It has been close to four months in this school and a lot of things have happened. Apart from the responsibility of being the Class Representative, I have been sinking in books. Understanding, Assimilating, and la cram la pour.
Things have been a complicated part for me as I am attracted to Christopher. I can't help but feel angst about this, that feeling of uneasiness along with the butterflies in my tummy when I am around him.
He is a jovial, caring, and loving type. Apart from his handsome features which kept crept into my imagination, I feel my stomach churn with different emotions around him. He acts perfectly well in all areas, in preparing a delicious meal, behaving like a big brother, or being sassy sometimes.
I closed my eyes, trying to jolt down the last piece of writing into my diary. Unfortunately, my head is clouded with Christopher, as I could not help but feel he is hiding something from me.
Taking my last thought into writing, I sigh glancing at the clock, my face turning into a frown. It is almost 4 pm and Chris is not yet back. My mind wandered around, not until I heard a knock jolting me out of my thoughts.
I opened the door only to come face to face with a nervous Chris, his right hand behind his back, and a hint of pain on his face.
"Come in. Don't just stand there like a statue", I said as he nodded entering.
I held his hand that was behind him, as he groaned in pain, hissing loudly. I knew something was wrong, I thought as I removed my hand swiftly. He moved to the bed, slowly caressing his thumb, blowing air to it.
I almost passed out seeing how big his thumb was, as it reddened and swell up. He has whitlow
" I am so sorry. How did this happen? Let us go to the hospital", I kept rambling as I took my phone.
He put his left hand on the air stopping me, his eyes brimming with tears.
"I went to a private hospital and they requested 10,000 nairas. I managed to escape or they would have admitted me", Chris spoke almost in one breath, as I moved to his left side gently placing my hand on his forehead.
He had developed a fever and he needed care.
" Let us go to a public hospital. You need to be attended to", I explained, trying not to give way to the heartache in my heart, as he must be going through a lot of pain right now.
"Nope, I don't want to get infected. I will be okay soon, don't worry", he replied, forcing a smile on his face.
I almost felt like slapping his cocky self.
" Give me your phone, let me call your parents or any of your relatives, even if we don't have much for the operation of the whitlow", I said, biting my lips anxiously.
"My whole family are on vacation abroad and have been trying to call them but it did not go through", he explained, his face sad.
I quickly rushed to the first aid kit, as I brought out a pain reliever drug. Placing a cup of warm milk and biscuit in my hand, I gently gave him the drugs, which would help in reducing the fever.
" Hmmm, I think I have a natural remedy for whitlow. I hope you don't mind" I asked as he frowned.
"Like seriously?. I am in pain bro, and I don't want to go to the hospital, because of the money aspect as well as other stuff. Please, do something. I feel like a heavy load is on me", Chris said wincing in pain.
I helped him, as I made him lie down on the bed.
" I'm feeling the heat. Can you help me remove my clothes? I need to bath", Chris asked, closing his eyes slightly.
Heaving a sign, I removed his jacket, as well as his white round neck as carefully as possible, as Chris groaned lightly. With his clothes out revealing his well-built body, I could not help but stare at his chest, as my face flushed instantly.
"Erm. Thanks. Help me to the bathroom. I will take it over from there", Chris whispered
" Ok, sure", I nervously let out, revealing a small smile.
"Or do you want to help me take a bath?", Chris asked, as he moved his head to face my shocked self.
" No. No...no. I..", I stuttered, not making out many reasonable words, as he burst into laughter, not until he mistakenly moved his right hand.
"Ow", he winced slightly, his face distorted.
I touched his chest helping him to rest back.
" Sorry. Next time, don't joke around", I cautioned, as he nodded, giving a stifled laugh.
I gently lifted him off the bed, slowly wrapping my hand around his waist, which felt new to me. His body slightly rested on me, giving me warm sensations down my body, as I tried to control my thinking.
'You are helping him, not supposed to be drooling over him' my subconscious Keeps telling me. Taking a small stool, I made him sit. I put on the shower, as it drizzled.
"Try not to use your right hand, just take a one-minute bath, or things might get more complicated with your hand", I rambled, trying as much as possible to avoid staring at him.
" Sure, thank you. Do well to get the natural remedy", he requested and I nodded, hurriedly moving out of the bathroom.
I whipped my head in search of my phone, as I tried to calm myself. I feel my stomach having this tingling when I am around him. Finally seeing my phone under the pillow, after seconds of searching, I headed outside to get a particular leaf my mum once used when I had whitlow. It is known as Ewe Akintola(Christmas leaf). The juicy part of the leaf helps cure wounds, soreness as well as help in treating infection.
Moving down the street, I tried to remember where I once saw the leaf, as I finally hit a particular memory about Where I can find it. Plucking some of the leaves in nylon, I made my way to a shop where I got a black soap, which I would use in mixing with the leaf.
I branched out to the pharmacy as I bought one sachet of Epsom salt, which I learned when mixed with warm helps to soothe the infected area and provide pain relief. I got to the hostel feeling exhausted but was quite happy to see Christopher sleeping soundly on the bed, with only a towel wrapped around his torso.
I gently made my way to sit on the bed, with utmost care not to wake him up, as he looks handsome sleeping. My eyes scanned his face to his chest, as I gulped down saliva down my throat. My eyes made it back to his lips, as I felt the urge to touch it, but I resisted it.
The drugs I used for him are not only pain relievers but sleeping tablets. I carried a basin filling it with warm water and the sachet of Epsom salt. I carefully lifted his right hand, as I heard him wince slightly, his eyes still shut. I placed his hand gently in the warm water with the Epsom salt, with much attention to his thumb, as he let out a groan, moving slightly.
I allowed his hand well soaked in the warm water, for some minutes and I could feel Chris sleeping soundly, probably relieved.
I made my way to the kitchen, as I mashed the leaves and black soap together using a small mortar and pestle until it formed a semi-solid paste, which I scrubbed inside the nylon.
I cleaned the beads of sweat around my face, as I tried to apply the paste gently on his thumb. Using small nylon in the form of rope, I tied it gently around his thumb, trying not to make it too tight, as he let out a muffled sound. I finally heaved a sigh of relief, hoping the swelling will reduce the next day.
*******
I ran as fast as I could toward the lecture room. Well, a lot of things happened this morning, which almost made me late. Finally getting to my lecture room, I let out a sigh of relief, especially at the fact that the lecturer is not yet around. I met my assistant who informed me that the lecturer will be a little late. Thank goodness.
Well, it has been two days after that evening when I treated Christopher with the Epsom saltwater, and the Christmas leaf combo and I must confess, the swelling has reduced. I have not slept quite these two days, making me almost late this morning. Since today is Friday and Chris will be having a lecture around this time, I told him to rest for today.
Halfway into the second and finally the last lecture for the day, I started feeling bored and sleepy. My phone vibrated in my pocket as I carefully brought it out to read a text message.
"Hey, I miss you twinkle toes. Come and make lunch on time", I read out the message smiling at the message.
Looking around gently, I put my phone down a little, ready to type.
" Hope you are well. What are you doing now?' I typed hitting the send button, as I slowly put down my phone, in between my legs, raising my head pretending to follow the lecture.
I felt another vibration, as I opened the text message.
'I am arranging the room' he replied.
My mind wandered for some unknown reason, as an image of where I carelessly placed my diary swept to my face.
Oh no, this is bad. What if?
I tried not to think of the possible outcome of my carelessness, as I swiped my phone gently.
"Don't stress yourself, just rest. I will arrange the room later, I sent it but got no response.
My secret will be out soon...