Chapter 1 No possible way out

Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!" Ogechi cried out, "Daddy is not waking up, Mummy, hurry!" she cried at the top of her voice. "Daddy is not responding to his medicine again." Mrs. Akachukwu ran into the room panting, "What happened?" she said, "Why is he not waking up?" "My husband, sweetheart, my love, please wake up," she started crying, "Ahhhh, my enemies will not make me a widow, Chinekeme," she said while putting her hands on her head. "What do we do now?" Mrs. Akachukwu lamented. Quickly, she turned to face Ogechi and said, "Call Somtochukwu for me, tell him to bring the wheelbarrow, fast, fast."

Ogechi, with all the strength she had despite not eating for two days, ran to the farm like her life depended on it. "Somtochukwu, Somtochukwu, Somtochukwu!" she shouted. On hearing her voice, Somtochukwu, who was nearby, already returning from the farm, heard her calling. "Is that not Ogechi's voice?" he said. "Why is she shouting my name like that?" He began to move the wheelbarrow as fast as he could to meet up and find out what had happened to Ogechi, as he had gone to cut firewood from the farm so they could cook the last cassava in their house.

Ogechi, who was just meters away from reaching Somtochukwu to tell him that Papa was in a critical state, was hit by a truck and died on the spot while trying to cross the road to where Somtochukwu was. On seeing the whole incident, Somtochukwu, who was in great shock and confusion, fell to the floor. After regaining himself for about two minutes, he stood up and rushed to where Ogechi was, shouting and crying, "Ogechi! I'm here! Wake up! Wake up!" he repeated, holding her tight to his chest with blood all over his body that gushed out from her head. At this point, passersby who saw this stood watching as Ogechi bled to death, and Somtochukwu held her, crying with all his strength, knowing she wouldn't survive the injuries.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Akachukwu was struggling to revive her husband, and Somtochukwu was praying for Ogechi to come back. It was like the worst day of their lives, as they couldn't save anyone due to their financial struggles. They had to sit back and watch their loved ones slip away from their hands without being able to do anything. This was the worst form of despair that could happen to anyone. Despite the challenges, one can only keep praying and having faith that their destiny isn't cut short due to earthly issues.

When the news of Ogechi's death reached Mrs. Akachukwu, who was already in the hospital after her husband had been pronounced dead by the doctors, she immediately developed a stroke and fell to the floor, convulsing seriously. She was then taken to the emergency unit and treated immediately.

Somto felt like the weight of the world had crushed him. His father and younger sister had passed away, and his mother lay in the hospital, fighting for her life. The family members who were supposed to offer support and love had turned their backs on them. With no one to turn to, Somto's world seemed to be closing in on him.

As he wandered the streets, tears streaming down his face, Somto couldn't help but wonder what he had done to deserve such hardship. His heart ached with every step, and the pain felt like it would consume him whole. The hospital bills were piling up, and Somto had no idea how he would pay for his mother's treatment.

In desperation, Somto turned to prayer. "God, please help me," he whispered, his voice shaking with sobs. "I'm just a small boy, and I don't know what to do. My mum needs me, and I have no one to turn to. Please, God, come through for us." As he prayed, Somto felt a glimmer of hope. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he had to hold onto the belief that someday things would change for the better.

Despite the overwhelming darkness, Somto found solace in his faith. He knew he couldn't give up, not when his mother's life depended on him. With newfound determination, Somto decided to explore every possible avenue for help. He would find a way to pay the hospital bills and fight for his mother's life.

With renewed hope, Somto returned to the hospital, determined to fight for his mother's life and their future. He knew the road ahead would be tough, but he was ready to face it head-on.