Dark Night

Episode 9

Gift had gone to the gym with his best friend Dave and when they finished up, they decided to stroll down to Gift’s house. Gift narrated all how his mother was treating Blessing to his friend.

Dave: But that’s wickedness na. She is not supposed to treat her like that

Gift: I can’t even understand her. Sometimes I begin to wonder if she really gave birth to Blessing.

Dave: Don’t say that.

Gift: I know what I am saying.

Dave: But the two of you are twins.

Gift: yes we are twins! But how do you explain Mommy’s hatred for Blessing? Do you know in her condition mom still sends her to the market? And when she fails to get something right mum will beat her mercilessly

Dave: Maybe it is because she is blind.

Gift: Which is the more reason she is supposed to be loved OK see, my dad travelled for a week now, he will be returning tomorrow. Since daddy travelled my mom instructed that Blessing will only eat once a day in the house.

Dave: What? Why?

Gift: Do I know for her? If not for me that secretly sneaks food to her at night, she won’t eat.

Dave: that’s really terrible. Please keep taking care of her.

Gift: Definitely! Now enough of my sister. Let’s talk about you and that babe you were asking out. Had she finally accepted.

Dave: oh boy o, I be won tell you. She has accepted.

Gift: wow that’s great news o. I hope you won’t treat her like you treated Amaka o.

Dave: it is not me o, let’s just see what the future holds for us. (They both burst out laughing)

Gift: Is she the one you will be bringing to my birthday party?

Dave: Oh it’s true o, I almost forgot , when is it again?

Gift : See you! Once my dad returns from the trip, the plans will be on for the party

Dave: omo! See you, you are becoming a man already o. 19years nor be joke o.

Gift: oh boy na God! Na God. I just feel so bad that my sister has still not gone to school in all these years. Mom made hell out of it and for the sake of peace dad just let it be.

Dave: Hmmmm! It is well with her, but don’t worry very soon a young man who would love her will come and marry her off and you won’t have to worry yourself over your mom anymore.

Gift: You are silly! Which marriage? We are talking of how to raise money for her operation you are talking of marriage. We are 18years old now and very soon I and Blessing will clock 19. As it is now, she has just 12years more before she will go completely blind. That is the reason daddy is working so hard to be able to raise the money.

Dave: 12years, 12years is still a long time na.

Gift: says who? Do you know how many years dad has been struggling to raise that money? 15years now and we’ve not been able to get the money. Mom is not helping issues. If only she agreed to support dad we would have gotten the money already. Instead, she is insisting on sending me abroad to study. ButI will not go.

Dave: you will not do what? You will go o.

Gift: No oo! I won’t go, I can’t leave my sister here. Who will look after her?

Dave: But your dad is here. What did he say when you told him of your mom’s plan?

Gift: Dad said I should go, that it is a good opportunity and that he will look after Blessing. But I’ve made up my mind, I won’t go.

Dave: listen my guy, you have to go. Since it is your mom that would be sponsoring your everything and fees there, you should go. That way the money your dad should be spending for you, he can save it up for your sister, and you can also work overseas and send to your sister for her operation. So you see, you should go.

Gift saw some sense in what Dave was saying.

Gift: But what about Blessing? Who will look after her?

Dave: your dad will look after her. And besides, you can’t help her when you stay here. So it’s better you go.

Gift knew what Dave was saying was right and so he made up his mind to talk to Blessing about it, but that would be on their birthday.