Boomerang Episode Three

Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 3

"I welcome you all to this emergency meeting" the Principal, Mr Stephen addressed us parents and students as we were all made to sit in the college hall.

"I'm sorry for summoning you here for this emergency meeting, but it is for our good"… the Principal continued.

I stared on with my heart racing as I could now see my father from where I was seated.
"It should have been mom" I thought as I prayed we weren't called for what I supposed.

"Each one of you here was called in because we cannot send your kids to come home on their own and we cannot contain them in this school anymore"…. these words caused uproar in the hall and each parent was curious to know what went wrong with their ward.

"Your ward was caught with harmful substance ranging from codeine, tramax, cigarettes, marijuana and dry gun and all these are too deadly for their health and they are way too young to be involved in such" this sent more uproar into the air and as a person I craved so much to pee at that moment, but my dad would see me and I was still a bit at peace that he hasn't located where I was.

"Some of them hardly stay in class or in their hostel. They are bringing a bad reputation for Holy Child Secondary School and you know all we do here is to instill morals and values. They have all been expelled and a letter will be passed around to you all" the Principal signaled, and a staff stepped forward with a pack of letters in hand.

"Please, kindly step forward for your letter and follow your child to his or her dormitory to pack their bag. Their stay here has been exhausted" the Principal completed and signaled the staff to call out each name addressed at the back of each envelope.

It was a terrible moment trying to stand up from my seat to meet my dad as I heard his name.
"How will I explain this to daddy?" that was my only thought at that moment.

Every Student that was a culprit were all in the hall. Maybe they had return from their outing or whatever they were off too and noise of parents beating their child, children swearing they were innocent and some pleading with the Principal filled the air outside the hall.

I had stood a distance from my dad as he walked up to collect the letter disappointedly. I knew better to walk behind him and I took each step like the next should bade earth farewell for me.
"If you don't hurry up to bring your bag here now, I promise I'll leave you here and you will walk home" like a speed of light, I found my way to the hostel and watched as everyone including Samson looked on at me with an air of regret.

I didn't know what they were thinking of me and I couldn't wait to confirm, but it sure wasn't positive and I paused as Samson called out my name and walked up to hug me.
"I'll miss you" I whispered.

"I find it hard to believe you could be involved in this" Samson whispered back and I withdrew from the embrace.

Daddy was sure waiting for me and I waved Samson briskly as I rushed to meet my dad who was standing hand akimbo were I had rushed off behind him.

The drive home was quiet. I didn't utter a word and daddy didn't say a thing. Sleep tried to play on my eyelids, but I was strong enough to fight it off.

It was getting dark when we pulled into our compound with Aremu, our gate man opening the large gate and greeting my dad in his usual accent which daddy was not ready to reply.

"Good evening ma" I greeted my mom prostrating as I met her at the door and she in like manner greeted my dad refusing to respond to my greeting.

I greeted again to be sure and this time, my eyes met with hers and it spoke of displeasure.

Walking into the living room, I saw my sister who I felt should be in school. She was already in a tertiary institution and she was the least I expected. My brothers were staring gracefully at the TV show they were watching. None of them seem to notice my presence, but dad's presence made the difference; they all greeted.

It had been a long day for me and I knew it would be a long night so I pulled my bag into my bedroom which was as intact as I had left it 5weeks ago at resumption. I collapsed into my unlaid bed and calculated the day experience, it was a bitter-sour and nothing sweet experience and it soon took me on a trip to dreamland.

"Bode!" a known voice startled me out of my sleep and I looked around,
"it was the time" I whispered as I brushed the remnant of sleep off my eyes.

"Do you know you are a disappointment to me, yourself and this family?" those words accompanied a slap which brushed off every sleep and my hands were permanently stuck to my left cheek as I stared on.

Every word of accusations and disappointment was fired at me like a gun from daddy's mouth that night. He called me a waste of investment and how miserable I was to the family.

"But daddy..." I stood up to defend myself when another slap sent me packing back to my former state. It was then I realized mummy was at the door all the while.

It was mid-term into Jss 2 and no school would admit me, so I had to wait home till the next school year that was months that seems like forever as I became an alien at home.

Daddy never talked to me and same with mummy. My greetings fell on their deaf ears and same with my siblings. I felt like a stranger and this made me choose my room as an escape route from all the drama. I was always missing at devotions and no one bothered to call me in. My meal was always left in the kitchen while the rest of the family savoured the dinning moments together.

I was just 11years old and I found it hard to understand such treatment. I know being expelled was a bad omen for the family, but common, they never bothered to hear me out.

***
"Get ready, you are resuming into school" daddy said as he walked into my room throwing a form to my bed.

A new school year had began and daddy had obviously gotten me a form into a school I didn't know anything about. It was such a relief to hear daddy speak to me after many months of silent treatment.

I picked up the form and filled in the necessary details. I picked up the form immediately and took it to daddy in the master’s bedroom.

"Do you think that is the best choice of school as it is now?" I had Mummy speak.

"It's just to discipline him a bit" I had daddy reply in a solemn tone.

"But don't you think this is too much for his age?" Mummy seem to be begging and I knew it wasn't right eavesdropping, but I wanted to know what they were up to.

"Woman!" daddy's voice had a new tone
"You don't tell me what to do to my kids!"

I walked back to my room with the form in my hand.
"What school is this and why is my mom opposing it?" I was curious to know and I kept thinking about it all night.

What next
Watch out for the next episode
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode Two

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 2

Holy Child Secondary School was all shades of difference! The school had been operating for ten years. The school Principal addressed the new students as they assembled in the school hall looking lost in a corner of the room.

It was a school with the standard of a University or let us say a College. Apart from the strictness, Students love the school. New students were required to make an oath to adhere to the rules and regulations of the school and that kept each student put, so I thought until I got to Jss 2.
***
I had a friend whose name was Samson. It was a Christian school and it was normal to expect every child to be a Christian.

Each morning was like what I faced at home; devotion, take your bath, clean up, eat and get set for class. That was what my first year in school was like and Daddy was excited to know that I was always ready for devotion whenever I'm home for holidays.

Samson was just like me, he was from a strict home with every action of the family been detailed. “Don't touch, don't play, don't and many don’ts” was what his family was all about. All the freedom he had was in school.
We got so close from our Jss1 second term and he was like my younger brother Tobi. Loyal and collected, my bunk mate became like a shadow to me and all because we became classmates.

No School, no matter how perfect it seems still has its itches. That was the case for Holy Child Secondary School. Each time the School bell, which is situated at the center of the school compound was rung by a senior Student who always seem to be the clock himself, there was a change of class or we were to head to the dining hall for our meal.

While we the junior ones trooped towards the dining hall to enjoy our scheduled meal of bread and a watery tea in the morning, pap and moi-moi in the afternoon, and eba and okra for dinner, some senior Students, both male and female seem to have their dining set apart as they never joined us at meal, but we were less bothered. Our stomachs were contended with what the dining hall fed us with.

Soon enough, I noticed Samson withdrawing from being my shadow that he has always been. He was missing at meal some other days and all I could imagine was that “Did we have a fight? No, we never fought”. I could not say for sure and I could not bear to ask him.

Now we were in Jss2, the cool-headed Samson had become so bold and a Lion would bow for his kind of boldness. Approaching a Teacher was not a big deal to him and all that matters were 'his way' and anything that tried to get against him must be rebelled against.

Between our last school vacation and the resumption, Samson’s growth was rapid, and he looked more matured than everyone in his class. Well, I thought I was still his friend due to our little conversation as classmates and bunk mates, but it was always casual as he was either in a hurry to attend to something I wish I know or he wanted to sleep.

I would not have been bothered much with cutting ties with him until when our hostel Patron came in alongside the Principal. They started their search from Senior Patrick and Efe's bunk. Each bed was a two-bunk side by side in the School dormitory.

"Everyone," the Patron screamed "step outside and don't go out with ANYTHING!" he completed stressing the last word and we all obliged and found our way to the dormitory door staring in at what they could be searching for.
Some packs of cigarettes and rolls of weed that seems to have had maybe one or two draws were found in Patrick's bag right beside the bunk. Further search brought out more substance from different Student bag and some, under their mattress. Interesting enough, most of the culprit were away for their usual unknown adventure.

"This Student has turned another leaf entirely" the Principal said in a perplexed tone as the search continued.

They soon got to my bunk, well our bunk as the case is and my heart skipped a beat for Samson. I knew he was into something shady, but I was never able to place what it could be.

Samson's bag was searched and emptied on his mattress like others, but there was nothing.
"Thank God for you!" I heaved silently and turned away. I knew my bags were free and I had nothing to worry about.

The names of the Students that were not in the dormitory was written down and we were all asked to go back inside and arrange our clothing with immediate effect.
"Some of you are returning to your parent’s house before you turn this place to a slum", the Principal cursed out loud.

They made for the girl's hostel and the Principal placed a call from his mobile cell phone to count heads and write the names of all the Students in the library or those in class.

We all went in arranging our clothes that was littered on the bed. We all said a thing or two in aloud as we condemned those who we saw substance being brought out of their bags
"Even dry gun!" One of us snapped.

"And some will even be forming gentle and innocent" another boy shook his head as he dragged his bag in place to arrange his clothes.

I knew I didn't have any offence, you know pure and holy personality and I joined in the discussion until about half an hour later.

"If you hear your name" the Patron, a stout man with the look of a man in his late forties blared from the dormitory door
"Step aside and don't even try to make any funny move" he continued standing by the door like he was aimed at stopping any and every entrance as he called out names.

"Joshua Olabode!" I felt a something like an eruption taking place in my belly.

I had been sitting on my bed, holding a book I was obviously not going to read since he stood there calling out names, but I was unperturbed as I knew I was free from such, but it seems everyone else was expecting to hear my name already as they gave a deep loud sigh that sent the hostel into a quiet mode.

"Is he also not in here?" Mr Patron as we fondly call him cried out, now more provoked as only three names from the names that read more about 25 had stepped out.

My limbs failed me as I stepped out from my bed searching aimlessly for the slippers that was right before my feet.

"That must be a wrong list" I silently encouraged.
"It might not even be what we think" I shook my head as I stepped beside the 3 Students who kept their cool beside the door as pointed out by the Patron.

"Or could this be why other Students gave a silent response to all my words against those who something was found in their possessions some hours ago" I couldn't process what was going on as I had turned away from looking at the outcome of my bag search.

We were all matched to the Principal office alongside some numbers of girls and to make it more worse, some parents were already waiting at the Principal door, while some were pulling in at the parking lot.
I really didn't know what to think, I just walked on.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode.
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

Boomerang Episode One

Title: Boomerang
Story by O'nezer

Episode 1

    My name is Bode Joshua, the third child of 4 siblings and the second son with a younger brother and a beautiful elder sister, who happens to be the first fruit; I mean the blessing that welcomed the rest of the children to the loving home of Mr Bayo Joshua who is my dad, ever fervent, prayer warrior, a Christian and disciplinarian.

     The mornings start as early as 5:00am everyday in our mansion of six rooms with my mom, the prettiest and composed mother anyone can ever pray to have. Mummy comes into our rooms individually to wake and possibly drag us from our different rooms to the living room for morning prayers which usually last more than the scheduled duration(1hour). Daddy always wants to dig deep, but only Shade our first born seems to be ever interested as the rest of us would sleep off and daddy's spank is the only thing that brings us back to reality.

"You people need Jesus and you need Him now when you’re young” daddy would say in his baritone voice and that constantly warned us that all is not well.

"Now is the time to get rooted and be effective!" daddy will always warn.

    But those warnings were only for Daddy as  the three boys only adhered in his presence to avoid his usual caution. Tobi, my younger brother, the youngest at home seems to be the diligent and obedient one. My elder brother's influence seems to have no impact on him, so we (myself and tolu) let him be and you know, bully him and call him names at times just to taunt him. Family is interesting.

    Having such a background made me feel held back. You know, I was like a tree blossoming, but once in a while, the branches are being chopped off, this kept me under check until I graduated into secondary school.

    My first day at the school was in the company of daddy and mommy in their Siena that drove swiftly across the street as we made our way to another town entirely.

"We would love you to enroll as a boarding student in your Jss 3" Mummy had told me while filling in the form I suddenly received as Daddy drove home from work earlier than normal one day during the holidays.

    I felt it was a good thing, so I felt less bothered if I'll be living far away in a school.
"I'll be free from the pressures at home" my silent thought.
"But I'll sure miss mom's delicacy" I had weighed the thought.

    But as it is, right in the car as Daddy drove across many streets with conversations between himself and Mummy giving life to the car, I was nervous and I wished they had asked me if I was okay to study in a full boarding secondary school for a while, but none of us could object daddy's decision no matter how grievous we feel it is.

"We are there!" daddy's voice echoed in the car bringing me back from my thoughts.

"Wow!" was all I could utter as I looked out the window to a beautiful, well structured Holy Kids Secondary School.

"I promise you", Daddy squat before me as he helped adjust the collar of my favorite outfit which had been my choice for the trip.

"I know you will feel bad leaving your siblings behind and having to start a new phase of your life alone and quite far from us but I want you to know that we are always praying for you and we want the best for you", dad adjusted himself as he now looked straight into my eyes.

"This is one of the best school in Nigeria and I made that decision because of the report I got and I trust them to be faithful to their words" daddy completed giving my petite 10year old body a deep hug and I didn't know when my eyes let down their fluids.

    Mom who had been watching the whole scene between myself and dad at the parking lot of the school joined in the hug and she gave her motherly advice too as we eventually pulled out my travel box from the trunk of the car and made for the school admin building to complete my registration.

    In two hours, I was done with registration and had my ID card and uniform with me and I was led to my hostel and watched as dad and mom took another turn back to the parking lot.

What next?
Watch out for the next episode.
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY SIS

Dear Baby Sis,

I am so glad to be part of your life and part of those celebrating you today. The memory we shared together is way too much that few paragraph here can't say it all. Going back to those days when you were in SS2/SS3. All our all night long calls and moment we can't wait for 12:30am to start our extra cool midnight calls.

Then to the journey to university till this week that you wrote the last paper as a finalist.

*someone from the audience shouting

Is that not Miriam 2 in Israel in Egypt.

Me: Please don't interrupt us biko

Ifeoluwa, you should by now know how much pride I have got having you as my sister and my music gist partner. Bring those boys matter and let's advise you, we can't afford to give her to anyhow anyhow person. You sha know that I love you plenty plenty.

As you are a year older today, may the good lord of heaven bless you and give you great testimonies. More grace to run the race, go from strength to strength. Keep shining for Christ and one day, he will count it as good for you.

I love you Deborah, enjoy your day.

Happy birthday baby sis

Yours brotherly
O'nezer.
17-07-2018

THE BEANS IN OUR RICE

A short poem as inspired by Shalom.

Let me take you back to one of these night
When all eyes are dimly tight
Expecting someone to stop the fight
That our tommy has roughly ignite

Everyone waiting for  small mummy
To come and make the food, ever yummy
As to quench our hungry tommy
That has been making noise, so angry.

Finally, she's back from the market
Carrying every ingredients in her big basket.
We all can't wait to have a look.
Or have a taste of what she wanna cook.

That night, if you perceive the food's aroma
I was forced to walk to the kitchen to say well-done ma
The aroma has been carried around by this evening breeze
That is making even our neighbors to sneeze.

Let me cut the long story short
I took first round and ended up carrying the pot
Even till now, I am still wondering why?
If it was Shalom or angel from above that cook the rice.

O'nezer
23-06-2018

LETTER FROM PAPA TO DAUGHTER

Hello Daughter.

I am sure you will be glad to see this letter, it's been a while I've wanted to write to you but too many unexplainable and unplanned things kept on crawling in... I hope you are doing just fine?

The purpose of my letter to you is to remind you of a day to remember, a day you also can't forget because you know that this day, years back, heaven sent us a precious gift. The angels are still looking for a replacement but couldn't get one since you are one of the heavens rep on earth, they all miss you and your Angelic voice. Indeed OluwaGreat

Furthermore, looking back at where the journey started from, I remembered the time you were crawling and how dad and mom couldn't stop looking at the amazing child. I remembered the first words you started with 'Jesus' and 'Amen'. The first day mama hear you call Dadda, she wasn't sure whether to be jealous or to be happy (maybe she expected you to say mama first). We are so glad and happy!

In addition, from the first school you attended to the very last one which is the university, it was not the money dad and mom have but the grace of never to lack and want was what took you thru. Tho it wasn't easy to raise a child who would embrace the gospel truth of her parent but we are so proud of you today that you took your stand and kept the banner high.

Lastly, as you celebrate today, I want to join the heavens to pray for you that;
Heaven will bless you now and always
God will keep and guide your ways
He will go before you both night and day
He will hear you even before you pray
May God grant you the needed grace
To keep running this life's race
Till you see him someday, face to face.

Happy Birthday Abiola Oluwatobiloba
Daughter Nezer. Dad, loves you super much.
Enjoy your day, God bless!!!

Yours Fatherly
Osunniran Ebenezer
23-06-2018
*insert signature😁

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Moooooooom is plus one 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

We are so blessed to have you in our lives, you are worth more than gold and you deserve to be celebrated every day ma. You are indeed an angel on earth and a life safer, problem solver and solution finder, prayer warrior and strong mama...

Even when we going off track, you still bring us back with love, you scold and still make us smile along side. You are a real gem ma...

I have loved you since the day I met you and I love you more as each day passes. We know your value and roles in our lives, we won't ever be ungrateful or trade it with anything else.

We want to join the host of heaven to celebrate you today as you clock another year. I know heaven self is still finding it hard to replace an angel like you  and they miss the day they send you to this world to complete our own world.

May heaven bless you today
May he make a way for you where there seems no way
May he listen to you before you pray
.
Our mom so rare and dear
Many many more years
In good health
And wealth.
.
May God keep you in this life race
Till you meet him face to face
God bless your new age.
Make sure you enjoy your day

Happy Birthday Sweet Mama

One love
O'nezer
19-04-2018

SHATTERED Episode 8 (Finale)

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.
Osunniranebenezer.blogspot.com

SHATTERED Episode 7

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 7

  “But seriously Mummy, what did Aunty say about Bayo's health?" Tayo asked curiously as himself and his Mother waited for Bayo to be wheeled out of the theatre.

"She does not know too.” Bayo's Mother heaved a deep breath.

  “She explained to me that for some months now, Bayo has been pale and he walks strangely with a leap. She further stated that when she pressed Bayo for the truth, he said he fell down." Bayo's Mother turned her eyes away to prevent her tears from being seen.

"Is that all?... I don't believe this story Mum.” Tayo hit the seat he was sitting on furiously.

“That is all I know and she said she had taken him to the hospital there, but they recommended a specialist. Thank God I came there right on time to bring my son to safety. Poor thing, you should have seen the pain in my eyes the day I arrived there. My son did not run to me or anything. He was just cold... I really made a mistake.” Bayo's Mother shook her head with a sign of disappointment.

  Some Nurses approaching them
with a little boy on a stretcher brought the discussion to an abrupt halt. Tayo and his Mum walked towards the Nurses. Bayo was just quiet, he was yet to recover from anesthesia.

"Thank you Jesus!" Bayo's Mother cried out as she looked more closely at her son.

  The Nurses wheeled Bayo into the ward and he was in the Hospital for two weeks.

  “I can't stand on my feet" Bayo cried out some days before he was discharged.

  He had been on the bed for over a week. His right leg was operated on to remove a tumor that had formed there. Bayo's first step on the floor that faithful day was painful and he staggered back to the bed.

  “Please try to move that leg. Help yourself" Bayo's mother advised as she helped Bayo back to his feet.

It was certain Bayo was not going back to Mrs Jerry, but he had grown so fond of the city and it took him a while to adapt to the life in the town. He had issues relating with his siblings and because he now leaps, he became withdrawn. As days went by, Bayo gradually got used to his new environment.

“You cannot always be at home. So I have decided that you will start schooling here." Bayo's Mother brought out a school registration form and showed it to Bayo.

  “Thank you ma!" said Bayo who was wondering what the school will be like.

  Bayo felt different among the Students. He was intelligent and that made the Teachers love him, but he always felt the Students of the School was making jest of the way he walked.

  A bike conveyed Bayo to school and back home everyday. He had pleaded with the bike man to keep to time.

"I want to arrive in school when the assembly is on and I only want to leave when everyone had all gone home." Bayo explained to the bike man.

  At first, the bike man found it ridiculous, but later succumbed to Bayo's plea.

Two years gone and Bayo's health kept deteriorating he could barely walk upright and he suffered episodes of pain.

  “We are sorry, but your son has a rare form of tumor in his bones. It might be some kind of cancerous tumor and we advice you take him to an Orthopedic Specialist Hospital and his life is at risk too. He will gradually lose his mobility and it will be advisable to get him a wheelchair. He is most likely to... You know, die at a point due to the level of pain he experiences.” The Doctor in charge of Bayo's case tried to explain.

  “Thank you so much Doctor. I don't even know what to say.” Bayo's Mother said trying to keep the tears in her eyes from dropping. She knew better as a Medical Practitioner herself.

  Bayo had come to understand that his mother was not as poor as Mrs Jerry posed her to be, but Bayo always wondered why his Mother never saw a need to come check on him.

  He had seen the medical report where his Mother kept it and he wept bitterly that such an information was hidden from him.

"They hate me!" Bayo cried all alone in the room one morning.

  “They hate me and that is the reason why no one saw a need to rescue me until it got to this.” Bayo screamed as he looked down at his right leg. His voice had a baritone tune like that of his brother, Tayo.

  Bayo leaps got worse after each episode of pain. This month he was in school and next month he was not. He knew he was gradually becoming immobile and his attempts to correct it were futile.

"But why can't we just go to the Orthopedic Specialist as advised" Bayo wondered silently on his bed during one of his pain episode.

"She can't afford that much for now. Your siblings are all in tertiary institutions and the first child in the family just got married. Think about the cost.” Bayo explained to himself, but he soon concluded that it was not a good excuse.

  Since he was always alone at home, Bayo devised a means to keep himself busy. Going to school was no longer an option for him. So he sat at home, now in his wheelchair and read any book he found.

"Bayo! Bayo! Bayo!" Tayo who had come home from school for some days screamed as he saw Bayo laying on the floor. His wheelchair turned to a corner beside him.

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SHATTERED Episode 6

SHATTERED
Story by O'nezer
Episode 6

  “Bayo, clean up the guest room and take her bag inside.” Mrs Jerry smiled in a rather nervous way.

"Bayo, can you recognize this face?” the woman asked when she was finally alone with Bayo.

"No..." Bayo answered abruptly without looking up from tidying the bed in the guest room.

  “I am your mother." she said almost in tears.

  “I don’t think so. I have seen your pictures before but I don’t know who it is." Bayo said. He completed adjusting the bedspread and left the room without looking his Mother in the eyes.

  Bayo's mother felt like a truck had ran over her. She could not place where the pain was coming from, but she sure was not feeling too well.

  “Is this what have become of my son?" Bayo's mum placed her hands on her head.

"Is this why he never accompanied them home all these years?"

"And they told me to check on my child once in a while o! But I believed he was in safe hands. What do I do to this strange Bayo now?" Bayo's mother muttered, all wrapped up in her soliloquy.

  It was almost mid-day when Bayo's Mum arrived. Bayo was yet to eat breakfast, not to mention lunch. But a quick lunch was made and in 2hours, everyone including Bayo sat at the dining table to eat.

  Bayo system had gotten used to being starved of food sometimes for two days and the meal before him looked scary. After gulping several spoons of rice down his throat, Bayo rushed to the toilet to throw up.

  “Is he sick?" Bayo's Mother asked with concern as she rushed after Bayo.

"Alakoba buruku! This boy wants to put me in trouble" Mrs Jerry hissed as she sluggishly followed the two.

  Mr Jerry soon returned from office and being the jovial man who can make light any issue no matter how serious it were, he made the family laughed as he cracked jokes after jokes.

"Don't you see that Bayo’s mother is wicked as it is.” Mrs Jerry whispered to her husband ear at night in their room.

"How? What do you mean?" Mr Jerry turned surprisingly.

"She didn't even tell us she was coming.” Mrs Jerry hissed.

  “That would not have changed anything and besides, she does not have a phone.” Mr Jerry noticed the furry in his wife eyes.

  She had always hated when her husband supports the Johnsons, Bayo's family.

  The next two days was a peaceful for Bayo. He ate when the family ate and all the unnecessary chores were scrapped. Then the heartbreak came. Bayo heard his Mother praying about her trip back to the town.

"Are you leaving already?” Bayo asked beside his mother in the guest room.

  For two days now on his Mother’s visit, Bayo slept with his Mum in that room. He tried to feed her in with all his experience, but it seems his Mother wasn't believing his story even with obvious scars.

  “And now she wants to leave me here alone?" Bayo turned away at that thought and he tried to cry, but the tears were not coming until he slept.

  The following day, bags were packed and Mr Jerry called that he would be late to the office so he could drop Bayo's Mother at the park. Bayo did his chores with such a heavy heart that was obvious on his face.

"Bayo!" Bayo heard Mrs Jerry's voice calling from his room and he knew better not to wait for her to call him the second time.

  “Pack this clothes in this bag. You are going with your mother to the specialist hospital in town. They should understand why you're pale and all that as they have foreign Doctors there. It is still quite better to the ones we have here in the city.” Mrs Jerry explained to Bayo who was not even listening.

  He cared less about what she said. What was important to him at that time was leaving that house for good.

  Everything was set and after the prayer by Mr Jerry, the car moved. Bayo had never felt relieved like this all his life. He stretched his legs at the back of the car where he was sitting and smiled sheepishly until they got to the park.

  The journey back home was stressful, but it really did not matter to Bayo. What was important was the fact that he was free.

  The bus pulled over to a building that seems to bring vivid flash-scenes to Bayo's memory, but he could not understand it until someone called out his name as he was about to alight from the bus.

  “We are home.” Bayo's Mother gave Bayo a helping hand. He was so slim that it sometimes looked like he was about to fall.

"Really?" Bayo held his Mother tightly as he jumped out of the bus.

  Bayo's eyes interlocked with a lady eyes. She has so much resemblance with her Aunt. Bayo knew that must be his sister, but he wasn't sure which it was as both sisters looked alike from the pictures he saw.

"Why is she crying?" Bayo asked his Mum who had also seen Titi crying bitterly and now running towards the back of the compound.

"Don't worry dear. Just go inside.” Bayo observed the unusual nonchalance from his family towards him.

  Tayo wore a frown as he packed the bags inside the house. Bayo got to know that Funmi, his other sister was in school, a tertiary institution not far from the town.

"Mummy, this woman must pay for this! See my brother!" Bayo heard Tayo's baritone voice vent in anger as he came out of the bathroom after a refreshing birth.

  He had listened as his Mother tried to calm Tayo down and Bayo could not help but wonder at the strange events in the house.

  Early the next morning, Bayo's mother had woken him up and they hastened to get ready to the hospital.

  “I work there and any further delay will leave us at the reception for hours." Bayo's Mother explained to Bayo who was still sleepy.

  They got to the hospital premises around 7:20am and Patients were already filling up the reception. Bayo's Mum was Favoured as a staff and Bayo was attended to in no time.

  Several tests and X-rays left Bayo very tired at about 11o'clock. He just wanted to sit down somewhere and save himself the stress but no way.

"Just this last test and you are done" The Doctor attending to Bayo said trying to encourage him.

"We are sorry ma, but we need to admit this boy and we will take him to the theater as early as possible to save his life. You should not have left him till it got so complicated like this" The Doctor gave Bayo's mother a document to sign.

  Mrs Lara Johnson tried to remain calm, but her hands failed her as she signed the documents. She watched, almost in tears as her little Bayo was being wheeled to the surgical ward of the hospital.

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