Daniel insisted I come visit him at his office. I went on a Friday since we usually close early; I had to fix another day for my private coaching.

The receptionist directed me to his office. The staff were all busy in their cubicles. Most of them had their eyes and hands glued to their systems.

I met his secretary. She’s young and beautiful, all smiling. I had no choice than to compliment her. I told her I want to see her boss. She asked of my name; I told her and she just told me to go in because he was expecting me.

I entered into his office. He stood up from his seat immediately he saw me and gave me a hug. He ushered me to sit on the sofa. There’s a center table in front of the sofa, packed with food. He joined me on the sofa.

He told me he had already gotten us lunch. There were two packs; he placed one in a small tray together a pack of juice and handed it over to me.

We ate and converse at the same time. After eating, he cleared the packs and disposed the them into a waste bin in his office.

He checked his wrist watch, then called his secretary on the intercom. He told her she can leave since it's already 5pm. I told him I’ll be leaving soon but he asked me to stay for another hour since he won’t see me the next day, and that was because I had a wedding to attend.

He was busy giving me gists about some things going on in his company, then his phone rang. He told me it was his younger sister, Sharon, before he answered the call.

He told her his friend is around, I heard him mention my name. He gave me the phone; he said his sister wants to speak with me.

I took the phone and we exchanged greetings. She thanked me for everything I did for his brother. She told me she missed Daniel, and that she had no choice than to come visit him in Nigeria. I gave the phone back to him.

An hour later, we left the office. He wanted to take me home, but he wasn’t yet familiar with the route. He called his company driver who drove us to my house.

Both of us alighted when we got to my house. He followed me in to say hi to my folks. He met my mum and one of my siblings. My dad was not yet back. I introduced him as a friend.

He left almost immediately. I saw him off to the gate. He entered into the car and thanked me for the visit. I also thanked the driver too and bade them good night.

****

Weeks later, I got a call from Mr Paul. He said he was at the hospital with Daniel.

“Daniel is down with Malaria,” he informed.

“Huh! Mr Paul, you almost gave me a heart attack. Malaria!?”

“You know the fever is alien to his body; he has never had Malaria before.”

“That’s true. I almost forgot he’s new here.”

“He’s been tested and the doctor attending to him has commenced treatment.”

“I’m coming over. Which hospital?” I asked.

He gave me the description and I dropped the call. I called him back when I got to the hospital.

“How is he feeling?” I asked, immediately we met.

“He’s better now, compared to when he just got here.”

He led me to the private ward where he’s been treated. He smiled when his eyes met mine.

“Paul called you?”

I nodded.

"Paul, how could you? I don't want her to see me in this state," he queried, jokingly.

"If she doesn't see you in this state, who will? Aren’t you already smiling immediately she walked into the room?" he countered.

“How are you feeling now?” I asked.

“I’m much better,” he said and held my hands, “Thank you.”

"Malaria brought a full grown man to the hospital! Welcome to Africa, Nigeria to be precise,” I said and we all laughed.

“How come he had malaria?” I asked. “The whole mansion was fumigated before his arrival.”

“Mosquitoes are everywhere my dear, fumigation or no fumigation, and more so the place was fumigated two months ago.”

“Maybe the fumigation should be monthly then, or else this ‘Mr new comer’ here would have to visit the hospital every month.”

“Geez! Are you referring to me?” Daniel asked, facing me with a funny look.

“Yes, Mr JJC.”

“What’s the meaning of JJC?” he asked Mr Paul who was just smiling.

“Daniella, Let this man be...” Mr Paul said laughing.

“Lips sealed,” I gestured with my finger.

A nurse came to give him drugs.

”Have you eaten, sir?” she asked.

“No. He hasn’t taking anything since we got here,” Mr Paul answered.

“He has to eat something before I can administer the drugs, since he’s no more on IV fluid,” the nurse explained.

“I’ll go get him some food now,” Paul said.

“There’s a cafeteria downstairs,” the nurse informed.

“Thanks.”

“I’ll be back in 30 minutes time,” the nurse said and left the room.

Some minutes later, Mr Paul came in with some food. Daniel refused to eat, he said he didn’t feel like eating.

“Daniel, please try and eat something. You heard the nurse, she won’t give you your drugs if you don’t eat anything,” I said.

“I just don’t feel like eating; my taste bud is bitter.”

“Sorry... that’s Malaria for you. You just have to force yourself to eat something. Or do you want me to feed you?”

“No, don’t feed me.” He said, feeling embarrassed.

“Let her feed you. Trust me, it works. You’ll finish the food before you know it. Daniella, go ahead and feed him” Paul said and ushered me to the side of the bed.

I fed him and he ended up eating half of the food. The nurse came by later and administered the drugs.

He was discharged later that evening and he was told to come back the next day to take his remaining injections.

Mr Paul drove him back to the mansion while I returned home because it was already late. I called him when I got home to check on his health.

I’m feeling much better now,” he said.

“Good! Make sure you eat, and don’t forget to take your drugs.”

“That’s if you’ll come and feed me again.”

“Seriously!? I was begging to feed you earlier, now you want me to feed you?”

“That was then, just promise you’ll come and feed me tomorrow.”

“Okay… I’ll see you tomorrow, big baby.”

“Three names in a day; this fever has ruined my ego,” he said, while I laughed at his joke.

I promised to check on him the next day. I called Mr Paul too and thanked him for everything. He has always been there for Daniel and I really appreciate it.

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