Blind Spot
The lights were bright and the hospital bed was cold. She had never been to a hospital before but she was now. She could feel the pain from the incision made in her lower abdomen. She tried her best not to move because moving made the pain worse.
"Hello good evening. I'm here to give you your medications for the evening." A nurse said sweetly.
"I'm in pain. Please, help me." She groaned weakly.
"I know. I'm giving you something stronger than paracetamol to help with the pain."
"Thank you."
Sitting up was a struggle. She groaned and sobbed as she did. The nurse encouraged her and assisted her until she sat comfortably. She took her medication and the nurse documented that on her chart then went to the next patient.
"Daphne," She heard the voice of her friend. "How are you? How's the baby?"
"The baby is fine. He's sleeping. And I'm doing fine too." She replied.
Her friend, Linda, took a chair and sat beside her bed, admiring her baby boy.
"He came to the hospital today." Daphne blurted out.
"To do what?" Linda's voice was harsh.
"To apologize."
"You don't need his apology and don't even
think about going back to him."
Daphne closed her eyes and sobbed uncontrollably. "You all said he was a nice guy. He would take me out of the country and make my life better. I believed he would and I fell in love with him."
"I know. We were wrong. That's why we and most especially I am taking responsibility by telling you to get out of the marriage. He's never going to stop hitting you."
"You don't know that."
"I do. We learnt about this in school. And if you're scared, don't be. I will always be there for you. If your parents won't let you go back to their house, you can stay in mine."
"You're married."
"Then you'll stay at my parents'. My mom would be more than happy to look after you and the baby." Linda gave her hand a little squeeze. "Everything will be fine. I promise."
Daphne nodded and decided to take her word for it. Leaving the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with and navigating life as a single mother wasn't ideal but getting beaten for the slight thing was even worse. Finally, she found another man, who loved her and her son, they got married and traveled out of the country. Her son grew up to be a smart, caring young man doing very well in school.
20 years went by and both Linda and Daphne remained l good friends. Then Daphne came back to Nigeria for a visit.
"Linda, you look amazing. How are you and the children?" Daphne asked, looking very good herself.
"We are doing very well."
"And your husband."
Linda hesitated, "He's doing alright."
"I just wanted to say thank you for your love and support. Without you, I'd still be stuck in my first marriage and who knows how that would have ended. You're truly a good friend. Now let's catch up. Tell me everything happening with you lately and I have a lot to tell you too." She said excitedly.
Linda and Daphne spent their day together like they always did until it was time for Linda to get back home.
Linda entered the house and a very tense atmosphere filled the air.
"Mommy, it's 7pm. You said you won't take long." Her son whispered.
"Is your father back?" She asked terrified.
"No. I was just worried because I'm tired of all the arguments and we can risk Tina having another mental episode. She can't afford to go into more crises."
Linda nodded and went to make dinner. Thankfully, it was ready before her husband got back.
"Food is ready if you want me to bring..."
"Where did you go?" His voice was cold.
"I did not go any-"
Before she could complete the statement, he slapped her. She clutched her face as the burning sting radiated throughout that side of her face.
"I said where did you go?”
