HAD I KNOW
EPISODE FOUR
Othanel returned home with mixed feeling of what he was asked to do. He tossed around his bed hoping it won’t results badly. But his other mind is also trying to make him understand the happiness that will come after getting rich. He quickly get up and search around their room to get any family photo they had while his father was still with them. He finally saw one inside a box his mother kept it. He took it and went to put it inside the jean trouser he will be wearing the next day.
He lay back on the small bed and closed his eyes for a better conclusion. Some moments later he heard the door opened and he still closed his eyes pretentiously. He definitely knew if it should be any of his siblings or mother he will have so many questions to answer for being at home instead of work. But it seems their coming in isn’t about what he was imagining to be. His sister tapped him to get up so that they can lay there mother on the bed as she’s shivering. On hearing what she said, he jumped up immediately and Sees how their mother was shaking.
“What happened to her? Why is she shaking?
“It started some hours ago. I detected it when I returned to collect more drinks and as she was taking them for me I saw her hands shaking as well.
“Mother what happened? Why were you shaking?” He asked and she didn’t answer.
“She really needs to go to the hospital because even those around the park also said we should carry her to the hospital.” Deborah said again.
“Where are we going to see money for treatment?” Anita asked looking all scared.
“We can definitely use the ones we have been saving or what do you think Othanel?” Deborah looked at him but their mother waved her right hand up to refused the using of their savings.
“What are you saying mother, so you mean we should not use it when you’re in position of needing the money for your health.
“Deborah don’t say anything again, just leave mother alone. Oya, let carry her to the health center that’s not far from here.
“That one will be better brother “ Anita said and she went to pack her mother slippers for her to wear.
“Just give me water and get me paracetamol. I will be fine my children.
Deborah ignored her as she wears her slippers for her hurriedly. Their Mother tapped Othanel shoulder and he ignored her also.
“What if they demanded for almost all the money we have been saving, what we then remain for us. Please my children let me stay at home. I will be fine by God’s grace.
“God’s grace mama, God’s grace mama when you are shivering and really hot like oven. And you said by God’s grace right? Even God will tell you at this point to use wisdom. Me I can’t allow anything to happen to you when I know we have money to take you to the hospital “ Anita continues to talk as Othanel and Deborah helped their mother out of the room.
When they get to the health center they collected card for her and then she was taking to a doctor who she explained what is going on with her. The doctor gave them some paper and they gave it to some nurses who took their mother into another place for a test. After everything and it looks like their mother is getting weak, the nurse carried her inside their ward and they asked them to pay 50 thousand for the drips she will be taking. Othanel asked them to give her as he ran home to get the money from their savings.
He returned to the hospital and paid for it and the next thing he heard from them is that their mother has been going through a lot of pains she didn’t tell them and it was one of the reason it resulted worse.
“What is the problem ma?” He asked.
“I was told you’re the older one.
“Yes, I am.
“Go to the doctor office he wants to see you.
He thanked her and hurried to the doctor office. The doctor asked him to sit when he saw him and he did impatiently waiting to hear from him.
“Do you know your mother has been going through cancer of the b****t?.
Othanel was shocked and dumbfounded hearing what he said.
“So non of you have noticed it ever since. Well, she has been nurturing it all to herself without any medical treatment when it started growing as lumps. I asked why she didn’t come here or go to the federal hospital because that’s where we are still going to refer her for the surgery. She told me she didn’t have money because she knows going to the hospital will warrant a lot of money to get it removed.
“haa!.
“She said she has been taking one herbs she got from herbs seller in the market. Are you all aware of that?.
“Ye…s yeee…sss sir I know about the herbs. She normally takes it every morning, but….but I didn’t know, I mean we didn’t know that was why she was taking it for. But why should Mother do this to us.
“Young man, you don’t need to cry okay. At this point all of you should stay positive on your mother’s behalf that she will be okay. I told your mother that she should be grateful it hasn’t taken her life because of her ignorant.
“What is now the next step doctor?.
“We will transfer her to The federal hospital in Ekede so that they can quickly work on the cancer.
“is it for free sir?” He asked and the doctor laughed.
“Free for cancer surgery? You’re funny you people should go and budget like 1.5 or 2 million or at least pay something out of the money.
“Sir??? 2…2…2 what? Yeh!
“I know it’s much. But as their brother you should know how to rally round to get the money. But as for us we have tried our Best by giving her the fast medication to relief her pains and body temperature. I will refund the money you paid for the drips she is collecting so that you can use that to go settle her registration in the transferred hospital. You can write down your account details here so that I can do the transfer to you. That’s the only way I can also help because I know by what I heard so far, everything isn’t going well in your family.
“I don’t have account sir.
“Then don’t worry, if you leave here now I will call the nurse to give you back the money she collected from you while I make the transfer.
Othanel prostrated immediately thanking him and the man asked him not to worry that if they get money from their family members around to assist them then it will be nothing to worry about. Othanel left his office and return to meet his sister’s who have been anxiously waiting for him.
“Othanel, how far? How is it going? I have been asking that nurse to tell me what the problem is but non of them refused to tell me. I hope mother is fine and have you given them the money? Say something na, why are you looking teary? Your hands are now even shaking, even your lips. Why keeping mute na Othanel! Say something and don’t keep us mute.
He walked outside the health center followed by his sister’s . He really tried to control his emotions but it was too much to behold that he had to let out a silent cry.
“Brother Othanel sorry. I’m about to cry also. Tell us what happened.
He looked up hearing Anita’s voice and then quickly swallowed the tears bitterly because he really don’t know how heartbroken they will be if he tell them what happened. If a man like him couldn’t hold back his emotions then what would women like them do, most especially Anita.
“Let go home first “ He finally answered and he called a bike man who carried them home. Deborah was getting more confused to why he would make them enter bike when their house isn’t that far from the center.
When the get home he went straight to their saving box and brought out everything. Deborah asked why and he told them their mother need money urgently.
“Like how much?” She asked and he made a eye signal to her because he doesn’t want Anita to know about everything. Deborah then tell Anita to be counting the money while she asked Othanel to follow her that she thinks she has some money with a friend of her beside her house that he should follow her to go and collect it. Both of them left the room leaving Anita behind and went to the corner of their house to talk. “So tell me, what is the money for?.
“Mother has cancer and…”
“Can….what!”
“Don’t shout na” He covered her mouth. “I was told it has really deep that it needs urgent surgery so that it won’t take her life.
“Haa! Othanel, so mother has been harbouring the cancer all these while without letting us know. Why na, why will mother do such. How are they saying it would cost for the surgery?.
“I think the doctor just assumed on his own but he said like 1.5 to 2 million.
Deborah jumped backward in disbelief looking around.
“Are you sure about it?
“I am not lying or why did you think I cried at the center. Let just go inside and count all the money to know where we will begin from. I just don’t want Anita to be worried about this.
“I know. I know, let hurry back inside “ She said to him and they did.
They joined Anita who is seriously counting the money one after the other. After hours of counting they ended up calculating 300 and 57 thousand. 357 thousand Naira. They looked at themselves and almost wanted to cry.
“Is the money enough?” Anita asked.
“Yes, it’s enough.” Deborah answered and they got up confused on what to do next before they will call them from the center. Othanel remembered his friend and told his sister he will be back that he should make sure he go to the hospital whenever they call. He dashed out of the house hastily running down the road forgetting that the distance of his friends house is not trekkable . He stopped some miles away panting heavily and hitting his chest continuously.
He stopped a bike rider and told him to carry him to his friend address he called for him. His head was banging seriously and with skipping heartbeat. He alighted in the front of his friends house and then gave the bikeman the last penny in his hand. He entered his compound because there’s no gate around it. He was heartbroken because he didn’t see his car outside so he went ahead to knock his entrance door and no response. After knocking severally without response he went down on the same point to the floor with his hands wrapped over his head with a loud screamed.
He has no other alternative he could use to reach him because he has given Deborah his phone and now he’s left with bitter shock of his life for not meeting his friend.
“I really can’t wait for tomorrow to come so that I can set myself free from all these struggling. Haa haa Haaa this is too much for me!
He rest his head on the door thinking about his mother and he doze off. His friend returned home unknown to him as he was fast asleep and didn’t know when he drives inside. It’s already evening and the cloud as changed. His friend was surprised seeing him at the front of the door with his three other friends and four girls that followed him back home. He tapped Othanel repeatedly until he wakes up cleaning off the drooling saliva in his mouth.
“How far? I have been waiting for you.
“So? Is that why you turn yourself to watchdog in front of my house. Why are you here? What happened to you?.
“Guy I need your help abeg.” He pleaded without caring about those behind Kelvin.
“Didn’t we see today or what could have brought you back again.” He asked opening the door while the rest entered leaving him and Othanel behind.
“Othanel please. I beg you in the name of God. “ He begged as he complained about what is going on to him.
“Haa 2 million! That is too much na. How do they want you people to get it.
“I don’t understand, kelvin. I said you can assist us with anything. I know you’re capable of helping us. Don’t worry, I promise to refund you when I become rich. I swear, see I swear to God who made me.
“Guy, I won’t lie for you. Haa ohhhh you should have come before I leave the house ohhhh and now I have spent all the money in my account at the party I went to.
“Haa! Kelvin e don’t do this to me please.
“This is not my fault na. It’s your fault. You should have called me before I left home. I really don’t have a dime with me anymore. Maybe you should beg them that tomorrow or next tomorrow you will balance the remaining one since you will be going to meet the Baba tomorrow. And ehn ehn as for that, you have to go early so that things can be done immediately.
“So now I can’t even see like 100 thousand from you.
“Didn’t you hear what I have been saying? You better hurry home now so that you will sleep on time to go see the baba tomorrow.” He said and entered his house without giving Othanel another chance to say a word.
Tbc.
