They shared jokes as they walked to their vehicle and instantly unloaded the shopping bags into the boot. A security guard, who had been standing a few meters away, approached them, offering assistance.
"Do you need any assistance?" the man asked politely.
"No, thank you," Teni replied. She pushed the two empty trolleys away from the car, and she and her friend got into the vehicle, ready to depart.
As was often the case, Bola's observant eyes had already noticed something occurring nearby the moment she sat down to drive. She consistently spotted things first, a trait familiar to her friend.
"Different strokes for different folks," Bola remarked from behind the wheel, her right hand holding the ignition key, about to start the car.
"What was that for?" Teni asked, unable to discern the reason for Bola's comment.
"Look at that man by the garbage bin in the distance," Bola pointed with the car key towards a scavenger.
"Oh! Such an able-bodied fellow with a fine physique. He must be homeless or mentally unwell," Teni surmised.
"Either of the two: homeless or mentally deranged," Bola agreed with her friend's assessment.
"People say he is mad. He lives in the pine plantation," the voice came from the park security guard standing close to their vehicle.
"Oh! That's sad," Teni commented, a note of sympathy in her voice.
"Very sad," Bola echoed. She bent down and retrieved a thousand naira note from her bag on the car floor. "Please help give him this," Bola said to the security guard, handing him the bill. She waited to see the money given to the scavenger before driving out of the parking lot.
The security guard approached the scavenger, who had his head almost entirely submerged in the refuse bin, seemingly searching for something known only to himself.
Moments before the guard reached him, the scavenger raised his head, clutching a metal rod he had retrieved from the trash. He dropped it into a bag slung by his side. And the security guard halted.
Bola and Teni watched the scene unfold with shared pity.
"Hello, please accept this; it's a small gesture from the kind ladies in that car," the security guard said, extending the naira note towards the man. However, the scavenger looked up, then turned to glance at the stationed vehicle, and shook his head firmly.
"Thank you, but I don't need it. I am not a beggar," he stated, his expression suddenly shifting to one of disdain, walking away afterwards abruptly. His reaction made it clear that he resented the offer of charity.
"Oops, he rejected it!" Teni exclaimed, surprised.
"Well, clearly, my money isn't required," Bola said with a slight smile, inserting the key into the ignition. She started the car and began to turn the steering wheel to leave the parking space.
"Ma'am! Ma'am! He refused it," the security guard called out from a distance, quickening his pace to return the money to Bola and Teni.
"Don't trouble yourself; you can keep it," Bola told him before he could reach the car. She then reversed and drove out of the parking lot onto the road.
"Thank you, madam," the park security guard said aloud, his face lit with a grateful smile.
"You're welcome," Teni replied with a wave.
Like kindred spirits, the two friends drove back to The Voice Newspaper company. Their conversation flowed easily, touching on their productive visit to the national conference, their playful banter reminiscent of childhood, and the memorable experience at the grocery store. The enigmatic man in the red shirt and the unexpectedly haughty scavenger became the subjects of their discussion, adding a touch of bemusement to their journey back.
...
TENI'S PHONE BUZZED in her purse. Just as Bola pulled the car to a stop in front of their company building, Teni reached for it. And seeing Jim's name flash across the screen, a feeling of excitement came over her.
"Hello, Jim!" she said, her voice bright with anticipation.
"Hello, Teni. The police have released me," Jim replied, his own voice filled with elation.
"Wow! That's wonderful news. I'm so glad you're free. Where are you now?" Teni asked, her heart leaping with joy. She saw the shared excitement bloom on Bola's face beside her.
"I'm on my way to the hospital," Jim answered.
He had left home after a thorough shower, a clean shave, and feeling completely refreshed – a good two hours after his release.
"Why go back to work so soon? Isn't that rushing things?" Teni questioned.
"Wouldn't you want to rest for at least a day or two after everything you've been through before returning to work?" Teni couldn't grasp the urgency in her fiancé's decision to go back to the hospital immediately.
"It's important that I go in now. I'll explain everything when we see each other," Jim said as he drove out of his residential compound.
"Okay then, I'll stop by the clinic after work. Love you," Teni promised and ended the call.
"He's been released," Teni said to Bola, a wide smile spreading across her face.
"I'm so happy for you both," Bola responded warmly.
The sheer joy radiating from Teni's face left no doubt that she was the happiest person at that moment. The news had brought a vibrant light to her features, making them glow like the early morning sun. As they walked into the company building together, a silent understanding passed between them: Teni's article about Jim's incarceration had undoubtedly played a role in his release. Exactly how, however, remained a mystery.
A familiar knock echoed on Teni's office door. She had just returned from an assignment with Bola and barely had time to settle in. Her initial plan was to unwind for a bit before sharing the good news about Jim's release with Edward. But with him at her door now, it would be a convenient opportunity.
"Come in, boss," Teni said, her voice brimming with the eagerness to share her news.
"Hmm, someone sounds rather cheerful. What's going on?" Edward entered, immediately sensing Teni's high spirits. He knew she didn't address him as "boss" without a reason, and the bright smile on her face suggested something significant.
"Care to share what's behind this good mood?" Edward asked.
He lingered by the door, but when Teni's smile persisted without explanation, he proceeded with the reason for his visit.
"Anyway, have you started working on Chief Moshood Abiola's story?" Edward inquired.
"Yes, I've begun gathering information. I plan to interview one of his sons and some of his associates," Teni replied, leaning back in her chair.
"Excellent. The anniversary of his denied election victory and death is next week, and I want the piece completed to be ready for publication for the occasion," Edward instructed.
"How did the conference assignment go, by the way?" Edward asked again, before Teni could interject.
"It went well. We interviewed the President and the Vice President, and the Secretary of State has scheduled an appointment for us at the State House," Teni reported.
Before Edward could say another word, she quickly announced Jim's release. "My friend, the doctor, called. He's been released." The news tumbled out with obvious delight.
"Ah, now I understand the high spirits and that radiant smile. I suspected as much," Edward said with a wink. He moved away from the doorway, taking a few steps closer to Teni, eager to hear more.
"Any charges? Was he formally charged in court?" Edward asked.
"No charges, I believe. He was simply released. I haven't heard the specifics yet, but I'll let you know when I have more details," she replied.
"Good. I'm happy for you," Edward said, genuinely pleased by the apparent impact of The Voice newspaper's coverage on Jim's situation.
"Thanks, boss," Teni smiled gratefully.
"Don't mention it. My concern wasn't solely because he's your friend, but because of the injustice of it all. Injustice is a significant problem in our society, and we all need to fight against it, regardless of whose rights are being denied," Edward concluded, preparing to leave.
"That article of yours on the matter was certainly instrumental in his release. It was very insightful and persuasive," Edward winked at Teni again, and beaming, Teni replied, "Thank you, sir."
"Please extend my greetings to him," Edward said before departing Teni's office.
…
MERCYLAND HOSPITAL continued its operations, seemingly unaffected negatively by the widespread story of the Commissioner of Police's wife's death. Probably because the newspaper report not only covered the patient's passing and the unlawful arrest of the hospital owner but also highlighted the hospital's past successes in surgical breakthroughs and its humanitarian efforts – which must have been the key. In exposing the injustice perpetrated by the police, the writer questioned the sincerity of the government's promises and policies regarding human rights. The report also made sure to mention Dr. Jim Nwoko's distinction as the top graduate of his class at the prestigious Harvard University, a fact easily verifiable on the university's website.
Jim was attending to a patient when Teni arrived at the hospital. She was on her way home from work and had stopped by to congratulate Jim on his release.
"Hello Sir, Miss Teniola is here to see you," the receptionist announced on the intercom.
Every staff member at the hospital knew Teni's significance to Jim.
"Tell her to give me a few minutes; I'm with a patient," Jim said into the receiver before continuing his examination.
Teni sat on one of the metal chairs in the reception hall, idly scrolling through her phone. She hoped Jim would finish his consultation soon so she could get home at a decent hour. She was famished.
Her phone rang, and it was her colleague, Bola.
"Hello, Bola," Teni answered, immediately hearing muffled wailing in the background. She waited for Bola to speak clearly.
"Teni… I lost my mother a few minutes ago," Bola finally managed, her voice thick with tears.
"What! What did you say?" Teni asked, needing to be sure she had heard correctly. Instead of repeating herself, Bola's sobs intensified.
"Oh my gosh!" Teni exclaimed, stunned.
It took her a few moments to regain her composure. "Was she ill?" Teni asked.
"No, she wasn't. I spoke with her this morning before leaving for the office, and she was perfectly fine. I was told she collapsed and fainted in the afternoon. The housemaid called for an ambulance immediately, and she passed away on the way to the hospital," Bola explained between sobs.
"I am so sorry, dear. Where are you now?" Teni saw Jim walk into the reception hall but continued talking to Bola.
Jim gestured to her, and she nodded to acknowledge his signal.
"I'm at her house now… at number 25 Collins Street, Victoria Island," Bola replied. The more she tried to stop crying, the more tears streamed down her face.
"I'll come right over after seeing Jim briefly. I'm at his hospital," Teni said, standing up and heading towards Jim's office. She ended the call and put her phone back in her bag.
She entered Jim's office to find him waiting for her.
"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, darling. I just received some bad news," Teni apologized.
"What bad news?" Jim asked.
"Bola lost her mother a few minutes ago. She was the one I was speaking with on the phone," Teni said sadly.
"Oh! I am so sorry. That's truly terrible news," Jim said sombrely. He could only imagine the pain Bola was experiencing. The feelings couldn't be far from what he had felt when he lost his own mother two years prior. He had been about to leave the United States for Nigeria after finishing his studies when the news arrived. He felt his entire world crumble, and it had taken him a long time to come to terms with it.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jim asked, noticing the unusually inquisitive look in Teni's eyes.
"I still don't understand why you're back at work today, just hours after being released from incarceration," Teni said, waiting for Jim's explanation.
"The current doctor-to-patient ratio is stretched thin. We have significantly more patients than usual. I was informed over the phone that the waiting list was growing rapidly, so I had to come in," Jim explained, and before Teni could respond, he added, "And seriously, I need to read that article of yours. I want to see the magic you worked. I was released without any charges, and the hospital has never been this busy."
Although Jim suspected Teni's report in The Voice newspaper was a major factor in his release, he also knew that the Inspector General of Police, being an acquaintance of his, likely expedited the process.
"You're saying the hospital is more patronized now?"
"That's exactly what I mean," Jim said, standing up and walking towards Teni as she also rose.
"I have to go and see my friend. She needs me now more than ever," Teni said, walking to Jim and kissing him.
"Hmm, you smell lovely," Jim remarked.
"It's the perfume you gave me for my birthday," Teni replied.
"Oh, you still have it? That was almost a year ago, Teni!" Jim exclaimed.
"I've only just started using it," Teni smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, heading towards the door.
"My condolences to her," Jim said.
"I won't be able to see you off, honey," Jim added as he walked Teni out of his office.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Love you," Teni replied, walking out.
"Love you too, honey. We'll have lunch this coming Sunday," Jim said, walking Teni to the reception area. As Teni made her way out of the hall, he paused to check the number of patients still waiting.
"That sounds nice. It has to be after church service," Teni smiled as she walked away.
"Of course, after church service," Jim agreed.
"Next patient, please," Dr. Jim Nwoko announced, and a man and his daughter stood up to follow him into his office.