Delayed Diagnosis Episode 8

Delayed Diagnosis Episode 8
Written by Kingsley Olanrewaju Efughi

I nudged Andy awake by 5:30. He sat up his eyes not yet open. I placed the Mercedes keys in his shirt pocket..with a written note to the address of the crusade ground I parked the car the previous night. “Give this to Mona tell her to get it to Ada” he nodded sleepily and I thought:wake up Andy! You say your wife isn’t a spy but you’ll collect something like this no questions asked?
But why bother. I was tired..I had slept in an upright position and my neck was giving me hell..he was still stretched out on the 3 sitter.immediately I stood up his eyes flew open “where are you going?”
“Lemme check on the doctor.”its morning already”
He nodded and slept back. I guess no work for you today too. I thought as I watched him.
I didn’t see the doctor and had to head to the reception before I saw ant kind of life..The fat nurse Lady was already up and shuffling some files.
“Morning.”
She looked at me “Morning”
“I can’t find the doctor who attended to me last night..concerning my grandmother..we brought her in last night..the head injury”
She looked at me carefully as if picturing my face.
“You’ll need to check back..the doctor is not around”
“What do you mean..how is my grand mother?”
“She is stable but she needs to be left alone..her skull is fragile..we just thank God..the stick wasn’t very strong or it was someone with little strength that hit her..of course the cowards are always weak!” She spat the words out in contempt. And I nodded in agreement..it had to be the stick. weak ke?..thank God the stick wasn’t strong..
Satisfied with this information for now..I eased out of the hospital..if I had to be at the General hospital that day I couldn’t be found waiting around here when the police turned up..no way I was putting myself in that kind of situation again.
The street was already ripe with movement..I could hear the prayer call from a near by mosque..I stopped a bike and gave the address of the hotel I had lodged the night before..it now seemed a waste of money but I planned to get some rest.

I woke up hours after. the man in the hospital hadn’t mentioned any time..and I had no plan to get there too early..I was in no rush to find out whatever life had dished me because the appetizer alone had left an unpleasant after taste. I had my bath then used my ATM..I needed a lot of handy cash for what I had in mind.
It was a well known make up outfit i headed to, they also ran an entrepreneur development program where they issued certificates “jossies make up school” wouldnt seem like the appropriate place to get my appearance altered but the jossie in question had been a childhood friend of my eldest sister Cynthia, and I had met her on different occasions when my sister came to Lagos to visit me.
I arrived at the school by 10 am sharp. I hadn’t been here in over a year..the last time Cynthia came visiting with her family..females was the higher population of students learning there but the irony is I saw more male teachers..I located Jossy’s office..knocked and stuck my head in. She was on the phone but her eyes widened in delight when she saw me. She gestured I get in. Her eyes still fixed behind me probably expecting to see my sister next.
“No problem..we have till Thursday..Alright thanks”

She put down the phone “Obasi..long time no see..una just put me for corner forget me abi”
Jossie was in her early fifties if I would guess but Cynthia said she was 49. She was busty and her hair was greying out already. But it gave her an aristocratic and older look when combined with her medicated glasses but she was beautiful and very jovial.
“Where our sister dey” she began opening a stainless flask. Jossie was a tea freak
“Cynthia still dey pH o” I replied thinking of how to line up my request without talking too much..because she also liked to talk.
“You must drink Tetley with me o..the weather is chilly”
“At ten in the morning? Find me beer jare”
She laughed but proceeded to fill the second cup.
“How about our wife Fome? Its been long o” she poured a healthy portion of milk into my cup then passed it indicating sugar in a bowl on the tray.
This was the perfect opening..”actually eh”..I turned the tea ignoring the sugar “that is why I’m here..”

She sipped from her cup and watched me intently..she liked stories oh yes she did.
“I want to propose to fome’ tonight” her breath caught and she clapped in surprise “that is just wonderful..you two fit each other perfectly..that’s wonderful!”
I’m not so sure..I thought to myself but smiled in reply as she said
“So what do I do..you just name it”
I went for it..”I want to play a little trick on her..what I need from you is to alter my looks..make me unrecognizable..grey hair..anything…its your field after all”
She looked at me doubtedly “what kind of trick”
“We are supposed to meet somewhere tonight..I’d be late then turn up looking Like this older different person then just get one knee then propose to her from nowhere.my friend would be videoing the whole thing”
That was the selling point..”that is soon sweet..I wish papa Andrew did something like that for me..instead its ‘Im going to marry you oo’ me self been dey happy that time…” She went off for some minutes then brought herself back. “I must see that video o..”
‘Don’t worry I’d get you one specially” I assured her.

She studied me closely
“Hmm..we could make you look 60 or 70..grey eye brows..grey head..but we’d have to bald you in the middle” she continued assessing me as I flinched in horror.
I touched my hair. weekly visits to the barber helped keep it at a certain level..but if I needed to be bald so be it..who afro help self.
“I think..fake tribal marks to alter your features..your cheeks are too smooth baby face….then..lemme see…”
She studied me more then..”wendy is in a better position..let her write the list but show me first before she begins anything..”
She smiled coyly as I stood up “anything she writes..you know you have to buy from Our store..they would be yours..I won’t charge you for the work don’t worry”
“Thanks jossy I’d bring the video once its developed”

I looked forward to having my features changed to an old man..jossy’s make up team were insanely good and had been used in some high budget movies. When I turned up at the hospital for one Dr. Rasheed I didn’t intend to be easily identifiable the way I had been. I toyed with the idea of calling Andy if he still had the key and dropping it off at the boutique with the note somewhere Ada or her mother could see it..they could look at me and see an old man..the thought was sweet. I waited on Wendy as she ran around getting different materials from Their store house. I reflected on what the man in the hospital had said..”the tip of the spear shall visit you”..Kidon was the tip of the spear in Hebrew and a section under the israeli intelligence agency MOSSAD which handled all killings deemed necessary by the powers that be was called Kidon meaning the tip of the spear…I laughed out at where my thoughts were going. ‘Where did I even learn that one from’ I wondered to myself..must have read it somewhere..but everything about the man’s approach had been foreign..although i didnt pay him a seconds notice back at the hospital when he was snoring just few feet from me and Andy. (Funny how this our brain works)a
I watched Wendy’s bouncy bosum as she approached me with bags..”All right..let’s begin” she squealed.

1 hour later I stood in front of a massive mirror, observing the result.
Wendy had really outdone herself..I looked at my reflection in disbelief!
Bushy grey eyebrows, little hair on my sides sprinkled with grey, bald down the middle..I don’t know what magic she did with her brush..which she called the magic wand but my face looked old and weathered. She also left me with tribal marks on both cheeks and I had insisted she keep it short. Not wanting the ear to chin type.
“This is not incision now..it would come off”
“Thank you keep it short”
I agreed with all her other choices tho because one thing that was certain: Wendy knew her job.
She also turned out to be a hopeless romantic and chartered away while she worked.
She thought it was very sweet what I had planned and couldn’t wait to see the video..
“I’m so gonna upload it”
She tilted my head as she worked on my goatee adding grey touches giving me an elderly look.
“I think you should try and talk with her first..like a stranger..and when she doesn’t expect it wham! You propose”
“That’s true” I said in agreement…to be Frank..I had almost forgotten the excuse I had used on Jossy and had almost hit on Wendy before she reminded me I was getting engaged tonight.
Glasses followed..and that really altered my appearance..the type of glasses that would make you think its medicated because of the frame..I thought I looked like a serious minded old man.

A grey sweater was picked with black slacks “typical old man look” she explained and I nodded..glad for the change of clothes..
“I’d package it for you for later tonight if you want”
“I’d change here don’t worry..better to complete the look once and for all”
If she thought it odd that I wanted to dress up for a night event by 1:30 in the afternoon she didn’t show it.
We had our squabble when she chose multicoloured socks and selected a leather sandal for me.
“No way” I shook my head “I like my shoes as it is”
” lemme do my job now..this thing is just once..hopefully you’d ask this question once in a life time..let’s make it right”
We squabbled a little bit more..then I thought what the hell?

I relented..and I had to admit the look worked out better than I would have thought.
Presently Wendy was holding a cap the papa type..soft brown in colour..she was frowning.. Looking at the cap and my face as if she had special eyes to see what I couldn’t..she shook her head and made to drop the cap.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you” I made to pick it up.
“But it defeats the purpose of balding..you..your head Justice took extra care on the hair”
I couldn’t deny it the boy knew his job.
“Look technically speaking I paid for all this anyway and I need my cap.” I put it on.
She shrugged in acceptance.
Last was a cane..she dismissed it..”that would be overkill.”
I agreed but then eyed the walking stick..it looked like a suitable weapon.’so you’re not satisfied that you put someone in the hospital abi’
‘That one was a mistake I need it for safety’
It seemed my two friends were back on my shoulder again..this time I went with the pitchfork.

“Wendy..I think I’d add a slight limp..to round up everything I’d use the cane”
She shook her head as she handed it over..”I still think its overkill….hmm not bad”
She added as I practiced some steps adding a slight limp to my step. The handle of the cane was superb and as I held it I felt that sickening moment when the stick had landed on Alhaja’s head the day before..I carried violence around me like a cloak so the wisest action was to move the violence away from my family and towards whoever..the chief..strange eyes..that snoring man at the hospital and now this Dr.Rasheed I don’t care how they share it as long as my people were safe.

I laughed to myself when Wendy made a point of stepping outside while I changed. I obsereved the final effect and was wowed..I looked old and scholarly..ethnic would definitely be Yoruba..thanks to the marks on my face..

I considered running into the chief somewhere where he wouldn’t recognise me..I could get him alone and get..
The door opened as Wendy interrupted my thoughts..poking her head in “I thought you were still changing o..I wanted to know why…since morning”
I limped out of the room..”so how long can this look last”
After tonight you can wash it off..remove the eyebrows and mustache..its just the hair style..”
“I think I’d like playing this kind of pranks on my wife..can you work out different looks?”
She nodded enthusiastically “I’d start working on it..I have your face buried in my memory anyway”
“Excellent..so I’d get your number?”
“My number?” She frowned..
“So I don’t have to pass through Jossy every time..I tried a charming smile but suspected it was scary. “The back door is more fun”
She seemed to agree to this and she gave me her number..I made to leave..”tell Jossy I’d send the video once its developed.”
Her eyes widened “won’t you go and see her?”
“Wendy..” I sounded old!.. “Jossy is a very busy person..I have seen her too many times for one day already”

Papa Rex tasted sunshine for the first time around 2:05 pm he limped down the street with the cane in hand and seemed oblivious to the stares sent his way..he cut quite a striking figure..and the limp seemed to add personality to his very movements.
“Daddy eka’ saan” (good afternoon)

°•°•°•°•°•°•

“Afternoon my dear” I responded to the lady who greeted me..I was beginning to feel quite old now..but I Wondered at the Yoruba people threw my way..living in Lagos a basic understanding of Yoruba was a requirement. As long as nobody took me too deep..I would be fine.

I made my way to the bus stop..thinking of my impending trip to the hospital..to meet one Dr.Rasheed, no appointment. My look made me feel a little bit calm..like I could observe those who always observed me without me knowing.
I boarded a bus and I could tell the people were surprised at the way I balanced and held on to the roof of the bus..my bones were youthful…and far from dry.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°••°°•

The general hospital was like most general hospitals but this had undergone recent changes and renovations in the past few years.
Still it was a mad house! Every hour was rush hour in there and I found myself fighting against the swam of bodies..from doctors to nurses..to patients to cleaners..

A lady pushing an infant on a wheel barrow while bouncing her back to coo the baby tied with her wrapper back to sleep. Pushed past me…climbing my leather sandals..and my weak left foot for that matter..
“Please direct me to the diagnostic center”
“Baba s’e kosi?” (Hope no problem)
“Not at all” just direct me na…!
She rattled of the directions in Yoruba pointing here and there..I nodded as I tried to grasp everything..
It took me ten minutes of limping and seeing every sign imaginable..from optician, dentist,dermatologist..finally I accepted I was lost “excuse me” I asked a lady nurse “diagnostic center”

She supplied the right directions and I moved on..marvelling at the size of the hospital.
Diagnostic Center 1. Diagnostic Center 2.
I stated at the door for seconds trying to decide which one..the man hadn’t specified..I tried the first and it opened to reveal a cluttered room choked with test tubes, what I took to be an X ray machine and other instrument alien to me.
In the middle of it was a table with Formica top..clattered with clip boards..and a crate of about a dozen test tubes which thankfully didn’t contain any blood. A short man..sat scribbling furiously at the table..his mind lost in whatever he was engaged in. I advanced towards the table and began to suspect that he was soon short his feet wouldn’t touch the ground under the table.
I reached his table and he still hadn’t brought his head up..I tried to read what he was writing but it seems all doctors are the same when it comes to handwriting.
“Yes..where is the urinalysis?”
I was quiet…urine analysis??
He looked up impatiently then saw he was talking to an old man..
“Sorry..I thought it was someone else..what do you want?”
“I’m here to see Dr. Rasheed”
He didn’t blink “do you have an appointment?”
“No..no appointment”
He pointed to an adjoining door which had to lead to the next room.
“Wait in there..the Dr. Would be with you shortly”
I wobbled my way to the door limping and feeling his eyes boring into my back.
I entered the 2nd center through the adjoining door..and while the 1st was clustered this was spacious with just a weight scale on the floor and a table much sturdy than the last. I took a seat as I looked round the walls were different health posters hung with messages about hygiene..anatomy..reproduction which was explicitly detailed and diagrams of bones.
I settled in a chair which was comfortable and anticipated a long wait.

The door opened..the same short man entered the office this time he had on a lab coat..he had a clipboard in his hand and once he sat down he began flipping through the pages.
I took the opportunity to study him..low cut..double glasses he had on..his eye sight must be bad..he had this freshness of skin and he was quite nice looking..but for the height..however he had a deep voice and large hands (to compensate) which looked like it could snap the pen he held.
He looked at me.”What’s your name”
I coughed playing the old man part “Rex Obasi”
He frowned “what is your predicament?”
Now I frowned.. Predicament…?
“What is your predicament?”
I was getting pissed..my predicament is I led my coworker and friend to an early grave…my fiance if I dared call her that was gallivanting around God knows where..I had endangered my family..and anyone foolish enough to call me a friend..and not to long ago I put an innocent woman..someone’s grandmother in ICU
“What’s your predicament? Short legs asked again spacing each word slowly as if each held a double meaning.
My brain clicked suddenly
“I have delayed diagnosis”
He nodded briefly
“Welcome.I’m Dr. Rasheed”

I could tell my disguise threw him off balance no matter how he tried not to show it.
“I need to get your DNA sample”
“Why..? Please I’m at a loss here..what is delayed diagnosis?”
“But you said that was your predicament” he folded his large hands and relaxed as if he had enough time. “That was because I was directed here last night-“
“But we weren’t expecting an old man” he interrupted “so you see why a DNA test is necessary”
I decided to take a stand..”I refuse to consent to any test without an explanation”
He laughed at that..
“You my dear friend are not in any position to make demands” he straightened up “I’d oblige you however because I tend to regard old men”

I said nothing just observed him through my glasses “A few weeks ago you came into contact with some papers..bank documents am I correct?” he asked as I went still.
Not waiting for a reply he drove on “now the money doesn’t interest me..let’s get that clear…but within those papers is one paper” he leaned on the table and I suspected his chair had lifts when we were eye level. “Just a bunch of numbers..I trust you’ve seen it..?”
I cracked my brain thinking..I could recall something of the sort all though my attention had been on everything with 250 on it.
Dr Rasheed continued “that paper is coordinates to various sleeper cells that are a threat to the National security of not only our country but another’s as well”
“Israel’s” I prompted and saw his eyes widen in suprise..then he smiled..
“I see you are quite sharp ehn…lemme tell you a little history”.
“The Jews are people that have always been on the receiving end of oppression all through out their history..at the hands of Pharaoh,to Babylon.. not to mention the others recounted in the bible in between..to the Holocaust and the unimaginable things they went through at the hands of the Nazi’s in the concentration camps” his voice broke as if from emotion and all though I was caught up..I wanted to ask him..what all the ‘delayed diagnosis’ racket of before was all about.
He continued “Now decades ago..an event occurred at the Olympic games in Munich Germany which sparked the old feelings of oppression back to the mind of every Jew..which sparked outrage and made them say enough is enough” I noticed how he said ‘they’ not ‘us’. He proceeded to recount details i had never heard of to me..his voice had a strong baritone and I feared it carried out of the room.
During the Olympic games in Munich decades ago (I would later find out it was ’72)
Members of a Palestinian terrorist sect known as ‘black September’ had stormed the Israeli Olympic team quarters and taken hostages. Demanding for the release of their prisoners jailed in Israel (234 was the number of prisoners would find out when I researched later)
The eleven hostages were killed! Dr. Rasheed expressed with something similar to raw pain in his voice and I began to suspect he wasn’t a Nigerian.
This act could not go unpunished!..retribution was a must!
He took a break and looked at me “what do you know about the isreali Palestinian conflict?”
I shrugged “they don’t like each other”
He smiled thinly “the institute was given the go ahead to Track down and murder every member of black September”
“The institute?” I asked
“Known as mossad” he replied..with a grim smile..
“So were they successful?” I asked him.
He smiled “the operation ‘wrath of God’ was very effective and everyone involved in the act of terror in one way or another were hunted down “but what people don’t know is that the operation never stopped..the fight with terror is one that doesnt end..As I’m speaking to you..The Chief Amunike has been blacklisted in the book of death.. for selling ammunition for financial gain..to terrorist groups..whose very existence is a threat to our Country’s existence and israel’s as well.
“Blacklisted? By who”
“By the most effective group of killers in the world”
“The tip of the spear?..”
His eyes widened for the second time that day. “I’d advice you not to repeat that again”
“Dr I’m just an old man” I held up both hands
Dr. Rasheed continued “once you hand over the paper and the numbers are confirmed..be rest assured the Chief would be no more “
Na there wahala go dey o..I thought to myself. I had no idea where the papers were.
“There’s this man called strange eyes..or agent John..he works for our Government..I know he could be of much use to you”
Dr Rasheed sneered..”our own agents are good at chasing their tales..this John you speak of is a mere child, spoilt with gadgets and given fancy toys to run around with..all meant to close his eyes to where he ought to look!”
I decided to speak before I got wrapped in “the problem is that the documents are gone”
He looked at me calmly..I had expected him to shout but he was quiet as if thinking it over..
“That would be very unfortunate for you..the ultimatum is that you have two days..to hand over the paper .the 250 million is yours but you must bring the other paper to this office in 48 hours or the tip of the spear shall visit you”
I began sweating profusely..”I have no idea how the papers got missing..you can’t do this to me!”

“My friend..” He almost sounded sympathetic..”I don’t work for the Israelis..I am just an ordinary informant..your handler..the same way I too have a handler that tells me what I pass to you now.”
“Please help me ask for an extension…48 hours is too soon “
“You don’t understand..if it is known you don’t have the papers you are as good as dead..”
I put my head in my hands.
“When I contact my handler in two days I’m to hand over the papers that’s it..failure to do that…” He let his voice trail..he had said it too much already.
“There is an old woman that has been after me..she killed my friend yesterday..who is she?”
“I would ask for a more detailed information about her..but she is a deadly assassin for hire..”
“What of Fumi..my fiance?”
He cleared his throat “Mr. man I’m not an encyclopedia of information..I’ve told you all you need to know..and what you need to do..get the paper here in 48 hours..keep the riches and the chief would be out of your hair for good”
“What if I fail to show?” I needed to know all my options..but it seemed it all boiled down to getting killed..
He brought out a paper from the desk drawer..then rattled of an address in Port Harcourt that chilled me to my bones..Cynthias address..
“The institute doesn’t harm family and loved ones..but there’s always that exception..
Or we could wait till Sunday when your folks come to visit…” My eyes almost burst through the glasses..
“Yes it wouldn’t be Saturday..your fathers ram got into the finals..very wicked ram he has” he smiled in memory as if he had watched the fight.
“I’d be with the papers in 48 hours” I said hurriedly
He nodded..”now if you’ll excuse me I need to open the doors to people who don’t have delayed diagnosis..I am a doctor after all.
He inclined to the door with his head..and I stood up..
“You are betraying this Country..siding with a foreign Nation over yours”
“On the contrary..I am saving this country..from itself and from people like you and from people like strange eyes!..think how someone like the chief was able to make money distributing arms to terrorist group nor to talk of his local drug and human trafficking and made riches and grew untouchable if not for friends..in high places..

I shook my head “no one is above the law”
He laughed at that..”one day you are not going to believe you ever said such a thing”
His voice had gotten hard..it seems I touched a raw nerve..
“Point me in the right direction at least..if I’m to have any hope of retrieving the papers I need some kind of direction”
“If you truly lost it..the paper can only be with either The Chief,Strange eyes or your fiancé..those are the three possibilities”
“I’d need to know where Fome is..how do I get it if its with her?”
“I myself don’t know her exact location” he stood up..not soo subtle in edging me towards the door “one thing I would tell you is she’s always close by to you..you just need to force her to make contact”
I rolled my eyes as I moved towards the door..he unlocked it from behind..”I shouldn’t tell you that none of this should leave this room…you are quite sharp after all” he added and I wondered if that was sarcasm I detected in his voice.
I said nothing and walked away..limping down the corridor..it was a couple of seconds before I heard the door close.

°•°•°••°°••°°••°°•°•°•°•

Strange eyes..The Chief or Fome..48 hours to find out which one of them had the document and retrieve it..
The sky was changing..getting cloudy and very grey with a huge rain obviously on its way but I paid little attention as I walked down the street.. I wondered which of them I would prefer to be with the papers but realized I couldn’t trust any of them..not Fome..not after years of deceit and not when I still couldn’t grasp her involvement in all this..not the Chief (come on na) and definitely not strange eyes the slippery bar soap.

The time was 4pm and I marveled at how the time had flown by..better go check the hospital..in the safety of my disguise..I wouldn’t be bothered if the police where there..I remembered the short Dr. Rasheed who didn’t take my DNA anymore..he probably new it was me the moment I entered his office..I used the cane to flag down a bike..noticing that for someone who was supposed to be limping I seemed to balance on my feet pretty well..
I didn’t care..not as if anyone was watching me..besides I was tired.

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