Read Part One of the story here…
Driving back home, Seun is torn.
She had promised God that she would tell her parents about her plans if she got accepted into any of the schools. She could no longer keep it from them, but she also wondered if it would be worth the drama.
She could hear the laughter and hum of conversation coming from the lounge upstairs.
Since her Dad retired, her parents had taken to spending their evenings there. Seun walks in, her Dad is in his favourite chair opposite the television with his feet braced against the edge of the wooden table, and her mum is on his left, leaning back, her right hand in her husband’s.
Seun greets them and braces herself as she tells them her news
Her mum shifts to the edge of her seat, her gaze unwavering, “Seun, mi o ni understand. What do you mean ‘you’re thinking of going back to school to do nursing? Did you lose your job? Seun’s father, are you hearing your daughter? What does she mean by this?”
Seun’s father touches his wife’s elbow but she shakes him off. “Love mi, calm down. Let’s hear her out.” Her mum turns to face her dad, ready.
“What do you mean hear her out? Have I not heard enough? Your daughter who is almost 30, by the way, is telling us that she wants to go back to school for an undergraduate degree. This is Nigeria, nobody goes back to school for nursing.”
Her mum looks up with her hands raised above her head “Olorun mi, what have I done? Lord, these children you have given me are causing me pain. My friends are carrying their grandchildren, and I’m about to carry another degree that is not needed?”
Then she turns to Seun, her look unflinching.
“Seun, e ma se so be.” “ Why can’t you continue at your firm and find a nice man to marry?”
Seun is still standing by the door of the room, looking from one parent to the other, she prayed she would keep her cool and not get into an argument with her mum.
Her father, quiet during her mother’s speech, puts his feet down and also shifts to the edge of his seat.
“I just remembered something from when you were about 15 or so, Seun mi. You told me your dream was to become a nurse. That you wanted to care for people and make sure they got the best treatment. I remember asking you why not become a doctor, which was more prominent, but you were adamant. It seems that dream has remained with you. Seun mi, I know you are not one to rush into things and with your relationship with God, he must have a plan for you on this.”
Her father’s response provides some solace. She had hoped he would support her.
“I’m not surprised. This is what you always do. So, you want to lose another child, abi? You want her to go back to school and stay there? Well done! Seun, inu mi ko dun! I am not happy about this. Just go, your father and I have to discuss this.”
Seun rushes out.
Deep racking sobs grip her as she slides to the floor of her room. She couldn’t believe she had missed the fact that a big part of her fear was because of her mum. She had known deep down that her mum wouldn’t like this. And her mum’s reaction had been worse than she had imagined. Nothing she did was ever good enough for her.
Seun gets off the floor and into her bed, ignoring her tear-streaked face and her wrinkled clothes.
Weak and tired, she utters a silent prayer.
‘Lord, why now! I was fine…I was holding on. Why didn’t you just let me go on as I was? I can’t do this! I don’t have the strength to fight this fear. Please help me! Show me a sign. Please, Lord!
It’s been a week since Seun received the offer from the University of Michigan.
She had also heard from one other school but they would not be giving her any scholarship. The offer from the University of Michigan was still better. The partial scholarship was 50% of tuition but she would still need to cover the rest of her tuition and living expenses. She had some savings, had even planned to use this but she wasn’t so sure now.
Just as she’s getting ready to head out, Dr Doyin calls Seun to her office.
Dr Doyin is seated behind her large chrome desk in a pastel-coloured dress with her hair in a low bun and her trademark diamond earrings. She looked beautiful and poised, as always.
Dr Doyin looks intently at Seun.
“How are things going with you? You seemed distracted this week? What’s going on?
Seun is surprised.
She had been mulling over her decisions but had hoped no one noticed.
“I’m fine, boss. Turning 30 this year has me wondering about my life and future plans.” Which was partially true.
“Okay? You should look to it with joy, the thirties are a great time in a woman’s life.” Dr Doyin replies with a smile.
Seun returns her smile.
“I want to discuss something with you.” Dr Doyon leans forward and places her elbows on the desk.
“You are aware that the company has been doing some restructuring, which will lead to changes in some roles and some layoffs. I have told the management that I need my team but I also know that the decision lies with them. I think you and Morin are relatively safe but I can’t make any assurances. They know the HR unit needs at least 2 people, so that should help. Even if things change, they are providing attractive severance packages”
Dr Doyin picks up her bag and gets up, a sign that the meeting was over. “Okay, that’s it! Think about what I’ve said and let’s talk on Monday.”
The roads are free for a Friday evening, which is a good thing as there is so much on Seun’s mind.
She could be losing her job though that was unlikely. Seun had been there longer and had been more involved than Morin. But then again, it may not be a bad idea to take the severance package. Was this the sign?
Just then, a car swerves sharply towards her car. She presses down on her brakes and quickly turns to the left to avoid hitting the car. The motion pulls her car farther and she hits the curb close by. The sound of screeching tires drowns out her thoughts.
Seun opens her car door, shaken and surprised. She looks up to see what happened to the other car. The driver had hit the car in front of her. There are people gathering around his car. She hopes he’s okay even though he been driving so recklessly? Seun pulls her legs out of the car. She feels the dull ache at the back of her neck, probably from the force of the impact.
She realizes that there’s a man beside her car. She hadn’t heard him come by.
“Are you okay? I saw what happened. Do you feel any pains or aches anywhere?”
It takes Seun a moment to comprehend his words. She didn’t feel too bad and was glad that she had moved in the nick of time.
The man moves closer to her door, he leans over and continues to speak. “Can you move your arms and legs? She nods and feels the ache again.
“Can you speak? I’m a nurse and need to make sure you’re okay.”
At this, Seun looks at the man.
“You’re a nurse?”
He answers and the laughter bubbles through her.
She ignores the pain at the back of the neck and gives in to the mirth. Tears stream down her eyes and with it, the tension and fear.
The nurse looks at her concerned. “Are you sure you’re okay?
She laughs harder.
There was no doubt about it! God had given her what she asked for.
And what a sign!
Leave a Reply