MORE THAN A CARVING CHAPTER 24

MORE THAN A CARVING
CHAPTER 24
The next day, the two woke up and prayed, they also prayed for Imisi. After the prayer, Ireoluwa called her husband to check up on him and he informed her that he was already on his way to Ife. “Sorry, I should have called to inform you but I left very early and I don’t want to disturb your sleep.” Fullhouse explained. “I understand.” “I’ll call you when I get to the office.” “I thought you will stop at the house first.” “My wife is not home, remember.” Fullhouse said and she smiled. “Don’t miss me too much.” “I’ll try.” He smiled too. “I love you.” “I love you more my love.” He replied her and she ended the call. The nurses came in to do their regular routine check on Imisi and left. The cleaners also came and cleaned everywhere including the balcony and the restroom. Iwalade and Ireoluwa took their bath and later went to the balcony. Gift resumed work that morning, she fixed their breakfast and do one or two things before she left. The hospital maids have their own mini office where they return to when they are not running errands. Fullhouse later called to inform his wife that he got to Ife safely. Around 10:00am in the morning, Grandma and Imisi’s mum walked into Imisi’s hospital room, Iwalade saw them from the balcony and stood up. Ireoluwa wanted to follow her but she told her to stay behind. “They will still come to the balcony, so wait here.” She told Ireoluwa and went to meet them, the three exchanged greetings. Grandma and Mrs. Williams were standing beside Imisi’s bed, they spoke endearing words to him, and everyone believes he can hear them despite being unconscious, when they were through, the three went into the balcony and there they met with Ireoluwa. Iwalade introduced her and they exchanged greetings. They also thanked her for visiting. They all took a seat and sat down while the fresh morning breeze caress their body. “We need to talk.” Grandma said to Iwalade. Ireoluwa stood up to excuse them. “Sit down my daughter, you are family too.” “Okay ma.” Ireoluwa said and sat on the only sofa in the balcony, while the others were having their round table discussion. Then Grandma continued with what she was saying. “We are here to tell you the outcome of the emergency board meeting that was held yesterday.” Grandma informed.“There was an emergency board meeting! I hope it has nothing to do with Imisi?” Iwalade asked and Grandma was surprised. “Hold on, you don’t know about the board meeting that took place yesterday!” “No ma.” Iwalade replied Grandma. “Jesus! Alice, you didn’t tell her! And you practically live here together.” Grandma said to Mrs. Williams with disappointment written on her face. “I didn’t see it as necessary.” Mrs. Williams replied her. “Don’t tell me that you two still don’t get along. Alice, what is your problem. If you want to vent your anger, why not do it elsewhere. Why this lady, you don’t even consider her condition. I didn’t treat you like this.” Grandma poured out angrily. “Sincerely grandma, I didn’t consider it necessary, reason why I didn’t involve her. It’s my son’s issue and….” “And she is the mother of your son’s child Alice.” Grandma cut in. “So stop being childish, you are about to be a grandma in case you are forgetting.” “I’m sorry ma.” “Don’t apologize to me, just do the right thing.” Grandma said and then turned to Iwalade. “Anyway, I never knew you are not aware of what was going on before now. Few months ago, the board of directors gave us ultimatum; they told us that if Imisioluwa did not regain consciousness within that period, they will appoint another CEO.” “Jesus! These people are mean.” “Mean is an understatement my dear, they are vultures. Anyway, I met with some of the board members who are still on our side and they promised to let Imisi’s Mum stand in for him till he regains consciousness.” “So what was the outcome ma?” “Sincerely, I thought we are fighting a lost battle but as God will have it, we won.” “So, you mean, Mummy……” She said pointing to Mrs. Williams. “…..Is now the acting CEO!” “Yes.” Grandma nodded. “And she is resuming tomorrow morning.” “Meaning, I will be left all alone here.” “You know we can’t allow any other person near Imisi. People from our own side can’t be trusted. “I understand but…” “But what, you can’t miss her; you two never get along anyway, good for the two of you.” “Grandma….”“Don’t worry, she’ll come check on you and Imisi anytime she is free, myself included.” “Okay ma.” Iwalade sighed. “Well, that is all we have for you, we’ll be going now because we need to go and thank all the people who helped us.” Grandma said and then stood up to leave. Mrs. Williams went to Imisi’s bed and held his hand. A tear escaped her eyes; she quickly cleaned it and kissed her son on the forehead. When they left, Ireoluwa noticed that Iwalade was still standing. She took her by the hand and made her sit. “I never saw this coming.” Iwalade spoke up. “You’ll be fine.” “Thank God you are here and thank God for my people who stood by me, how did they expect me to cope, leaving me all by myself? This rich people only care about power and nothing more and that was what got Imisi here in the first place. He ended up on that bed because the Williams family cannot sit back to watch another person take what belongs to them.” “You are right but I think your mother in-law….” Ireolouwa was saying but Iwalade gave her a face and she quickly corrected herself. “Sorry, I mean Mrs. Williams is forced to take the position.” “I think so too, the look on her face said it all. I think the whole thing is Grandma’s Idea.” Iwalade concluded. “Aunty Iwalade, there’s one more thing I noticed.” Ireoluwa said. “What is it?” “Mrs. Williams did not hate you, she just needed someone to blame for her son’s predicament.” She said and Iwalade sighed deeply. “I think I got to know that today as well.” “So, please, whenever she comes back to herself, please don’t take it out on her.” Ireoluwa advised. “I will put that in mind. Thanks dear.” She said. Later in the day, Iwalade’s mum called and she told her the situation on ground, the woman was happy when she heard that she was not alone at that moment, she promised to check on her later in the week. She also spoke with Ireoluwa before ending the call. ****** Ireoluwa’s one week visit was awesome; she really had a good time. Iwalade really took care of her with the help of Gift who was always there to attend to all their needs and even keep them company. Iwalade wished everyday at the hospital was like that for her too, she didn’t really miss the absence of Mrs. Williams because of Ireoluwawho was with her but Ireoluwa just have a limited time to spend with her. Twenty four hours to the day Ireoluwa was supposed to leave, she started running temperature. Iwalade quickly took her to see one of the doctors, she was tested and the result shows she was okay that, if she rest well and drink a lot of water, she will be fine.” “Doctor, she’s with me here in the hospital and she drinks a lot of water even more than me. Also, we practically rest all day, so I don’t think this is about rest. Is there any other test we can run?” “To me, I think she’s fine, she didn’t even have the slightest malaria and the baby is doing great as well but you just mentioned that she stays here with you, right.” Doctor Bode asked. “Yes Doctor.” “Where’s her husband?” “He’s in Ife, they live in Ife.” Iwalade explained. “So, she came all the way from Ife to visit you?” Doctor Bode asked. “Yes doctor.” “Then send her back, maybe she’s missing her husband. Young expectant mothers like her always want their husband around them.” “Really!” “Yea, trust me, if she sees her husband now, she’ll be fine.” “I’ll do just that, thank you doctor.” Iwalade said. Then to Ireoluwa she said: “Oya, let’s go, shebi, you heard what the doctor said.” She said and they both thanked the doctor and left. Iwalade and Ireoluwa got back to Imisioluwa’s hospital room, as usual, they went straight to the balcony, and there Iwalade placed a call. “Hello Fullhouse.” “Hello, you are in the Spirit, I was about to call you.” He said. “Really!” “Yea, Gbotemi is coming tomorrow to pick my wife, he’ll take her to my parents’ place.” He informed. “I don’t think that will be happening, your wife is already missing you, she has been running temperature since morning and the doctor said she’s fine medically.” “Really, so all these strong woman thing she was forming, the highest she could go is a week!” He teased and Iwalade laughed. “You people are making jest of me abi.” Ireoluwa muttered. “It’s not me o, it’s your husband.” Iwalade said to her and then return to her phone converesation with Fullhouse.“I know she’s just making mouth, I even wondered how she survived that one week.” He said. “At least, she tried. This is her first time of leaving her home ever since you two got married.” “Hmm…true. That means I’ll have to come to Lagos to come pick her up.” “Let me see if I can get someone to do that.” Iwalade said. “No, don’t worry, I’ll come. Please give the phone to her.” He said and Iwalade passed the phone to her. “Hello.” Ireoluwa said quietly and her husband started laughing. “Fullhouse, keep on laughing o. I will not say anything.” She puffed up. “I knew it. You can’t spend three weeks in lagos.” He said still laughing at her. “Stop jo.” “So you are missing your husband.” “Leave me jo, shey I did not try ni.” “Aww…you tried my baby girl. I’ll come pick you tomorrow morning, so pull yourself together, hun!” “I will.” She said. He talked with her for few minutes and calmed her down promising to be there as early as possible to pick her. He then ended the call. Fullhouse immediately place a call to Gbotemi. “How far?” Gbotemi said. “Change of plan, Ore (friend).” “What’s up?” “I’m coming to Lagos tomorrow to pick my wife.” “What happened?” “Iwalade called, Ireoluwa is not feeling too well. Apparently, she’s missing her husband.” “She tried nau, is it not the same Ireoluwa that we all know. Anyway, I’ll tell one of the company drivers to bring her home.” “No, I’ll come pick her up myself, I don’t trust those drivers jare, they drive on a very high speed and she’s heavy.” “Okay, I’ll bring her myself, how about that?” “Gbotemi, you have work to do over there.” “That is my headache, not yours.” “Thanks so much my guy.” “Anytime. I’ll see you in Ife tomorrow.”“By God’s grace, thanks so much, my regards to your wife and my girl.” “I will.” “By the way, we need another baby o.” Fullhouse teased. “We are after you, don’t worry.” Gbotemi said. His wife just took in too. They exchanged goodnight greetings and the line went off. Fullhouse called Iwalade back and informed her that Gbotemi will bring his wife to Ife. He also called his wife and told her Gbotemi insisted on bringing her. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow my baby.” He said to his wife. “Okay, by God’s grace.” “Sleep well.” “I will.” Ireoluwa replied. “I love you.” He said and she replied him and then ended the call. The next day, Ireoluwa had packed her things, she and Iwalade took their breakfast, and then Gbotemi arrived. They all exchanged greetings and when they were about to leave, Iwalade gave Ireoluwa a side hug and said to her, “Thank you so much sweetheart, I really appreciate your visit, it means a lot to me dear.” “You don’t need to thank me. I should be the one apologizing. I Hope I didn’t make you feel bad.” “Feel bad, because you miss your husband! No o…..I don’t even have a husband.” “Aunty Iwalade, don’t say that, I wonder how much you have missed him. I really feel your pain.” “Ireoluwa, he’s just a baby daddy.” “You don’t need to hide it; I know he means more than that to you.” Ireoluwa said and a tear escaped Iwalade’s eyes. “You love him and he feels the same about you, don’t worry, he’ll fight death just to come back to you. So, please, just hang in there.” Ireoluwa advised. “I will my wonderful sister inlaw. Have a safe trip.” “I will ma.” And the two hugged each other. “That reminds me, before we leave.” Ireoluwa said and held her baby bump. “Hello Baby, say thank you to your godmother for taking care of us for the past one week.” “Wow!” Iwalade exclaimed. “So I’m the godmother! Aww…I’m honoured…..” She said. Then, Ireoluwa turned to Gbotemi still holding her baby bump. “Also, you need to say thank you to your godfather as well, he is here to take us to daddy….” “You mean…..” Gbotemi put up a surprise smile.