Pestilence at nineteen

Eleven

June 13 , 2020. Nigeria.

My dearest daughter Nene ,

   I write two letters today , and I write with grief in my heart...before I go on I would like you to forgive me from the deepest part of your meekest heart. If you see this letter , I might have been dead by then and I want you to remain strong. My inability these passing and rolling months to communicate my predicaments to you was for your own safety and sanity , and that I assure you...I have peptic cancer , a malignant disease which tampers alot with my digestive tracts and organs , I am sorry for saying this now , but you must know that I didn't want to disrupt any of your plans with my problems. You must know how unhappy and how happy I am altogether.
   First , I am happy with the life you are leading , Keffi your mother would be really proud of you , and I as a Father can say proudly and emphatically , "that is a Jesa!" I could have died in peace but this virus has given us not the chance to see each other again...that pains me more than my ulcer and I cry each time I stare at your baby pictures.I don't even know your birthday anymore because I have been too engrossed with myself, and on that part , I failed as a Father.
   When I die , people will say I must have died from the Corona virus , even you too , I guess , but this is no virus , this is secrecy and it's saddening that I don't get a chance to fight it ... but I assure myself of one thing , my epoch is over and now it's your turn to continue from where I stopped , you are a Jesa and you have poewr in your voice and your writings , let them speak for you.
   Friends are the beautifulest of things you can ever encounter in this stage of your life , use and engage them well in all ramifications. I made a mistake of being a hermit and that mistake , I totally regret...I dont want you to have any rue or compunction too.
  I don't know when this pandemic and Lockdown will be concluded but I want you to know that I worked on a little project at my spare time , I tried finding Nissis' mother and the news I got from the routers reveals that she died some months ago...her last words according to the onlookers before her death were "Nissis... college" even for an uneducated woman she wanted her child to have quality education , I wish I were hail to give him the education he needs but I know one person that might be able to complete this legacy - you. Only you can do this for the little boy , I would appreciate it if you could adopt him as your child and take care of him as a sister would a brother...he deserves to be happy...I have sent him to an orphanage home where he is in proper shape , I have communicated the address to your Aunty Ifeka , who will tell you about it later on. After the lockdown , go for him.
  You must know I have no objection with you and Mr Jason Durham , if you think he is a nice man and care is present, you have my blessings. I couldn't say anything more.
  As I drop my pen , I feel cold and warm at the same time , lukewarm I presume , you must remember my funny quote "man certainly knows he would die , but proves to be finnicky even in times of distress"that explains how I feel right now , my time is very near, and I wrote my name in the sands of time. I will see your mother soon...in your letter which I might not be alive to see , write what you would like me to tell her , for who knows? I might see it and I might not. Goodbye Nene. LABLV'D.
                                                A Man at  in extremis,
                                                Azuka Jesa.

Dear Nigerians ,

The most trying times are most certainly here.

                                       A compatriot,
                                          Azuka Jesa.