UNLIKE MY BEDROOM CURTAINS, these brown plastic blinds don't automatically slide open, allowing only a tiny ray of afternoon sunlight to peek in through a slit in the fringe.

I had a rather sad breakfast experience earlier. For some reason the hospital only served boiled rice and fish pepper soup. Since I hate fish more than anything else, I called Mother and she made Sua drop by with a flask of sweet potatoes and garlic sauce. I hate that too. But Mother hawked over Sua the whole time and she couldn't sneak in any bread or ogi for me.

The flask hasn't moved an inch from the table.

I check my phone: 2:24pm.
Recent calls: Bo, two days ago.

If she wants to visit, she will.

When Mother visited yesterday, I got signed up for Mandatory Counselling Therapy for 'Troubled Teens.'

Dr. Stubble-Chin decided so himself, and Mother echoed with his decision. I didn't resist, I didn't argue. I'm done with that, and maybe I do infact need help.

"First session is today, three-thirty. Hospital Chapel. Walk out of the room and take the elevator to the last floor. Don't miss it." he said. Indifferent to his reeking stubbornness.

I still don't know why he seems to have some sort of unsettled squabble with me. With most people that meet me, it's an instant love affair, and I must say, it's bothersome to have that one bad egg that Stubble-Chin has become.

"Dr. Stella will be there along with your fellow troubled teens. I'm sure you'll be miserable, but you'll be counselled enough to not want to try suicide again." I mimick him, laughing; as my voice is not nearly as deep as his-scratch that -it's because I'm not as stubborn.

As adviced by everyone in charge of my hospital stay, extremely polite nurses wearing privileged smiles, I sit up.

After being satisfied by the crackling sounds made from stretching my neck, I slip my feet into my leather slides. At least Sua was thoughtful enough to bring them along with her this morning.

I turn off the air conditioner, disconnect the finished drip, and walk to the window.

When I open the blinds, I lose sight for a few seconds, only being able to squint until my vision returned.

A garden is below. With the professionally mowed green lawn, trimmed bushes of bright white flowers and a few sparsely leafed trees, it looks like the perfect spot for meditation.

I poke my head out of the open window as the heat settles on my skin. Closing my eyes, the sundays transform into aurae of whites and yellows. When I open my eyes, the beautiful blue sky rests above.

"Days like this." I think aloud.

Life hasn't changed much since I came back from the 'almost dead' I don't hate Tosin any less, I'm not less angry at Mother, and I'm not any more interested in their planned future.

Mother however seems to be having a different experience. She left me in this hospital without any security or help, and I only had to disagree once.

'Son, that's fine. It's dangerous leaving you by yourself, anybody could walk in. But If you don't want them, I'm going to trust you,' she said.

I laugh to myself again.

Father would have smacked me silly had he been here.

There's a knock at the door.

The woman says, "Kitchen. "

"Come in."

An elderly woman walks in. A white apron tied around her waist. She has the kind of smile you could attribute to long hours of caring for other people who never stop by to really say thank you. She reminds me of Mama Zitere.

Once out of here, I have to pay them a visit.

I smile at her. "Good afternoon, Ma."

She replies, "Afternoon, my son."

"How are today?" I ask.

She smiles another smile. This one is more suited to being eaten up inside but forced to remain happy outside.

"I dey okay," I am okay. she nods.

I don't pry.

"So what's for lunch?" I ask

She hands me the menu:

White Rice and Boiled beans: Chicken or Goat meat stew. Free bottle of water.

Porridge Beans: Fried plantains or Boiled yam. Free bottle of water.

Jollof rice: Fried Chicken or Stewed Beef. Free bottle of water.

Spaghetti jollof: Coke. Free bottle of water.

Nothing sounds like Ivan's lunch on here. Mother would most likely make Sua prepare Beef Stroganoff or something close and that doesn't sound like my lunch either.

"Jollof rice and Stewed beef." I tell her.

She smiles like I made the best decision so I hand the menu back to her.

After she leaves, I walk back to the window. Boma's words waltz into my mind.

'Whenever you're ready, we'll start again.'

"We'll start again." I whisper.

The door creaks open. I turn. There's nobody there. She probably left the door unlocked. The door opens up slightly. I hear shuffling noises. I look for a moment.

Who's there?

"Madam?"

"Dr. Anthony?"

"Who's there?"

There's no answer.

I walk towards the door. Looking around for something to grab. Holding a drip line as a weapon would look ridiculous.

I hear more shuffling noises.

"Who's there?"

The shuffling stops.

I'm just going to fight. No, call security.

At times like this, I can't help but love having Mike everywhere.

Why did I ask him to leave?

The door is flung open. I jump back, clenching my fists.

I hear a whistle then snickers.

"Who the hell is there? If this is a joke I'm not having it today. Stop already."

I move to grab the hospital com when something moves in my peripherals.

I quickly turn around.

A huge brown teddy bear appears in front of the door.

What?

"Surprise!!"

I startle before looking up to see Chinny.

She's almost choking on her laughter, clutching at her stomach, and running out of breaths. Boma follows behind, holding a brown paper bag and doing the same.

My eyes water but this only makes Chinny fall on the floor. Still laughing.

"Ivan!" she looks up. "You were scared? Fighter like you."

I look at Boma. She has her eyes looking everywhere else but at me.

"Seriously?" I ask.

She nods wisely

I look at Chinny, "seriously? Like you guys did all that to scare me?"

"You weren't supposed to be scared. I didn't think you had a scare in you." Chinny replies, wiping her eyes and pulling herself up.

"Sorry." Boma pouts. "I told her you were every bit as scared as anyone else. She didn't believe me."

I'm stuck looking at them, dressed in identical blue jeans and black tee shirts, wearing the same colour Nike's.

These girls.

I shake my head. "That teddy bear is almost Chinny's size."

Nothing prepares me for Chinny's rush. I dodge as she chases me around the room, much to Boma's amusement.

It feels like I've dodged her a thousand times and I'm beginning to run out of breath.

"Chinny, I'm sorry!" I cry out. "Gosh! You're fast."

She stops chasing me but not before punching me in the chest.

I heave a deep sigh, beaming as my heart feels afloat.

I walk to the bed where Boma has made herself comfortable. "Hey."

She taps the spot next to her. I sit.

"Are you ready?" Her eyebrows pique with interest as her eyes twinkle gently.

My brows knit with curiosity. I can't tell if it's from her excitement or not, but it sure feels mysterious.

"Always ready," I reply. Whatever she's asking for, I'm ready.

She grabs the teddy bear to block out Chinny. As her eyes travel from my eyes to my lips, her lips begin to quiver.

I was so born ready for this.

She grabs my tee shirt at the neckline and pulls my lips into hers. I watch when her eyes close, before I close mine.

Her hands travel from my shirt to my neck then against the back of my head. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck respond with enthusiasm.

I kiss her more, as much as her lips crave, as much as I crave the warm vanilla scent of her breath travelling up my nose.

Time always seems to stop when we kiss, today it feels like it doesn't even exist.

I drape both hands around her neck, the soft purr she lets out invites me to run my fingers behind her neck.

She opens her eyes and breaks the kiss. In a split second, the white specks of her blood drained lips become red and full. She smiles, pushing the teddy bear aside.

We are met with Chinny's irritated gaze.

"Oh wow. How cute? Who would think that she came to see a sick person?"

"What?" Boma asks, unaware of the hidden meaning in Chinny's question.

"Nothing. You just kissed your boyfriend for like forever and left me in the cold."

Boma laughs. "In the cold. Really. Can you get any dramatic than this?"

"Ivan," she turns to me and her voice takes a dramatic tone. "You owe me. The price for love and life."

"I don't understand..."

"Life because she was the one who told me about you that day you tried to kill yourself and love because she thinks she's our cupid." Boma says.

I turn to Chinny. "I see. So, what's your price?"

Her smile steadily expands into a toothy grin. She smacks her lips, "I'll have to think about it. Then I will get back to you."

"Guess what?" Boma asks.

I turn back to her, "It has something to do with the wedding?"

"I have news about that too, but that's not it."

"Uhmm... "

"CHINNY IS GOING TO CALABAR FOR LAW!"

My eyes pop and my jaw drops.

Oh wow.

"That's amazing. Chinny?" I turn back to her.

She looks as proud as can be. It makes me laugh a bit. I stand and give her a hug.

"Does that mean you owe me double?" she smiles.

"Maybe?" I say.

They laugh.

"Congratulations though. I'm so excited for you. There's no better place to put your razor mouth." I add.

"Don't. Chinny. He's just kidding." Boma says.

I shrug, snickering silently.

Chinny walks over to the table, "have you had lunch?"

"No. Just ordered though."

"What's in the flask?" Boma asks

"Sweet potatoes. I hate it."

"We all hate it." Chinny recoils from the flask.

"So what did you order?" Boma asks

"Jollof rice and stewed beef."

"Great. That's mostly why I came," Chinny says. "The food, and to tell you how much you owe."

Boma sighs, spying me another hot gaze.

There's quiet knock on the door. "Kitchen."

Chinny answers the door and the woman walks in pushing a cart. On it is a tray holding the food wrapped in a plastic film, with the chilled body of water resting on the side.

It looks good.

The woman walks to me and hands over the voucher.

"Please, Ma. I'd need another plate for my friend." I sign on the sheet next to the price of the meals. Smiling briefly at her before she leaves.

Chinny takes off the film from the rice and brings the tray to Boma.

I pick the spoon and Boma spanks my hand.

"Ouch."

"You're sick. Let me feed you," she says.

Chinny rolls her eyes. "Can we turn on the A.C?" she asks like she's exhausted.

"Yeah, here." I hand her the remote, "close the blinds. "

She walks over to the window.

"Wow. Buns, you need to see this."

"What is it?" Boma asks.

"The garden," I answer.

"All the time I was here, Michael never told me there was a garden."

"There is, and it's beautiful," I say.

"We should check it out," Boma says. "When you're done eating."

"Nice, but you know, I have a mandatory counselling session for troubled teens by three-thirty."

Chinny burst out into her ridiculous laughter. It's hard not to. Boma joins her, placing a hand over her mouth. Only her eyes brim with tears.

"Seriously?" Boma asks. "You? Counselling for troubled teens? Was that Dr. Anthony's doing?"

I nod. She pats me on the back.

"If it's any compensation, I have aunties now."

"That's a bad thing? I wish I had one," I say. "Then Tosin won't have to be in my life."

She squints when I say his name.

"I asked the same thing when she told me. The only difference being that I happened to have a dozen aunties from both sides of my family. " Chinny chips in, flashing channels on the TV.

"It's not exactly bad, just weird. I'm doing a lot of pretence, and Chinny already hates them." Boma says.

"I do," Chinny nods. "They're gold diggers. Always Eating. Watching TV. Whispering about me, and repeat."

"Particularly the eating part. And Mom is just so excited about them. I love Imba though, she's my cousin. Brand new too and she's cute." Boma tells me.

The quiet knock returns. Chinny picks up the food from the door.

I laugh. "Chinny's over at your house?"

"Till the wedding then she shall depart to school." Boma says dramtically, folding her lips. I nudge her shoulder.

"I'm not going anywhere," I whisper.

She laughs like she doesn't believe me.

"I'm serious," I say. "I'm not going-"

She hushes me, "Eat."

So I obey and sit there like I'm handicapped, opening my mouth and eating and smiling and trying not to laugh.

"You'll choke yourself doing that," she cautions.

"I'm not sorry it's amusing, " I chuckle.

She drops the tray on my lap. "Fine. Feed yourself. "

"Boma, okay, I'm sorry. "

She spares me a small smile, "Now be quiet, and eat." She instructs.

I glance over at Chinny. She shrugs, unbothered by our drama, so long as she's enjoying her food and the show she's watching.

I raise my finger to excuse myself. Boma approves with a nod.

"Chinny what are you watching?" I ask.

"Investigation Discovery, Lake Eerie Murders."

"I see."

Boma laughs. "That's her thing. I'm done complaining."

I don't speak again until I finish the food. It was tasty, not as good as Sua's but not like boarding school food.

I gulp down the water. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. At least Chinny has something good to tattle about when she's gossiping with Mom."

"We don't gossip," Chinny wipes her mouth. "We just discuss your pressing issues without your presence."

I catch my laughter.

"Whatever you do, don't tell her about the kiss," Boma says.

"That's going to be hard." Chinny shakes her head, her eyes settled on the TV.

Boma shakes her head, waving off Chinny's defiance like it's not new.

I smile at how beautiful their friendship is. Like sisters, maybe even closer than some sisters.

"I brought you something," Boma says reaching for the brown paper bag.

"What is it?"

She hands me a book: A Thousand Mornings; poems by Mary Oliver.

"I just thought you would love something to reflect on and maybe I could read you a few pieces before I leave? In the garden?" she asks suggestively

I take the cue. We glance over at Chinny, she's angry at the detectives for having not found the victim's killer.

We stand up, I slip into my slides and arrange my shorts.

"Chinny, we're going to take a walk," Boma says.

She turns, "Walk?"

"Yes, walk. We'll be back soon."

"Okay, don't eat up your faces," she says.

Boma smiles, pulling me along with her as we leave the room. "Seems like you're going to miss your counselling session today."

"Stairs," I say. "We could get caught in the elevator."

We run around the suite, dodging the nurses and keeping an eye peeled out for Dr. Anthony.

When we enter the VIP hallway, we walk very quietly wearing unsuspecting smiles, and as we exit into the second floor, we start running again.

Outside, we follow the signs that finally lead us to the garden.

Boma struggles to catch her breath for a while, I hold her hand and help her calm down while she mirrors my breathing.

She finds a spot under the shade of a tree.

"Here. Lay down, " she says.

When my body touches the warm grass, I close my eyes, letting the earthy smell, and sounds of nature direct the flow of my breath.

She pokes me. I turn around and her face is right there, next to mine. She pulls the book up.

"I think I like this one," she smiles eagerly.

I adjust comfortably in the grass, placing my head next to hers, I look up—through the blank spaces between the branches—at the hawks in the distance and she begins to read.

"POEM OF THE ONE WORLD by Mary Oliver
'This morning
the beautiful white heron
was floating along above the water," she pauses, I feel her gaze on me.

'and then into the sky of this
the one world
we all belong to,
where everything
sooner or later
is a part of everything else
which thought made me feel
for a little while
quite beautiful myself.'

I turn to meet her gaze, under the tree, the branches cast frilly shadows on her face.

"Wasn't that beautiful?" she asks.