Chapter 12 — Angry

I couldn't believe I missed our field trip even though I paid for it. Oh God, pneumonia was a fucking disease. Amirah came back late in the night and showed us all the pictures they took in the excursion. I was so jealous. Why was she always happy? More happier than me? Had God forgotten about me? I mulled over as I walked out with my oxygen back to the garden swing. Nothing tasted good these days, I had been missing classes and our third term examination was already fast approaching.

What pained me more about the field trip was the picture of Ayman with Bintah and her friends. He wasn't smiling though but I was so jealous. I should have been there too but somehow, God prevented me for a reason best known by Him. These days, I was always been checked by doctor Nana. She would come almost everyday and whenever she arrived I would hope she would say I was okey to live with this fucking oxygen bag but she would keep recommending it. I was really tired of it.

"Hi, baby sister" A voice from behind jolted me. It was my elder brother, Mahmud. He had returned back from his NYSC program since yesterday. "What are you doing out here? Do you really know what the time is?" He asked.

"10:25pm" I said as I checked my phone.

"Hmm" He sighed as he walked and sat close to me on the swing bench. "Tell me what is wrong with you, Umaimah" He took my hand into a clasp. "Is it about the pneumonia?" He asked.

"It is about everything" I said removing the oxygen tube from my nose. "I don't like this"

"Come on Umaimah, put it back" He said.

"No, I won't put..." I was saying when I began coughing hard. I had somehow inhaled some dust particles which made my throat sour.

"You see, just keep using it for now" He said as he put back the oxygen tube in my nostrils.

That moment, I knew I had to keep using it. The air was more friendly than the normal one. But for how long would I keep using it? I mulled over. "Thank you, Ya Mahmud" I said.

"You are welcome" He uttered as he gently stood to his feet gallantly like a soldier. "Lets go inside, we both need to retire for the night"

"Okey" I muttered.

Thus, he escorted me to my room and then went back to his room. I had to force my self into sleeping because I wasn't feeling sleepy.

The following day, been Tuesday, I was willing to go to school against all odds. I shouldn't be missing a lot but what if I was mocked that I couldn't go to the field trip? I mulled over.

"Umaimah, what are you doing?" My mum asked as soon as she bounced into my room.

"I am preparing for school" I said.

"School?" She wrinkled her brows. "You are still on medication Umaimah, you need to..."

"For how long would I keep staying at home? Ayman has gotten better but here I am!" I said.

"But you are not Ayman!" She said.

"I know!" I blurted out. "Just don't stop me"

Just then, Ramadan bounced into the room.

"What is going on here?" He asked.

"Your daughter wants to go to school today" My mum said as she gestured towards me.

"What?" He queried.

"Yeah" she sighed as she turned about to leave. "Talk to her please, I think she has forgotten her condition" She said gently walking away.

Hence, Ramadan walked to me with the aim of convincing me but I was so adamant. He talked and talked but to no avail. "Okey, since that is exactly what you want - fine but please, take care of yourself" He ended up approving it.

"Thank you" I smiled at him but he didn't smile back. He only gave me a peck on my forehead and left. He was a very understanding man.

Both Amirah and Najib were still eating their breakfast in the dining room. They were surprised to see me when I walked to them. "Ain't you guys ready yet?" I said wrinkling a brow.

"Wow, look who's here!" Najib dropped his jaw.

"Umaimah, you really can't be serious! People will be looking at you with that oxygen tube in your nose and also..." Amirah said as I cut in.

"You guys should meet me in the car when you are done" I blurted out gently walking away.

As soon as they were done they met me in the car thus, our driver drove us to school. I was so baffled to see that my seat had been occupied by someone. Not just someone but Bintah, she was sitting comfortably close to Ayman.

"Mind standing up from my seat, please?" I blurted out giving her an interrogative gaze.

"It is not your seat anymore" She smirked.

"What do you mean?" I glared at her.

"She's right" Amirah chimed in from the other side. "I... I should have told you that yesterday"

"I don't understand" I said turning to Amirah.

Just then, our headteacher bounced in. "Good Morning, Sir!" The class stood and chorused.

"Morning, how are you?" He said.

"Fine, thank you sir!" The class chorused again.

"Okey, have your seats" He said and cleared his throat. "Umaimah, come with me now please!"

"Okey, sir" I said and followed him to his office.

•••••••••

"I am very sorry about your illness" He said.

"It's okey, I just missed school..." I lamented.

"I know you - definitely - would miss your friends, and it is very unfortunate that you missed the field trip yesterday too but don't worry, we will refund back your money to you" He said wearing a smile on his face.

"Okey, so...?" I rose my brows.

"Yeah," He cleared his throat and continued. "Yesterday we received a letter from Ayman's parents saying their son's pneumonia can be managed but only if he's not interacting with another pneumonia patient. I didn't know which doctor told them that but the school clinic says it's true. For that reason, we decided to change your class considering the fact that you both have pneumonia and Ayman had been in this school before you. You're now in..."

"No, you can't just change my class without my consent. How dare you do that?!" I squealed.

"It is the school management and your parents' consent was sought yesterday. They were the ones that suggested the change of class if not, change of seat was what we promptly decided. And by the way, we received a call from them recently and they told us to send you back home - your doctor wants to see you" He said.

That moment, I felt like crying!