Death seems to be on a rampage these days. I know people die on daily basis just as more are brought into the world but the rate is quite alarming recently. One just wakes up to one news or the other, which no matter how unbelievable unfortunately turns out to be true.
I vividly remember the day I received a phone call from my intimate friend quite early in the morning and almost ignored it, intending to return the call later on. But knowing I was likely to forget, I answered.
Her cries filled my ears and I was forced to sit up instantly. I tried asking what the matter was but she kept on crying uncontrollably and I felt tears gather in my eyes too. After a while, she told me about her mother's death and that was when I cried a river.
I hadn't gotten an opportunity to meet her mum physically but I've seen pictures of her and knew quite alot. Her motherly love and all she does tirelessly for her family, since the father chose to be bodily present.
Her mum had been sick since the festive season last year when they travelled to their hometown for the grandfather's burial. When they came back to Lagos, she became worse and was rushed to the hospital surviving on oxygen and a pint of blood on daily basis.
Towards the end of March, she improved significantly and the family requested for a discharge since they couldn't afford to keep paying the scary bills amounted each night she spent in the hospital.
She was more than relieved the moment her mum stepped into the compound, frail but with a wide smile on her face. The mum kept improving as time went on which brought relief to all.
Two weeks after the mum's return happened to be the time scheduled for her UTME examinations and she had rushed to her mum's room to ask for her blessings and gave her a hug before she bolted out.
Coming back home, she headed straight to her mum's room but saw the bed empty. She met her siblings in the sitting room, all staring into space and asked about their mum but got silence as an answer. After what seemed like ages, her younger brother dropped the bombshell and she fainted on hearing that.
When she finally regained consciousness, she cried her eyes out just wishing the whole thing was a prank.
"If only I knew that morning would be the last time I would hug her, I wouldn't have let go and to think I was even in a hurry doesn't make it any better". That was the last sentence she made before we continued crying.
A month after the mom's death, she developed insomnia which she's currently battling with. She struggles to sleep both during the day and at night. As it is, any day she's able to sleep for 2hours in 24hours is indeed a lucky day. She dreams of her mum, feels her presence at every corner of the house and sees her face anytime she closes her eyes.
I keep trying to sooth her in little ways I can. Few nights I stay up just to keep her company as we chat about anything that comes to mind whether relevant or not.
I tried encouraging her to study well for the WAEC examinations so that she could make it to higher institution.
I : Do things that will definitely make her happy which for now, is gaining an admission into the university. Don't let her absence jeopardize your future.
Her : But death jeopardised my mum's future.
I would be lying if I say her response didn't tear me up.
She didn't just lose a mother. She lost her best friend. Backbone. Mentor. Lover. Confidante. Role model. Advocate. Safe haven. And her banker, as she calls her. She lost a gem.
Images are mine**
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