ALL FOR NOTHING…
Episode seven…
Mama woke up one morning and was complaining of pains all over her body.
“Ayo, I don’t know what is wrong with me oo but I think I won’t be able to go to the farm today.” Mama said.
“I agree with you mama, you’ve been over working yourself lately and I think you need to rest.” I said.
I decided to do all the chores that morning so that mama could have enough rest.
After some time, I went into the house to check on her. Mama was covering herself with a wrapper and was shivering. She was having a fever.
I touched her and her body temperature had risen above normal. I didn’t know what to do. There was no medicine in the house and no money to buy any for her. I went to Mr Ajayi the patent medicine seller and got some drugs from him.
I gave them to mama but it didn’t make any difference. She was still shivering and I was beginning to get scared. I took a bowl of water and a towel and started the temperature cooling process but all to no avail.
At first it appeared as if it worked but after a while, mama was feeling weak again. We had to go to the hospital and Mr Ajayi himself took us there on seeing Mama’s condition.
The doctor checked mama and found out she had pneumonia.
“You are lucky you brought her here on time if not, it would have been a different story entirely.” The doctor said.
“Your mother will be here with us in the hospital for proper treatment and you’ll have to make a deposit of #20,000 so we can commence treatment immediately.” He added.
I couldn’t believe my ears. Where on Earth will I get #20,000 from? I asked myself.
“Ayo, we have to do something now. I don’t have any money I would have helped you.” Mr Ajayi said.
Mr Ajayi had been of great help to me and mama. He was the only neighbor we could always run to for help. He took mama and me as if we were part of his family.
I couldn’t leave mama to remain that way and I knew I had to do something about it. I thought of uncle Kayode but I quickly shook off the idea. I know he wouldn’t help. He had never liked mama and I know well enough that he wouldn’t spare a dime if mama was the one involved.
I went back home leaving mama at the hospital. I tried begging the doctor to commence the treatment promising to bring the money as soon as possible but he didn’t listen to me.
“We’ve heard such stories in the past and we won’t repeat such mistakes ever again.” He said.
I prepared some food and brought them later in the evening but mama couldn’t eat. She was as cold as ice and I was beginning to think she was dying.
“Doctor please save my mother” I cried but he wouldn’t listen. Seeing that there was no one else to run to other than uncle Kayode I decided to go to him. I believed if it had to do with life and death, he would have a bit of sympathy.
Early the following morning, I left the hospital to meet uncle Kayode. I didn’t want to miss him at his house because he always leaves early for work. I was lucky to meet him at home that morning and I believed if he saw the way I was looking, he would be able to tell that all is not well.
” _Ekaaro_ sir” I greeted him. He was having breakfast that morning. I was really hungry but that was not why I had gone to see him.
“What brings you to my house so early this morning?” He asked.
I saw aunty Ife coming from the bedroom. She had this way of looking at someone that can make you lose your voice.
“What are you doing here at such early hours?” She asked even before I could greet her.
“It’s mama. She’s in the hospital.” I said all at once.
“Why is she in the hospital?” Uncle Kayode asked.
“She’s sick. The doctor said she has pneumonia.” I said.
“So why are you here?” Aunty Ife asked. What can we do for you?” She added.
“Allow him to talk dear.” Uncle Kayode said turning to aunt Ife.
“I’m hearing you. Continue” he said turning to me.
“The doctor has requested for a deposit of #20000 before they will commence treatment and Mama’s health is deteriorating.” I replied.
“So you came here to get the #20000 because I am the governor of central bank _abi_ ?” He said almost laughing. I didn’t understand what he meant and I wanted to be sure it was not what I was thinking it was.”
“When will you people even stop begging? Anytime you need money you come here as if you planted a money tree in our compound.” Aunt Ifeoluwa said.
“That’s the problem with them. They don’t know that money is hard to make. They just come asking for it as if it is something you just pick up from the ground.” Uncle Kayode said.
I felt I was being mocked already and my tears were about betraying my eyes.
“Uncle please, even if it’s not all. Who knows the doctor may start treatment if we can give him something.” I said with tears standing in my eyes about giving way to fall down.
“You see we don’t have any money in this house. The money I have now is in the bank and I can’t go to the bank because of you. And besides that money has more important needs to attend to than your mother’s health _pele_ ” he said.
I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.
“Don’t worry nothing bad will happen to your mother okay.” Aunt Ifeoluwa said.
I didn’t know what else to do or who else to turn to. I was ashamed of myself for being a worthless son. If only I had money I wouldn’t go to uncle Kayode for help.
I went back to the hospital to find mama still there unattended to. With tears in my eyes, I went to the doctor’s office and knelt before him.
“Please sir save my mother. If it’ll take me to work for you in this hospital and not get paid no matter how long, I’ll do it just for you to save my mother.” I cried from the depths of my heart.
The doctor was touched. He knew I meant what I said and seeing how much I really loved mama that I was ready to be a slave just for her to be saved, the doctor changed his mind.
He called his nurses and they went to mama. They started treatment that instant and as God would have his way, mama responded positively. Within four days mama was back to good health. All the while we were at the hospital, uncle Kayode and his wife didn’t visit us. It was then I finally concluded that nothing on Earth will make me go to them for help again.
When it was time for mama to be discharged, I went to the doctor to ask him what job I could do at the hospital to pay the bills of mama.
“You don’t have to work here for free my dear. I saw how much you loved your mother. You are a good son and I can see how important your mother is to you. Take your mother and go home but don’t let her stay out in the cold again. She should avoid drinking very cold water from now hence forth okay”
“Yes sir. Thank you sir.” I said.
Mr Ajayi was around to take us home. He was very glad that mama was once again healthy.
I couldn’t imagine something bad happening to mama now. I’ve sworn to myself that mama wouldn’t die until she has tasted the sweet part of life. Though I wasn’t the type who prayed alot, I believed that God won’t allow mama to die yet. Mama stayed indoors for another one week until she was fully recovered.
One morning just few days before we resume school, I woke up to see mama sharpening her Cutlass.
“What do you think you are doing mama?” I asked.
“Preparing to go to the farm of course.” She replied.
“Mama the doctor said you should rest. Rest mama rest.”
“But I’ve tested _na_ ” she said.
“No mama you aren’t going anywhere.” I said.
“But Ayo, you’ll be resuming very soon and we need money for your school materials and your enrollment too.” She said.
“Don’t worry about that mama. I found a job I could do and I’ll be able to raise the money.” I said.
“What job is that?” She asked.
“It’s the new hotel in Utti. I applied as a dish washer and I got accepted mama. I’ll be working on shifts for now but when school resumes I’ll be working in the evening. So mama you don’t have to worry anymore.” I said.
Mama couldn’t believe her ears but I could tell she was proud of me. She dropped the Cutlass and went back into the house. I was happy that I’ll some how be able to support mama now….
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