VALE OF TEARS

VALE OF TEARS


Home


Favour Samuel

Jul 18, 2024

Share: Centered Image            
I stood still and all I could possibly see was life flashing before my eyes. They say all fingers are not equal but why should I be among those of the very least. I never want much from life, I only ask for little just to sustain this wretched life. I guess that was too much to ask for.
How does one live through each day full of sorrow?
How does one suffer so much yet too little to live from?
God is indeed partial you know?
Why make me just to live off from these pains?
But who am I to judge my maker but truth be told; if I was to choose, this won't be a choice because this nightmare is not worth striving for.
Sorry to bore with my countless thoughts and the hurts I feel within me that I wish so much for help.

My name is Odinaka and this is my story. I stay with my family at the outskirts of Lagos. We didn't have much but we were happy. Those were all I could remember about my childhood memories or maybe it's me trying to justify a little bit of happy days that never did exist.
It got worse when dad had complicated eye issues coupled with his diabetes. You never know the problems fathers bear for the family. Life got hard by the day; coping with dad's medication, house expenses and my siblings fees was something mom couldn't cater.
Lost in the thoughts of our predicament with my bloodshot eye gazing preoccupied at the ceiling as the drop of water makes its way to the bucket beside the wooden table. Immediately I heard footsteps then I shot my eye in pretense to be far asleep.
“Odi, are you sleeping already? Wake up, your father and I want to discuss something with you” Mom was trying so hard to speak in a low tone. Maybe she knew I wasn't asleep yet or she was trying not to wake Amaka and Chidi that were laying on the same bed with me.

“Mama, what is it?” I muttered, stretching my hands so that I won't blow my cover.

“Come to the sitting room.” She spoke in low tones as she walked out of the door.
This is the second time I had this midnight discussion with my parents. The first time was when I had my first menses. Dad and Mom gave me the talk about womanhood, sex and pregnancy— how I ought to guide my body and the transition from childhood to adolescence.
I walked into our sitting room. Dad and Mom were seated on the antiquated sofa that has been in our house like forever, if not before I was born.

“Dad. Mom. What's the problem?” I murmur

“My daughter, you know the condition of our family right now. Me and your mom have been discussing and we conclude that…… how do I make you understand us?”

“Odinaka nwam, we can't afford to pay your WAEC registration fee. We are so sorry and ashamed that we can cater for you like your mates” Mom said with tears dropping at her cheeks.

I knew it would come to this but being a secondary school dropout never crossed my mind. But what can I say or do?. I have to accept it without complaint.

“Mom. Dad. I have heard all you have said. I'll look for work and help with the house expenses and save up for my exam” I uttered
It was the hardest decision I had to accept, not that I had to choose but was forced into acceptance. I was very hurt and felt this sharp pain in my chest. Heartbroken because my dreams and aspirations are fleeting away before my very eyes without them seeing the light of day.

I vowed to make it in life despite all the doomsayers. I work so hard like my life depends on it. Well, it sure did yet expenses never stopped coming for it's uninvited party and when it seems like life is finally smiling at us; immediately sorrow and pain cripple us to our knees just like a cursed fellow that did an unspeakable misdeed in the past life and had to be severely punished.
It is month end and dad usually goes for a check-up in the hospital. Thankfully, we could afford it. Yes, not actually but after dad's last attack; the doctor advised us to come for a monthly check up, so they can monitor his health. There were many things his check up fee could do but life comes first.
After the check up. It's a must to meet with the doctor for his health status. Mom was in a hurry to return to her shop, so she took dad with her back home. On meeting the doctor, he commented positively on my father's health “ Your father is doing great. Keep it up”

“Thank you Doc. Doctor I was meaning to ask you— I have this constant sharp pain in my chest. I don't know if there any medication you can prescribe for me”

“ Alright, we have the run some test on you before prescription”

“ Ahh, doctor , forget about it. I don't have money for all that”

“Your health should come first. Don't worry it's on the hospital just drop your phone number so I can contact you when your result is out”

“Thank you so much doctor”
Two weeks later, I got a call to come to the hospital urgently.
“Odinaka ozoemena, you have a severe heart disease and you have three months to live”

“Doc, this must be a prank right?. I am young and strong. It is just a small pain I feel now and then”

“I'm not joking here. Please, come with your guardian tomorrow because you're seriously sick”

He is not joking. I sure have three months to live.
"Why me?
How can life be so cruel and wicked?
How does life strike one so hard twice?"
I couldn't fathom why life was so partial.

Related Posts



DARK ROOM

In the dark room, this feeling crapped in. I felt so uneasy, like i was…


GONE


The things, I never say

Dear diary, It's been awhile since we last talked. Yes, it's been three months since…


The things, I never say

Dear diary, It's been awhile since we last talked. Yes, it's been three months since…


Mon Cher Amor, My Sweet Love, My Valentine

She always stood firm with her armor willing to fight. with her shoulder up high…


A LETTER TO MY HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS

“Hey, after the WAEC Exam, what's next?” “What are your plans?”


BROKEN

He dared to ask me not to take his son away from him. His son?…


CRACK

Growing up, we were taught to have big dreams and work toward achieving them. We…


NOT AGAIN!

I never knew what it was like to have a father figure. I happen to…


NOT AGAIN!

I never knew what it was like to have a father figure. I happen to…


CENSURE.

MONDAY, 9:35am Awka, Nigeria


HER STORY

Their chants repeat in strong rhythmical manners to my hearing; a vocal praise full of…


BOOK REVIEW — THE DEVIL IN MY HEAD.


BOOK REVIEW; YOU ARE YOUNG NOT STUPID BY KINGSLEY NNAEMEKA


COMPARE AND DESPAIR

Ade and Emeka have been friends way back from their university school days. They were…


SOCIAL MEDIA


BOOK REVIEW _ WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS.


ONE OF US IS LYING.

LEO POV


ONE OF US IS LYING 2

SANDRA'S POV


SELF-HELPY_ TWO WOMEN ON A TRAIN

I couldn't sleep well at night. Different thoughts came flashing before my face. Yea, this…


BOOK REVIEW — THE STUDENTS' BLUEPRINT TO SUCCEEDING AT BOTH SCHOOL AND ONLINE BUSINESS.


LIFE HAPPENS

We all had our lives planned out. “ I will have my first degree at…


BEING A TEEN

Hey, come closer. My name is Chukwuzaram Ofordebe but my friends call me Zaram, which…


PARENTHOOD AND PARENTING.

Parenthood comes with the most tedious and challenging moment of any parents. It is time…


THE VOICE.


TALES OF A YOUTH


WHY YOU'RE BROKE! BY EMMANUEL AKPE

BOOK REVIEW WHY YOU'RE BROKE!


The Smart Money Woman By Arese Ugwu

“Success is deeply rooted in having a solid plan that is tailored to what you…


BLISS

It's raining cats and dogs today, it seems like the earth would be swallowed. It…


LOST WRITERCRAFT

I ANONYMOUSLY WRITE TO ALL WRITERS OF THE WORLD.


A MESSAGE TO MY FATHER

I don't seem to tell you enough how lucky and thankful you made me. I…


BOOK REVIEW — THE HOUSEMAID

BOOK REVIEW


BOOK REVIEW — THE HOUSEMAID'S SECRET

BOOK REVIEW BOOK TITLE: THE HOUSEMAID'S SECRET AUTHOR: FREIDA McFADDEN GENRE: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER


STRESS OF MOTHERHOOD

Motherhood is no child's play. It requires commitment, dedication and likewise more. It is just…


IF WE MUST LIVE

Can one really elude these pains from oneself? In slavery I was born and the…


BOOK REVIEW— THE HOUSEMAID IS WATCHING

BOOK REVIEW


BEFORE YOU DIE.

When we are asked by a person—”When is it best to die?” Almost time our…


CAGE OF DEPRESSION


WHO ARE YOU?

During those lonely moments, she would stand before the mirror hung right in front of…


CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

You know when they say “Train up a child in the way he should go:…


BOOK REVIEW — THE 85 UNDENIABLE FACTS OF LIFE

BOOK REVIEW BOOK TITLE: THE 85 UNDENIABLE FACTS OF LIFE BOOK AUTHOR: ROBERT WILLIAM


BOOK REVIEW — HOW TO DIE FAMOUS


BOOK REVIEW: THE PERFECT MARRIAGE


MY BODY IS MY CRIME


BOOK REVIEW: AFTER I DO


BOOK REVIEW: NEXT LEVEL THINKING

BOOK REVIEW BOOK TITLE: NEXT LEVEL THINKING BOOK AUTHOR: JOEL OSTEEN ‘10 POWERFUL THOUGHTS FOR…


DEAR SOMI


BOOK REVIEW — AN ANONYMOUS GIRL BY GREER HENDRICKS & SARAH PAKKANEN

BOOK REVIEW


BOUNCING BACK FROM FAILURE

It was the weekend, which is the best day of the week for me. I…


BOOK REVIEW: VERITY BY COLLEEN HOOVER


BOOK REVIEW: CONFESS BY COLLEEN HOOVER


ADULTING 101: HOW TO NAVIGATE ADULTHOOD

Bad day has a way of playing with one's mind. You feel less of yourself,…


BOOK REVIEW: EAT THAT FROG! BY BRIAN TRACY


BOOK REVIEW: THE ART OF CREATIVE THINKING BY JOHN ADAIR


BOOK REVIEW: THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID


BOOK REVIEW: IT ENDS WITH US BY COLLEEN HOOVER


LOST

I have always heard people say that our 20’s is the best part of life…


THE BITTER TRUTH

And at that moment your life starts flashing before your very eyes. It is really…


BODY POSITIVITY AND SELF ACCEPTANCE

I never really felt beautiful. Yes, you read right. Back then in secondary school I…


THE MISFITS


BOOK REVIEW: ADANNA BY ADESUWA O'MAN NWOKEDI


GRATITUDE


BOOK REVIEW: AKWAUGO BY ROSEMARY OKAFOR


MORAL DILEMMA

She was lying on the hospital bed and her bloodshot eyes were gazing to nothingness.…


BOOK REVIEW: INFLUENCE HER BY AKANINYENE AKPAN


THE GOLDEN CHILD

Growing up, I always thought that my sister was the golden child. She was smart,…


BOOK REVIEW: OGADINMA BY UKAMAKA OLISAKWE

BOOK REVIEW BOOK TITLE: OGADINMA BOOK AUTHOR: UKAMAKA OLISAKWE GENRES: Young Adult Fiction, African Literature,…


POWER OF VULNERABILITY


UNSPOKEN FEELINGS

I sat at the plastic chair in my small room, staring blankly at the wall.…


INADEQUACY AND INFERIORITY


ALWAYS CHOOSE 'YOU'

I grew up in a family where I was taught that putting others first was…


DISCOVER YOUR PASSION

THE DAY I FOUND MYSELF…. Those days are still vivid in my memory – days…


BOOK REVIEW: I AM MALALA BY MALALA YOUSAFZAI WITH CHRISTINA LAMB

Centered Image