It was a Monday morning and I was peeling the plantain that would serve I and my siblings for breakfast. We were all in a gloomy mood because the previous night, Daddy felt extreme pain in his leg and Mummy had to rush him to the hospital.
Our neighbour who drove a Keke was mind enough to give them a free ride there.
The sight was not a pretty one; Doxie and Dera were crying in confusion and I tried to calm them down as Oluchi's mood turned sour.
I sat up for most of the night, thinking about how I would get Mrs Ireti's number as it seemed that Dad's drugs had finished and she was my only hope. But I don't want to rely on that woman for assistance. I don't want to be indebted to her.
No. I will think of another way, I'm sure of it.
Dozie stood in the kitchen in his trousers and singlet as he smiled innocently at me.
"What do you want Chukwudozie?" I asked with a small smile.
"Nothing, I just came to smile at you," He responded.
"Okay oh," and I went back to melting my pap.
"Okay fine!" Dozie groaned, causing me to chuckle. " I want plantain!"
"Since you're done pretending, come and take," I said and gave him two pieces. He smiled in return and I patted his head. The boy keeps growing taller each day.
Dozie left the kitchen after a while, and I served their breakfast in their plates and placed it on the brown creaky dinning table.
"You have five minutes to finish your breakfast or you'll go to school hungry!" I yelled.
I know I could have called them to come and eat normally but what harm can a little threat do?
Dera and Dozie came out fully dressed with their school bags.
"Sister, but five minutes is too small," Dera complained.
I eyed her. "If you like use two hours to eat, you're going to school, whether you like it or not."
Dera groaned and sighed. "This food is too big,"
She mummured.
"That's wonderful, so no snacks today?" I asked.
Dera's eyes widened and she gasped.
"Sister, I'm joking! It's just a joke!" She exclaimed and I laughed at her.
"Then eat fast," I told her as I went into the kitchen to pack their lunch of rice and stew when Oluchi strutted out, still in her night gown.
I stopped and stared at her.
"What? I want to be home when mumsi comes back," she said.
I gave no response, I only shrugged and went back into the kitchen.
~•~
Mumsi came back around 11am, but Dad was no where to be found with her.
As we excourted her back into the house, she had a tired smile on her face.
"Where's Daddy?"
She explained to I and Oluchi that Daddy had to stay in the hospital for a while as his leg was still hurting him.
"So, is he going in for surgery?" I asked hesitantly.
Mumsi sighed. "As soon as we gather enough money,"
"How much mumsi?" Oluchi asked.
"The amount is for me to worry about," she stated.
"Mumsi, please, tell us. Let us know if we can help."
Mumsi sighed and looked at us with tired eyes.
"Five hundred thousand naira."
Oluchi gasped and covered her mouth while I stared away blankly.
We didn't have five hundred thousand naira anywhere. Mumsi has been taking care of all our financial needs ever since Daddy had an accident that affected his leg. Our rent was over due already, we were owing school fees, and the money from Mumsi's small restaurant was only enough for day to day errands. To add more problems to our financial problem, my school was demanding money to register me for waec.
"Don't worry my children," Mumsi said, giving us each a pat on the back. "God is going to provide for us. He will make a way."
I stared at mumsi's tired face. She was in her forties but she still looked aged already. She was stressed and tired, but who could blame her?
I knew what I had to do; but I did not want to do it.
Oluchi and I prepared lunch for mumsi, and packed some food for her and Daddy. She would not return home till the following morning, so the food was to sustain her.
"Are you sure we should not go to the shop?" Oluchi asked.
Mumsi shook her head. "Nneka is taking care of it very well. I stopped by in the morning."
It was around four that mumsi went back to the hospital. Dozie and Dera begged to tag along but she did not agree. I and Oluchi excourted her out of the gate and sent our regards to Daddy. Once we returned home, I called Oluchi into our room and shut the door.
"I have a plan, Oluchi," I told her. She stared at me curiously.
"I'm going to call Mrs Ireti,"
"But you don't want to go with her!" She exclaimed.
"Do you want Daddy to become crippled?" I asked her.
"I'm sure Mumsi will find a way," Oluchi responded.
"What way?" I exclaimed, startling her. "Let's be realistic, will the money fall from the sky?"
Oluchi sighed. "But…" she trailed off.
"When I call her, I'll make a deal with her. She'll foot Daddy's bills." I said firmly.
"And if she doesn't agree?" Oluchi asked.
"She will. She must, infact."
~•~
Mrs Ireti answered on the first ring.
"Hello?"
"Good afternoon ma," I greeted.
"Dalu?"
"Yes, it's me." I responded.
"How're you doing? Have you considered my offer?" She asked.
"Yes. That's why I called."
She gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your forgiveness Dalu,"
I rolled my eyes. "I have not forgiven you. But I am accepting your offer on the condition that you will settle my mother."
"What do you mean?"
"My Dad is sick. And he needs surgery, I can't allow your offer to fend for them to pass because of my pride, that's why I'm calling."
She sighed. "How much do you need?"
"Five million, with a promise that you will completely fend for my parents. Since they took me as their own when you counted me unworthy."
"Dalu, I said I'm sorry…" she said pleadingly.
" I am sorry,"
I ignored her pleas. "Please, help my family."
"If I do that will you come?" She asked and I mentally face palmed.
"I will be there in two weeks," I stated firmly.
"Please, drop her phone number and account number." She said in defeat.
I ended the call with a smile of triumph on my face. Daddy will be fine, I'm sure of it.