Dennis continued his story. Mum was in the hospital for months. She lost her mobility due to the sickness. Almost all she had was used to settle the hospital bills. When she could not afford the bills anymore. The doctor advised her to inform her family members. I reached out to all of them. They promised to get back to us but it was all a futile promise Mum got discharged from the hospital when we couldn't afford the bills anymore. It became a burden on me to taking care of her. She could not do anything by herself. I had to do practically everything for her, cook and even take care of the house.
At some point, I contemplated running away but I couldn't because I felt like I brought the sickness upon her. I felt guilty for bringing such a great calamity upon my family. It was a relief for me when Mrs Gentry, my aunt came visiting. Seeing how I struggled daily to take care of Mum and the house, she offered to take us with her back to Enugu where she lives with her husband and kids. Mum protested against it at first but later agreed to follow her after much begging and pleading from me. They both traveled to Enugu a week later but I stayed back.
Throughout the period Mum and I were together after she returned from the hospital, we never went to bed with an empty stomach. I don't know how she does it but she always gives me money to buy foodstuffs and other things we need in the house. Barely a month after Mrs. Gentry took her to Enugu, I started understanding the true definition of hunger. I had squandered all the money she gave me. I do not have a job neither do I have a family around. Things became difficult for me. Mum always begged me to travel down to Enugu each time she called. She sent me transport fare several times but I didn't go.
At some point, My mum had come to understand all my tricks So, I couldn't get money from her anymore. I started selling the properties in the house one after the other. I sold all the electronic gadgets, Kitchenwares, mattresses, and all the furniture in the house. I rendered the house almost empty. I spent all the money on frivolities. I squandered all Dad and Mum worked so hard to gather.
When there was nothing for me to sell in the house again, I started finding means to survive. I joined the bad boys on the street. We did all sorts of bad things for money. There was no crime we didn't commit, from snatching phones and bags, beating up pedestrians to retrieve their money and valuables, blackmailing people and extorting money from them, and other sorts of criminal activity. Then, I was living the life, clubbing, drinking, and carrying different girls up and down.
Mum put a call through on this particular day to inform me about a visiting doctor she met in the hospital who assured her of helping her get back to her feet if she could raise the funds required for the treatment. I asked her the amount for the treatment and she answered, Four million Naira. That's a lot of money, I shouted. She said she had thought about it too and fro and had decided to sell the house in Benin, the house I live in. I was shocked to the marrow.
In her words, She said, "I have decided to sell the house in Benin. It should be worth around 20million. From that, I will be able to pay for the treatment so that I can regain my mobility. After which I will get a small apartment, get a land to build a bakery and start my business here. Some part of the money would also go into setting up a business for you. If things work as planned, we will have our happy life back. Your Dad's family has given their consent. What did you say? I was shocked beyond words. I couldn't give a reasonable response. She concluded the call by telling me to get the documents of the house from Dad's room and take them to our lawyer, Barr Adeoti's office the next day because the sale is happening the following week. There and then, I understand that the decision has been made and there is nothing I can say or do to stop her.
To be continued
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