19/09/2022
SACRIFICE BEYOND PRIDE
By Afrosix AJ Jaara
When I met ADA, I knew we could be best friends and yeah it happened, 3 years down the line we bonded so strong till Charles came into the picture, I was happy she found love but the attention given to me was divided.
I knew ADA to be a virgin and Charles from all indications wouldn't keep a relationship without s*x. How do they cope kept running through my head yet I didn't have the courage to ask ADA because it's her private life.
It was fun watching them together, I was lonely no doubt but their happiness mattered more to me, so all I could do was support them in everything they do. One black morning, Charles came to my house with tears running down his cheeks.
What happened? I asked,
It's mama, mama is very sick, the doctor says she needed 12 miliion for surgery. 12 what! 12 million for a surgery. Mama had a kidney challenge and we all were broke.
As we kept deliberating on who and who we would meet to get financial support, ADA entered the room to meet the crisis and she rushed to the hospital to stay with mama.
Two weeks passed, Mama was still hospitalized, all we could gather was 2 million from the sales of Charles' inheritance from his grandfather since he was a result of r**e.
We tried our best, mama had less than one week to live according to the doctor and all options were exhausted. Friends, family deserted us. Charles kept crying like a baby and I felt horrible.
5 days passed out of the 7 days, time wasn't on our side anymore, I could see Mama losing strength in her words. At about midnight ADA took me to a corner and said these words
"Promise me you won't tell Charles"
"Promise me you won't leave me"
"I love you and waited for you to ask me but you didn't that's why I'm with him"
"yes, I do love him and you guys have become the most precious people in my life but I have to save MAMA".
"Promise me you'll stay with mama this night okay, I'll be back tomorrow".
Holding her face, we kissed and she went off.
We didn't plan the kiss, I felt we hurt Charles with that unexplainable act we just did, I felt bad but Mama was more important than our relationship at that point.
Turning back to go into the hospital, I saw Charles standing and it was obvious he say what just happened.
He shouted at me!
"Promise what, tell me, so all these while you two have been.
" hell no, you're wrong".
As I tried explaining he mistake I got a slap.
Charles left me that night with these words
"just watch over mama this night, by tomorrow you'll not be needed anymore".
The night was long, every minute raced like a marathon, which made me sleep off, only to be awoken by ADA. I've paid the remaining 10 million, so mama will go for surgery this morning.
How did you get the money?
Sssshhhh, don't ask me questions
Just forgive me okay, by the way where's Charles?
Putting my head down, "he saw you kiss me last night, so he left the hospital".
Oh No, let's go sort out mama issue first, I'll handle Charles.
3 hours passed, doctors and nurses going in and out; all we could do was pray. Finally one of the doctors came out with the news that sweetened the grave-store.
ADA cried, rolled, shouted, mama was gone, money can't be refunded, as I tried consoling her, she fainted. While nurses tried reviving her, an ambulance arrived with a body filled with injuries.
"oh my God, it was Charles".
What happened to him, please tell me what happened?
The officer that came with the ambulance asked him I knew him and I responded "yes sir".
Please, what happened?
He was shot by the police while he and his gang robbed the bank early hours of today. We hope the doctor save his life so he can identify the rest of the gang that ran away with the sum of 150 million dollars.
Ewo!
Officer my friend isn't thief,
Yes, I no he's not a thief but a notorious criminal.
Tears spoke more than ever , 2 hours later Charles was confirmed dead ,while ADA couldn't forgive herself for losing her virginity of 26 years to a rich man for 10 million naira that didn't serve its purpose.