A Child's Struggle

~10~

Roland's mother sat on a chair dozing off in his ward. She was really stressed out but at least she was glad the blood transfusion went well. Her husband had done the blood transfusion so he was still sleeping. He was also in the same ward with Roland. She had called her house maid to bring some things she needed before she dozed off.

Roland steadily opened his eyes as he tried moving his body. He felt a hand resting on his body then turned to see the person but he felt a sharp pain in his head. As he whined in pain, his mom jolted up from sleep immediately. She was happy he had opened his eyes. She pressed the intercom to alert the nurses. Almost immediately the nurses assigned to him came to check him up. They told her he was doing well and it just remained the injuries to heal properly. She was very happy as she hugged her son tightly like she would lose him again.

Roland was looking around the room when he noticed it was actually his dad that had been lying there. He knew he saw someone there but he just thought it was another patient not knowing it was his dad. He questioned his mum on why his dad is there and she explained everything to him. Tears escaped his eyes as he remembered what led to all these. He wished he just left Raphael alone, at least he won't have been in this mess.
His mother not understanding why he was crying just consoled him that his father was alright and would soon wake up.

                            Bamidele's House

                             Sunday Afternoon

It had not been easy for anyone in the Bamidele's family. The house was like it had been baptized with sadness. Both his parents were confused that they could not even shout at him. They did not know the angle the shout should come from. It was just so frustrating. For Raphael, though he was at home it seemed he was in a burning furnace. He had not stayed for one day yet but it felt like he was choked up. He couldn't walk around freely for fear of seeing his parents and get shouted on. Through out that day he had been in his room just thinking on how stupid he had been to fight with Roland.

Mrs Bamidele was so disstabilized that she forgot her daughter was even coming back the next day and did not prepare at all. She kept thinking about the shame she would face around neighbors that see him around and also church members. Her husband had left the house that morning and had not returned till evening. He possibly went to cool his head off.

It was Sunday but they didn't go to church because they were all not in their right mind and also Racheal was coming home. When Racheal reached the airport she wondered why it was the driver that picked her up because the agreed conversation was that her dad would pick her. Well she didn't bother to question the driver as she thought maybe there was a surprise waiting for her at home. On getting home, she perceived that there was a bit of stress and sadness on the face of her parents. Toluwani was the only one with a bright face but not too bright like she expected. The worst was that there was no surprise waiting for her. It was just the normal welcoming thing like you are fat now ooh, how was school and the rest.

"Mum, Dad", she said as she looked at their faces one by one. "What's the matter? Why the coldness?"

The both of them kept staring at her without saying anything. 
"Ok I don't know if you both are okay but I guess you have to see a doctor and...", she was still talking when Tolu dragged her out of the sitting room.

"Tolu what is it? Why are you dragging me? What! Why are you taki...ing me to his room", she was confused why Toluwani was taking her to Raphael's room.

He asked me to bring you. He can't come out", she whispered.

He can't come out?", Rachael asked a bit confused. Is he around? 

"You'll see for yourself", Tolu answered as she turned the door handle and entered the room with Racheal following.

Racheal was very surprised seeing Raphael at home and the way he looked was not good at all. He looked like he had been crying and not eating well.

"What happened to you? Why are so down? Are you okay? Is there some...?" She kept throwing different questions at him as she touched his body like the loving sister she is.

"I heard you questioning mum and dad so I told Toluwani to call you so I can answer the question."

"Answer the question?" She was so suprised. "how would you know what's going on with..."

"I'm the reason why they are down. I'm the reason why everyone is sad and there is no joy and happiness. I brought shame upon the house and..."

"Thank God you know", his mum cut in. She was going to the girls room to make sure it's in order when she overhead the discussion. "I'm really happy you know you have brought shame to this house and no one has to tell you. I can't believe, like I'm still wondering how the boy I trained almost killed someone's child and now has been expelled." She walked into the room and stared at him as her eyes were fiery. Toluwani was scared that she just curled up at the end of the bed.

"Mum I didn't try to kill him. It was a reflex action and it was an indefinite suspension." Raphael tried to defend himself which was a totally wrong idea.

"Shut up your mouth. How dare you talk back at me?" she said as she moved closer to him. What's the difference between the two. Indefinite and expelled. Your mates are in school now but here you are. If you were in your class writing test would you have injured that boy." She rose her hand to slap him but Racheal interfered.

"Mumm... Pls don't hit him. Please I beg you", Racheal pleaded as she held her mum tight.

"No leave me. This boy has caused me pa....pain" she broke down in tears. How can this happen to me? After all the money that has been spent on you this is how you want to repay me" Rachael led her out of the room to the sitting room.

"Mum sit and relax your mind. At this rate you would fall sick. Please I know he has made you so angry and I'm pretty sure this is the first shout you are giving him that's why you are so angry. Don't worry too much, just watch tv", she got up and changed the channel to Zee world. At least the last she knows her mum liked Zee world so much.

Mrs Bamidele finally calmed down after some moments of laughter that the tv show had ignited and some little chats from Racheal. She later went to check up on Raphael as she felt bad for shouting on him that much. He was already asleep but it seemed he cried to sleep. She adjusted him properly then carried Toluwani who was also sleeping there to her room.

"This kind of evening sleep, soon they will wake up and refuse to sleep again", she mummured to herself as she closed Toluwani's room door.