MY DEAR DOCTOR

The soft hum of conversation drifted in from the hallway as her friends gathered for their evening study ses

g to absorb the words, but her mind kept drifting back to her own bo

ouldn't ignore any longer. Yet, she pushed them to the back of her mind

voice broke through her thoughts

but the concern in Janice's eyes

red," Marie replied, her vo

her friend's discretion, but a part of her wished she could con

up on her bed, staring at the ceiling as the shadows danced across the walls. She couldn't keep ignoring the signs an

sleep, the weight of her unspoken concer

ing against her shoulders. The morning sun bathed the grounds of the University of Jos in a warm glow, but Marie barely notic

to attend, exams to prepare for-no time to dwell on her own health concerns. With a de

urying herself in her notes and textbooks. But the words blurred before her eyes, and the voice

er symptoms any longer. How could she focus on her studies when e

lf from her second class, unable to bear the thought of sitting th

bed, her textbooks forgotten. The weight of her unspoken concerns

How could she hope to excel in her studies when her own body seemed to be betr

dn't let this obstacle derail her dreams. Tomorrow, she would seek answers, no matter the

hat they would offer some relief from the relentless pain that had become her constant companion. The clinic, nes

ing in her stomach. What if they couldn't help her? What if

The air was filled with the scent of antiseptic and the murmur of h

vital signs and listened attentively as she described her symptoms. The nurse's brow furrowed with concern as Mar

scription for medication to alleviate Marie's symptoms. They also provided her with a

hing to ease the pain, if only temporarily. And with the promise of a thorough medical examination wa

d as she left the clinic and made her way back to her dorm room, she resolved to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and resilience. For sh

et places to study. From the hushed aisles of the library to the secluded corners of different class b

't escape the relentless grip of her symptoms. The pain had subsided, thanks to the medication from the

of history and international relations with a clarity of mind that belied her physical discomfort. But on her bad days, when the

the pain and the exhaustion with a stubborn determination that bordered on defiance. With each passing day, she counted down t

, against all odds, her strength and resilience shining through the darkness of uncertainty. But even as she hande

er on, a silent reminder of the struggles she had endured in silence. And as she prepared to embark on the next chapter of her journey, Marie knew that t

e hangout spot on campus. They lounged on mismatched sofas, their voices rising and falling as they discussed eve

e past few weeks. She listened with half-hearted interest as her friends debated the outcom

with a furrowed brow and asked, "Hey, Marie, I couldn't help but notice... there

at, suddenly feeling exposed under the scrutiny of her friends' concerned gazes. How could

a gentle smile and a subtle change of subject, she deftly diverted the conversation away fro

pport. In that moment, she realized just how lucky she was to have friends who cared fo

d them together. And as they laughed and joked late into the night, she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that still lingered