Walking on the streets of Canada, Rose was hoping to catch the next train heading to the mortuary where she works. It’s been two years since she left Nigeria, her motherland to work as a mortician.
On the other hand, it’s been two years since Mama Rose has set her eyes on her daughter, Rose. She searched the nook and cranny of Lagos for her daughter but was nowhere to be found.
Sadly, Rose had just lost her father who has been diagnosed with a hole in his heart for several months before she left for Canada. No texts nor calls were placed to her parents and there was no single idea about her whereabouts.
In contrast, Rose had no idea of what had happened to her dad. When she wakes up in the morning, brushes her teeth and have her favorite cereal, she heads straight to work and that has been all about her life.
After waiting two more weeks for Rose’s arrival to witness her father’s funeral, all hopes were lost but her mother pleaded one more time.
Don’t bury my husband yet. Give me some more days to see if Rose will come home. I just want her to pay her father the last respect before he gets buried, Mama Rose laments, kneeling at the front of her inlaws so her husbands funeral can be extended.
At precisely 10:56 am, the Canadian plane touched down in Lagos. Instead of clothes and gifts, all Rose had in her travel bags was money. Her father’s surgery funds was complete and she couldn’t wait to get home to spread the news to her family so the treatment will begin right away.
Taxi!!! Take me to Surulere at Lawanson street, Rose smiled at the new looks of Lagos. The whole place felt new and like home again.
On getting home, there was no one at home. From afar, Rose sighted Mama Tochi, her mum’s friend and jumped on her and hugged her so tight.
Wait… how come you are this happy despite all that is going on? Are you even supposed to smile?, it felt strange. No matter what the circumstance may be, Mama Tochi still tries to smile even before breaking the sad news but this was different.
What do you mean ma? You’re supposed to welcome me back and congratulate me on my arrival, looking confused, Rose asked.
Without further ado, Mama Tochi grabbed Rose on her right arm and leads her to where her father’s funeral is being held at the moment.
Rose didn’t bother to ask a single question, Mama Tochi is one of the best mothers in the area and she can be trusted.
From afar, Rose sighted her mum in a black dress and scarf. There was a casket on the floor, her dad’s siblings were present, her siblings were in tears and they all had their eyes red.
Out of curiosity, Rose dropped her travel bags that were filled with money and ran towards her mum.
Where is my daddy!!!! she yelled. No one could give a speech. With the last energy in him, her little brother opened the casket and it was her dad.
Arghhhhh. Daddy!!! she yelled. Her hope was lost. She hugged her mum and fell on the floor.
Rose, I searched for you everywhere. Where have you been? It’s been over two weeks since we lost your dad but all my efforts to reaching you were to no avail, Mama Rose sobs.
I’m sorry mummy. Ever since dad has been diagnosed with a hole in his heart, the only thing I could do was take a job I never thought I would do just to be able to afford his forthcoming surgery. I traveled to as far as Canada just to be a mortician, Rose sobs, regretting why she ever left home and realizing that all her efforts to helping her dad survive was futile.
Mortician?, for a second, everyone forgot about the deceased. It’s rare to see a child who would decide to work as a mortician so she can save her dad.
Finally, Rose could pay her dad her last respect.
Dad, I worked day and night all to be able to afford your surgery bill but the ailment took you away faster than I could save you and we lost you in the cold hands of blood. I’ll always love you and I’m happy that I can at least pay you my final respect. Love you so much, dad, Rose’s words to her late father was heartwarming.
Everyone who planned to blame her whenever they set their eyes on her called her a hero for the great step she took.
The fear of losing another family member took over Rose and she decided to reside fully in Lagos to watch over her mother and siblings.
