Aliyah

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 18

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ANNIE’S POV

“Annie…Annie” I heard Chioma’s voice. I opened my eyes slowly. My body was weak. I looked around. It seems as if I slept off. I turned my head and didn’t see Aliyah’s parent.

“Where’s Aliyah’ mom?” I asked Chioma who stood still staring at me. Her face was kind of bright and it seems she was smiling. I wonder what brightened up her mood. I’m not sure she is.

“She’s in the kitchen with Aliyah’s sister. They’re preparing something for Aliyah. Her dad went to get something outside. Go take your bath and let’s get ready. Aliyah has woken up!” She announced, lifting up my spirit with the news even though my heart skipped.

Aliyah’s mom entered the room with a basket. She had flask placed in it and a sliced bread with some fruits.

“Dear, you were sleeping, so I decided not to wake you up. But I think your friend had to cause you were enjoying the sleep and I don’t think you’ll wake up anytime from now.” She said, smiling.

I smiled. Like a flash, I quickly had my bath. I didn’t even notice Dave wasn’t around. I was still in the bathroom when I heard Mr. Ridoh’s voice. I smiled happily.

After some minutes, we all got ready and I could feel everyone was anxious. I picked up my big teddy. Aliyah was fond of it and had always made fun of me with it. She’d take it and run off with it to her room whenever I abused her and she wasn’t in the mood to talk much. It would take almost days for her to release it. I smiled and held on to it tightly.

ALIYAH’S POV

I woke up again. This time, I was more weak than before. I looked around. There was no one in the room. The room has beem neatly arranged. I checked the tray placed on the little table beside me and saw a biscuit. I reached out for it and mustered the remaining energy I had left to tear it open. I made to chew it but it was difficult to swallow. My throat seems so thin.

I looked there and saw a flask. I opened it and drank the water. Slowly, I could feel a opening in my throat. I drank to my satisfaction and concentrate on the biscuit.

After I was through with it, I drank enough water again. It was just as if I was charged. I felt really good.

I slowly sat still. Where am I? How did I even get here? I haven’t seen anyone around except the doctor and nurse. I stood up on my feet. The floor was really cold. I checked around if I would see any foot ware. I found one under the bed.

ANNIE’S POV

We arrived at the hospital. Joy mixed with anxiety, we entered the building. I just couldn’t wait to see what will happen. I can’t wait to see Aliyah. I can’t wait to see the joy in her face.

“Ma! Ma!”

We heard someone called. The nurse ran towards our direction. We stopped.

“Ma, the doctor says to see him before you check on her” The nurse who was attending to Aliyah said.

“Okay. Thank you” Mrs. Ridoh said and together with her husband, they went to the doctor’s office.

“You guys should wait here. We’ll go see the doctor and when we’re back, we’ll go meet Aliyah” Mr. Ridoh said. “I know you guys are anxious, so am I. Just cool” He added.

We all laughed. We stood at the hallway. I could see Ruth’ and chioma’s face up with smile not excluding Dave who was busy whispering words I heard not to Aishat. Dave has always been a flirt. I wonder when he’ll stop. I watched as Aishat smiled maybe, cuz of his talks or joy of seeing her sister. I smiled.

Few minutes later, even though it looked like eternity. They joined us and gave us feedback about what the doctor said as we went up the stairs to Aliyah’s ward.

We entered and met the bed empty. We saw biscuits wrap and the water flask opened.

“I guess she’s awake. Glutton, she have even eaten biscuit.” Mr. Ridoh said.

We all laughed. Mrs. Ridoh gently placed the basket on the small sized table and sat down.

“Probably went to ease herself or something” Mr. Ridoh added again.

We smiled and stood while Mrs. Ridoh removed the contents in the basket and arranged it carefully on a tray.

While we were waiting and having gist. Mrs. Ridoh sliced the fruits.

Right now, we had the same feelings. The same thought, i think. It’s been up to fourty minutes and Aliyah wasn’t back from wherever we think she went to.

We all stared at each other. The doctor entered.

“Where is she?” He smiled.

“Who?” Mrs. Ridoh asked back surprising the doctor with her question.

The doctor was taken aback. He stared at us. “I mean, your daughter?”

“This is how we met here. She wasn’t here and she is still not here. Thought she went to ease herself or…?

“Ease herself? Since half an hour?” The doctor looked surprised. The smile on his face when he entered already vanished.

“Moreover, the toilet is there” He pointed at a small door at the left. No one had noticed. Mrs. Ridoh stood up and went there. She opened it and stared back at us.

I saw fear in her eyes. “She’s not here!” Her voice trembled.

The doctor stared at her. “Follow me, please” He said and moved out.

Tensed, worried, scared…. All these feelings took over. The doctor went down to the reception.

“Did you see any lady pass by. Light skinned and moderate. She…” The doctor asked.

“Sir, I’m sorry. So many people passed by and today’s also a busy day, so, I don’t think i noticed.” The lady answered cutting in.

“Maybe you should check the CCTV, sir” She added.

“Good idea” The doctor said and moved up.

We followed him as fast as we could. He himself was tensed.

“Over an hour! Over an hour?” He kept repeating as he moved up.

We met the nurse in charge of Aliyah’s ward.

“Good. Chi, where’s the lady?” The doctor asked.

“Which lady?” She asked, confused.

“Their daughter!” The doctor barked.

“Sir, I… I left her there after…” She explained but we were already out of her sight as the doctor pulled Mr. Ridoh like a kid.

We got into the CCTV room. The guy there was startled as we barged in.

“Check ward 62 and view the movement” The doctor ordered.

Without saying anything, the guy quickly operated it. We saw Aliyah moved out of the room. We were relieved it wasn’t that she was abducted.

“Next” The doctor said.

She walked down the stairs staring at everyone who passed by. She got to the main door outside and opened it.

“Next!” The doctor said.

“Sir, I told you last week that the camera outside had been broken by that madman last week” The guy explained.

Mrs. Ridoh ran out of the room. We followed her trying to meet up with her. We got outside. She looked right and left trying to check if she would see her. We checked the backyard, all the compound entirely. We didn’t see Aliyah.

Mrs. Ridoh moved towards the gate and opened it. We followed her. She checked the surroundings and entered.

“Dear, I’m doomed! What’s happening? I can’t find my daughter!” Mrs. Ridoh burst into tears.

“Excuse me, what’s happening?”

A man i guess would be the security man asked. He was putting on that uniform security men do put on in Nollywood movies.

“Don’t worry. We’re actually looking for a girl.” Mr. Ridoh described Aliyah to him.

I watched as the security man looked at Mr. Ridoh. He also explained how Aliyah looked like. We looked at him expecting him to tell us she’s Inside somewhere. Mrs. Aliyah had stood up and moved towards him. She nodded to the guy’s description.

“Yes. Yes” She answered.

“Are you her parents?” The guy asked, looking surprised.

“Yes. We are. Did you see her?” Mrs. Ridoh asked impatiently.

“But…” The guy said and paused, he stared at us.

“But what? Please, talk” Mr. Ridoh begged.

“Some guys in black came to take her away. They said…”

Mrs. Ridoh fainted. Aishat fell on her knees. I stood there looking at the guy. I couldn’t hear what he was saying anymore as I found myself shaking uncontrollably.

Mrs. Ridoh was wheeled inside by the nurses. Mr. Ridoh just stood still banging the gate with his fist. There’s more to this. Nothing less but more to what’s happening. Tears rolled down my face.

ALIYAH’S POV

The breeze was so cool. I felt it on my body. “Sweet sensation!” I muttered breathlessly.

I spread my hands and turned around. It feels just so good. People stared at me but I didn’t mind. The hospital’s kinda large. I sat down on a plastic chair in the compound. I watched as people came in and out.

I stopped looking at them. I couldn’t take it anymore, looking at people crying up and down. I wish i could help. I stood up slowly before tears would drop.

I made to go in but i would only see worse if I go in. I moved forward to the gate. The security man stopped me.

“Excuse me, patient’s are not allowed to go out in that” He said pointing at the green gown I was putting on.

I stared at myself. I nodded. A black Suv car parked at the gate. The glass rolled down and I could see some men in black staring at me.

“And it seems you’re still undergoing treatment. You look weak” He said again.

I nodded and formed a smile. Removing my gaze from the black car.

“Do you want to get something? What’s your name?” He asked.

Suddenly, my head banged. I held my held with my left hand as it seems it wanted to fall off. My name? I wondered.

“Any problem?” I heard him ask. “Are you okay?” He asked again.

Before i could say something, two huge men entered the gate. I glanced at the car and noticed it was the guys staring at me.

“How may I help you sir?” I heard the security man asked them.

“We are here to take her?” They answered.