Episode 1
"Chidera drop that book you're reading and come to the kitchen. You won't be going to school
tomorrow anyways. "
That was my 'anty' the stranger I stay with at Onitcha.
My name is Chidera, I am 24 now. But, as at the time you heard that voice, I was 12. Leaving
with Anty Philo in Onitcha.
How my life took a drastic turn for the worst is still like a dream. It happened so fast that I can
barely keep track of it. How a girl who lived like a princess is now hawking all manner of stuff in
the streets of Onitcha is hard to understand. I have heard the story morthan once from
sympathizers and anty Esther.
According to them;
My parents met in Zaria during their NYSC program. Theirs was love at first sight and it
materialised into marriage after 2years of courtship. My father had gotten a good job through his
roommate in school in a telecommunication company immediately after service. He was paid
well, so settling down after two years of POP wasn't hard. Few months after their wedding, he
helped my mother get a job in same company, but, another branch.
Their wedding wasn't supported by my paternal grandparents especially my grandmother, but
my dad was said to have fought to finish and made so many enemies amongst his kinsmen
because of my mother.
2years after marriage and nothing to show for it except for the inflow of cash. Mockers began,
my grandmother and aunts began the 'I told you' chorus, my mother became heavily worried but
my dad never flinched as he was my mom's rock and their love never slowed down.
5years now and my mother's belly kept getting flat and flatter. She began to frequent prayer
houses, hospitals, herbal homes, churches, and any of such places you can think of.
My father's 'don't worry' began to sound weak, their sexual life began to detoriate.
My mom began to cry herself to sleep, they were loosing their marriage and there seem to be
nothing anyone can do about it. My father's family did not make it any easier on my mom
anyways, but my father never stopped fighting them off.
7years later, it became obvious that they would never have children.
What could be the problem?
All doctors confirmed they are medically okay. Some true seers had seen that they would have
kids in due time. But, seems they were all wrong. Kindly hi kwaku ome on+233544142683 to be
added to story headquarters room for more stories. Maybe God has destined them to be barren
and had given them money in place of Children.
They were the famous 'rich barren couple' but hey! Who is it again that has the final say?
You guessed right.
My father suggested they adopt and my mom jumped at the option and they looked for a good
motherless home and applied. They were given a date to come back and pick the baby they had
selected when my mom fell ill and they couldn't go. When the sickness persisted my father took
my mom to the hospital for check ups and treatment.
"congratulations Mr. And Mrs. Johnson. You're pregnant. Sir, madam is 5weeks gone" the doctor
said.
It sounded like noise. This doctor must be a quack. My parents went to 3 other hospitals and all
result came back positive... Hallelujah... Our God is alive... He has shamed our enemies must
be the few clauses that reigned in our mansion that day.
That night, my parents made love like it was their wedding night. Suddenly, within a twinkle of an
eye, joy, love, intimacy and peace returned and my parents made a decision while entangled in
each others arms, to resign from their jobs and focus on birthing the much awaited baby.
My father opened a supermarket, a very big one, he and his beloved wife will manage it, they
bought cars and motorcycles for business and gave them out to riders who delivered seasonally.
They had built 2 mansions, the finer one was were they lived and the other one was on rentage.
Life was set!
My father pampered my mom, she too was very careful and took all recommended rest, food
and drinks. Only the best doctors attended to mama and they awaited for my arrival with so
much impatience and hope.
7months later, I came forth. As though I read their thoughts and wanted to spare them of all the
anxiety of waiting...
I was incubated and I survived. Mom and child in perfect condition, what more can they ask for.
My parents stayed all night searching for a biffiting name for a child as precious as this. They
finally decided on CHIDERA! (whatever God has written, is written and cannot be wiped off)
I grew to have the best of everything, I wore the best clothes, went to the best schools in our
neighborhood and I was greatly envied by other kids.
Just like an Agric fowl, I grew rapidly and my 7th birthday was celebrated in grand style. The
love my parents showed me was massive, sometimes they would argue who would eat with me,
put me to sleep, feed me, bath me etc. Infact I had the best childhood experience.
One day, my mother came to my room and sat beside me.
"Dera, don't you want a baby? "
"I do mama. I want a sister, that I can dash all my clothes to"
"good, why don't you pray for mama to have another baby"
"okay I will pray and ask my teacher in school where she got her own baby so that you can go
there and get yours. Her baby is very fair and fine mom"
"don't ask your teacher anything child, just pray to your God to send you one of your friends in
heaven to come and be your sibling on earth"
Though I didn't understand her, I still promised to pray. I have heard mom argue alot of times
that I am not a regular child and that I am different and that I'm a destiny child. She believes that
I have some spiritual powers and she would argue this, even with my dad.
My mom kept begging me to talk to 'my God' to send one of 'my friends that I used to play with
in heaven' and she will buy me anything I ask to make me happy and in the mood to talk to 'my
God'
One day, she came in with bags containing shoes of different kind, wrapper, wrist watch, my
favorite cartoon plate, toys, cake, biscuits and many things for myself and my friends in school.
She knelt down and in tears she said.
"Chidera nwam, please beg your God to help your mama, I am soon passing the firtile age and
when I pass this stage, I wont be able to get you a baby anymore "
She cried alot that night and after pleading with me, she tucked me in, kissed me goodnight and
left.
I was worried about my mom, I thought of all her words and I knelt down with tears flowing down
my cheeks. With my tiny voice I said... If truly there's a God who is my God, please send one of
my friends to my mom. Please give us a baby.
In the morning, I had expected to see a baby but I didn't... I asked my mom if she got the baby
and she said no. So I kept praying.
One Saturday evening my parents came home so happy, not once have I seen them that happy.
They almost bought me a house full of gifts that day.
They broke the news to me both kneeling down as mummy has finally convinced dad that I am
a god of some sort
"Dera, Your God has sent us one of your friends from heaven, and very soon we will have a new
baby" mummy said
I jumped in excitement.
But
If actually my prayer to 'my God' had made him send us 'my friend who I used to play with in
heaven' then, I should never have prayed that prayer.
Tbc......