The Other Me by Rachael Aligbe
Episode 5
Expecting to welcome her husband, she was surprised when it was a stranger at the door.
“Good evening sir, may I help you?” She asked.
“Good evening ma, please is the Mr. Okocha’s residence?” He replied.
“Yes it is. He’s not in at the moment. How can I help you?” She asked impatiently.
“Madam, I’m sorry to inform you that there was an accident at the junction. This wallet was recovered from the scene. The identity card reads Mr. Chinedu Okocha.” He said with grief.
On hearing this, Mrs. Okocha began to laugh uncontrollably. The laugh slowly changed to cry. She threw herself on the floor. She began to scream. The stranger looked helpless; he had no idea on how to pacify her.
Mrs. James was washing the dishes in her kitchen when she heard someone screaming outside and she went outside to know the cause of the commotion. She increased her pace when she realized that it was her neighbour screaming.
“Mama Ada, what is it? Why are you crying?” She asked.
With no response, she asked the helpless looking stranger what was going and what he had done to make her cry. Her knees gave way when he told her what had happened. She moved to comfort Mama Ada.
They went to the hospital to confirm if he was the one. They were taken to the mortuary. She was dumbfounded to see her husband who laid still.
Then the display began.
“Papa Ada, wake up o. You cannot leave me and go now o. This was not what you promised me o. Who will take care of me and the children? Who will massage my back when it’s stiff? You cannot leave me o. Better wake up.” She began to wail. With a loud shout, she fell and became unconscious.