CHAPTER 5

on the couch with Angie sleeping on my laps, while Oge sat on the opposite couch viewing a television program that is been displayed on the large plasma screen on the wall

I checked the time and realized that it was 10am which is the exact time for Angie's medication.

I turned expecting Oge to take a move for Angie's medication as her personal nurse but it seems that she is fast forgetting things.

And here I am thinking that nurses are actually suppose to be more intentional and cautious about people's health.

I cleared my throat to get her attention and thankfully I got it as she turned to look at me

" Any problem sir?" Oge asked as she turned her eyes to the television screen yet again

" Mmm.. Oge it's ten minutes past 10am. We both know that 10am is actually Angie's schedule time for medication, or weren't you informed by the doctor?"

" Oh! that's true" Oge answered alarmed, she abruptly got up from the couch and made her way to Angie's medication box which I kept secured locked in one of the sitting room cabinets

" ..oh my God! the keys!" I heard Oge talking to herself

Concerned I asked her

" Any problem Oge?"

" No.. I mean yes sir! I'm sorry but I think I have forgotten the spare keys of the cabinet you gave me in the house, I guess it's because I was so much in a hurry" Oge apologized for the umpteenth time today

God I can't believe this lady is actually playing with my daughter's health, I thought as I stood up and laid Angie on the couch gently to avoid waking her up.

I walked over to where she stood confused and opened the cabinet with my set of the cabinet keys, took out the necessary medicine for Angie without saying a word to Oge

I guess it's because I didn't even know what to say to her

Her performance was not commendable and I knew without a doubt that with such display of nonchalance, she will need to be replaced as soon as possible

Heaven knows I can't imagine leaving my daughter with her even for a day let alone for subsequent days to her eye surgery.

After successfully helping Angie take her medication, I carried her to my room so we could both take a nap leaving Oge alone in the sitting room

*******

Towards evening, I was awoken by a knock on my bedroom door, Oge's voice followed afterwards

" Please may I come in sir?" Oge's voice requested from behind the door

" No Oge! Angie is sleeping and I wouldn't want our voices to wake her up.. just wait in the sitting room and give me few minutes I will join you" I said and turned besides me to check on Angie, thankfully she was still sleeping soundly

I turned towards the wall clock in my bedroom and the time showed that was few minutes to 6pm

I yawned feeling so hungry, I can't believe I slept for so long

I gently got up from the bed careful not to wake Angie. I felt pressed so I made use of the convenient room to relieve myself.

After I was done, I opened the bedroom door with the intention to meet Oge at the sitting room, only to see her still standing in front of my bedroom door

Obviously she never left, as she saw me she knelt down immediately

" I'm sorry sir for my attitude today.. I really don't want to lose the job you've entrusted to me.. give me a second chance sir please" Oge said to me already crying

" Oge I never said I was going to sack you or did I?" I asked quite surprised that she mentally figured out that I was planning to replace her

" You may not have said so in words but your countenance shows that you will sack me for everything that happened today.. please sir I am sorry, it won't happen again"

" Are you sure Oge?" I asked and she nodded in the affirmative while I heaved before giving a reply

" okay if you say so Oge, I will give you a benefit of doubt this last time.. please you can get up now, it's weird seeing a fellow human being kneeling before me" I said and helped her up

" Thank you so much sir"

" You're welcome.. and Oge for today you can go early before 8pm since I am home"

" Does that mean I can go now?" She asked happily

" Sure Oge! you can go if you want to do so now.. see you tomorrow then" I said and turned to go back into my bedroom but I halted when I heard Oge's request

" How about I stay for a while and we talk over a drink at the bar.. I mean to get to know ourselves beyond the work and medication talks" Oge offered as I stood considering the offer

" It's not a bad idea.. okay no problem let go then!" I said and made to follow her to the bar but I couldn't continue as I kept hearing Angie's voice call out to me from my bedroom

" Daddy! Daddy.. where are you?" I heard Angie's soft voice calling for me

" Oh! My daughter is awake.. I'm sorry Oge you know I can't leave Angie alone because of her condition.. we will do this next time, I promise" I said apologetically to Oge

" It's okay sir, I understand" she said forcing a smile but I cared less, my daughter comes first to me

" Thanks for your understanding Oge!" I said and left to join Angie in the bedroom.

As I left, I heard someone hiss behind me or maybe it's just my subconscious hearing things

I just hope Oge is really sincere with her apologies because as it is now