My neighbor’s daughters - S01 E23

1 year ago

My neighbor’s daughters - S01 E23

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 23

If we could look into each others hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care. Dotun story gave me a sleepless night and also in my working hours, I couldn’t concentrate, I was all preoccupied with the thought. Dotun has proven to be more than just a friend to me. He has saved my life twice, losing his in one of the process. I have to find a way to help him. I have to help the suffering girl. I waited for Dotun to reappear back to me but he takes longer than I expected, but when he finally showed up, I almost jump up in joy. ” you left for days, what happened? ” I asked him. ” my sister was crying bitterly for the last few days, I couldn’t leave her side ” he replied slowly. “okay Dotun, can you take me to your sister ” he nodded and he took me to her. When I got there, I can’t help seeing a girl of thirteen , suffering that much. She was sleeping under the bridge when I saw her. Clad on something I could call a rag. She was so pale and lean. I can’t help the tears coming down my eyes. They were just too much for a girl at her age to bear. I was able to convinced her to follow me. I brought her home then gave her food to eat. Hunger was clearly written all over her. She devoured the food in no time and even ask for more . ” I can’t remember the last time I eat something as good as this. I have been feeding on scrap ever since…”She said and stopped along the way but only for her to cry. I know where she was heading, but I decided to put my emotions under my feet, and asked her about her parent. She narrated everything the same way as Dotun narrated it to me. But when she got to the part of her brother death, she went mute and didn’t say a word, She was only crying, I can feel the pains within her, I tried consoling her not to cry but it was takes a great wave to bring down a ship. ” tell me about life after your brother death ” I said slowly. ” life was horrible…life was a living hell. I couldn’t pay the house rent after my brother death, the landlord send me out, I live in distress, I live in pain, it was like the whole world is against me, no one is willing to help me, I beg for food, but I only get craps and left over to eat, sometimes I won’t eat for days. I’m like a dog wandering about, I couldn’t go back to school and I don’t have a family to meet. My brother was all I have and he’s gone…

Sometimes I prefer death to this kind of life. I planned to kill myself…cos I’m tired of my life but whenever I want to end my life , my hands and leg will become heavy that I won’t be able to move. Please when you return me back to the place you took me, don’t come back for me again, cos I will be dead by then. ” she said. ” I’m not taking you back there, you will be living here with me , Opeyemi as from today , I want you to see me as your brother, I will make sure you have the very best in life. Your brother never stop caring about you, even in his death…” I said. “Do you know my brother? ” she asked curiously .” I wanted to say yes, but I change my mind and choose not to. “No I don’t, I only know of a boy that lost his parent in a plane crash, he struggled along with his sister to make ends meets. Life is a very difficult thing to understand, It comes from different angles, life gave him a puzzled question, with no answer. He traveled very far with his sister looking for an answer. Unfortunately the answer came with a price… He left his sister and journey alone to ‘ the land of no return’ (my next story) . He promised to come back, but he never did, days turns to weeks, weeks turns to months and Months turns to years. If only she knew it was a Farewell… The two kids never choose a life like that. But that was what life gave them. The going has always been tough. But when the going get tough, the tough get going. Opeyemi, you are now my family, we will live in this house together as one. ” I said. **** **** **** **** **** **** ***** ****** After three months, I arranged for Dotun burial, I know once he’s buried ,I won’t be able to see him again. Dotun as thought me a lot of things, sometimes her sister do think maybe am his dead brother. I never tell her that I know Dotun, and I never tell her that I do see his ghost . A day before the burial. Dotun appeared before me. He asked me to take a Biro and a pen that he have some final words for his sister. I took a pen and wrote down all he said. ” My dear opeyemi, wuraola mi, am sorry I failed you, I didn’t meant for it to be this way, I didn’t wish for you to suffer… But fate wish me bad. Am sorry I left you alone in this world. Am sorry I couldn’t finish the journey with you. Am sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. Am sorry for not being the brother you wish I am. Am sorry I broke my promise. I hope one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me. My journey has end, the hands of the time can’t be turn. Hold tight to our memories for comfort, and never forget who you are, you are the last hair of Adebanjo’s. Omo Ale ma ro, Iwo ni omo afi ogede gun iyan je bi isu , Iwo ni Adewura to fi jigi wura bu omi mu, Omorenike to fi oge ta ge, Iwo ni agborin igbo, ti ode ole mu, Omo Adesewa ti o fi gbogbo ara se ewa, Omo afi ekun je oka, Omo Adebisi oko banjo. You are not alone opeyemi, my love will always be with you… Goodbye. ” I dropped my pen then I looked into his eyes, my eyes were already filled with tears. “Give it to opeyemi when it feels right . Ayo you’ve been very good to me, don’t forget what I told you about life, and also what I told you about Grace, she isn’t in your future. Sooner or later you will get to know. Darkness will come in the night but brightness will surely come in the morning. The truth can’t be long hidden… Protect my sister Ayo, take care of my Opeyemi, take care of morenikeji, take care of my Wuraola . Am leaving her in your care, I will never forget your friendship, till we meet again my friend. This is my final farewell, you will see me no more. Goodbye forever… my friend.” He said and then he was gone… Forever.