PRIDE !!

"He has refused to go home for two days or to leave her side since she went into coma. Infact i had to bring food to him as he refused to step out. I have never seen a Man feel about a woman this way. He's been crying and praying for her. I'm just happy he finally got to sleep because His eyes were really heavy and swollen "

Kate's Mother stared at Chidi as she listened to the nurse. She's never really liked Chidi, and up till now a part of her still didn't like him. Even the fact that he's been there for them throughout this trying period didn't change anything, she didn't see her Daughter being with someone like him.
She tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to go and home and atleast freshen up and that he's stinking,something she said in a derogatory manner.
He immediately stood up from the chair as he's scared of her.

"Ma, I just want to be here when she wakes up, I want my Face to be the first she sees when she comes out of coma. I can't go back home, there is nothing waiting for me there, your daughter is my life and she's the only thing that matters to me, MA, please let me stay, don't chase me away" Chidi begged .
"Look Chidi, I'm not saying you shouldn't stay, I'm saying you should go home and change your clothes. The way you stink can even cause her not to come out of Coma, Just go home and have your bath and then come back"

Chidi had no choice but to finally leave, he was about to touch Kate When the Mother gave him a look that gave him instant headache.
He picked up his car keys, went out of the hospital, entered his car and zoomed off.
Kate's Mother was just about dropping the things she brought for her when she noticed her hands were shaking, she called the nurse who called the Doctor and he confirmed she was out of Coma.
After some checks, The Oxygen was removed from her nose and the first name she mentioned was "Chidi" The Doctor looked at the nurse and she nodded as if to say "it's the young Man who's been here for two days ".
After the Doctor and the nurse left, she was just left with her mother.

"Mama where is Chidi, please I want to see Chidi,Please" she managed to say
"My dear daughter, we thank God for your life. I'm so happy you are out of coma. As for Chidi, I don't know about him. He's not been here for as long as I can remember, I even asked someone to go home and call him but I was told he's too busy to see anyone, so just forget about it "She lied.

Kate's eyes were filled with tears as she couldn't believe it, even after her mum told her all this, there was still this element of doubt within her.
They stayed in the hospital for another week and still Chidi didn't show up and that was when Kate finally believed everything her Mum had said and it broke her heart all the more.
Against her mother's wishes she'd gone ahead to date him but now she's sure that she actually Made the wrong decision."Why are Men so inconsistent and wicked "
During the time Chidi didn't show up, a guy her Mother Likes,Linus ,who never showed up when she had the accident or even when she was in Coma suddenly became frequent in the Hospital and he even cleared her Medical Bills.
The Reason she didn't like Chidi was because he's Igbo and she didn't want her Child marrying from another tribe but that of hers or her Late Father.
After Kate was discharged from the hospital, she refused to call Chidi or even go to his house to confirm why he didn't show up at the hospital, her pride just won't let her.
Kate took things slowly with Linus as a part of her still loved Chidi but she still couldn't bring herself to call him, although as time went on,she and Linus became extremely close. Linus even went as Far as prosposing Marriage to her, Albeit on a low key and she readily accepted.
On one of those days when she went for her routine check up, the nurse called her aside

"Aunty Katie, this one you are with a new Bobo,what of that fine one I used to see na, the one that was with you here all the time you were in Coma"
A surprised Kate looked at Nurse Titi and smiled.
"Nobody was here with me oh, infact my mum was the first person I saw when i regained consciousness.
"Wow Aunty Katie, that's not true sha, one uncle was here all through oh, I think his name is Uncle Chidi,it was even your mum that asked him to go home, according to her, he was stinking and needed to freshen up, but to be fair to her, I haven't seen him since that day he left "

Kate was confused at the turn of events.When she got home, she insisted that her mother told her the truth about Chidi which she eventually did as she guessed someone might have told kate the truth.
Without hesitation, she took a cab down to Chidi's place and kept trying his line, she removed the Engagement ring she had on her and put it inside her bag. When she got to Chidi's house, she met the gateman who told her that Chidi was in the hospital which he directed her to.
On getting there she Met Chidi's Mum who immediately hugged her on seeing her much to her surprise.

"Please forgive me my daughter, I'm so happy you are well now, Chidi told us about your accident but the same day we were coming to visit you, we got a call that he's been rushed to the hospital after he had a ghastly motor accident immediately after coming to see you. We just couldn't call you as he had told us earlier that you were in Coma, and even when I managed to reach your Mum two months ago, she told me that you were still in Coma and so we decided not to disturb you"

At this Point Kate broke down and cried seriously and narrated everything to Chidi's Mother,

"it's not like i love this Linus of a person, I Just wanted to get over Chidi for abandoning me when I needed him the most, I'm so sorry Ma, I didn't know he was in such a bad state and in Coma too. Mama, A Chidi in Coma is better than a thousand walking Linus" Kate said as she cried bitterly.

Chidi's Mum hugged her closely and wiped her tears;

"I understand my daughter,I understand perfectly, You acted according to your emotions and feelings, I too would have felt abandoned and with the level of pride in relationships these days, I understand why you didn't reach out to him"

As they were still talking They heard someone cough, they turned and noticed it was Chidi,The Mother called the Doctor who came and checked him and congratulated them that he's out of Coma but might not be able to use his legs for a very long time. They barely paid attention to the Doctor as they were so happy to see Chidi Alive again...

"You are here" he muttered when he saw Kate.
"She's been here ever since she became well herself my dear son, she made sure i wasn't alone. She's been by your side all this while, this girl is really an angel oh,this one is for keeps" His Mother lied as Kate looked at her with teary eyes.
"I know Mama, I know, that's why even in Coma, I kept seeing her beautiful face all the time" Chidi Said as he smiled.

Kate was crying uncontrollably and only Chidi's Mother understood. She hugged her passionately and asked her to calm down
"All is well my daughter ".

When Chidi Was finally discharged from the hospital, Kate returned Linus's ring back to him

"There are certain things that just can't happen Linus, I'm sorry if i sound selfish though but I just can't.You see Chidi, that guy is all i need in this life to make me happy. Out of my foolish pride I almost lost him, but I'm glad it all turned out well"

Linus felt extremely bad and even reported to Kate's Mother who was even tired of interfering as her daughter was hell bent on marrying Someone she didn't like.She just had to give her Consent so as for peace to reign.
During her usual visits to Chidi's place, he was on the couch watching a movie while she sat close to him.

"Kate, You know I know you never came to visit me at the hospital right? "
She almost fell from the chair as her skipped.
"Don't worry, Mum told me everything later, She said she wanted me to make the decision myself . I also know about the proposal and the Linus guy but then I want to believe you acted rash and was so quick to Jump into conclusions. All you had to do was swallow your pride and atleast call or visit so as to know why i supposedly didn't visit you at the hospital. Mum didn't lie to me though, I think she told me what she did at the hospital because I was just recovering and she didn't want any relapse. I know she likes you though, very much and I do too but there are certain decisions a Man has got to take. What if someone was there for me too all those times you thought i abandoned you? "
At this Point Kate was sweating profusely and didn't know what to say.
"Baby I'm sorry, I'm so sorry " she managed to say.
"I'm sorry too Kate, I can't be Your boyfriend anymore, I want to be your Husband '

Kate faints!!