Reaching for the Sun (Chapter 1)

(A true life story)


It was a cold night in August,  the part of the year in Nigeria when the year is known to be at its prime. Apart from the momentary lightening that appears and abruptly vanishes, the night was so thick and the sky was coal.

              The wind blew so hard that the windows rattled in their frames. Rolls of thunder could be heard quite some distance away as it runs closer. At the blast of the thunder strike just over the house and the house shook at its effect. Ikenna is awakened from his sleep due to the quake and he hurries to shut the clattering windows. He also hears the clatter of windows from the next room and goes to shut them. 

        In the room,  his two cousin brothers lay on the bed very deep in sleep. Seeing them both on the bed reminds him of the bed he also shares with brother back at home.    

    He shut the window, pulled down the curtain blinds and returns to his room. 

           On his bed,  he let his mind travel back home, to his brother, ifeanyi and his elder sisters, Josephine and Grace. And then to his mum,  oh! How much he misses his mum. 

        He never knew he could survive a day outside home. He was so fond of Ifeanyi and his sisters which made his mum hide the real reason for their abrtupt going to the village that Christmas from him. She didn't tell him uncle Ibeamaka was going to take him to live with him and his family. 

       He knew it pained his mum to let him go but he knew she did it because he needed to be treated and stay under better medical observation and care and that was indeed for his own good. If not for this unending illness he would still be at home with his mother, and his sisters and  Ifeanyi. And also if not for the fact that his father was no more.  He believes his father would do anything to keep him with them. 

         Memories of his Father has been that one thought he has fought so hard to put far away. Back at home,  just the mention of his Father in a conversation throws them into the worst state of despair. Everywhere grows quiet with everyone wiping off tears from their faces.  Although Ikenna was barely four when his Father died he had some bleak memories of him but for him what brings the tears on his own face is the pain and sorrow that filled the eyes of his mother and siblings in that moment.
            And just like those moments, this night too, letting this thoughts he has always avoided come so freely,  he could see the pain and sorrow in their eyes and tears fill his eyes. He allowed the tears to pour down as they rolled onto the pillow.
             He let it all rain down as the rain poured heavily on the roof top.



To be continued.....