Roy u are just awesome, the way u align ur story is second to none. @ishilove, waow ma'am u are too much it seems ur third eye is perfectly working cos u are one powerful critic, keep it up!!!

Wonderful work dear!

Wow, your work is great

Y'all can click here to read my story. https://www.nairaland.com/1516453/loss-dignity-story/8#19727795

una don use this una too much criticism pusure Roy from updating!

Sorry I've been super busy, deadlines to meet here and there...*picks up remote and presses play*

*hands zube01 a chilled beer* Its all good bros! Even wild horses wouldn't keep me away!

Thanks all for your appreciation and criticisms. They are like chilled water and stripped hurdles. All of them make u run better at the end of the day.

Oya make I plug in...

Loading...100%. Thanks for your patience.

Royver: Loading...50%

Guy, ur update is taking too much time...

[[[ Its 5.30am. Dr Paul O., the consultant psychiatrist on duty today at Yaba psychiatric hospital is awake. Sleep has been difficult this night, the same way as it has been for the past four nights. His thoughts wander near and far but always tend to come to focus around her; Bisi Washington, the girl of his dreams. How does he convince her that she is what keeps him awake at night, that she is his reason for behaving so irrationally at times, that she is… his soul-mate? Their last meeting had ended badly, with them shouting at each other over a small matter, causing a scene at the restaurant they had gone to have lunch. Neither of them had called since then, both playing the waiting game, both waiting to see who would cave in first. It was crazy! Normally if it were any other girl he would have ignored her and moved on, but Bisi wasn’t any other girl…


The alarm clock begins its pre-programmed song to remind him of the time. Dr Paul reluctantly gets up from the bed and switches on the lights. He has to have an early start if he wants to beat the busy Lagos traffic. He goes to the bathroom and brushes his mouth, has a cold shower and towels his lean body dry. At six feet 2 inches he is a fairly tall fellow, light in complexion, with facial features that are easy on the eyes. His well kept crew-cut hair fits his round head in such a way as to give him a boyish appearance even though a scattering of grey hair on his beard and mustache betray his real age to be in his middle thirties. His naturally bright eyes which used to add credence to the illusion of his eternal youth are now dulled by the thought of that singular damsel. He sighs and goes to his wardrobe where he picks up an already ironed blue T.M Lewin long sleeved shirt and a pair of jet black trousers. He wears this sluggishly and brings down his ward coat from the hanger on his door. He has no appetite so he doesn’t eat. He looks around his one room apartment one more time, checking to see if he has missed anything, then locks the door shut. A few minutes later he is back, cursing under his breath and picking up his car keys from under the bed before going out again. The time is 6am.


The drive down to Yaba Psychiatric hospital is a tortuous one for him. Apart from the fact that his mind is still distracted from thinking about Bisi, he has to contend with other people on the road who have decided to try and beat the traffic as well. By six o clock, Dr Paul is close to the hospital and has been yelled at, insulted, and nearly run into on at least one occasion by other motorists on the road. Just as he is about to turn his Toyota Camry 2008 model into the hospital premises, he hits another car, a jeep on the fender. The woman driver comes out angrily and screams at him. She had right of way, she says, why won’t he put “Learner” on his car bumper she says. He aoplogises and introduces himself, tries to give the woman his card, says he will pay for the damage. The woman stares at him for a while and softens. Without a word she enters into her jeep and zooms off. It is only when he is about entering back into his car that he notices his trafficator light is broken. He loses his temper and kicks at the car headlight, completely disengaging it from its socket and tearing his shoe. Exasperated, he enters back into his car, ignoring the small traffic he has caused behind him and drives through the hospital gates.

He gets to his office and is relieved to find that it is nurse becky that is on duty today. Nurse becky understands him, understands the way he works. On many occasions their colleagues have commended them on being a good team since they do so well together. At the back of his mind comes the thought that Nurse becky might have a crush on him but he pushes that thought away. He likes her but his heart belongs to Bisi. At the thought of her he grimaces again. Is love supposed to hurt so much? What were they even arguing about anyway? Why did he always have to engage in an intellectual argument with her? Why was she so, so…stubborn? He reasons that, had it not been for the fact that she was so beautiful and sophisticated he would have left her by now.


He is so deep in thought that he doesn’t realize Nurse Becky has entered the office and is staring at him as if he is some kind of greek god. She is much shorter than him, being a little above five feet, and fatter, voluptuous, she likes to call it and though her beauty isn’t going to win her any facial contests anytime soon, her dark features and smooth skin all added to an amazing smile makes her very easy on the eyes. If only Dr Paul would notice this, she sighs dreamily.
She coughs gently and he almost jumps out of his skin. What can he be thinking about? Well whatever it is, it is enough to have dampened his features and deprived him of sleep as evidenced by the dark circles around his oh so lovely brown eyes. He has a glazed look in his eyes for a moment but then they focus in on her and he smiles that smile that always leaves her weak at the knees. She hesistates for a while before saying hello. He answers her formally, though still smiling, and asks if he has any appointments today.

“Yes,” she says, “A case of drug induced psychosis. He has been on admission for three days now, went into a catatonic state for two hours yesterday after which he claimed he was alright and would like to see you.”

He nods at her, impressed at her resourcefulness and he lets her know it. She blushes although from the darkness of her skin it is impossible to tell. He asks her to bring him in from the ward, that he will see him in his office. Nurse Betty smiles and leaves the office. Dr Paul watches her go and for a while he ponders on why he has never gotten closer to her. But then again she isn’t as sophisticated or as beautiful as Bisi. And besides all the magazines he has read on the topic always put a big no-no on office relationships.

He walks around the big desk to his seat which is a swivel action affair with very soft, light blue cushions. On the right side of the desk is the patient’s case file which he picks up and inspects. On his left is a tray with a ceramic coffee teapot with intricately drawn chinese figures written in bold red lettering at the side and a matching designer mug. He lifts up the teapot and is pleased to see that it is full. He makes a mental note to thank Nurse Betty and pours himself a cup of coffee, no milk, no sugar, just as he prefers it. He likes to be relaxed both physically and emotionally when doing his job. Seeing psychiatric patients can be tasking and he doesn’t want to end up with a mental breakdown of his own.


He takes another sip of coffee and settles down to read the case before the patient arrives, the name of the patient is Chukwudi B-, a 29years old male who hails from the east, said to have gone into a manic state in his apartment here in Lagos after smoking some marijuana. Symptoms include irrational talk, hallucinations, delusions and a recent state of catatonia after which the patient appeared rational and denied any form of marijuana use. Dr Paul smiles to himself as he reads this. It wouldn’t be the first time a drug user would deny substance abuse, but it would be interesting watching the patient trying to behave sane.


Ten minutes later and there is a knock on the door. Nurse Betty walks in with two men, one of them a burly male nurse who usually escorts patients that are deemed "violent" and the second is a young man of average height, wearing a designer T-shirt with “I am Teaser” written bolder on the front and deep blue denim jeans. The man’s face is rugged and handsome despite the stubbles of hair on his chin, probably as a result of having not shaved in three days and his eyes twinkle, like someone who knows something but will never tell. He walks in confidently with the nurses behind him and sits down without being asked. He meets Dr Paul’s stare with a friendly smile and, for a fraction of a second, Dr Paul feels there is going to be a role reversal, like he is going to be the patient and this mysterious looking man, his doctor. ]]]

I think I will stand Till the next update.The terms kinda of remind of psychiatric courses.

Royver:
really? Na tori I dey talk o, no be say e happen live.

I was engrossed untill I saw this. Switched off phone going to bed.

"Hello young man," the psychiatrist said, looking kindly at me. I gave him one of my most winning smiles. I needed to be as friendly as possible if I was going to pull this one off. I took one look at him at it was awesome. I thought I could see into other people before, but now it was like looking with super vision. I saw everything, every little detail about the doctor was made known to me. Is this how I used to see when I was little? No wonder I had run into so much trouble then. I knew his name, the day he was born, his worst fear, his greatest accomplishments. Every little hidden secret was an open book to me. And I read him. And I marvelled at this gift.

"So," he said. "My name is-"
"Dr Paul O-, yes I know" I replied.
The psychiatrist looked a little startled at first, then he looked at his name tag on his desk and smiled.

"Very observant of you" he said,

"I didn't read your name tag" I replied.

"Of course you didn't" the doctor responded condescendingly. "A voice must have told you, right?"

I noted his sarcasm and resisted the urge to get angry. He was still viewing me as a patient. I needed to be calm to convince him otherwise.

He noticed my silence and opened up my case note and started writing. I tried not to look curious as he scribbled down whatever he thought was wrong with me. Finally he spoke:

"How long have you been smoking Indian hemp?"

"I have never smoked Indian hemp in my life."

"Oh come now," he said, "I can't help you unless you tell me the truth."

I turned back and saw the two nurses at alert behind me.

"Well, a little privacy would be nice," I said pointedly.

He hesitated for a moment then asked both nurses out of the office. The female nurse objected, looking very concerned but he allayed her fears.

"I don't think our friend is going to be violent, nurse. He just wants a little privacy so he can tell me what I need to know without feeling shy, abi my friend?" He said smiling at me.

I nodded and she reluctantly left with the male nurse. They shut the door but I could still feel thier presence. They hadn't gone far.
The doctor was looking at me, observing my every move. I was sure there was some kind of alarm button below his desk, if I misbehaved, those two would be back in the office in seconds.

"Now then," he said genially. "We are alone. So tell me when you started using Indian hemp.

"I have never smoked Indian hemp in my life." I repeated.

He gave me a look like a headmaster who had caught one of his students doing something naughty, calmly took up my case note and read where they had found Indian hemp in my apartment.
"And did you see the hemp sir? I asked innocently. The doctor admited that no, he hadn't. I asked if anyone else had seen the said wraps of hemp for which he answered on the negative but said it was probably with the police who had accompanied the good Samaritan to my room.

"I am sorry, doctor, but I am aware that when the police bring a case like this to your hospital, they usually leave thier number so they can be contacted in case of any eventuality." I said. "Do you have any such information?"

I saw a puzzled look come across the doctor's face as he searched through my case note. Obviously he hadn't bothered to look for any of these things and had simply begun seeing me based on the word of the "good samaritan" that had brought me in. And if he had met me in my "psychotic" state he would never had taken a second look at the supposed information given, as my case would have been typical in presentation to the tens of cases he saw like this everyday. Even if my parents who had travelled all the way from my hometown had vouched for me, my irrational talk and violent behaviour would have still convinced the doctor that I had been involved in some form of substance use. It was clear that my logical thinking was causing the doctor some concern and doubt.

"Listen, Mr chuks," the doctor said. "I don't know why I can't get any information regarding the whereabouts of your cannabis, but its probably an oversight from our staff. however, it also says here that you were having auditory and visual hallucinations which is typical of this condition. Now tell me, do you hear voices or see things that other people in the room do not see?"

Here was my cue. Now was the moment of truth. I could either try and feign ignorance and hope he would discharge me based on my miraculous recovery, or I could let him in on what really happened and hope he wasn't somehow on Mr A-'s payroll. I didn't have to think so much though, the next thing he said made up my mind for me".

"You might as well tell me the truth because either way I'm still going to keep you here even if its for observation." And he started scribbling something else on my case note.

"How is Bisi doing?" I said. "Are you planning on calling her later?"

The room became deathly silent. It was as if i had shot him with a stun gun, as if a massive amount of electricity had gone through his body. He just sat there, his mouth open, his fingers still moving the pen but writing nothing. I didn't wait for him to respond.

"She's definitely not the girl for you, if you don't mind my saying so. Someone who would argue with you and keep malice for four days just because you came a few minutes late for a lunch appointment isn't going to be anymore understanding if and when you do get married."
The doctor was finally able to find his voice though his fingers were still twitching spasmodically. "How...how did you...but..."

"Okay sir, here's the thing." I said. "Yes I do see things sometimes that other people don't see but that doesn't make me crazy, just different. And I don't talk about it unless I feel it will be of help to the person, just as I feel I have helped you out of making the biggest mistake of your life. I don't smoke Indian hemp, never have and hopefully nevrr will. I was framed and its a very long story, one that maybe one day I'll write into a book and publish, but not one I have the time to tell right now. Right now I have to leave this hospital as soon as possible. I'll do any test you want me to do to prove my sanity but I don't have the time because I strongly feel the girl of my dreams is about to make a very grave mistake and I have to be there to stop her. And oh yes, the woman whose fender you hit today only let you off because she saw your car had sustained more damage than hers."

The look on the doctor's face was priceless. He seemed like he wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. For a man who believed strongly in logic I had just blown his beliefs out of the water. He looked at me for a while and I wondered what he was going to say, what he was going to do.

"So...Bisi is not my soulmate?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, no." I said. "Marry her and you'll be struggling the rest of your life. All that glitters isn't gold, my friend."

He smiled sadly at that last statement and I saw tears come to his eyes. Suddenly he scribbled some more into my case note and signed off then turned it towards me so I could read. The last line went:

CASE OF DELIRIUM. NO USAGE OF CANNABIS. PATIENT DISCHARGED HOME.

I heaved a sigh of relief and thanked him.

'No, thank you," he said. "I haven't felt so good in four days. You are free to go. I would like to have your number though, if you don't mind."

I gave it to him and started to leave the office. I opened the door and saw the two nurses sitting on a bench outside. The female nurse jumped up on seeing me and I smiled at her. I turned back and said to the doctor who was still sitting dazed in his chair.

"You two make a good team. Imagine drinking that well brewed coffee for the rest of your life. Open your eyes, man!" Then I smiled again and gave way for the female nurse who promptly came into the office and asked if the doctor was alright. The doctor looked at her and I saw that he had made the connection.

"I'm fine Nurse Betty," He said. "The patient has been discharged. Let him go home."

This is so refreshingly different from all these endless love stories on NL

I wake up on a Sunday morning and here is the first thing i read. Whew!

And like Ishi said, its so refreshing. A perfect tonic.

Oh my. Creativity in a weird form. I marvel at what u writers on nairaland do with words. Its amazing. Roy u r goodly weird. Just started but will catch up after service. Biko wait foe me.

Nkpume Iko: I wake up on a Sunday morning and here is the first thing i read. Whew!

And like Ishi said, its so refreshing. A perfect tonic.

Perfect story for a sundae morninq. :*

Royver if you are not good no one is..... Abeg brew that coffee for me, I will like it with lots of your updates. Chai.

Ishilove: Molecular Physics

Superb!! I loved your last update.. It was super cool!

Erm, it has reached that stage where the readers can doing doing small-small amebo on the story!!

Erm, i think Bisi might start wanting the doctor more than he initially wanted her, now that he has known the truth--- maybe!!

*Singing Oliver-Twist* Roy Roy, can I hav chuck's bb pin??@

*Speechless*
Guy u deserve a standing,clapping,jumping ovation....Dis is unlike anything I've eva read on NL
God Bless You

nice one, bro, dats 1daful

.

Royver! Ure definitely one in a million! More ink 2 ur pen

Royver, honest I owe you a drink! Just name it... Margaux 59, Chadonnay, Vodka, Chablis, Sake, anything!! You got magic, man!!!

Just when i av tot there aint any more interesting stories on nland again u popped up. Thanks man u av my absolute devotion.

Simply WOW!!

abeg, wen is d nxt update comin up?

Wealthyone: *Singing Oliver-Twist* Roy Roy, can I hav chuck's bb pin??@

Vickii Ro: *Speechless*
Guy u deserve a standing,clapping,jumping ovation....Dis is unlike anything I've eva read on NL
God Bless You

thanks o

Mighty Fortress: Royver, honest I owe you a drink! Just name it... Margaux 59, Chadonnay, Vodka, Chablis, Sake, anything!! You got magic, man!!!

Liquor! I'll hold u to that promise....I love Sake!