KASARACHI
Kasarachi - Episode 45
(Tell it to God)
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
I am in a taxi on the way to the hospital where I was told Alex has been admitted after being involved in a fatal accident.
I was a few minutes on the road there when my phone began ringing again. I checked to see who it was and found out that it is the same female caller who had called earlier to inform me about Alex's condition.
Without wasting time, I hurriedly picked up the call and put the phone in a loud speaker mode so I could hear the caller clearly.
I immediately told her that 'I am on my way to the hospital' and would be there in a few minutes from now. I said these words with a hushed voice because I am already out of breath due to crying excessively.
I became confused when she told me that Alex had just been transferred from the hospital she told me earlier to another different place entirely.
Deep down, I was wondering why so soon but then I decided to let it slide, since all that matters right now is seeing Alex and knowing he is out of danger medically.
I asked her the address of the hospital he was transferred to and the name of the place she called for me sounded like a museum or something I don't understand. All I do know is that the name just didn't sound like a hospital's name, at least none that I have heard of in this Anambra.
At this point, doubts were creeping into my mind and I began questioning everything she told me about Alex's accident and all. I started thinking that maybe she is one of these 419ners that call to prank people.
Already I was very skeptical when she called at the shop to tell me about Alex's accident and so I asked her who she is and how she's involved in the whole thing.
She introduced herself as Nina; one of the good Samaritans who helped convey Alex to the hospital after the accident happened.
I still found it hard to believe her, not until when I thought critically about the whole thing and realized that she might be right.
I couldn't help seeing that there's actually an element of truth in all that she said because for the first time, Alex's number and that of madam Ify has not been going through for more than thirty minutes now which means something is definitely wrong.
My second reason for believing her is because before she began talking to me at the shop about the accident, she had correctly mentioned a few vital details about Alex which she claimed Alex told them before he went into unconsciousness.
My third reason is simple; Alex didn't call me today to get his answer which is quite unusual knowing how much he anticipated to hear my response to his proposal.
Except maybe he is not interested again, else the lovestruck Alex I have come to know would have been the first person to wake me up from sleep with calls to ask me if my answer to his request is a yes or no.
Look at the time now; 6:10pm, it is almost getting to nightfall yet Alex hasn't called me and his phone is switched off which means he is definitely not fine wherever he is.
I was about to end the call and tell the driver to take me back to the shop that I'm no longer going again, when the female caller got my attention by her next words.
She caught my attention by explaining to me that the place Alex was transferred to has better facilities than the previous one, and that Alex's condition had gotten worse hence the impromptu transfer.
I had to ask her for the umpteenth time if she is sure about Alex being moved to a different location or if she is bluffing. She answered that she is very sure and was even there when Alex was transferred to the place twenty minutes ago for treatment.
I don't know if this news is true or not but then I have no better choice than to believe her. I ended the call after the Nina girl was done talking and telling me to take heart.
Normally, Madam Ify would have been in a better position to confirm this news but her phone number is unreachable. I also don't have his sister or any of his other relatives' numbers to call and ask them if it is true.
But wait oh! Could this Alex's accident have been the same reason madam Ify was disheveled and ran out of the shop in such a hurry....?
Is she currently in the hospital with Alex right now....? If so, then why hasn't she called to inform me about his condition yet...?
I don't even know what to think anymore.
All I can do now is pray that God will protect my Alex for me and keep him in sound health. Heaven knows that I have already fallen in love with him and I just cannot imagine a life without him in it.
I soon called to inform mama about everything that's happening and pleaded with her to please pray for Alex on my behalf. Then I told the driver to reverse the car that we will now be going to the address the lady called out to me over the phone.
The driver nodded his head and said that he knows the place. He reversed the car and drove into another direction of the road.
I didn't bother asking him if the address was a hospital or not, because my mind is preoccupied with a lot of depressing thoughts and worries for Alex's condition.
In short, I didn't even care wherever it was again so long as my Alex is there and alive.
"We are here ma'am. This is the place!" The driver informed me and involuntarily brought me out of my well of thoughts.
I looked at the place in front of me and it didn't in any way resemble a hospital.
The name the lady mentioned over the phone was beautifully imprinted on a board in black ink. Beneath the name were written words such as 'book your events here' 'you can trust us to deliver excellent and premium services at affordable rates'.
From the business inscription, it is quite obvious that this is an event center for booking and organizing all sorts of events/ceremonies. I asked the driver what usually happens at this place and he also confirmed my presumption that it is an event center.
At this juncture, I am really confused and it gets me wondering if hospitals equally book the treatments of their accident patients in event centers....?
I thought of asking the driver to reverse the car and take me to my house but my curious and worried self couldn't do it.
I care really much about Alex and so I still want to check the place out to confirm if truly my Alex is in there hospitalized.
It is a good thing that this is a busy road with people moving to and fro the front of the event center. That's what gave me the added morale I needed to check out the place so I could see what this is all about.
I got out of the car and paid the driver our agreed t-fare. After that, I walked slowly until I reached the front door of the place.
A security personnel sighted me and he held open the door for me to walk inside.
Getting into the tastefully painted long hall, I met it devoid of people and there are about ten fancy sofas that I guess are probably for visitors or customers.
Inasmuch as the hall is beautifully painted and designed neatly, it is so quiet such that if I am to shout now or I drop a pin on the floor, it will surely echo very well.
Since the hall is devoid of people, I thought that maybe I am the only one here except for the security personnel who opened the door for me earlier.
The scary thing now is that I looked backwards but could no longer find the security man that was standing at the door a few minutes ago. It's more like he suddenly disappeared into thin air but how come....?
This got me sort of scared for my safety and I began looking around me for cues that I wasn't in a dangerous place/situation.
Fortunately I found something that relieved me a little! It was a neatly painted counter that was erected at the far end of the hall.
I saw that I wasn't completely alone as I initially thought because there are two ladies standing behind the counter and writing in a book. One of the ladies is slender and the other one is chubby.
I looked around me one last time. I found nobody else so I concluded that these two ladies and I are the only people in the hall.
I walked towards where they stood and greeted them politely. I asked them if they know of a certain Alexander Ikechuckwu who had been transferred here from a hospital after being involved in an accident.
They lifted their heads to look at me and then chuckled slightly. I don't know if it's because of how I introduced the person I am looking for, or if it's because I am still dressed in my customized work clothes.
I got to find out soon enough that it wasn't because of any of the above listed. The two of them chuckled because they knew exactly who I am and why I am here.
It was more like they were expecting me.
"You're welcome ma'am. We've been expecting you for the last thirty minutes and it's good to have you here now" the chubby lady said politely.
"You've been expecting me....? Are you sure you aren't mistaking me for someone else....?" I asked them skeptically.
"Yes ma'am we aren't. As for the answer to your first question, Yes Mr Alexander Ikechuckwu is here and I personally have been asked to usher you to where he is!" The chubby lady said smiling warmly at me.
The slender lady smiled without saying anything to me and then she waved at me before returning her focus to her book. Within close range, I saw bundles of cash in front of her which implies that it is what she is probably recording in the book.
I also saw the name 'Nina Obiora' inscribed on the work clothes of the slender lady. It got me wondering if she is the same person who called me on the phone earlier.
To avoid additional drama, I decided not to ask her about it, afterall it could be a name coincidence. I mean anyone can bear the same name 'Nina' at anytime and anywhere.
The chubby lady stood up and moved out of her side of the counter, that's after telling the other lady that she will be back shortly.
She led the way by walking into a long hallway by the side of the counter and respectfully asked me to follow behind her.
I followed behind her as she instructed and we walked without talking to each other.
The two of us were almost reaching the end of the hall, when my inquisitive self couldn't help engaging her in a conversation
"I actually thought event centers are mainly for organizing ceremonies. I didn't know that in this particular center, hospitals also book their treatments here. Anyways, how is Alex's condition now....? I hope he isn't too injured and he is recovering fine....?" I asked the lady as I walked behind her
"Mr Alexander Ikechuckwu is not sick nor was he involved in an accident. Infact, he has been waiting for you for over an hour now because he has something for you"
"Has something for me...? What could that be that would make Alex use a caller to lie that he is involved in an accident....?"
"Well I think it is best you find out from himself by yourself ma'am. He is in a better position to tell you why he did what he did!"
"No, I don't believe you. You're probably trying to alleviate the bad situation of things so I wouldn't feel too sad but honestly it is okay....you can tell me as it is for I am strong enough to bear anything life throws at me!"
"I still do not have words for you regarding the whole thing ma'am. I believe when you get to where Mr Alexander is....you will understand everything better. You will also get to find out what he has for you over there...."
I had to give up when I saw that trying to get her to talk was going to be a lost battle. That's why I didn't push further, I simply shrugged my shoulders and told her okay.
"....by the way, my name is Ngozi" She introduced herself whilst smiling at me
"It's nice to meet you Ngozi. My name is...." I was about to tell her my name when Ngozi cut into my words by replying promptly
"Your name is Miss Kasarachi Arinze. I know you already ma'am. Infact, all of the workers here know who you are....and it is all thanks to our boss who showed us your photos" Ngozi said as she stopped at a door that was situated at the end of the hallway.
"Your boss showed you my photos....? Why and who is he....? Wait a minute! Don't tell me it is Alexander that owns this place....? Oh my God!" I asked all at once and Ngozi chuckled before saying straightforwardly
"I will advise that you go inside and find out for yourself ma'am. Also, let me be the first to congratulate you ma'am before others do. Congratulations to you Mrs Kasarachi Arinze. You're sure one lucky woman and I hope to someday learn the antics of attraction from you!" Ngozi said jokingly and then she patted me on the shoulder.
Ngozi didn't even wait for me to respond to her last statement. She briskly moved away from me and began walking out of the hallway the same way we had come in.
I wish she waited for a while longer so I could correct her that it is 'Miss' Kasarachi and not 'Mrs' Kasarachi. I didn't realize that Ngozi said those words intentionally to give me a hint of what is about to happen inside.
I was too benumbed by the accident news I earlier heard about Alexander, such that I was damn slow in decoding her parabolic words or to read in-between the lines.
I only got to fully understand the meaning of Ngozi's parabolic words when I pushed open the door and went inside.
My God! Shouts of 'surprise' were flying at different corners of the open lawn field.
Hundreds of people were sitting on chairs in a circular form around different decorated tables that had assorted drinks and food placed on it.
I saw my mother and all of my siblings smiling at me. I also saw Madam Ify whom I thought was in trouble because of the drama she displayed at the shop earlier.
Surprisingly, all of my colleagues at the shop including Nonyi who was sympathizing with me after I received the call of Alex's accident were in attendance too.
Ah, it is obvious that this whole thing was planned out and known by all of these people. Chai! It seems like I am the only one who had been left in the dark of my own engagement ceremony.
The flashy lights, colourful ribbons with balloons, the decorations and all of the people clapping their hands as I am walking forward are a lovely sight to behold.
There is a huge inscription on a light illuminating board that had boldly written on it, the following heartwarming words...
"Please, will you marry me Kasarachi Arinze....? Please my love, make me the happiest man on earth by saying yes!"
"Please the most beautiful one, say yes to the proposal of the king of this castle so he would have a queen that will rule this palace with him. Please, marry me Kasarachi!"
The words made me giggle shyly. Wow! So Alex is actually the boss of this big place....?
Honestly, I am not going to be surprised if Alex cleared events for today specifically for my sake like he did in the restaurant. I'm sure because aside from the people gathered here now and the two ladies at the counter, I never saw anyone in the hallway.
He makes me feel very special such that I am tearing up already. I'm so happy that he came into my life and is now lighting it up.
I scanned around for Alex but I couldn't see him anywhere on the stage or amongst the crowd of people sitting there.
This one that I can't see him anywhere around as the one who is supposed to give me the ring and directly pop the question. Are there any more surprises to come...?
He nearly gave me a heart attack pulling this one through but I've still got to give him his flowers for being the king of surprises. I sincerely never saw any of this coming.
Only God knows what other pleasant surprises that young man who stole my heart has up his sleeves. I am now wondering what could be more after this.
I thought within myself as I giggled like a teenager in love while at the same time anticipating what Alex is planning again.
Well it didn't take me so long to find out what it was and when I did, I couldn't contain my joy.
I began shouting aloud in extreme happiness when I could no longer keep the excitement inside.
Ah! I was just so blown out of my mind at what I saw a few distance from where I was standing.
Oh my God, is this really real or am I dreaming again....?
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
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