Chapter 4: Deadlines and Dread

I stop, shock. I nearly drop my car key for ground. This one strong.

"Doctor talk say she need maintenance chemo. Make we prepare like two, three hundred thousand. If na bone marrow transplant, at least five, six hundred thousand..."

I just dey nod, dey calculate for mind. Health matter, no be play. E go run money o!

I sigh, try calm am. "Forget money matter. Just dey with your mama, focus on her health."

I hold his shoulder, look am eye-to-eye. For this Naija, to stand for padi side, e dey rare. I gats do am well.

For payment counter, I push Musa aside, pay two hundred thousand. Cashier dey look my face, dey size me up. I just smile like person wey win land case.

After long night for hospital, I finally drive go house. Body dey pain me. Hospital wahala no be beans.

Check my phone: 11:58 PM. As I see time, cold sweat start. E remain make my village people finish me. Dem talk say if you cross midnight with debt, na bad luck for seven years. I no wan try am.

My body cold, I rush enter supermarket, use the system eighty naira buy kitchen knife. I just carry the smallest knife, pay sharp sharp. No time for story.

As I pay finish, clock hit midnight. That midnight moment na like NEPA take light. I just dey thank God say I make am.

[Ding! Mobile money alert: ₦160]

Fresh alert—omo, e dey sweet to hear that sound. I carry my kitchen knife go house, sleep like log. That sleep, na real luxury. After day of wahala, I just off.