IN THE DARK
EPISODE 8
I woke up on Saturday morning early, i had so many thought on my mind, part of it was
about Nelly’s health condition. I got out of my night wear and went to my mom’s room. I
met her dressing up already, i greeted her and she hugged me before responding. She
noticed my mood and she asked what was wrong with me. I told her how worried i was
over Nelly’s health, she then went ahead to explain that Nelly is a sickler because her dad is
also a sickler but he is able to stay healthy because of his regular medical checkup and
treatment. She also pointed out that the same treatment is been administered to Nelly and i
have nothing to worry about. I hugged mom and felt relived, i also told her about our outing
with Jordan and she was in support of it. I had breakfast with mom before she left for her
super market.
Nelly called at 9:00am to inform me she was already on her way,i also called Jordan and he
told me he was already at the gym. I got ready for the gym and informed kelvin of my
departure. Nelly arrived by 9:30am and we both left for the gym in her car.
We got to the gym but i could not locate Jordan,i was about calling him when i heard
somebody say “Looking for me?” behind me. I turned and saw Jordan sweating and drinking
from a bottle of water. He was wearing a body hug shirt which revealed his well built
muscle, i could hear Nelly murmuring ‘Woah’. I do not blame her even myself at that
particular moment was tripping for Jordan’s body. I smilled and hugged jordan and i could
tell he was suprised but he received the hug. I released myself from Jordan’s arm and
introduced Nelly to him. He expressed his suprise in words and joked about hoping to marry
the two of us in future. We all laughed and i hit him playfully. After spending close to an
hour at the gym, i suggested we call it a day because i was starving due to the
exercise.Both jordan and nelly laughed at me before I left the gym with Nelly and she had
fruit with me before leaving. After Nelly’s departure the Saturday was boring and so was the
early hours of sunday.
Mom got me a beautiful and sexy pink gown to grace Jordan’s party with a beautiful set of
diamond jewelry. She practically dressed me up for the party and my mom’s fashion taste
was awesome,even Kelvin could not hide his surprise when he saw me fully dressed for the
party. He showered me with compliment before i left for the party.
I arrived at Jordan’s residence at 7:00pm and he could not hide is suprise as he kept on
saying “You look beautiful Nancy”. Jordan’s parent welcomed me warmly and he led me to
the party. The party was more of a get together than a birthday party. People were sitted in
groups as they chat and laugh loudly. Jordan introduced me to some of the guest, after
which we settled down with them. The weather was getting cold and my short dress did
close to nothing in protecting me from the cold, Jordan noticed i was feeling uncomfortable
and he asked if i would love to go inside,i agreed and we excused ourself from the
gathering.
Jordan opened the door to a room and he said “Welcome to my beautiful room”. Indeed the
room was beautiful but his self praise would not let me agree to it. Jordan excused himself
to the rest room after we entered. I looked around his room and i was shocked to see a
huge picture of myself and Jordan. I looked at the picture closely and i remembered it was
the picture we took together at Vectoh’s studio. I could not help but admire the picture, i
touched the big frame and memories of that day came into my head. Judging from the
picture we will make a perfect match.
” Why not touch the living me,instead of the lifeless picture?” Jordan said from the door.I
turned and smilled. He came close to me and said “seriously touch me” i stood fixed to a
point without a response. He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I looked away shyly
and he said “can you feel my heart beat? Its beating for you Nancy. I don’t know how but
am falling uncontrollably for you every second. I know you feel something for me,please dont
say no to Us” I did not know what or how to feel,i opened my mouth to utter a word but it
was dry. My thought was interupted with Jordan’s touch on my cheek,i could feel my body
vibrate as he placed his lips on mine.
I wanted to stop but i ended up wrapping my hands around his neck as we kissed. It felt so
real and beautiful,i was in paradise. Jordan brooke the kiss and lifted my head to meet his
gaze before saying “Will you be mine Nancy?” I responded with a nod and he said he
needed an answer. I said yes and he lifted me from the ground into his arms. It felt too
good to be real but i felt love and comfort.
My phone started to ring and the caller I.D was my mom’s,without been told i knew its time
to leave.I told Jordan and we made for the door.I was about opening the door when he
pulled me back and claimed my lips.
THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER OF MY LIFE AND THE BEGINNING OF NEW
THINGS. MY LIFE DRASTICALLY TOOK A NEW TURN.
After ending the kiss with Jordan,i left for home. Throughout the ride home,i was feeling fly
and my joy knew no bound. I rushed into mom’s arms immediately i got home,she could tell
i was happy but she thought i was been greatful for the dress. After hugging mom,i went to
kelvin’s room and i told him about Jordan,he was happy for me and he hugged me before i
left. When i got to my room,i called khole and she kept on screaming ‘yes!’ into my ears.
She promised to come over the following day to celebrate. Jordan also called before i slept,
he made beautiful promises of love and i was overwhelmed. When joy know no bound,it
brings about tears. I cried to bed feeling too happy and greatful to the lord. Most especially
for having love around me.
The following morning,Jordan woke me up with a phone call,after which he sent a beautiful
sms,love is beautiful. I greeted mom and prepared for school. Getting anxious at what
Nelly’s reaction would be when i tell her about Jordan. I went to school in a happy mood.
I had lunch with Nelly and i told her about Jordan.Actually she asked after Jordan first. I
could sense that Nelly was not genuinely happy when i told her about my new relationship
status with Jordan so i had to change the topic. The day ended on a boring note as Nelly
started acting cold.
On my way home,i called Khole and she told me she was on her way already. I got home
3:00pm and mom was fully dressed for shop. I hugged her and she asked if i would love to
come with her. I told her khole was coming over so i had to be home. Mom said she felt
like driving herself and she left alone in her hilux without a driver. I had a change of cloth
and informed Kelvin that Khole would be coming over.
Khole arrived at 4:00pm and i was super excited to see her. She did not wait to settle down
before she started asking me about jordan. I told her everything that happened and she
started teasing me. She brought up the happenings of the day we met Jordan and she had
fun laughing alone. I made to pull Khole’s hair but the ringing of my phone stopped me. The
caller I.D was my mom’s so i hurriedly pick the call and said “Hey momma” i was
expecting my mom’s laughter from the other end but all i heard was the voice of a complete
stranger. “Please the owner of this phone was involved in an accidents and she has been
rushed to general hospital,please be there on time” the stranger ended the call and i could
feel sweat all over me, everywhere became dark and i was lost for a minute. Khole noticed
my mood and asked me what happened, i stammered and said “My mom…accident…ho
spital…” khole quickly picked up my phone and called my mom back. The stranger picked up
again and i heard khole asking questions from him.
I did not know how i got to the hospital cos i was so destabilized but i saw myself there
with khole and kelvin. Immediately we got to the hospital i rushed to the reception,i asked
the nurse on duty about an accident victim that was rushed in some minutes ago. She told
us her ward and said the doctor was stil attending to her so we had to wait. Few minutes
later a nurse came out of the ward and she asked for ‘Nancy’ she said the patient was
requesting to see me. I rushed into the room and what my eyes saw shattered my world.
I could not believe my eyes, my mom was healthy some minutes ago and now in great pain.
My mom had a deep cut on her head,and i could not even see her legs. Is it that her legs
disappeared or Was it my eyes? I do not know. I moved closer to mom and held her hand,
her hand was shaking but she managed to touch my cheek. She looked deep into my eyes
and said “My baby….Nancy…..Be STRONG….”. That was mom’s last word before she started
breathing heavily,i grabbed her hand tightly and kept on screaming “Mom!!!! Dont leave
me,remember you are my world! My pillar! My everything!!. Mom without you….without you
mom there is no me. Mom say something! Talk to me mom!! Why cant you be strong? For
me mom, BE STRONG!”. I started to cry as i screamed, mom continued to shake and a
nurse forcefully took me out when the doctor said she would be rushed to the E.R
(Emergency Room). I came out of the ward and went into khole’s arm,she was also in tears
as she asked me what happened. 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.
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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…
Click 3 below to read episode 9
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