Unsteady Storm

Chapter Eight

It was exactly 8pm, Nedu parked his car and got out, he entered the house waiting for a welcome hug from Ije but he didn't see her.

"Sinachi!" He called impatiently.

Sinachi scrambled out cleaning her hands on her apron. "Good evening sir"

He ignored her greeting. "Where's your madam?"

"She's sleeping sir" she replied timidly.

He sighed and walked up to their room, ije was lying on her side breathing softly, it was clear that she had just vomited because she was holding her stomach and there was a slight irritation on her face.

He pulled his clothes off and had a quick shower, equally cleaning the wash basin that was stained with her vomit.

He got out and got dressed in his pyjamas.

Ije stirred. "Nedu, is that you?"

"Yes, how do you feel?"

"My head is on fire" she muttered.

He sat beside her. "It's okay, you will be fine"

Ije said nothing, she held his fingers. "How is Paula?".

"Ije, should we actually be talking about that? You are not strong"

"What did you do with her, Nedu?"

"What do you mean?" A frown appeared on Nedu's face and it reflected in his voice.

"I need to go to the hospital" Ije muttered ignoring his question intentionally.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you, I'm very tired, just try to get some sleep"

Ije said nothing. Nedu exhaled and pulled himself up rushing downstairs to prepare something he would eat.

***

It was midnight and Nedu was fast asleep, Ije woke up with a start and entered the toilet to urinate. Just as she came out, her knees felt weak and she fell down hitting her head on the wall.

The noise woke Nedu up, he rubbed his eyes to get rid of sleep, he dozed a little then jerked when he noticed that Ije was not on the bed any longer. He stood up immediately and saw her body sprawled on the ground, a helpless scream escaped his lips.

Sinachi ran up the stairs. "Is everything okay sir?" She asked.

"Come inside immediately, I think my wife has fainted"

Sinachi opened the door entering courteously into a room she had never entered before.

"Bring some water from the bathroom" Nedu instructed her.

Sinachi brought the water immediately in a small bucket.

Nedu's hands trembled as he sprinkled the water on her. "Ije please get up" he muttered as he placed her head on his legs to keep her more comfortable.

Ije was mute. Nedu was frightened.

"Give me my phone" he told a frightened looking Sinachi.

She was holding his phone in her hands in a few seconds and she handed it to him.

Just as he was about to call Neche, ije sneezed and raised her head a bit then fell back weakly.

"Ije" he called her softly.

She opened her eyes and stared at him then shut it back. "Help me to stand up" she murmured.

"You should rest" he said.

"Please take me up to the bed" she begged.

He carried her up in bridal style and dropped her carefully on the bed before dismissing Sinachi who was standing like a lost lamb. He knelt beside his bed and for the first time in a while, he prayed to God to protect his wife.