Hello, everyone. I’m
@caramel10 and I’m glad to be a part of this wonderful community, which I was introduced to, by
@caramel10-4angelseu. I joined the Hive community a while ago and it’s a privilege to not just be a member, but to share with you all an unforgettable event that has remained stuck in my memory and left an indelible mark.
It was one hot afternoon, I had come back from school drenched and soaked in sweat. I opened the gate and ran towards the kitchen to get cold water to quench my thirst when I heard a familiar voice call my name "Caramel how are you?". I turned around immediately, and behold it was Aunty Angela, my mom’s younger sister and my favourite aunty. I shouted at the top of my lungs and jumped on her in excitement. I hadn’t seen Aunty Angela in years because she lived overseas, and didn’t know she was going to be visiting, according to her "I wanted to surprise you."
"I got lots of gifts for you, I’m sure you’ll like it. But you will have to wait till tomorrow" , Aunty Angela said. She had arrived in Nigeria that day and was too tired to start unboxing the gifts she brought for everyone. I wondered what gifts she had brought for me as we chatted all through the night. It felt like a dream that she was home after five years and I was so happy. But she looked frail and easily tired and requested to sit or lie and I attributed it to jetlag or as a result of the long journey.
Luckily, the next day was on a Saturday which meant I could unbox my gifts immediately. Aunty Angela brought gifts for my parents and siblings too, everyone was happy. That day felt like a feast I didn’t want to end, haha.
"I’ll travel to go and see mama and papa on Monday, I’ve informed them already " , I had heard Aunty Angela say to my mom in her bedroom.
I barged in. "Aunty Angela I’ll go with you" , I said.
My mom looked at me and frowned, "Where are your manners? Can’t you see that we’re discussing?" she yelled.
My Aunty smiled, "don’t worry worry my baby, you’ll come with me, next time" , she replied
I was sad when I left the room.
Then the next day, she left for her trip to the village, what I didn't know then was that I was seeing her in good health for the last time, she had been diagnosed with a rare kind of blood cancer and had been given a few months to live. So she had returned home to be with her loved ones till the end.
It was during the holiday that we all travelled to the village to be with her, she wasn't at home. The next morning we headed straight to the hospital where she'd been admitted, I wept when I saw her, she was so frail, so emanciated I couldn't believe. Everyone present couldn't control their tears, it remains one of the most emotional happenings in my life.
I stayed with my aunty throughout that day and night, holding her hands tightly and reassuring her that she would be fine. The next morning, as she was being prepared for chemotherapy, I remember her saying "Always be a good girl, okay?"
"Okay” I managed to smile.
The nurses then came for her. For one week afterwards, she drifted in between worlds and everyone mourned because we knew that she was far gone.
That cold morning, exactly on the 8th day after we arrived, she was gone!!!
That unforgettable and unfortunate event happened years ago, but it still feels like it happened yesterday. Aunty Angela’s demise still remains a shock to us, I’ve wished severally that it was all a dream and that I’d wake up and see her beside me. If only wishes were horses.
Her eight-year memorial was held last November. I miss her everyday!
Thank you for reading.
