Joycee

™
Before I share this story, do not throw blames.

That is not the purpose.

But thank God.

I was inside the house watching movie when the light suddenly flickered. Then I heard a loud scream. It was the scream of my neighbours daughter. She is just five years old.

I thought she was being beaten, but when I heard the little child shouting "mummy" over and over again, I decided to open the door and check.

I entered the house to find the elder brother on the floor with yam in his mouth. I though he had died from food poisoning. That was the first thing that struck my mind. But when I asked the little girl what happened, she explained that he had used his fork and dug into the holes of this extension.

"He was playing."

I picked up the boy and shook him.

I didn't know what to do.

Hospital was far from us.

Cars and bikes were also far from us. I would have to run to the junction and stand before I even get an empty bike.

The mother of the child was not at home.

"Where did mummy go?"

"She said she is coming."

I ran outside the compound seeking for help.

But no one was home.

Just I and this two children.

Fear gripped me.

I have never been in such a terrible condition before. I was so scared.

I grabbed a towel and poured water on it and began touching the boy's body. I didn't have the mother's number. The cry of his elder sister became louder.

At a point I began to pray.

"You can't die."

I tapped his cheeks severally.

I poured water on his forehead. It was done out of fear.

Some got into his nostrils and he sneezed and coughed.

There was hope again.

The sister stopped crying.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

I had milk in my room and ran out to bring it so I can give it to me.

He kept looking at me.

And eventually slept off.

Since 6pm this incident happened, I've been waiting for their mother to come back home and she is not back till now. We are all outside with other neighbors.

Her phone is off.

She doesn't know what happened in her absence. She doesn't even know that she would have lost a son if not for God.

If only our eyes can be opened to see how many times God has stood in for us, to wipe tears from our eyes we would be forever grateful.

I am happy we didn't cry tonight. I wouldn't have gotten over this for a long time. I've never held a dead person in my hands before.

Mothers please be careful.

My name is Praises Chidera Obiora and I am the best at what I do.