THE BED


The bed was tiny at the end of the ward. A little blue slab firmly printed above the bed. It read No 4 and she wondered if it should have meant something. She was warm in that tiny bed. Two white sheets, a brown duvet and Maasai bed sheets with the hospital name printed on top. She loved  windows, but could not open this particular one. She could not withstand the cold air. She particularly missed the sun, it was three days indoors. Once in a while the curtain opened slightly and a familiar face peeped in. She smiled slightly amidst the pain and engaged in pep talk to while away the minutes.
The nurses were a nosy bunch, always talking about something. They gossiped on everything. They talked of a man whose wife had AIDS, of the Somali woman whose labor was prolonged. They noisily cluttered to their stations once in a while, to fill syringes and write in charts. They would appear at her bedside with blood pressure kit and thermometer in hand. They would disappear several hours before they appeared to repeat the procedures. A friendly one would ask how she was fairing and massage her hand as the syringe went in. However, the stone faced one ,Winnie acted like a zombie doing that which was required and disappearing.
What an experience!, first time, full of pain and 9 injections to remember. Prognosis too scary, medication to last a lifetime. She got out at last, ride home was short. Slight pain and longing to see the two lovely babies. The little one was the most curious. Asking one question after the other. Relaying his fears and anxiousness and finally a proclamation. “God took you and now has released you”.He stated. The sentence brought a tear to her eyes as she hug him. The first born all creative and thoughtful. She hid herself when she saw her. Apparently she had a surprise. A small piece of paper written, “Welcome home mum”. On the wall were five balloons ,another paper written welcome home mum and one of her favorite picture held with a peg. She hugged her, pleased that she was turning out to be a loving girl.



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