Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Walking down the quiet starry night of Lagos state, she knew she had made it and that too, with flying colors. Tomorrow, her long anticipated and anxious wait will finally come to an end because she is finally applying for her first internship in her dream hospital. Who wouldn’t be happy about that? No one she quessed. When she arrived home, she found her mom packing up her stuff into her traveling bag and sniffing all along.

“Mom?!” She whined calmly, sitting by her side. “Am not leaving forever, I am just trying to further my education, that's all. Why are you so worried?” She asked, wiping away the remnants of her tears.

“I know, but the thought of not having you by my side makes me so anxious that I can’t even think straight. What if something happens to you there and I am not close by? What then hmm? Am scared Emma, I don’t want you to leave” she admitted looking at Emma’s face with pity.

“Okay, let’s do this”. She started, “I will forget about becoming a successful doctor and just stay by your side, how about that?” She knows her mom will never agree to that decision but what can she do? She also doesn’t like the idea of leaving her mother in the hands of her reckless brother, David.

“Will you give up your lifelong passion just to be with me forever?”

“If that will make you less anxious and happy, I will gladly give it up for you. Because when it comes to you, I can do anything” she assured, smiling brightly. She knew her mom would never make her give up her dreams but then again, who is going to look after her when she is gone?. David can be a great fellow sometimes, but one should never put all his eggs in one basket.

“Emma,” her mother started. “A mother worrying for her child is just natural instincts, but that doesn’t mean that I want you to give up your dreams. If anything, I would be the happiest to see my daughter become a very successful doctor and after that, find a very suitable partner and settle down. That is my wish and prayers for you my dear” she finished, kissing her temple gently.

“Okay, now I just need to collect a few things and I will be ready. My flight is by 9pm and it is just 7:30pm so I still have a little bit of time left. Running helter skelter, she finally got all her things ready and they both left for the airport.

“Remember what I told you okay?” Her mother stated. Of course she was going to remember the discussion they both had the previous night about her not letting anything deviate her attention from her main goal. Like who is she kidding, even though she had lived for 21 summers, her mother still treats her like a little kid any chance she gets. And this is a perfect opportunity for that. She sighed and went to hug her mom one last time then bade her a goodbye and went into the airport without looking back. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to walk away leaving her mother with teary eyes. She sniffed and waited for her boarding time and when it was announced, she grabbed her hand luggage and boarded her flight.

By the time she arrived Abuja, it was already late in the night, and most people had retired to their beds, and so was she about to do. Finishing the formalities, she collected her apartment’s keys and went up to her room using the elevator. Since she was tired, she had no time to look around the apartment and just went to sleep in one of the three rooms she had but not before calling and informing her mother that she had arrived.

By the time she woke up the next morning, it was a little past seven and she had to get up and get ready not to be late for her first day as an intern.

“Hello good morning, I am here to meet Mrs Ben please” she greeted the receptionist who gave her a cold look as if she was irritated by her mere presence.

“Morning miss..?” She asked typing away on her keyboards. What a rude lad.

“Emma.. Emma Newton” she answered back.

“Do you have an appointment or something with her?”

“Uhh, yeah I do”. Judging by the way the receptionist was reacting back to her, she knew she was just tired and needed full rest but, what can she do? She has to feed herself and maybe her family but that doesn’t mean she has to be rude to anyone. What was her fault in it?

“Third floor, last room by your left” she grumbled. Emma thanked her and made her way to meet her supervisor in high spirits. She couldn't believe she was finally going to get her first job. All her hard work and perseverance has finally paid off. She knocked lightly and a faint ‘come in’ was heard from behind the door. Pushing the double doors open, she made her way into the large office and the first thing that caught her senses was the scent of freshly made coffee. That’s odd, hospitals are always known for their standard smell but her’s, was coffee?! That’s strange.

“Good morning ma’am, I am Emma Newton '' she introduced, happily extending her hand forward to the woman who was sitting behind a huge mahogany table with a bright smile on.

“Morning miss Emma, I am Mrs Ben. I am sure you already know that” she asked, accepting her hand. Emma nodded and sat on the seat she was offered. Only she could explain what she was feeling that moment, and even if she could, she wouldn’t have a specific word to describe it. But, she was sure she was on cloud ten if there was anything like that.

“Yes, I do. Nice to finally make your acquaintance.” She said, her heart making a double flip.

“Calm down Emma, I won’t bite” Mrs Ben said, noticing how her breathing dramatically changed. She sighed trying to calm her racing heart and succeeded in the end then the interview started. And guess what? She aced it!

“That will be the end of this interview miss Emma, I will contact you again your internship gets approved” Mrs Ben said and Emma happily exited the room. When she arrived at the lobby, the once calm place turned into one of chaos, with police officers standing everywhere.

“What is happening?” She panicked.