I was going about my daily school activity when my sibling's message popped up on my phone.
"Big sis, Dad has been admitted to the hospital to the hospital this morning and it seems that his condition is very critical. Mom hasn't disclosed what's happening to us,"
I felt my legs shaking immediately and almost fell at the spot where I was standing.
"Omolara, are you okay?" My coursemate who noticed that I almost fell asked.
"Yes, I am fine. Thanks for asking," I stuttered and went outside the school building to read the message again.
I read the message again and tears filled my eyes immediately. It wasn't long before a family member passed away and it started with a mere illness as well. The thought of the deceased family member crossed my heart and I was scared to the bone.
I quickly put a call across to my mom but she didn't pick up and that worsened my fear.
"What could be going on?" I thought as I strolled under the fruit trees lined up in front of my department.
"God let it not be," I whispered and dialed Mom's number again but she didn't pick up.
I quickly called my younger sister and she didn't pick up as well. I didn't stop calling as the emotions and pressure piled up on me.
I thought about the worse that could have happened and burst into tears. It was so bad that I couldn't control myself and other students under the tree noticed that something was wrong.
It was the first time I experienced a real turbulence in my life and it's not like I hadn't been in tight issues but it meant more to me because life was involved.
A female student approached and asked if anything was wrong, I faked a smile with the tears and just left for my apartment.
"I need to go home now, it's very important. My dad is ill," I texted my roommates immediately I got home.
"What's going on?" Their message popped up at the same time but I was too restless to reply them.
I was stepping out of the house when my mom call came through and I had to pray to Almighty Allah that I didn't want to get any bad news.
"Okomi," My mom said immediately after I picked up the call. Okomi means my husband but she uses it a lot for me just to praise me.
"I called you earlier, what happened to Dad?" I asked before she could say anything else.
"Just thank Almighty Allah. Your Dad almost passed away, he had stopped breathing before we arrived at the hospital and it's a miracle he is still alive," Mom replied and I felt relieved to an extent.
"Can I talk to him?" I asked
"Maybe later, the doctors are busy with him. I will call you once we are allowed in again," She replied.
She narrated how everything happened and I was terrified.
"I am on my way home now," I informed her and she discouraged me from coming.
"How about school? Don't you have lectures?" Mom asked.
"Lectures can wait, I need to be with you and Dad. It's important," I replied
"You don't need to, we are fine. Your siblings are here too," She replied and my fear dropped for a moment.
I returned to the room and continued our conversation. I requested for update every minute but the doctor was still busy with him.
Later that evening, mom broke the news about Dad's illness and I couldn't prevent myself from crying. Although, she said it can be treated but I wasn't convinced because I know a few people who have passed away because of the same illness.
I was able to speak to my dad later that night and it was then I felt very relieved. I prayed for him throughout the night and still ended traveling home that weekend because I just couldn't concentrate on anything in school. Dad's thoughts kept crossing my mind and I felt it was best to just go home.
I spent a few days with them before returning to school and the road to Dad's recovery wasn't easy. It drained the family financially and I had to fend for myself in school not because Mom didn't provide for me but because I just couldn't imagine taking from her at that time.
Dad eventually recovered and I was happy seeing him again moving around like before. He resumed cracking his jokes and providing for the family as usual.
Today, whenever I look at him and Mom, I pray that the Almighty Allah grant them long life because I really want to take good care of them, it's a must that they eat the fruit of their labor.
