₦airaland Forum

"One last time", she muttered. The agonising pain which was way more audible than her voice was almost hidden by a soft smile that played gently on her lips, but it was there, loud as ever. She had always tried to fight it, to leave it ensconced behind that makeshift cloak her gentle smile offered.

She would rather suffer alone, or maybe she just needed me to be strong for the kids, it was bad enough that their mother was dying of cancer. So she always did her best to hide the pain, but it was there, loud as ever.

"Baby, one last time", she said a little louder, painfully turning her head towards it as though to make sure I knew exactly what she was talking about. But how could I not know.

It had been a ritual for the past few months, since she was confined to that room, to that bed. I'd prop her up a little and support her back with a pillow so she could have a better view, but it was never enough. She'd ask me to carry her to it, and I'd lift her frail and dying body to the window.

I'd stand there for several minutes with her in my arms, head on my chest with eyes closed as she took in the sweet smelling freshness that oozed in. It was amazing the amount of life that came in through that small old window. Some times she would keep her eyes open to behold the wonderful imagery, probably the waters purified her soul on sight or maybe the rocks laddened her with strength. 

My own strength came from carrying her and watching her face with a scalp completely devoid of hair glow in the light. She was getting lighter by the day, her skin seemed to be struggling to hang on to her bones. Her eyeballs were almost sinking into their sockets and her face had shrunk thin, but she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever beheld.

I was now standing by the window, lost in deep thought. I pushed out the window a little further and walked back to her bed. Her eyes were closed. The pain on her face was gone, completely. In its place was peace. She was gone.

With teary eyes I picked up her body and made for the window. One last time.