Gozie, a boy born into abject poverty, lost his dad to the cool hands of death and watched his mother teetering on the brink of joining him. Struggling, he prayed fervently that God would intervene and grant his mom a second chance, but all hope shattered when she gave up to the ghost.
Taking her to the two hospitals in the community, they were rejected after he couldn't afford the deposit. Watching his mother die in his arms was the most painful thing that had happened to him. Becoming an orphan at the age of 16 never made him lose hope of survival.
He began hawking after school hours just to make ends meet and pay his school dues since it was a public school. Graduating, he decided to further his education, but all efforts failed. He had to go into farming for two years, just so he would be able to gather some money, but it wasn't enough. Then, the government came, making a contract with the community leaders to hand over orphans in exchange for adequate education. That was how Gozie left his father's land for an unknown city. Within weeks, he was adopted, and an agreement was reached.
Mr. and Mrs. Elliot had been childless for years and finally decided to adopt a child who would be the heir to their house. The two were opposite of each other, while Mr. Elliot found Gozie to be his adopted child, his wife hated him and treated him like a maid.
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Understanding he was all alone, he endured and continued living as if everything was okay. On several occasions, Mr. Elliot suspected Gozie was going through a lot but didn't want to say. Secretly, he bought a flight ticket and flew him to stay with his sister, whose kids were all abroad.
"I'm off to work, babe. I have some foreigners to meet today at the office, and they are already calling. They are on their way."
"Okay, babe. Drive safely. Gozie will bring your food to the office."
Gently, he pecked her on the cheek as he left the bedroom to join Gozie, who was already set. One after the other, he carried his bags to the car, while the husband watched to be sure his wife hadn't made any attempt to step out of the bedroom. Everything went as planned, and Gozie continued his secondary education with Mrs. Linda, the only woman in the big house. Gozie wondered why the house looked empty but couldn't ask Mrs. Linda whose his children relocated to other countries for a business contracts, leaving Mrs. Linda to manage their property while they were away.
"Gozie!!! Gozie, Gozie. I don't know what gives you the mindset you can behave anyhow you wish in this house. Gozie!!" she yelled at the top of her voice, searching for Gozie from one room to the other.
"Wait oo, what is going on? So this silly boy went out without taking permission from me? He has done his worst, and today marks his end in this house." Immediately, she took her phone and called her husband.
"Hello, babe, your 'son' has left the house without informing me about his whereabouts. He won't like me by the time he returns. I just want to get you informed in case you see marks on his skin," she said, then hung up and brought out a belt. After hours of waiting without seeing Gozie, she concluded he had run away.
"He has run away. I thought you would stay, you haven't seen anything. You want to reap where you didn't sow. You failed because I have won," she said, returning to her bedroom with the belt.
Mrs. Linda continued to take care of Gozie. Although he felt cherished, Mrs. Linda couldn't replace the vacuum. Life was going well with them until Gozie got into his second year at the university when Mrs. Linda fell critically ill. Her children returned and flew her outside the country, leaving Gozie to find a way out for himself.
Gozie never expected what happened to Mrs. Linda, but he couldn't help out in any way. He joined his friend Ken in his self-con, struggling to work and attend school at the same time. His three years left as a medical student were hell, but he conquered.
He graduated with a first class and was given different opportunities. While working in one of the prominent hospitals, he was doing his master's program. After his degree, he decided to visit his hometown with the thought of beginning good work in the village, interested in saving lives. Through him, hospitals were built in the community with well-trained nurses. He worked passionately to save lives to the best of his effort.
After some years of good work in his town, he returned to the city to visit his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot. Getting there, Mr. Elliot was already old but strong, while Mrs. Elliot was aged and suffering from high blood pressure. He stayed and began administering treatment to Mrs. Elliot.
Seeing how well Gozie treated her in her critical moment, she felt remorseful for how she had treated him in the past and pleaded for mercy, which Gozie didn't count on. Through Mr. Elliot, Gozie was able to connect with Mrs. Linda, who later got better. Although he took all of them as one big family that contributed to his success in life, he never forgot his origin. For everyone to get to other each otger well, a get together was hosted by the family which ended in joyful celebration of reunion.