We've always said, "Water is life" and, of a truth, it is. Water is life; water gives life, but if we are not careful enough, that same water can take life unexpectedly.
I was a little above 8 years of age when this incident took place, and it is proof that water does not really care who and what you are, and either you're still young, old, wise, or still dumb. My mom and I went to her village. We were to spend about a month there, so I kind of made friends with some of the villagers children who are of the same age as me so that way my stay there won't be boring and lonely. Trust me, they were the very careless and carefree type; my mom won't stop warning me about not going with them for their hunt games. Well, I listened to her and switched to sneaking to the river anytime they were going, and I loved it. I can very well remember my mom saying, "Stop following those kids to the river. I don't have any explanation to give to your father, please." Well, on that, I refuse to listen. I would just nod my head, go inside, and sneak out using the back door.
I don't know why, but it seems most adults fear that river. There are times you find people there, and there are times you wouldn't even hear a single sound, much less meet a single soul there. The only thing I know is that no one really goes there alone. But as kids, we fear nothing, and even if we do, curiosity has taken the best part of us. So, we just go, play, have fun, and all.
A few days before our departure, I was about to step out when she called me back.
"Toyo, to the river again, right? You're not going anywhere today." She said
"Mum, I will be outside." I replied.
"No, stay and play indoors today." she said.
"Please, Mum, we will soon be traveling back. I won't go to the river, please, Mum."
"Huhm." That was all she said.
Upon seeing that she's not dragging the conversation again, I stepped out quietly and joined the other kids playing "suwe" a popular Yoruba game. Not long after, one of the boys convinced us to go to the river, saying we won't stay long and that the game we're playing is already getting boring. Well, we listened to him and made our way down to the river. And like I always do anytime we go, I just sit down somewhere and watch them do their various stunts and play inside the river.
"Toyo, come over now." One of the boys teased me as he moved closer to me, then he continued, "Enjoy small; you know you will be traveling back."
"Don't worry, I'm enjoying myself here." I said, trying to either act mature or prove...you know.
Well, at the end of the day, this boy kind of convinced me too; he insisted I won't enter the deep middle part, just stay close to the bank. So, I removed my clothes and slippers and stepped in. I love the cold, shivering sensation I felt between my toes. Wow, what a feeling! So I'm really missing.
I was so tempted to take more steps in and see how far or how much the river could swallow me. I was the shortest of all the boys, and I could see when they were in there getting swallowed over their stomach level.
"Come in, boy, don't be scared" one of the boys screamed at me. It felt as if this boy had read my mind, but then, I can't dare. I don't even know how to swim.
"I can't swim." I replied to him. This is definitely not the time to fake things or form a bravery that's not there.
"Don't worry, we will teach you." One of the boys said.
And from nowhere, about three different hands appeared and dragged me in. We laughed as it was fun; even I was happy. We splashed water at each other and played. I remember shouting at one of them to stop, but even I know I didn't mean it. The river seemed harmless, but in the next minute, it wasn't.
I don't know how it happened or what caused it; I just know I slipped. It happened so suddenly as I was trying to wipe water off my eyes; by the time I knew what was happening, I was already in. I didn't know if I was hearing sounds or not; water had made its way into my mouth, and I couldn't even shout.
In short, everywhere first blur, I fought frantically to at least get back up, but it seems the water has already wrapped me up in its arms. I did all that I could, but all to no avail. The river itself didn't even consider the fact that I'm still a kid.
"Hold him, hold him."
"Toyosi, Toyosi, Toyosi....."
"Wait, this way..."
I didn't know who was talking; I can't make out the voices or even hear what they were saying in full. But I could hear them scream; it's obvious they are all confused, and I'm here, sinking as well.
As I was about to give up and succumb to the force of the water, a hand reached out to me and grabbed me. The way I was pulled out, eh, I don't even know the best way to describe it; it wasn't in any way gentle or calm. I surfaced looking like someone who had just returned from a terrifying war. I coughed, vomited water, gasped for air, and all.
While on the land, I got to see the person who had rescued me. I couldn't really make out his face, but he's a lot older than I am.
"Who told you the river is a playground." The man said.
I couldn't even respond; the boys had already circled me, and they were all scared.
"Toyosi, are you alright." One of them managed to ask.
I just raised my hand a little to give him a "yes."
"Thank you, sir." I managed to say to the man who had saved me. He was breathing so hard as if he had been underwater as well.
"Don't thank me; better thank your God, you would have been given by now."
The man made sure I was fine, chased us all away, and went his way. On my way home, I kept rehearsing what I would say. My shoes were gone, my clothes were torn, and my head was filled with mud. I looked like the only survivor of the last world war.
As I reached our compound, the first person I saw was the only person I had been praying in my mind not to meet at home, much less outside.
"Toyo, what's wrong with you? Where did you go...?" My mom asked, scanning me as she moved closer, like she wasn't sure I was the one.
"I fell in, Mummy....." I said and burst into tears.
Before I knew it, my mom had dropped her phone and purse and embraced me in her arms. She didn't mind how dirty and smelly I was. She held me for a few seconds, released me, and landed a slap on my back.
"Do you want to kill yourself? Do you want to die? Do you want to give me a bad name...?"
Tears just rolled down my face. She looked at me again, moved closer, gave me another slap on the back, and then hugged me.
I didn't have a good sleep that night; I didn't have a good sleep throughout the remaining few days in the village. The sound of water won't stop roaring inside my ears. I dreamt of a lot of bad things regarding water. There are times I woke up sweating; the pillow would be so wet as if... There are times I wake up and find myself gasping for air....
That day is one I've never forgotten. And anytime I see water, I'm reminded of that day. I still make use of water and all, and it's been very helpful, but then again, it can be harmful.
Ever since then, I've tried to caution myself around water, especially the likes of pools, rivers, floods, and such. I still love and respect water, because I use it every day.
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