Adunni guided Lekan and Taiwo into the infirmary, the cool air inside a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere of the courtyard.
The room was quiet, lit by soft, flickering lanterns. The scent of medicinal herbs hung in the air, soothing yet slightly bitter. There was a stillness that came with the infirmary, offering brief hiatus from the chaotic world outside.
Ifeoluwa, the nurse, looked up as they entered and quickly made her way to them. Her expression was one of practiced patience, though her eyes hinted at exhaustion.
"What happened to you two?"
She asked, guiding them into a room.
Lekan winced, lowering himself onto a bed.
"Harsh training,"
He muttered, wincing as he shifted his weight.
Taiwo nodded in agreement.
"Altine's training was brutal."
Sure! Here's another way to write that sentence:
With practiced care, ifeoluwa guided each of them onto separate beds, her hands steady and precise as she examined their wounds.
"You'll both need some rest,"
She said as she moved towards the door.
"I'll get some medication."
As Ifeoluwa left, Adunni sat down with a sigh, her posture relaxed as she stretched out on the chair between Lekan and Taiwo. Lekan looked over at her, puzzled.
"Why are you still here? You don't need to look after us,"
Lekan said, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Adunni snorted, crossing her arms.
"Why would I look after you? Do you think I want to go back and suffer through more of Altine's training?"
She leaned back, eyes closed.
"I'm staying here till evening."
Lekan chuckled softly.
"Fair enough."
As they settled into the quiet of the infirmary, soft murmurs of the other patients could be heard, along with the rustling of medical supplies from the nurse's station.
The scene slowly faded as evening descended, and the lanterns outside the windows cast a soft orange glow through the room.
Hours later, Adunni, who had fallen asleep with her head resting on Lekan's bed, was gently shaken awake by Ifeoluwa.
"It's time for you to go. It's getting late,"
The nurse said softly.
Adunni blinked, still half-awake, and stretched before nodding.
"Yeah… alright."
She stood up, rubbing her eyes as she prepared to leave.
Lekan and Taiwo also rose from their beds, though Taiwo winced as he stood. They both headed for the door, but Ifeoluwa stopped them, her voice stern but caring.
"You two shouldn't leave just yet. Your wounds haven't fully healed."
Taiwo shook his head.
"We're fine, really. We'll be okay."
Lekan nodded in agreement, trying to put on a brave face.
"No need to worry."
As they made their way to the exit, Taiwo's eyes caught sight of a woman lying on a bed near the corner of the infirmary. Her face seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place it. He paused, turning to Ifeoluwa.
"Who's that?"
Taiwo asked, pointing towards the woman.
The nurse glanced at the bed and sighed.
"That's Akeh's mother. Purist Altine said she's missing her soul, which has left her unresponsive. I'm taking care of her for the time being."
Taiwo's eyes widened in realization.
"No wonder… I almost thought it was Akeh lying there."
His voice trailed off, a strange expression crossing his face.
As they exited the infirmary, Taiwo suddenly grunted, clutching his side as the pain flared up, sending him to his knees.
The nurse rushed over, her tone full of concern.
"I warned you! Your injury isn't fully healed yet. Both of you need to go back inside and rest properly."
Lekan narrowed his eyes, watching Taiwo clutch his side. Something about it felt off...
"Is it really that bad?"
Taiwo winced, forcing a smile.
"Yeah… Altine must've hit me harder than she hit you."
Lekan sighed, turning back to the nurse.
"Alright, we'll stay and get the full treatment."
Then, looking at Adunni, he added,
"You don't need to wait for us. Go on."
But Adunni was already on her way to the dormitory, heading out with a lazy wave.
"Good luck healing,"
She muttered, disappearing down the narrow pathway.
Lekan and Taiwo exchanged tired smiles before making their way back into the infirmary.
Once they were back in their room, Ifeoluwa helped them settle down again, extinguishing the lantern hanging on the wall.
"Get some rest,"
She said quietly before stepping out, leaving them in the soft glow of the remaining lights.
As the door closed, Lekan turned to Taiwo, suspicion in his voice.
"Alright, what's this really about? I know you were faking that injury just now. What are you planning?"
Taiwo smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Nothing much. I just wanted to take a good look at Akeh's mother."
Lekan frowned, unsure of where Taiwo was going with this.
"Why?"
Taiwo's smirk widened into a perverted grin.
"No reason. Just curious, that's all."
Lekan sighed, visibly irritated.
"Crazy one."
But Taiwo only chuckled, laying back on his bed, a strange satisfaction on his face as the room fell into silence once again.
To be continued...