WHERE THE LOTUS GROWS

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR?

The doctors informed him that Taiwo's condition had stabilized so Dapo spent yet another night in the hospital only leaving to get a change of clothes and go to work, knowing he was the closest thing to family that Taiwo had in Nigeria and it would help him to see at least one familiar face when he finally woke up. He had known Taiwo was suffering from acute depression but he had definitely not anticipated this. Relief washed over him when he heard that Taiwo was finally conscious; he had given them such a scare.

When Taiwo regained consciousness, he realized what he had done and was blaming himself for his senselessness. How could he even have thought of committing suicide? His better judgment must have failed him at that moment of weakness. He was very grateful to Dapo who was right there when the blurry black images he was seeing finally became clearer.

"Thanks Dapo. I can't believe I actually did that" he said, tears gathering in his eyes for the first time since his world came crashing down in quick succession. "What are friends for? Don't worry about it man."

"Really, thanks for showing up when you did. I just can't thank you enough."

"All the glory belongs to God. Kike and I are praying for you to get well soon." Dapo replied swallowing the lump in his own throat and attempting to lighten the tension in the air. "Don't think you're getting off the hook that easily. I still want you as my best man for the wedding." The instant the words left his mouth, he regretted it as he saw the flash of pain pass across Taiwo's face which he tried to mask but he knew him too much to be fooled. He had thoughtlessly brought up the topic of weddings which were a sore topic of discussion with Taiwo since his failed engagement.

"I'm sorry. That didn't come out... I didn't mean to bring back..." he trailed off as Taiwo raised his hands to stop him from talking.
"Forget it. You don't need to walk on eggshells around me, I understand. Besides, I'm over it." he said in that tone that meant only one thing, this-conversation-is-over.
"So, what would you like for lunch?" Dapo conceded, trying for a smile.

Taiwo smiled back at Dapo's poor attempt to change the line of conversation. The thought of the wedding caused a sharp pain that coursed through him whenever he thought of Anita. But now, the pain wasn't that of losing someone you love, because he had gradually learned to replace such feelings with anger and that made the thought easier to bear. He refused to vent out his frustrations on Dapo.

Dapo left shortly after bringing him lunch to see his fiancée and continue preparations for his wedding coming up in four months.
He knew it was wrong to hold a grudge but he couldn't shake off the feeling just yet.
Still, it was with a smile that Taiwo slept that night knowing that he still had a shot at life and making every moment count. He didn't really have something you'd call a good relationship with God but that night he said a clumsy prayer and he didn't know how but someone was definitely listening.

*********************

"Help! Taiwo, help me please! Please!" she screamed, before her head went under water again.
He whipped around and saw his mother drowning in the ocean and gasping for air as the waves crashed over her again and again making her disappear from his line of sight every few seconds.

He tried to run towards the water but his legs wouldn't move. In fact, he couldn't feel his feet at all. It was a dark, moonless night but he could make out two other figures drowning a bit farther from her. Next came the voices of his brother and sister screaming for help, their faces contorting in pain as they fought against the aggressive waves which seemed to come directly from the pit of hell to torment them, confirming that the two blobs he saw in the distance were indeed his siblings.

"Taiwo! Taiwo! Taiwo!" He heard over and over again, as their voices pierced through the silence of the night, echoing over the water. He screamed in pain, in hope that somehow his screams might ease their pain, save them, anything. The guilt of not being able to save them ate at him, poking holes in his already fragile heart. He just couldn't stand being so helpless and weak as invisible forces kept him rooted to the spot, making him suffer the agony of their pain along with his.