The death of their father Uzo, changed everything.
Uzo had three sons, Okey had just secured admission into the University of Calabar was the first son, Uche and the chidi who was still in Jss1. While Uche had completed his JSS3 junior waec exams, and instead of staying idle at home, decided to learn electrical installation and repairs.
Every morning, he would trek to his Oga's house with his small toolbox and eagerness to learn. Together they traveled from one work site to another.
When Uzo died unexpectedly, the family was thrown into hardship. Their only piece of land was sold to finance the burial, leaving them with nothing except the small income their mother made from selling pepper and vegetables in the local market. Okey's University dream suddenly seemed impossible.
Although school resumed, Uche made a difficult decision. Instead of returning to school, he chose to continue learning the electrical skill.
His mother pleaded with him countless times.
"Uche, you have to go back to school. You're too young to drop out." She would say.
But he always smiles gently. " If one of us must sacrifice, let it be me, Okey has already started this journey " he replied.
His dedication impressed his Oga, who began giving him small payment after each completed job. Rather than spending spending the money, Uche began to save every naira.
One evening, he overheard Okey discussing the approaching registration deadline with his uncle. Despite doing some menial jobs, Okey was still far from raising enough money for the registration and school fees.
Without hesitation, Uche handed everything he had saved to Okey.
" This is all I have for now, I promise to support you more with whatever I earn. I believe you will do well in school and God will help us out of this hardship " he said to Okey.
Okey embraced him tightly, unable to hide his tears." Thank you very much Uche, I won't let you down" he managed to say.
Few days after, Okey left for the university of Calabar.
Life became a cycle of hard work for Uche. He laboured under the scorching sun, climbed electric poles, repair faulty wiring and took every available contract. Whatever he earned, almost two-third goes straight to Okey.
Months letter a letter arrived
"Hello Uche,
How are you ? I hope Mama and chidi are doing well . Thank you for the sacrifices you have been making for me. You gave up your education so i could continue mine, I promise I will never forget. When I graduate and get a good job I promise to repay your kindness, Tell Mama and Chidi I love them.
Your brother Okey".
Uche folded the letter carefully and placed it into his wardrobe. Reading those words filled him with hope that things will definitely be better soon. Whenever another letter arrived from Okey, he always kept it beside the first one.
Years passed. Uche completed his apprenticeship and started his own electrical work. Because he was skilled and honest, contracts came steadily. His earnings increased and yet he still sends enough money to his brother.
Finally graduation day arrived.
Their mother cooked a large pot of jollof rice and the family traveled together to Calabar to celebrate. They laughed, ate, took photographs and thank God. For the first time in years, it felt as though their suffering had finally produced something meaning.
Soon afterwards, Okey was posted to Warri in Delta State for his National Youth Service , and he was lucky to serve in an oil firm. He was intelligent and dedicated which made him to be retained as a full-time employee in the firm.
The entire family celebrated the good news.
At first okey sent money home regularly, always reached out to his family and tried his best for them.
Then he met Vivian, and everything changed.
"They're adults," she repeatedly told him.
"You don't owe them your life "
Little by little, withdrew himself. He stopped helping.
Whenever his mother calls, he would give one excuse to another, at a point he stopped picking their calls.
Uche started from where he stopped again, then one day the unexpected happened.
While working on a high-tension pole, Uche mistakenly slipped from the ladder and crashed to the ground. Although he survived, but he suffered severe injury on his legs and became confined to a wheelchair.
Medical bills piled up. Each time he calls okey, the response was already the same " I don't have money for now".
One day Uche opened his wardrobe and brought out all the letters okey wrote to him, as he reread them tears rolled down his cheek. The words that once gave him strength now pierced his heart.
One of his legs became worse, and the doctor announced that it has to be amputated because no proper treatment was given.
Chidi stood beside his brother throughout the painful ordeal.
When Okey heard that Uche had lost his leg, guilt overwhelmed him and he immediately traveled home.
At the hospital, he saw the brother who had sacrificed everything for him, now with one leg, he broke down in tears.
" Uche please forgive me, I'm deeply sorry" he said while crying.
Uche looked quietly at him, "I forgave you long ago."
Okey looked up hopefully.
"But forgiveness doesn't erase consequences" Uche continued .
" Your apologies won't bring back my leg, it won't return the years we lost or erase the suffering Mama and Chidi endured"
Silence filled the room.
Okey cried harder, but there was nothing else to say.
Some wounds heals, others became a lifelong reminder that some apologies doesn't change anything.
Image is ai generated.
