Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 5
âTomorrow, Timothy returns to the hospital! The children had no idea. Since the previous day, with Lovethâs cooking, they played so much, even Loveth seemed to loosen up a bit. It was just like old times in a way, but then, it wasnât. Timothyâs strength was very low, he couldnât keep up with his siblings, and no matter how much he tried to hide his weaknesses from his parents and siblings, pain always finds a way of making itself known. Timothy had no idea what was wrong with him, Bola doubted he would even know the extent of his illness if she told him he had cancer. Despite his high maturity, he was still a little boy.
And every strained smile, every playful chatter with her children, awoke in Bola a pain too deep to quench. It was hard, keeping her emotions locked inside when all she wanted to do was scream her frustration to be heard above high mountains. It was hard crying only within the four walls of their small bathroom, allowing the water to disguise her tears as they beaded down her cheeks. It shouldnât be her son, it shouldnât be Timothy; it wasnât fair that one so young and innocent had to go through so much pain. But life isnât fair and they were made to learn to find the beauty in lifeâs darknessâŠ
Bola almost never caught a whim of sleep. She was constantly by Timothyâs side, making his pain hers and giving the succor only a mother can give her child. George couldnât give the moral support he usually gave Bola; heck, he was badly in need of support himself. He was stretched taut in his quest to be a better husband; a better father⊠They were in dire need of money, now more than ever and it was a constant source of frustration to know that he couldnât meet up with his responsibilities as the provider of the home.
Bola walked into Timothyâs room and saw that he had fallen asleep. She pulled a wrapper over his small form, staring at him for a prolonged moment. Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the room, making sure she left the door open in case he woke up and needed anything.
âLovethâ Bola called aloud as she got to the sitting room. Loveth charged in from outside, her head popping through the door. âCall your siblings, I want to see you allâ
Loveth nodded and seconds later, the three children came trooping through the door, chatting happily. It was a relief to see, although, Bola knew without being told that their excitement would die down in a few minutes. The children looked at her awkward smile and instantly knew something was wrong. Jerry was too young to understand much, but Tessy and Loveth were fast becoming accustomed to their motherâs mood swings.
âSit down, children, I want to tell you somethingâ
They all sat, looking anxiously at her face. Loveth had a small frown on her face. âWhat is it, mummy?â she asked as they waited for Bola to say something.
Bola smiled. âChildren, you all know that your big brother hasnât been feeling too fine lately, right?â they nodded stiffly. âWell, Mummy and daddy would have to stay in the hospital with Tim for a few days, until he gets betterâ
Tessy frowned. âTim would be sleeping in the hospital?â she seemed confused.
âYes baby, Tim would have to stay over at the hospital, so they can treat him very well and he wonât fall sick againâ she explained as simply as possible.
Loveth stared at her mother. âBut you took him to the hospital yesterday and said heâs getting better, why is he going to stay in the hospital again?â she accused.
Bola blinked and swallowed hard. If only they knew that Timâs illness couldnât be treated in a day⊠She should have waited for George to get back, this was becoming harder for her. âYes, I know Lovey, but Tim still needs to be treated in the hospital so heâll be completely fine. You understand that, right?â
Lovethâs face was hooded once more, looking blank. Bola wondered what she might be thinking or feeling. It had been so long since she heard Loveth sing. It was what Loveth was known for. She sang through anything, even composed new songs while doing house chores without premeditating it. Everyone felt she would turn out to be a very famous singer, one to be reckoned with⊠âWhere would we stay?â Loveth suddenly asked.
âLet us stay with Aunty Lizzyâ Tessy added with a glow in her eyes.
âYes, Aunty Lizzyâ Jerry seconded, his childlike voice ringing with excitement.
Loveth glanced at her siblings wondering how they could be excited over something that was so sad.
âNo, you wonât stay with Aunty Lizzy, youâll be staying with Pastor Peterâ She had discussed this with George. Elizabethâs husband was already back from his trip, keeping the kids with them might be a disturbance, especially since they didnât have their own children. It was much better to keep the children with a pastor friend, at least, the children would be closer to their school. Bola watched as the faces of her children fell. This surely wasnât going well at all. âYou know, pastor Peter has two dogs, you like dogs, right?â The children stared at her with a sober look. Bola swallowed. âWeâll be back in no time, I promiseâ
George walked around his office, waiting for his cousin. He wasnât himself. All his sermons on faith were back to haunt him. Fear had evaded the carnies of his mind, pushing his faith out of the way. His eyes were heavy from lack of sleep. Where on earth was he supposed to get money for Timothyâs treatment. For the first time ever, George felt like less of a man. He was the head of the family; why couldnât he fend for his family? His family was practically falling apart before his very eyes. Because of Timothyâs treatment, he and Bola had agreed to take the kids to a pastor friendâs place, to stay until Timothy was okay. Bola would have to stay perpetually with Timothy in the hospital while he scouts around for money. What if he fails and cannot provide the money for Timothyâs treatments when needed? What if Timothy pays the grand price, all because of his financial inadequacy? He didnât think he would be able to live with that.
George swallowed, pulled back his old wooden chair and sat on it. He was into Estate management and letting; as a pastor, he did not find it easy. People saw âagentsâ as fraudsters and liars but George had gone into it when money wasnât forthcoming. His integrity had paid off, people trusted him and sought his services above all else.
George raised his head as someone loomed over him. He smiled at the landlord of the building and stood up.
âGood evening sirâ he greeted.
Mr Lawal frowned at him. âPastor, you look sick. Are you okay?â George swallowed, looking at the elderly man. âWhatâs going on?â
George took a deep breath and explained the situation on ground. Mr Lawal turned pale, staring at George with compassion. âAh⊠You would have to pray very well o, Pastor. The same thing happened to my brotherâs daughter two years ago, she did not survive itâ
Georgeâs eyes snapped up. Perfect! Just what he needed. George stood up, unable to keep still.
âIâm sorry, I didnât mean to scare you, I had to say it as it is. But Iâm sure your son would be fine, youâve prayed for people with worse situations and they were healedâ he smiled. âGod listens to youâ
George nodded wordlessly. The last thing he needed was to know that someone with Timâs ailment was already dead. âThank you sirâ he murmured.
Footsteps approached and Fred walked in. George sighed in relief. He had to get this over with and go home. He suddenly felt the urge to check up on Tim. This was surely fear at work.
âFredâ Fred was a distant cousin from his motherâs side. George was several years older than Fred though. âIâm glad you are hereâ
Fred greeted George and the landlord, frowning slightly. âIs everything okay, brother?â
âNo Fred. I need you to help me manage this place for a while. I wouldnât be available for a while and I donât want this place to be under lock and key. Iâll direct all my clients to you, so you can attend to them in my absenceâ
âYes, of course brother, but where are you going? Whatâs the problem?â
âItâs Timâ
Fred frowned deeply. âWhatâs wrong with Timothy?â
George swallowed and explained Timâs health condition to Fred. Fred sobered up. âOh my Godâ he muttered. âYou have nothing to worry about bro, you can count on meâ
âI promise, any commission you make, weâll split it equallyâ
âOf course not, brother, we are family. You need the money now, more than ever. You have nothing to worry aboutâ
George smiled. âThank you, Fredâ
âCâmon, give mummy a smileâ Bola muttered with a weak smile on her face. Weâll be back very soon, I promiseâ Bola murmured as she crouched before her kids. Pastor Peter and his wife stood behind the children. Their small traveling bags and school bags had been carried inside but still, the children were not smiling. Jerry looked on the verge of tears. Barely two years old, Jerry was too small to be left alone. Tessy stared mutely at the ground, while Loveth had a deceptive calm look on her face. Her pride wouldnât allow her show just how much this was affecting her; somehow, that was more heartbreaking than even Jerryâs tears.
George tapped Bola gently and moved her out of the way. He crouched before the children with a convincing smile on his face. âDonât be sad now children, see, i promise, to bring you something when weâre coming back.â he stared into their eyes. âwhat do you want me to get you?â
âCheese ballsâ Jerry mouthed almost instantly.
George grinned. âAnd you?â he asked Tessy and she nodded. Loveth didnât make a sound. âOkay, I promise to bring you pleeenty cheese balls. Do you want that?â
Tessy and Jerry bobbed their heads as their eyes flashed with mild delight. âYou be good children, okay? And do whatever big mummy and daddy tell you, okay?â They nodded and George hugged them all briefly. Tim stood with Bola, he had a pained look on his face. Lovethâs eyes lingered on him for several seconds. They stood just a few steps from each other, but it felt like a great wall had been erected, pushing them apart and severing the great bond that they shared. Throughout the short walk to Pastor Peterâs place, Loveth barely said a word to Tim. He was closer to her than even her parents, Loveth didnât know how she would stay for days without talking to Tim.
George hugged Pastor Peter, thanking him profusely for his help. He turned to Tim and smiled gently. âSay goodbye to your siblings, Timâ
Tim blinked and walked forward. Despite his weakness, he mustered a bright smile for his younger ones. âBye Jay Jay, bye Tessâ he murmured. âIâll miss you a lot. When I get back, Iâll tell you all that happened there, okay?â Tessy and Jerry nodded.
Tim turned to look at Loveth. She stared back at him, her mouth set in the stubborn manner he knew so well. Her eyes revealed nothing; he was surely going to miss her. âIâll miss you, loveâ
âYouâll be fine when I see you, right?â she asked anxiously.
Tim smiled. âYesâ
âPromise?â
Tim swallowed and nodded. His eyes watered and he blinked severally. Big boys donât cry. âYouâll make me another rice and beans when I get back, right?â
For the first time all evening, Loveth smiled. âThe beans would be soft this timeâ
Tim smiled. âBye Loveâ
âBye T.boyâ Loveth did not like the sound of goodbye. But she knew Tim had to go, he had to get better so they could go back to the way they used to be.
Bola wiped the tears that streaked down her cheeks. She hugged her children tightly, capturing their scent so it could wash away her fears and give her more strength. She kissed their heads and stood up.
Pastor Peter and his wife pulled the children back as they waved at George, Bola and Timothy. Jerry and Tessy soon started crying as the other half of their family retreated slowly. Loveth bit hard on her lip and blinked several times. She hadnât cried since this started, she wasnât about to start now. Her brother would be back. Tim would be back!.
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Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7 Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10 Episode 11 Episode 12 Episode 13 Episode 14
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