The Need For Independence

The news of my dad's illness spread like wide fire to our relatives all over the world, beside his bed became a parade to our relatives , his friends and well wishers to let us know that they where praying for us and God is by our side. Sometimes I really felt like staying away till they left completely. But as Ada, It was my responsibility to Ursher them in and receive them at my father's bed and also share the burden of my mother because she is always at the hospital like she's doing some faithful vigil by her husband's side. My mum always goes home once a day to bath and change and visit her restaurant to see what's going on. She looks so pale and drawn. And when her hair is not on scald her black beautiful hair he looking like it's been converted to grey overnight.

Aunty Ezinne had come to the hospital with a flask of Fried Rice and plantain which my mother had hardly touched. When I walked in Aunty stood and unfastened hard, crimson lips in one sensational smiles.

'Ada, Ada,' she crooned the C minor in her tone. 'Fine Ada nne ya! Sweet fine baby girl that is hard working, how are you?'

The hugged me like never before, like I died before it last very long. She tickled my cheek so I could smile 'your looking so hot oo my baby girl, soon now you will be in school with your hot banging body'. She is right I really looked really good with my figure 8 When I look at myself in the mirror. But with the way she sounded I guess mum told her what I came to the hospital doing the previous day and that I have been dumped by my supposed Mr Emeka.

My mother signed. Aunty Ezinne released me and turned to my mum.

'Are you doubting sis? don't you think God heals the wounded?'

Probably because she was liberated, Aunty Ezinne usually spoke in a loud, very hot voice, even when she's angry and furious. She also wants to put her opinion in every situation and it's really sad- from the fact that women are second class citizens in Igbo land to the status quo in Outer Mongolia. And her voice will always put a stop to every conversation. The only factor that would be hindering Aunty Ezinne from becoming a fully fledged man with her metamorphosis from liberated women is she hasn't grown beards yet, which is crazy.

'Of course God heals,' my mother replied softly.

'But sometimes God always situations teach us a lesson first.'

'If that's the case, then I rest my case.' Aunty Ezinne said with a smile,' 'why are you even bothering coming to the hospital?' I dived in.

'Mummy how are we going to do about money cause like this I don't know how we are going to do about dad's bill? Is there anyone we can at least borrow from till dad gets on his fit?'

'My mum and her cousin crash-landed to the matters arising. So far, we had borrowed money from one of dad's elder brother Mr Chiwendu while Aunty Ezinne on the other hand has made 2 medium sized donations and has almost emptied her pocket. All my Mum's wrapper and jewelry and her expensive wrappers had already been sold to provide our school fees and process my admission to Uniport and non was remaining. What was left in the bank was just crumbs. Very soon, even if the doctors and nurses turn us upside down with our heads on the grown and shook us not a penny would drop at all that's how bad the situation was as it is right now. It was that bad I really don't know what to do and being a female I just know life is going to be a struggle looking at the course I want to study and the amount it will take to finish.

'Aunty Ezinne voice finally ended the long silence.

'What about your sister? She asked.

'Which one?' My mother replied.

Which other one do you think? Ola is there in porthacourt with enough money buying cars and building big big houses there. Why not tell her that Ike is in the hospital?

'Terrified I looked at my dad, and wondered if he had heard. If he had he would want nothing to do with her at all and empty his catheter bag into my aunt's mouth. Everyone knew how much we he detested Aunty Ola. I was even surprised my mum did not immediately forbid Aunty Ezinne from raising the matter again. Instead, she immediately kept quiet.

I held my breath just to watch this woman appeared to be really considering Althea idea.

'After all its not a big deal?' Aunty Ezinne continued. 'Other rich relatives build houses for their relatives and train their siblings children. One of my other friends—'

'Reduce your voice' my mother whispered.

'One of my other friend like that her younger sister is paying her daughter's school fees to do her Bachelors degree in the UK…. Almost about 12 thousand pounds a year. How can you people have a sister who is so rich and you are here struggling like this?'

My mother pondered some more.

These nouveau riche, money miss road people,' she responded at last, 'they have a way on getting on someone's nerves. Look at Ola who lived with us just yesterday. All of a sudden, small money she has made has turned her head upside down. At Mama's burial, didn't you see how she was moving up and down with her security convoy following her up and down like she's a senator's wife or she is in political office? The girl didn't even agree to finish secondary school.' Aunty Ezinne looked at my mum and laughed so hard. She finished laughing, looked at my mum again, and began another round of laughter. 

'Point of correction,' she said, 'her money is not small at all. The cost of all her cars alone can pay off all of Nigeria international debts. You can go on calling her big names like "nouveau riche". You own the big grammar she own the big money.'

She laughed and laughed some more.

'So what are you now trying to suggest? My mother asked, with her voice lower than normal range. Nneka, humble yourself. We are talking about Ike's life here. I have her phone number, but I think it's best you talk to her face to face. You don't have to go yourself.' She nodded at me.

'Send Ada.'

'To Porthacourt'? My mother asked

'So do you people think I should go and ask her for money' I interrupted trying to corner them back into action.

'I think so,' Aunty Ezinne replied. 'This money that is causing you people to have sleepless nights is ordinary chewing him money to some people. At the end of the day Ola is your flesh and blood.' She gave me more details about where to find Aunty Ola's office in Porthacourt.

'Just ask anyone,' she said. 'Tell them your looking for the mummy of Porthacourt