SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 8
"Somebody please help me!" Tayo screamed almost in tears.
Bayo was 20years old already. Lifting Bayo up from that position all by himself was quite difficult. Tayo kept at it until he was able to turn Bayo to a reasonable position.
"Jesus!" Tayo cried out seeing that Bayo was actually in a pool of blood and at this time, Tunde, a neighbour was already at the door of the house.
"Please help me!" Tayo beckoned to Tunde as they both lifted Bayo and rushed him out of the house to a neighbour's car.
The drive to the hospital was quite shorter than usual as the neighbour drove with great speed. There was a little pandemonium as unfortunately, Bayo's Mother was close to the emergency unit as Bayo was rushed in.
"Nothing must happen to Bayo!" Bayo's Mother whispered at intervals as she paced round the reception.
“I wish I knew what happened" Tayo stared intently at his clothes stained with Bayo's blood.
“You need to have a close watch on him. He tried to kill himself by cutting his wrist and some other parts of his body severally.” The Doctor's words sent chills down Bayo's mum's spine.
She never believed anyone could take the risk of taking their own lives by themselves, but it was happening with her son now. She thought about the Specialist Hospital and a quick way to get money to take Bayo there, but no options were coming.
"Bayo, why did you do that?... I know you are so quiet, but how can you be so selfish to pull out that stunt.” Bayo's Mother cried out as she stood beside Bayo's wheelchair when Bayo was discharged and was now at home two weeks later.
"Mummy, I wasn't selfish! Why could life be so cruel? Why must I be the odd one; always a victim of circumstances?... Tell me mum?" Bayo screamed almost in tears as he looked into his mum's eyes from the wheelchair.
“I am so sorry dear, but you have to understand that no one hates you.” His mother said squatting before Bayo's wheelchair, but he wasn't having any of it.
“Do you know that the first tumor grew from a welt that refused to heal up?" Bayo asked turning his eyes away from his Mum. He had never had the courage to look anyone in the eye for long.
"What? You never told me!" Bayo's mum stood from her squatting position looking surprised.
“You never asked and sometimes when I tell you my experience with my Aunt, you think I am making it up and you did not even believe with the visible scars. Quite disappointing." Bayo gave a wicked grin.
“My dear, not like I do not believe you, but sometimes, all you say seems terrible that one will imagine it's impossibility.” Bayo's Mum stood confused as she stared at her son.
“Fine! They are gruesome, but you should have believed me because I'm your son. At least, for the sake of the scars you saw and this....” Bayo said pointing to his leg and the wheelchair.
“Life is not worth living among people who claim to love you, but do not believe you.” Bayo completed leaving his Mother in tears, but Bayo didn't feel moved by her cry.
********
It was Bayo's 23rd birthday. His Mum and Tayo had wished him a happy birthday before heading out to work. Bayo was left alone in the sitting room with a book and the TV as his usual company. He was used to it and he didn't care much about it anymore.
“Oh mine oh mine! God is fucking crazy!" Bayo laughs, adjusting himself on the wheelchair.
“And when at last we got the money for a Specialist Orthopedic Hospital, they said it was too late and we should go home and wait for a miracle" Bayo sniffs as he spoke to an empty living room.
“Well, that was me before now! God isn't crazy and He isn't wicked like I assume when I was attempting suicide. You see, I met Jesus.” Bayo signaled with his hands like he was rehearsing a play.
"No, let me say Jesus met me and since then, life has been worth it! I might be on a wheel with so many disorders, coupled with emotional trauma as a child, but Christ has made it beautiful for me." Bayo relaxed his back on his wheelchair.
"You might ask about my Aunt if she was ever arrested. Well, she never was. We swept the case under the carpet like every other domestic abuse." He turned his head around.
"I've forgiven her. I understand she made a mistake out of wickedness, but it's okay. We also do worse to God and He forgives." Bayo carefully tried to sit up on his wheelchair.
"Domestic violence and abuse is one of the many menace that plaque our society at large, but we hardly talk about it. Just like me, there might be many other kids out there who might end up on a wheelchair or lose their lives and for the lucky ones, they live in fear and timidity all their lives and they hurt and grow into traumatized adults." Bayo's eyes welled up with tears and he smiled to cover it up.
"Seriously, when will we start talking about this menace?
Is it when it affects us or someone close to us before we understand how dangerous it is?" Bayo sniffs.
"Adebayo Johnson, I'm 23years old today, but I still have to wait on someone to help me with bathing and some things I should do on my own.
Yes I know Christ and If it were not of Him, I would not be here today.
I know my health is guaranteed and I'll walk normally again, but what about other Bayo's out there who might not be as lucky as Me?”Bayo hit his chest as he looked up to the empty ceiling.
"Well, I look forward to a day when the right of a child will be a major priority and every child will live in joy and care and most importantly, love. I dream of a life where the love of Christ will take the lead in most heart and before they abuse any child, they will reconsider the effect. I look forward to a time when every child will be happy.” Bayo bows his head.
"This will be my first speech when I eventually have my rehabilitation home for young adults who has had traumas while growing up as a child.” He smiled.
Bayo carefully positioned himself in front of the Television, switched on the TV with a click on the remote beside him ready to enjoy his favorite T.V show.
The End.
Fiction mixed with real life story... Thanks for reading so far, God bless!
Kindly drop the lesson learnt, suggestions and all.
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