IN The DARK (A Story Of Love, Betrayal And Survival) - Season 1 - Episode 18

6 years ago

IN The DARK (A Story Of Love, Betrayal And Survival) - Season 1 - Episode 18

I was yet to answer Khole’s question when my mom was wheeled out of the ward. Mom what is life, if you are not here with me? theres no love without you mom,everywhere is dark! So dark that i cant see whats before me mom. Why did’nt I go with you when you asked me to come? Come back to me mom! Dont you ever think of going away!” i shouted without minding the people staring at me. Kelvin moved closer to me and said there was stil hope, doctors perform wonders in E.R and all we had to do is PRAY! I cried and prayed, hoping for a miracle.

CONTINUATION ********************** I was together with khole and jordan as we waited for the doctor to come out of the E.R. I prayed,hoped and prayed again. I got tired of praying while sitting so i went on my kneels and prayed,hoping my new position will hasten the miracle. I stood up immediately i saw the doctor coming toward us,i rushed to him and asked after my mom. The doctor held my hand and said “Time of death 5:30pm. Am sorry ma’am” and he left. The doctors’ words were simple but too difficult for me to decode. I held khole and asked her what the doctor said but she did not respond,i moved closer to kelvin, tap him on his shoulder and said “Kelvin what was he talking about,i asked after my mom not a dead body” kelvin held me close to himself and looked away without a response. I could see the tears he was trying to hide. The truth was right before me but i was so blind to see it. Everywhere became dark suddenly and the last thing i remember before i passed out was my mom’s last statement “My baby….Nancy….Be strong”. I did not know for how long i have been unconscious but i finally opened my eyes on a hospital bed. When i became fully conscious,i saw khole,aunty Oyinkan,kelvin and jordan beside me. I made to sit upright and aunty oyinkan rushed at me, she held my hand and said “Nancy… my dear, i am here for you,we are here for you, be strong for us” i could feel the sadness and pity in her voice but that was not what i needed, all i ever wanted was my mom,my world,my everything and my mentor. Aunty oyinkan urged me to say something and all i could say was “Aunty where is my mom?” She did not respond, she only buried her head in her hands and i could hear her weep. I did not have the strength to ask further questions so i turned to the wall and thought about my life, my mom and my future.Everywhere was silent. I woke up the following day to the sound of argument, jordan was the only one with me and he was sitting close to my bed. Few minutes later i could hear the voice of my uncle arguing with the doctor and aunty oyinkan. He was requesting for me to be discharged,in order for the burial arrangements to commence. At the mention of burial,the truth i was not willing to accept became real to me, so mom is dead and she would be buried soon. I could not fight back my tears. Jordan held my hand and kissed then in a bid to console me,he told me everything will be alright and he promised to be there for me.
Though i knew nothing will be alright, i was consoled by his words. I was discharged the same day and aunty Oyinkan took me home. I arrived my compound and saw cars everywhere as alot of people came to pay there last respect. I could not respond to people’s greeting as i walked into the main building ,it will only make me break down. Immediately i entered my house i went to my mom’s room and requested to be alone. Everybody honoured my request and i locked the door behind me.
Mom’s room was still as i left it and her scent was everywhere. I took some of her clothes and sniffed it,her scent filled my noise and i wished for death. This is the woman i have lived with all my life, a true mother, a friend and a teacher.
Why mom? The torture her scent was giving me was too much for me so i dropped her clothes and took her picture from the wall. Mom was smilling beautifully in the picture and i wondered if she would stil smille now without realising the pains she left behind. I was still in tears when I heard a knock on the door and i reluctantly open up,kelvin came in and informed me that my presence was needed downstairs, he did not wait for a reply before leaving. I took one of my mom’s dress with me and left the room. I got to our living room and i saw most of my mom’s relative gathered, i sat on the floor and held my mom’s dress close to my nose.
Mr. Ikebe, the oldest man in my mom’s family cleared his throat and said ” i greet you all my children, i know that our gathering here today is that of pain and sorrow but this meeting is a very important one. The late Lillian was a daughter, a mother, a sister and a cheerful giver. We all loved her when she was alive. She honoured us during her days on earth which is the reason why we will honour her now that she is dead by giving her a befitting burial. As we all know Nancy is the only child left behind by the deceased but she is too young to step into her mother’s shoe, which is the reason why we have decided that Mike, who is the late Lillians’ only brother will step into her shoes. He wil take over from where lillian stopped and he wil take care of her burial, her business,her property and her daughter. This is the family decision,ones again i greet you all” Mr.Ikebe ended his speech and i could hear murmuring everywhere but i could not stand a minutes more with them. I left for my mom’s room and waited for the worst. Life is full of ups and down! Sweet and Sour!! Happiness and Sadness. I wish i was dreaming.