Chapter 2 Despair

Her head felt heavy and when she opened her eyes she could only see the white ceiling. Trying to stand up she felt a sharp pain on her back and let out a loud cry. "It's ok darling, don't try to stand up you are still in great pain" she recognized the voice of Pa Onajite. What in the world was happening and where was she? With these thoughts in her head she drifted once again into a long and tortuous slumber. Onome spent a month in the hospital. She learnt of the tragic accident she had with her parents on their way back to Warri which led to their death.

She was lucky as she had only minor injuries and her back which ached from time to time. The death of her parents left her totally devastated. Life as she knew it was over. Since she left the hospital she had been staying with Pa Onajite at Oleh. He and his family comforted her and tried to make her forget the unfortunate event. Pa Onajite promised to take her back to Warri once she was fully recovered. Despite the love shown her, she remained inconsolable and cried herself to sleep every single night. She wondered why she hadn't seen her aunt Dora all these while. Each time she asked, Pa Onajite would say she was in Warri taking care of things. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months. Onome found herself still in Oleh with Pa Onajite. Aunt Dora was yet to be seen. She worried seriously about her examinations and what the future held for her. She missed her home in Warri, the comfort of her room and the luxuries which she had enjoyed. She missed school and her friends. She missed the urban vibes of the oil-rich Warri city. She missed the beautiful life she had. She had dreams of becoming a doctor and wondered aloud if that was even possible again. Pa Onajite hearing her lamentations walked up to her, hugging and consoling her. "My daughter, don't be discouraged. I am here for you and will see to it that you don't suffer. Your aunt Dora arrives today. Soon you will be back to Warri and all will be fine". Later that evening Aunt Dora arrived. She looked as glitzy as ever. She barely noticed Onome only acknowledging her greetings. Sitting outside Pa Onajite's house, Aunt Dora and Pa Onajite held a meeting were they discussed Onome's future. "Brother, things are not as we thought with regards to Dan's finances. Obviously he was not as rich as we thought. In fact he took a loan to acquire that mansion and he was yet to pay up when he died. He also took loans from his company. Brother, the bank has sold off the house to recover their money and the remaining left was used to offset his company loan. Everything is gone." Pa Onajite looked at her with utter disbelief. This couldn't be true. He expressed his reservations and asked for proof. She agreed to provide them but at a later date. Pa Onajite was saddened. Something told him Dora was lying but he had his limitations. He was barely educated and couldn't really query the information she was giving. "We should not dwell on the dead brother. Let's talk about Onome. I propose she comes with me to Benin City. She will continue her education there I assure you". Pa Onajite swayed his head in disapproval "I promised Dan on his deathbed that I will take care of Onome. She will stay here with my children. I will be a father to her". Aunt Dora gave a cynical smile, telling Pa Onajite "Look around you brother, there is nothing here for her. Absolutely nothing. Benin will be better for her. Tomorrow I leave for Benin, please allow her to join me." That night Pa Onajite couldn't sleep. He pondered over Onome staying with her aunt Dora. He didn't like the idea but he knew Dora was right. Onome was a city girl and staying in Oleh would depress her even further. Moreover he didn't have the finances the give her the quality of life she was used to. Unwillingly, he conceded that it was in Onome's best interest she to stay with her aunt.