ILLNESS (2)

"Knock, knock," Shelly said pressing the doorbell. She was at Joan's residence two weeks to resumption and someone opened the door. "Hay," Joan said and hugged her. "Can I come in?" she asked. "Sure, you are always welcomed here, you don't have to ask," Joan said and they went in.

"Where is John, he was supposed to call me this morning," she told Joan. "And why is everywhere quiet, you seem to be the only one at home," she said again. "Yes I'm the only one at home, others have gone out and mum is in the hospital," she said.

"What is she doing there?" she asked. "That's what I was about to say, John fell sick and he was taken to the hospital this morning," she said. "What!!!" she said as she stood up. "I was in the hospital some few hours ago, I came home to get something and I'll be leaving in a few minutes," she said.

"Is he okay?" she said sounding worried. "Yes, but he has refused to eat or take his medication but they've given him some injection," she said. "We should go together," she said in haste. "Yes give me a minute let me wrap up what I came for and then we'll leave," she said.

Soon they arrived at the hospital and came down from the car and entered the hospital. Shelly followed Joan quietly as they entered the ward John was in. On seeing him, tears rolled down her cheek and she quickly cleaned it before anyone noticed. She walked to where he was and sat down beside him. His mother was sitting at the other end of the bed looking worried.

"Shelly is that you" he managed to say. "Yes it's me, you don't look very good," she said and smiled. He also smiled. "What's the cause," Shelly asked his mother. "It's because of the harsh weather he was exposed to when you two were forgotten, but the doctor has given him a few injections but he refused to eat or take the drugs that were given to him" his mother sounded very worried.

"John why don't you want to eat, you don't look good," Shelly asked him. "But I ate this morning plus I'm not hungry," he said. "Remember they gave you an injection and you have to eat so you can take your drugs," she said patting him softly on the hair.

"See John, you'll eat this food by force," Joan said angrily. "Joan he's your twin brother, take it easy" her mother shouted. "The way he's behaving like a baby is what's annoying me, I don't want this I want that, and in a few minutes the story had changed" she murmured angrily as her mother's phone rang. She picked up the call and talked for some minutes before she ended the call.

"I have an emergency, I need to go now," her mother said. "Really mum" Joan said. "Honey you should understand, when I come back I'll come to see him. Shelly, please take care of him and Joan don't cause trouble" her mother said and left.

Joan went to sit where her mum sat before. "John please eat," Joan said. "I'm not hungry," he said. "Why are you" she shouted and Shelly looked at her signifying that she should calm down and she did not complete her statement.

"Give me the food," Shelly said and Joan handed the food to her. "Okay John I'll feed you myself," she said. "Sorry but I'm not hungry," he said. "Okay then," she said and stood up to leave. "Where are you going to," he asked. "I'm leaving since you refused to eat," she said.

"Don't go, I need you now than ever before" he said. "Then you'll have to eat," she said. "Fine," he said and she went back. Joan and Shelly helped him sit. "Just a little," he said. "Let's make a deal, if you eat enough I'll....." she said and looked at Joan. She went close to John's ear and whispered something and he smiled.

"Who knew your girlfriend could make you smile in this state, I wonder what she told you," Joan said sounding rather Jealous. "I'll ignore that, it's a deal then," Shelly said. "Deal," he said.

Shelly made him eat enough, and after he finished eating he took his drugs. Joan's phone rang and she picked it up, she talked for a few minutes before ending the call. "Shelly you'll have to stay with him, mum needs me urgently," Joan said and turned to leave. "Come back soon," Shelly said. "Sure" she answered as she dashed out.

Shelly went to sit close to John and held his hand. "Missing me already" he teased her. "Of course not, you know I don't like seeing you in such a state," she said.

"Um, Shelly I like you so much and won't be able to bear it if I ever lose you. When you were abducted I thought I would never see you again" he said. "Why are you saying all these," she asked surprised. "In case I don't make it" he was saying when she cut him off.

"Don't even go there, what is the meaning of if you don't make it? You're taking as if you are at the point of death, that was an expensive Joke" she shouted. "Okay, I'm sorry, I was not serious. I know we have been rivals but I promise to make the remaining school year fun for us" he said.

"Promise," she said. "Promise" he answered and she hugged him tightly. "Um, Shelly I'm sick remember, too tight," he said. "Sorry," she said as she released him. "I was just joking, I'm strong enough," he said and they both laughed. "No matter what happens I'll always like you," he said. "Same here" she answered as she held his hand. Throughout that week, Shelly was always in the hospital not wanting to go home. Sometimes they'll have to force her.

John was discharged a week to resumption and Shelly went to see him. She was standing in front of their door as she pressed the doorbell. It was about 5 pm.

Joan opened the door. "Hay, guess you're here for your boyfriend," she said and rolled her eyes. "Come on don't be like this, and he's not my boyfriend," she said. "Yet" she added. "Is he in?" she asked as she checked her dress twice. "Yes, he's in the sitting room," she said. "How do I look," she asked. "We're doing that now, anyway you look lovely if that's what you want to hear" she answered as they both went in.

She saw John resting his head on the sofa with his eyes shut. She quietly walked to where he was, sat down, and hugged him. "Shelly I know it's you," he said as he opened his eyes and sat upright. "How," she asked. "I know when you're around, your scent," he said.

"I've missed you," she said and held him in his arm. "Me too," he said. "I've got something for us," she said as she brought out two necklaces from her bag and handed one over to him. "What's this," he asked. "Open It,," she said happily.

He opened it and it was the picture they took together in the forest. "It's beautiful," he said. "Yes and I also have one," she said as she showed him her own.

Joan was looking at them the whole time, I'll soon get a boyfriend for myself" she said it loud enough for them to hear jokingly and they did nothing but laugh. "You can laugh all you want, Shelly meet me upstairs when you're done with whatever you're doing," she said and left.

They both wore their necklace. "Remember what I promised you at the hospital," she said to him. "Yes but you don't have to do it," he said and before he could say anything further, she gave him a peck on the cheek and ran to meet Joan. "She's shy" he whispered as he smiled.

She went to meet Joan and they discussed it for a long time. Shelly got to find out that Joan would not be going back rather she would be joining them for her senior year and she was very happy on hearing the news.

Rita as usual was in the village probably shouting, so because of their poor network she could not teach anyone. School resumed and lessons began as usual. Diamond and Jessy left as soon as the holiday was over while James stayed.

"On a Friday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Bill was in the sitting room watching TV and Shelly came downstairs and sat opposite her parents. " Can I have your attention?" she said they looked at her and they turned down the volume of the TV set.

"Dad, mum, I told you our school said we should submit the course we'll like to go in, so when we are in SS2 it will be easy for us. This week being the seventh week of resumption we are expected to submit it. I've decided to go into the entertainment industry" she said and her parents looked at themselves in surprise.