Resuscitated Hope - Episode 6

 

Yewande quickly stood but almost fell, as she was feeling dizzy.

"Who is there?", she said as she held the door lock and opened it.
It was Dozie and Chinedu.
"I hope you are fine", Dozie asked.
"Yes, I am, thank you for caring", Yewande answered.
She continued, "as you can see I'm worried and stuck here, my husband isn't still around". She sobbed heavily.
It was 5:59AM as indicated by her clock, and her children were still fast asleep.
Then, it dawned on them that she missed 10:00pm news and they won't be too forward to ask her any question pertaining it, Chinedu whispered to Dozie.

Fifteen minutes after which was filled in silence passed.
Dozie whispered to Chinedu.
Dozie queried Yewande, "Have you eaten?"
"No, I haven't had an appetite and strength to cook since yesterday except what my kids ate", Yewande replied.
She continued, "Besides, it's just....." She looked at the clock dangling on the wall.
"It's just 6:15AM", she said.
"And your husband hadn't arrived yet", Dozie asked.
Yewande was bothered by the question and she wavered it...
"You and I, know that already", she answered.

"I am sorry to say this, your husband died in a ghastly motor accident", Dozie said quickly.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you", Yewande stood and gasped for breath as her stomach rumbled.
There was a seconds silence.
Chinedu took up from Dozie, "we heard it from 10:00PM news on NTA and we had gone where the incident took place and took his body to the mortuary".

Yewande was lost in another realm.
She started speaking uncontrollably as tears dropped from her eyes and flown down to her jaw.
She kept asking rhetorically, "this cannot be happening to me? He is my world? My only hope? I am done for . What becomes of me?"
She wept as Dozie and Chinedu came closer and kept consoling her.

The news reached all nook and crannies in their neighborhood as they all trooped to send their condolences.

**********************
At Iya Ojuelegba house,
Iya Ojuelegba was entering the house after a hectic day at work

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. Her husband was sitting on a couch outside the compound.
"My dear wife, welcome", he greeted.
"Thank you, daddy", she replied.
"Has Yewande your daughter reached to you?", he asked.
"No", she replied.
"I heard her husband died in a ghastly motor accident", he cut in.
Iya Ojuelegba quickly dropped a bowl she had on her head and started crying.
Her husband hissed and entered the room.

At Yewande's house,
Chinedu and Dozie came in.
"Welcome", Yewande greeted as she was flanked by her children and some sympathisers sat to console her.
"We have informed Emeka's relative", Chinedu said.
"Thank you for care and help", Yewande said.
They immediately left.

News reached Nnewi and there was cries and commotions amongst his relatives.
Papa was sober and Mama grievance was dramatic.
She continued yelling, "that witchcraft Yoruba girl have killed my son". She was jealous he still sends money to us and decided to terminate him. She wept until she lost her voice.
Mama later called for meeting days after and told her kindred how they will deal with Yewande after Emeka had been buried.

January 1986
His burial was fixed and Yewande arrived to the village after her last surreal ordeal with Mama.
Some welcomed her while others looked at her disdainfully.
Mama and Papa were happy to see their grandchildren but that didn't stop Mama's hate towards Yewande.
Papa had started to dislike her too but he doesn't bare it, but Yewande could read it from his attitude.
A day before the burial, Mama entered Yewande's room.
"I hope your parents are coming for my son's burial and eat his carcass after you had killed him", Mama said.
Yewande confronted her, "I didn't kill your son and my parents aren't coming".
Mama was infuriated, "so you have the guts to challenge me?, don't worry, I will deal with you".
"Just an empty threat", Yewande let out.
"Where did she get such guts?, this girl killed my son for sure but I will deal with her", she murmured in her heart.
Yewande had made up her mind before she came to Lagos to confront Mama squarely or Mama compounds her woes..

Burial was done, Mama requested Yewande took her and some kindred to Lagos for their own share of wealths, Yewande declined.
She told them this was about her children and their grandchildren, that they need to have a better life.
A war ensued.
This war was about Yewande facing the whole of Emeka's kindred.
Yewande arrived Lagos and a week later, Mama and two elders stormed her house.
"Mama, what are you doing in my house", Yewande asked.
"We are not here to beg you for wealth but to deal with you as an outcast you are and you'll perish and gnash teeth for the rest of your life",
Mama said and left angrily.
Yewande panicked and lot of thoughts came to her mind.
Dozie and Chinedu had abandoned her and never cared to ask how she was faring.
"My father is a respectful and powerful man and I think you should run to him for help", the first voice told her.
"Hmm, I won't discourage you but your father have a hardened heart and will want to see you in woes", the second voice said.
She decided to give it a try and also tried to take her children along, at least his mind would soften.