhouse take your money.” Iwalade objected. “Just keep it nau.” “But you don’t have to, we’ll be fine.” “Just keep it. You know that is how they raise us in our family.” “Now, you got me. I’ll take the money because of that.” Iwalade succumbed. “Thanks dear.” He smiled and then gave some money to Gift as well but she rejected it but Iwalade spoke up. “Gift, you heard what he said, that is how we were raised in our family, so take the money from him.” “Okay ma.” She said and then thanked Fullhouse. Fullhouse went over to his wife’s side and kissed her on the forehead. “Be good, ehn. I’m leaving.” He said and Ireoluwa’s eyes were already misty. “Eh…..are you sure your wife can stay in Lagos all by herself. This one can’t stay for a week without you around o.” Iwalade pointed out. Fullhouse looked at her eyes. “Sweetheart, can you cope or we should just go back home?” “I’ll stay, it’s normal to miss you nau.” Ireoluwa replied. “Anyway, don’t miss me too much; at least you are staying with your buddy.” He said and she nodded. He patted his wife’s back. He then went over to Iwalade’s seat and patted her back too. “Continue to stay strong dear, you will laugh last.” “Amen. Thanks dear cousin.” Iwalade said. Fullhouse waved them goodbye and left. The three started eating and after they were through with their food, Gift cleared the table and left. Iwalade tried to engage Ireoluwa in a chit chat, Iwalade knew she will miss her husband for sure.In the evening Iwalade suggested they stroll out just to make sure she didn’t get bored and by the time they returned to the hospital Ireoluwa’s countenance was lively again. Iwalade do this often, she takes a stroll around the hospital just to clear her head and because of the pregnancy. The two watched TV programs on the cable channel at night and gist alongside. Gift got dinner for them before she closed for the day and left. Later in the night, Fullhouse called and spoke with the two before they went to bed.