One day, Susan's heart sank as she received a call from her father. His words cut through her like a knife, filling her with a sense of dread.
"My daughter, your mother is critically ill," he said, his voice trembling with fear. "We need 80,000 naira before the doctor will commence treatment on her. You know your mother is also diabetic."
Susan felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Her mother's health was fragile, and now she was critically ill. The thought of losing her mother was unbearable.
As she ended the call, Susan's frustration boiled over. She felt trapped, caught between a rock and a hard place. She knew her father was counting on her, but she had no idea how she was going to come up with the money.
She thought about Femi, her husband, but he was no longer a source of support. He had made it clear that he wouldn't help her, that she was on her own. Susan felt a wave of despair wash over her as she wondered how she was going to explain her situation to her father.
How could she tell him that she couldn't provide the money, that she was struggling to make ends meet? The thought of disappointing her father was unbearable, and Susan felt like she was running out of options. She was desperate for a solution, but none seemed to be in sight.
Susan felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair. She had no money, no savings, and no way to get the 80,000 naira she desperately needed for her mother's treatment.
The worst part was that her husband, Femi, was nowhere to be found. He had abandoned her, leaving her to fend for herself. Weeks had passed since he'd last set foot in their home, and Susan was starting to lose hope.
She thought about reaching out to her friends, but they had all mocked her in the past for her constant begging. Anna, her closest friend, had been particularly cruel, and Susan couldn't bear the thought of going to her for help again.
As she sat in her empty house, surrounded by the trappings of wealth but feeling utterly destitute, Susan couldn't help but wonder why life was so unfair. She was a rich man's wife, but she couldn't even afford the money she needed to save her mother's life.
The irony was not lost on her. She felt like a failure, a woman who couldn't even take care of her own family. The weight of her responsibilities was crushing her, and Susan felt like she was running out of options.
She thought about her mother, lying in the hospital, fighting for her life. If anything bad happened to her, Susan knew she would never forgive herself. The guilt and regret would haunt her for the rest of her life.
In a last-ditch effort to save her mother's life, Susan decided to try and reach her husband, Femi, by phone. She called him multiple times, but he didn't answer. The silence was deafening, and Susan felt like she was running out of options.
Undeterred, she went into their bedroom and began searching for any sign of money. She rummaged through their wardrobe, tossing aside clothes and shoes in a desperate bid to find something, anything, that could help her.
As she searched, Susan's emotions were in turmoil. She was frustrated, scared, and feeling utterly helpless. But she refused to give up. She had to find a way to save her mother's life, no matter what it took.
Just when she was about to lose hope, Susan's eyes landed on Femi's gold wristwatch. It was a symbol of his wealth and status, but to Susan, it was a potential lifeline. She quickly grabbed the watch and rushed out of the house, determined to pawn it for the money she so desperately needed.
The pawn shop was a short distance away, and Susan's heart was racing as she ran towards it. She had never pawned anything in her life, but she was willing to do whatever it took to save her mother's life. As she burst through the door, Susan felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to get the money, no matter what.
Susan's heart sank as she walked out of the pawn shop with 60,000 naira in hand. It was a significant amount, but still 20,000 naira short of what she needed for her mother's treatment.
Despite the shortfall, Susan didn't hesitate. She quickly sent the money to her father, hoping that it would be enough to at least start her mother's treatment.
As soon as her father received the money, he called her to express his gratitude. However, his tone quickly turned serious as he mentioned the remaining balance.
"My daughter, thank you so much," he said, his voice calm but urgent. "But what about the 20,000 naira balance? The doctor still insists that I complete the payment. Please, my child, what will you do?"
Susan felt a pang of anxiety as she listened to her father's words. She had hoped that the 60,000 naira would be enough, but now she realized that she still had a long way to go.
"I'll find a way, Daddy," she promised, trying to sound confident. "I'll complete the payment as soon as possible. Just take care of Mummy for now, and I'll take care of the rest."
Her father nodded, though she couldn't see him. "Okay, my child. I'll take care of your mother. But please, hurry. Time is of the essence."
Susan's voice cracked with emotion as she asked about her mother's condition. "How is Mom?" she asked, her words laced with sadness.
Her father's response was calm and reassuring. "She's here, and we're expecting the doctor," he said. "I pray the doctor agrees to start her treatment. The doctor is so mean, I wonder if he has a heart."
Susan's father paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "But don't worry, my child. Your mother will be fine. She's strong, and she'll get through this."
Susan felt a lump form in her throat as she listened to her father's words. She was trying to stay strong, but the uncertainty of her mother's situation was taking a toll on her.
She thought about her mother's frail body, lying in the hospital bed, and her heart ached with worry. What if the doctor refused to treat her? What if something went wrong? The what-ifs swirled in her mind, making it hard for her to breathe.
Susan's father seemed to sense her distress, and his voice softened. "We'll get through this, my child," he said. "Your mother will be okay."