The Ultimate Prize

May 4th 2007, Ajah.







I had woken up that Saturday morning with an unforgiving headache; although I slept late and woke up early but everything I needed for the trip to Abuja was ready.

Like an eighty-year old woman with arthritis, I groaned and crawled out of the bed.

More groans and stretching got me into the bathroom.

An hour later, I was in the process of making coffee when my four sisters came in unceremoniously and filled my little living room, they put on the TV and were watching some soap, ordering me around for breakfast as well.

My phone rang immediately after I heaped three spoons of coffee beans in the maker and switched it on.

We usually gather most weekends to drink coffee/slim tea, gossip about men and our spouses and watch our favorite soap on TV.

My first guess were my sons, David and Abraham, they where on their way back to school and probably were calling to tell me where they were. I promised them I would stop by their school after the ceremony to show them the pictures.

I had bought the eldest, David, a new phone so I could reach them to know how the journey was progressing.

When I checked, it was a strange number.

I answered anyway, frowning because my coffee was ready and I longed for a steamy sip; my sisters were already gossiping; I could barely hear what Hellene was telling Janet in whispers about her new Admin Manager. She had informed us earlier on that he studied abroad and had an ego the size of Taraba state! I suspected she had a huge crush on him and was dying to know more.

“Hello”

“Hello, is this Elizabeth?”

“Speaking, who’s this?” as I attempted a sip, I was thinking who could it be?

“This is Dr. Daniel, don’t panic, madam, your son wants to talk to you …”

“Don’t panic?” is this 419? Or was he one of the passengers in the car? Why was David not using his own phone to call me?

My eyes hurt because I had one of those headaches that came from waking up too early or not sleeping right on pillow; in my own case, it was caused by anxiety; both trips were on my mind.

I was more nervous because it was the first time they were going back alone without an adult. No one was on hand to take them including myself as I was flying the next day for my call to Nigerian Bar ceremony; passing the bar exams was the ultimate prize for all lawyers; after six years of rigorous sleepless studies coupled with mega fretting and nail-biting exam, I won.

“Hello, David, where are you guys?” they should be approaching Ore town by now. It was few minutes after nine am and they left the house around six am.

“Mum, our car had an accident…”





An Accident! My whole world froze in time. I could hear my heartbeat flip-flopped.

“Accident?” I repeated stupidly. Seriously or are they just pulling my legs? “Where is your brother Abraham?” it was more of a croak.

My God! And I was worrying about how bitter the coffee was, whether to add sugar or not because of my spreading waistline, wandering hips and things I must do before my trip. Wow!

And it’s not the even first of April!! My sons had an accident…for real…O God!

“I’m fine mom; Abraham is…em... fine…” David said.

Why the pause?

“Let me talk to him!” after a gap, the line went off.

By now, the conversation had stopped; all my sisters and her kids gathered around me wanting to know what happened. Nobody watched episode nine we had waited a whole week for.

“David and Abraham were involved in an accident.” I actually sounded like a rock star because there was a squeaky huskiness made out of sheer fear in my voice.

“Are they ok? Are they in hospital? We need to go get them! Where are they?” everyone was talking at once.

I shook my head, redialing the number, after three agonizing trials, it rang again.

“Where are you David?”

“Madam don’t panic, they’re here in the hospital at Kajola…” I need to put on my robe and go right away.

Panic? I was petrified. Where in the world was Kaj-ola??? I was already going out of the door barefoot before someone gave me slippers to wear.

This was one of those few times I wish I could fly.

I needed to be with them right away.

“They’re fine…”

“Let me talk to Abraham!” I was already shaking; if they didn’t put my youngest son on the line then I’ll know something terrible happened to him!

“Ok hold on…” I waited for eternity (actually for three seconds) then I heard faint voices in the background.

By now, I had my phone on speaker so my siblings crowding me could hear.

After a long pause, very faintly, I heard a voice said:

“Hello mom” it was Abrahams’ voice.

A lone tear slid down my cheek; it was the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard.

Right there, I realized I had already won the ultimate prize to aspire for and it wasn’t passing the bar exams…it is the gift of life; the one every parent deserves-not to lose a child…it beats all other prizes…