“I understand.” He looked around the compound. I only came today to inspect the land. Give them three more weeks to find somewhere else. The landlord hesitated, but finally he nodded. Yes, sir. Adora quickly spoke. Thank you very much, sir. Mr. Babau looked at her again. What is your name? He asked.
My name is Adawa, sir, she replied. Mr. Babau nodded slowly. I will confirm what you told me, he said calmly. Then he turned and walked back toward his SUV. He opened the door and sat at the back seat. As the cars slowly drove out of the compound, Mr. Babau turned to his personal assistant who was seated beside him.
I need you to do something for me, he said. Yes, sir, she replied. Contact the hospital where I was admitted, Mr. Babau said. Confirm if a cleaner named Adora was fired the same day I was brought in. All right, sir. the assistant replied. Mr. Babau leaned back in his seat. His mind was filled with questions because if the woman in that compound was telling the truth, then someone had once risked her job to save his life. Within one week, the report Mr.
Babau had requested arrived. That evening, he sat quietly in his study. His phone rang. It was his personal assistant. Sir, she said over the phone. I spoke with the hospital management. Mr. Babau listened carefully. They confirmed it, she continued. A cleaner named Adora was dismissed the same day you were admitted to the emergency ward. Mr.
Babau remained silent. The report says she was fired because she was seen touching the oxygen mask of a patient in the emergency room. The assistant added. Mr. Babau understood that patient was him. Mr. Babau slowly lowered the phone when the call ended. For a long moment, he sat quietly. Everything Adora had said was true.
He thought about the way Adora spoke that day in the compound. Her voice had been calm. She did not sound like someone trying to impress him. Helping someone seemed normal to her. The next morning, Mr. Babau called his driver. “Prepare the car,” he said. Yes, sir,” the driver replied. Soon the black SUV drove toward the compound Mr.
Babau had recently purchased. When the car entered the compound, Mr. Babau saw someone walking out of one of her small room. It was a Dora. She looked ready to leave for her daily work. The SUV stopped. Mr. Babau opened the door and stepped out. A moment, please, he called. Adora turned around. When she saw him, she greeted bowing her head a little. “Good morning, sir.
” “Good morning,” Mr. Barabau replied. He walked closer and spoke calmly. “The day you adjusted the mask, were you aware that it was against the hospital rules?” Adora nodded. “Yes, sir, I was aware.” “Did you also set that you plan to inform the doctors about what had happened after adjusting the mask? Right?” Mr. Bobo asked again.
She nodded again. Yes, sir. So, you knew you might lose your job anyway, but you still did it. Adora nodded. So, it’s safe to say that you risked your job to save my life. Adora nodded again, but this time it was slower. Her eyes had been filled with tears, and when she spoke, her voice trembled.
“Yes, sir.” Mr. Barau took a deep breath. Then, he finally spoke. How can I repay you for what you did for me? Adora looked surprised for helping me. Mr. Babau said, “How should I repay you?” But Adora shook her head. “No, sir.” Mr. Babau frowned slightly. “Are you sure?” “Yes,” Adora replied.
“Helping someone should not be paid for.” Mr. Babau looked at her carefully. Adora continued. “It is the right thing to do.” Then she bowed her head politely. Excuse me, sir. I need to go to work. Adora turned and began walking toward the exit. Mr. Barabau stood there and watched her leave.
For the first time in many years, he realized something. Someone had sacrificed her livelihood to save his life without expecting anything in return. The next morning, Mr. Barau sat quietly in the back of his SUV as his driver took him to work. As the car passed through one of the busy streets, Mr. Babau leaned slightly toward the window.
Then he noticed something. Across the road in front of a small shop, someone was sweeping the floor. Mr. Babau looked carefully. It was a Dora. She was working hard, sweeping the roadside with strength. She worked with focus. Mr. Babau watched her quietly as the car continued moving. That night, Mr. Babau sat alone in his study at home.
The house was quiet. His mind returned again to everything that had happened. The hospital, the conversation in the compound, the way Adora refused to be repaid. Finally, a new plan began forming in his mind. The next morning, Mr. Babau returned to the compound. The black SUV stopped near the entrance.
Mr. Babau stepped out and looked around. His eyes searched the compound until he saw Adora. She was sitting quietly on a small wooden bench in front of her room. Mr. Baba walked toward her. “Adora,” he called gently. She turned and saw him. “Good morning, sir,” she said politely.
“Good morning,” Mr. Barau replied. He stood there for a moment, then slowly sat on the wooden bench beside her. “I came to speak with you,” he said. Adora nodded. “I’m listening, sir.” Mr. Babau took a slow breath. “There is something I realized yesterday,” he said. “What is that, sir?” Adora asked. Mr. Babau looked at her for a moment, then finally spoke.
“I never had the chance to properly thank you,” Adora gave a small smile. “You are welcome, sir,” Mr. Babau continued. “You saved my life that day in the hospital.” Adora shook her head gently. I only did what was right. Then she added, “It just happened to cost me my job.” Mr. Babau lowered his eyes for a moment.
“I am sorry about that,” he said. They sat there for a while talking. As Adora spoke, Mr. Babau noticed something. “The way she spoke was clear and confident. Her English was smooth and fluent. It surprised him.” Adora, he said after a moment, may I ask you something? Yes, sir. What is your level of education? Adora answered calmly. I am a university graduate. Mr.
Babau looked at her with surprise. You went to university? Yes, she replied. Mr. Babau leaned forward slightly. Then, how did life bring you to this situation? Adora became quiet. For a moment, she looked down at the ground. Then she slowly began to speak. I got married not long after I finished school, she said. Mr.
Babau listened carefully. My husband was a good man. We were not rich, but we were happy. One day he became very sick. Mr. Barau remained silent. We tried everything. Adora continued. We went to many hospitals. We spent all the money we had. Her eyes filled with emotion. [clears throat] I even sold many of our belongings.
