The Woman I Cherish 19

The first person Jewel saw when he
got to his hostel was Daniel. Daniel
was waiting for him at his door. He
stared at him in surprise, as he didn’t
understand what Daniel was doing in
his hostel. Daniel stared back at him
with smiles.
“hi” Daniel said.
“hi” Jewel responded.
“what are you doing here?”
“I brought drink” Daniel responded
and showed Jewel the bottle in his
hand.
“what for?” Jewel asked.
“for us to celebrate tomorrow’s
victory.” Daniel responded.
“but it’s not certain that we will win
tomorrow’s quiz” Jewel said.
“I believe in you and Angel. I know
you guys will win it. that’s why I
brought this drink so that we can
celebrate in advance.” Daniel said.
“wow! I like you spirit. let’s drink
then.” Jewel said and opened his
door.
“please come in”
They both entered the room and sat
on Jewel’s bed.
“where is Henry?” Daniel asked.
“I don’t know” Jewel responded.
“he could have joined us in this
celebration.” Daniel said.
“thanks for believing in us” Jewel
said.
“you are welcome” Daniel responded
Jewel stood up and went to bring two
glasses. He handed it to Daniel and
Daniel poured the drink in it. Daniel
raised a glass and Jewel did same.
“to tomorrow success” Daniel said
and raised a glass.
“to tomorrow success” Jewel
responded.
They down the content immediately.
They poured more drink into their
glasses and drank.
Daniel stood up to leave when they
were done drinking.
“thanks very much for this. it gives
me the courage I need.” Jewel said.
“you are welcome. I will take my
leave now.” Daniel said.
“okay, see you tomorrow” Jewel said.
“see you too” Daniel responded and
left the room.
Jewel lay on his bed to rest a bit.
Few minutes after Daniel had left,
Henry walked into the room holding a
food flask. He walked straight to
meet Jewel and stretched the food
flask to him.
“what’s this?” Jewel said and sat up.
“Jessica gave me this food, but I
already had dinner. I don’t want it to
waste, that’s why I’m giving it to you”
Henry responded.
“okay, thanks. I will eat it. I haven’t
had dinner yet” Jewel said and
collected the food flask.
He opened it and started eating
immediately.
*****************************************
***
It was the day of the quiz. Angel sat
on her bed preparing herself for it.
She was revision all what she had
learnt. It was 8am already and the
quiz would begin by 10am. She
picked up her phone and dialed
Jewel’s number, to know if he was
ready. She placed the phone on her
ear and waited for him to pick up. It
rang but Jewel didn’t pick up. She
dialed again but didn’t get any
response. After about 6 attempt, she
finally gave up.
“what’s wrong? why is Jewel not
picking his call? Or will he have left
already. He wouldn’t have left without
informing me, and moreover, it’s still
very early. we still have about 2
hours. I need to go find out what’s
wrong.” she said, stood up from her
bed and left her room.
*****************************************
****
Few minutes later, Angel was seen
standing in front of Jewel’s door.
She knocked softly on the door and
waited for response. She knocked
again when she didn’t receive any
response, but got no response. She
opened the door and entered to see
Jewel still lying on his bed.
“don’t tell me you are still sleeping
when you have a quiz by 10am.”
Angel said.
She got no response from Jewel.
“come on get up now. we are late
already. lazy boy” she joked.
she still got no response.
She moved closer to Jewel and
tapped him. She paused when she
felt the hotness from Jewel’s body.
“what’s wrong? why is your body so
hot?” she asked.
She placed her palm on Jewel’s neck
and realized he was burning
seriously. She shook him to wake up
but he didn’t.
“Jewel wake up” she said.
She shook him roughly when he
didn’t wake up. she became very
scared.
“Jewel please wake up. what’s all
this” she said.
Jewel coughed and slowly opened
his eyes. Angel heaved a sigh of
relief immediately. She sat on the
bed and placed Jewel’s head on her
thigh.
“Jewel what’s wrong? what
happened? you were fine when we
left the garden yesterday.” Angel
said.
Jewel didn’t respond. He just stared
silently at her. He looked very weak.
“I have to take you to the medical
centre right now” she said and stood
up.
She tried to assist Jewel to stand up,
but he held her back.
“the quiz” Jewel said, inaudibly.
“the quiz can wait. I have to take you
to the medical centre right now.”
Angel said.
“we won’t make it for the quiz if we
go to the medical centre” Jewel
muttered.
“I don’t care. what matters to me
right now is your health. every other
thing can wait. your health comes
first. please stop talking, let’s just go
to the medical centre.” Angel said.
“you can go and represent our class
for the quiz. one of us need to be
present. I can go to the medical
centre on my own” Jewel muttered.
“what! don’t even try to tell me that.
you want me to leave you here alone
in this condition. I’m not moving an
inch from here unless you agree to
go to the medical centre with me”
she said and sat down back on the
bed.
She held Jewel both hands and
stared into his eyes.
“why are you being stubborn. let’s
just go to the medical centre. can’t
you see how nervous I am right now.
can you just do this for my sake.”
Angel pleaded.
“I really want to go to the medical
centre, but I also don’t want us to
disappoint our class by not being at
the quiz. At least one of us should
be there. Why not rush to the venue
of the quiz, and tell one of our
friends to come assist me to the
medical centre. I think that’s the best
option.” Jewel suggested.
Angel considered the option for a
while.
“okay Jewel, I will quickly rush and
call someone that will assist you to
the medical centre. just wait here”
Angel said.
Jewel nodded in affirmation.
Angel stood up and walked to the
door. she stopped halfway and
walked back to meet Jewel. she
stared deeply into his eyes.
“I will be back for you” she said.
“I know” Jewel responded.
Angel turned and hurried out of the
room. she forgot to take her phone
which she left on Jewel’s bed.
*****************************************
*
The hall was already set for the quiz.
All the contestants and panels where
already on stage. The audience too
were already occupying the seats in
the hall.
Angel rushed into the hall and
hurried to meet Daniel who was
sitting among the audience. She
squatted beside him.
“Angel what happened? the quiz is
about to start and you guys are just
coming now” Daniel said,
immediately.
“someone else need to replace
Jewel. He won’t be able to make it
here.” Angel said.
“why? what happened to him?” Daniel
asked
“he is not feeling fine” Angel
responded and stood up.
She left Daniel and rushed to meet
Jessica who was also sitting among
the audience. She pulled her to one
side of the hall.
“Jessica I need your help right now”
Angel said.
“what is it?” Jessica asked.
“Jewel is not feeling fine. He is in
his room right now. He needs
someone to take him to the medical
centre. I want you to go to his hostel
and assist him to the medical centre.
can you do that for me?” Angel
asked.
“sure” Jessica responded.
“thank you very much. you can start
going now. he really need medical
attention” Angel said.
“okay” Jessica responded and left the
hall immediately.
Angel stared nervously at the
retreating figure of Jessica and
prayed silently that nothing should
happen to Jewel.
*****************************************
**
Jessica rushed into Jewel’s hostel.
she walked from door to door until
she got to Jewel’s door. she entered
the room and was shocked when she
didn’t see Jewel in the room.