Handling Grief

Chapter Three

I couldn't sleep that Friday night. My head ached and my eyes were heavy from crying too much. I had to stay awake and watch my mom sleep. The next morning, dark circles were evident on my face.

I cared less though.

"Miss Udoh," the doctor called me.

"Yes, doctor" I answered him, sniffing so long.

He searched my eyes.

"Are you still crying?" he asked.

Should I be laughing?

More tears poured.

"Miss Udoh, I have told you. Everything happens for a reason. Don't hate yourself for this circumstance that has befallen you. It will get better, I promise"

He smiled hoping I would return the smile. I tried to but it turned a pathetic attempt.

"That's more like it!" he praised me with a pat on my shoulder, "I will not bill you for your mother. Right now, you have to gather your family members to bury your dad"

My family members!

My mom's and dad's family hated one another. You don't need a soothsayer to say why before you know. It seemed like it was a taboo in my mom's family for a woman to help a man pay her bride price. That was never my business since my mom told me the story till now. All I was just thinking about was how to break the news to my paternal and maternal kins.

As predicted...

..."We have gathered here today to fix a day for our brother's burial" my uncle Peter announced.

"Peter, I beg your pardon" his sister Hannah interrupted, "there is actually more to what we have gathered here for"

"Hmm...corpses and carcasses can not hide their smell" my maternal aunty Chichi spoke.

She rested her body weight on her laps, leaving the comfort of leaning on the sofa.

"What more have you guys gathered for other than to create trou...?"

"...eh ehn, ehn, ehn, ehn..." Aunty Hannah chipped in, pointing a warning finger at Aunty Chichi as if she were her mate, "Open your eyes, old woman and take a good look at us. Do we look like children like you? Do we resemble people who don't know how evil looks...?"

"My friend, settle down" my maternal uncle Cheta quietened the loud woman.

"How dare you shut my sister up in my presence? Uncle Peter asked, his eyes dramatically shut halfway, "Your sister Janet has succeeded in ending our brother's life and you still shut my sister up"

"Wait o!" Uncle Cheta paused Uncle Peter with a finger, "are you trying to say that Janet killed your brother?"

"How did it sound like to you now?" Aunty Chichi asked her brother, "These people do not mean well, from day one of the union between Janet and Collins till now. I only wonder why they are making a fuss about their brother's death. Wasn't his wretched life worse than his death?"

Uncle Peter stood up angrily, "Don't you dare, Chichi! Don't you dare! This is the reason we can't help but suspect that if not Janet but you guys must have done some dubious things to kill Collins"

Uncle Cheta stood up and faced Uncle Peter, tauntingly, "Listen to me Peter and listen very good. None of us can kill Collins. You know why? Because we don't want the blood of a wretch on our hands"

Uncle Peter had had it. His balled fists flew and kissed Uncle Cheta's jaw. Commotion broke out and the two families began to fight.

How does fighting prove your point? Whether he died by human hands or not, he is dead. My dad...my dad...is....he is...dead!