Chapter five: A Tragic Tale Unfolds
At the state hospital, the busy nurses hurried to the delivery room where Raynell lay ready to give birth. Mr. and Mrs. Badmus, accompanied by their sons, looked tense and worried. Meanwhile, Raynell endured severe labor pains. After pushing tirelessly, she finally gave birth to a bouncing baby boy and girl. The doctor went out to inform her family of the arrival, bringing smiles to their previously anxious faces.
Three hours later, Raynell's parents and brothers gathered joyously around the new babies, thrilled to welcome two wonders into the family. Mrs. Badmus, elated to have twins as grandchildren, couldn't help but smile through her tears. She confessed, "I am delighted to have two precious grandchildren. I would have been even happier if Raynell had them in wedlock, but fate chose a different path for my daughter." Her husband and sons comforted her.
Amidst these emotions, the doctor arrived to update the family on Raynell's health and her desire to see them. Raynell had been in critical condition since giving birth, slowly slipping away with each passing moment. With little time left, she requested the presence of her loved ones.
Mrs. Badmus and her entire family rushed to Raynell's VIP room. In the presence of everyone, Raynell spoke with a faint smile and a trembling voice, "Mom, Dad, my loving brothers, I'm deeply grateful for your unwavering support and love throughout. I have a secret to share. Two weeks ago, my brother, Matthew, revealed to me that he was responsible for my pregnancy. I had always been confused about the father of my children, thinking it was my brother's friend, Collins, who entered during the time Matthew was harassing me. With this knowledge, I'd like to name my babies 'Micheal' and 'Rejoice.'" Raynell passed away after naming her children.
Confusion and grief enveloped the room. Raynell's brothers sought help from her doctor, while her parents wept beside her lifeless body. The doctor confirmed her passing and covered her body. Mr. and Mrs. Badmus, along with their sons, were heartbroken over the tragic news. The entire family mourned her loss.
During the burial ceremony, Mrs. Badmus, pallid and weak, expressed her grief and sorrow, asking, "Why, Raynell? Why is fate so unjust to you? How can my innocent child die like this?" Overwhelmed by anger, she confronted her son Matthew, slapped him, and cried out for everyone to hear, "You heartless soul, your actions led to her early demise. I don't want to see you here again. Get lost, and never show your face here." Her husband intervened, taking her away to avoid further public spectacle.
Matthew was forever shunned by his family for his role in his sister's tragic end. Despite his attempts to see his children, he was denied access by his mother, who focused on caring for the babies.
After four months of unwavering determination, he successfully secured admission to the university. Choosing to embrace a newfound seriousness, he distanced himself from others, fully aware that earning back his family's acceptance would be a lengthy process. Focused on a well-paying part-time job, he diligently saved money for personal expenses, finding solace in the fact that his brilliance earned him a scholarship, covering his educational costs.
Chapter six: A Family Reunited: A Father's Journey of Redemption
Eleven years had passed since Raynell's death, and her two wonderful twins had grown up. The scene opens in the Badmus family garden, where you see two lovely kids chasing a young man. The bond between the three unmistakably reveals him as the children's father.
Before these joyous moments, a lot had transpired within the family. The twins' father, Matthew, had once been denied access to his children. However, he turned his life around by pursuing higher education at the university, earning a First -class degree, and securing a well-paying job. His transformation mended the rift with his parents and family, granting him access to his twins.
In the garden, the little boy, Michael, eagerly chases his father, Matthew, exclaiming, "Daddy, daddy, please wait for me; I want to play more!" His dad stops and kindly says, "I can see you're tired. Let's relax and play later." Michael, not ready to stop, tries to persuade his dad, but his sister Rejoice interrupts, claiming exhaustion.
While the two siblings argue, Matthew's phone rings, and he notices an important caller. He excuses himself from the children to answer the call.
For five good years, Matthew has owned a successful business firm that attracted worldwide investment. Despite his diligence, unforeseen challenges threaten his company's financial stability. He works relentlessly to convince investors, shareholders, and the board of directors to grant more time to resolve the company's predicament.
Following his urgent call, Matthew's sour mood catches the attention of his mother, who had been tending to the garden. She notices that something is amiss. Mrs. Badmus had been rejoicing in her son's transformation, as he had abandoned his unhealthy habits of drinking and smoking. She had consistently thanked God for making her son a better man.
Hurriedly, Matthew prepares for a business trip to Canada. He informs his mom and kids about his sudden departure, promising to return in two days. The children reluctantly bid him farewell.
After Matthew leaves for his urgent trip, his mother brings her grandchildren inside, preventing them from playing with other neighborhood kids. She cherishes them deeply, as they are a precious connection to her late daughter, Raynell.
Mrs. Badmus prepares dinner and sets up the TV for her grandchildren to watch their favorite cartoons. Afterward, she tackles household chores, reflecting on how much she misses her late daughter's help with chores and laundry.
When the family members return home, they all have their evening baths, and Mrs. Badmus goes to reheat the meals she prepared earlier. Unfortunately, she burns her hand on a hot saucepot. Francis, one of her sons, rushes to her aid and expresses concern about her frequent burns. She attributes it to being lost in thought and her exhaustion from managing the household chores and caring for her grandchildren.
Francis offers to hire a house help to ease her burden, but she declines the offer. Later, the two ensure that dinner is served and taken care of, with Francis volunteering to handle the dishwashing.
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Matthew arrives in Canada, mentally preparing to face Mr. Joshua, a key investor with significant shares in his company. Mr. Peter, Matthew's secretary, approaches him with a notepad and informs him of a last-minute change in the meeting venue, orchestrated by Mr. Joshua's secretary. Matthew, though displeased with Mr. Joshua's way of doing things, remains silent and instructs Peter to prepare the car for the new venue.
While they are in the car, Peter realizes he hadn't informed his boss about another crucial business meeting. Apologetically, he explains that the JRM Group industry has requested an appointment for the following day, emphasizing its potential to resolve their current business challenges. Matthew, after a moment of contemplation, sees the wisdom in Peter's suggestion.
Upon arriving at the new venue, Peter appears more concerned than his boss about the scheduled meeting with Mr. Joshua. He had worked with Matthew for four years and witnessed Mr. Joshua's difficult behavior during negotiations. Peter reflects, "I can't pinpoint how this issue started, but I hope my boss finds a way out of this predicament. Perhaps consulting my sister could help tackle this problem."
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RESILIENCE
General FictionAn aimless young man, resorting to assaulting his education-loving younger sister, takes an unexpected turn in life. Fate deals a cruel hand as she passes away, leaving behind a set of twins. Matthew, once troubled, transforms into a successful IT...