WRONG NUMBER By Toyin Taiwo Episode 23

Episode 23

Daniel insisted I come visit him at his office. I went on a Friday since we close early, I had to fix another day for my private coaching.
The receptionist directed me to his office.
The staff are all busy in their cubicles. Most of them have their eyes and hands glued to their system.

I met his secretary, she’s young and beautiful, all smiling, I had no choice than to compliment her. I told her I want to see her boss. She asked for my name, I told her and she just told me to go in that he was expecting me.
I entered into his office, he stood up immediately he saw me and hugged me, he ushered me to sit on the sofa.
There’s a center table in front of the sofa.
I saw some packs of food on the table.
He joined me on the sofa.
He told me he already got us lunch.
There were two packs, he placed one of the pack in a small tray and put a pack of juice beside it and handed it to me.
We ate and chatted at the same time.
After eating, he cleared the packs and disposed the packs in a waste bin in his office.

He checked his wrist watch, then called his secretary on the intercom, he told her she can leave since it's already 5pm. I told him I’ll be leaving soon but he asked me to stay for another hour since he won’t see me the next day, and that was because I have a wedding to attend the next day.
He was busy giving me gist about some things going on his company, then his phone rang, he told me it was her younger sister, Sharon calling before he picked the call.
He told her his friend is around, I heard him mention my name. He gave me the phone, he said his sister wants to speak with me.
I took the phone and we exchanged greetings, she thanked me for everything I did for his brother, she told me she missed Daniel, that she had no choice than to come visit him in Nigeria. I gave the phone back to him.
An hour later we left the office.
He wanted to take me home, but he’s not yet familiar with the route. He called his company driver who drove us to my house.
Both of us alighted when we got to my house, he followed me in to say hi to my folks. He met my mum and one of my siblings. My dad is not yet back. I introduced him as a friend.
He left almost immediately, I saw him off to the gate. He entered into the car, he thanked me for the visit, I also thanked the driver too and bade them good night.
Weeks later, I got a call from Mr Paul, he said he’s at the hospital with Daniel.

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Weeks later, I got a call from Mr Paul, he said he’s at the hospital with Daniel.
“Daniel is down with Malaria” he informed me.
“Huh! Mr Paul you almost gave me an heart attack, malaria!
“You know the fever is alien to his body, he never had malaria before”
“That’s true, I almost forgot he’s new here”
“He’s been tested and the doctor attending to him has commenced treatment”
“I’m coming over, which hospital?” I asked.
He gave me the description and I cut the call.
I got to the hospital, I called Mr Paul, he met with me.
“How is he?” I asked immediately I sighted him.
“He’s better now compared to when he just got here”
He led me to the private ward where he’s been treated
He smiled when he saw me. “Paul called you?”
I nodded.
"Paul, how could you, I don't her to see me in the state" he queried Mr Paul jokingly
"If she doesn't see you in this state, who will? And you are all smiling immediately she walked into the room" he countered.
“How are you feeling now?”
I asked
I’m much better, he said and held my hands. Thank you”
"Malaria brought a full grown man to the hospital. Welcome to Africa, Nigeria to be precise” I said and we all laughed.
“How come he had malaria, the whole mansion was fumigated before his arrival” I asked Mr Paul
“Mosquito are everywhere my dear, fumigation or no fumigation and more so the place was fumigated two months ago or so”
“Maybe the fumigation should be monthly then or else this Mr new comer here will have to visit the hospital every month”
“Geez! Are you referring to me?” Daniel asked facing me with a funny look.
“Yes, Mr JJC”
“What’s the meaning of JJC” he asked Mr Paul who was just smiling.
“Daniella, Let this man be nau” Mr Paul said laughing.
“Lips sealed” I gestured with my hand.
A nurse came to give him drugs.” Have you eaten sir” The nurse asked.
“No he hasn’t taking anything since we got here” Mr Paul answered the Nurse.
“He has to eat something before I can administer the drugs, since he’s no more on IV fluid” the nurse explained.
“I’ll go get him food now” Paul said
“There’s a cafeteria downstairs” the nurse informed
“Thanks”
“I’ll be back in 30minutes time” the nurse said and left the room.
Some minutes later, Mr Paul came in with the food. Daniel refused to eat, he said he doesn’t feel like eating.
“Daniel please try, you heard the nurse, she won’t give you your drugs if you don’t eat” I said.
“I just don’t feel like eating, my taste bud is bitter”
“Sorry... that’s malaria for you, you just have to force yourself or should I feed you”
“No, don’t feed me” he said feeling embarrassed.
“Let her feed you, trust me it works, you’ll finish the food before you know it. Daniella, go ahead and feed him” Paul said and ushered me to the side of the bed.
I fed him and he ended up eating half of the food. The nurse came by later and administered the drugs.
He was discharged later in the evening and was told to come back the next day to take his remaining injections.
Mr Paul drove him back to the Mansion while I returned home because it was late already.
I called him when I got home to ask after his health.
I’m feeling much better now” he said
“Good, make sure you eat and take your drugs”
“That’s if you’ll come feed me”
“Seriously! I was begging to feed you earlier, now you want me to feed you”
“That was then, just promise you’ll come and feed me tomorrow”
“Ok…I’ll see you tomorrow big baby”
“Three names in a day, this fever has ruined my ego” he said and I laughed at his joke.
I promised to check on him the next day.
I called Mr Paul too and thanked him.
He has always been there for Daniel and I appreciate it.