The Other Me by Rachael Aligbe
Episode 4
When his wife was discharged, Mr. Okocha took her home with their son. When they got home, everywhere was quiet because the other children had to spend the night with their neighbor while he took her to the hospital the previous day. Their neighbor also prepared them for school and took them to school since they also attended the same school with their children.
This meant that Mr. and Mrs. Okocha would have enough time to rest before the children arrived from school as he had had little or no rest at the hospital. He brought out the baby bed while she placed him on the bed. She was still tired therefore she slept on the sofa in the living room. It was past four when there was a knock on the door.
Mrs. James, their neighbour, had already picked up the children from school. They were elated to see a new baby. Seven days later, he was named Chinonso.
Nonso was a bright kid. He was smarter than his classmates and had great grades in school. There was no speech and prize giving day each year that he didn’t collect at least six gifts for being the best in certain subjects. This feat earned him a scholarship throughout his secondary school education.
When he was in Grade nine, tragedy struck. Mrs. Okocha was at home preparing dinner while awaiting her husband’s return from the shop. There was a knock on the door.