Second Chance (Inspired by True Event)

CHAPTER 3

The following morning.

Tofunmi woke up with a start, dragging her sore body to a sitting position on the bed.

Her eyes snapped to the window where the sun was announcing its arrival.

She frowned and turn to the other side of the bed where Tolani was still curled up in her blanket.

Tofunmi tapped her sister on the shoulder and spoke.

" Wake up, sleepyhead “

Tolani groaned and shrugged Tofunmi's hand off her shoulder.

Tofunmi sighed at her behavior and tried again. " Lani, wake up. Wake up jàre. Have you forgotten you have to go to the salon today?”

That did the trick. Tolani was instantly wide awake, shoving the blanket off as she plopped herself into a sitting position.

She yawned and stretched her arms. " Sis, good morning"

“Morning."

Tolani frowned looking around.

“Where's Grandma?" She asked.

“I don't know. I'm just waking up too. Come on, let's pray first"

They both went on their knees, eyes closed, hands clasped together as Tofunmi led them in prayer.

“In Jesus name," she started.

“Amen"

“Heavenly father, we thank you for making us see a brand new day like this. We thank you for the salvation of our lives. We thank you for your mercies. Lord, may your name be highly exalted on high."

“Amen! “

The prayer session ended with them reciting the book of Matthew 6 verse 9 to 13 in unison.

“_ Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Tofunmi rose to her feet and made her way to the door, with Tolani trailing behind her.

" Let's check her room and see if she's preparing for work, “ Tofunmi said.

The house was quiet as they stepped out of their and made their way to the next room meant for Adenike. Tofunmi pushed the door without knocking. They were met with an empty room.

" She's not here “ Tolani spoke as she came out of Adenike's bathroom.

“She must have left for work," Tofunmi said.

" Don't you think that's strange? For Grandma to leave the house without informing us?”

"It is. But take a look at the time, Lani. It's past 8." Tofunmi gestured at the wall clock in Adenike's room.

“That means she already left for work “

" Exactly.”

They were walking back to their room when the sound of a familiar ringing tone caught the girls attention.

“Isn't that grandma's phone ringing?" Tolani asked.

“I thought so too or did she forget to take her phone with her?" Tofunmi wondered as she hastened her pace to the sitting room.

" Old age. She probably forgot it as she does sometimes “

" I'll have to take it to her at Mrs Helen's — “

Her words died in her throat when she saw Adenike sitting in her favourite chair. The girls were taken. Their Grandma was sleeping on the chair while the phone rang continuously on the table.

" Ah,ah!?”

Both sisters stared at each other with the look that says: What is she doing here?

"Kiddo, check who's on the phone while I wake Grandma up”

Without waiting for a response, Tofunmi walked up to her Grandma and asked softly.

" Grandma,kí ló sélé?"

“Sis, the caller is Mrs Helen,“ Tolani said, showing her sister the name on the screen.

" Grandma, your boss is calling you." She tapped Adenike gently.

“I’m sure it's because you're late, that's why she's calling.”Tolani interjected.

“If you're tired, I'll just go in your place today, I'm sure Mrs Helen will under….”

She froze when she noticed it.

Adenike was sitting on the same chair and still wearing the clothes from last night. Even with all they've been saying plus the ringing phone. she hadn't moved her body or made any sound and her palms were cold.

Tofunmi checked Adenike's pulse. Nothing.

"No. Maybe I'm overreacting,“ Tofunmi thought.

" Grandma, grandma, grandma!!! “ Tofunmi panicked when she didn't move.

“Sis, what's wrong? Why is Grandma not moving?"

Tolani reached for Adenike's arm, but Tofunmi stopped her.

" Sis, tell me why is Grandma not moving “

" Kiddo, I need you to go outside and call for help"

" What?” Startled.

" Lani, go and call for help,”Tofunmi's voice was laced with urgency.

" But…what's wrong…."

“Lani, just go!" Tofunmi Yelled.

The urgency in Tofunmi's voice scared Tolani.

She ran outside wailing and calling for help that her grandma needed help.

The neighbors didn't hesitate. They rushed into the Makinde’s compound. Tofunmi was still holding onto her Grandma's hand when they all rushed in asking what happened.

Then Nurse Eno,who was one of the neighbors, decided to run a quick check on Adenike.

Two minutes later, Eno removed the Stethoscope from her ears and shook her head slowly.

“She is dead." She declared.

Those three words sounded like a bomb in the whole room.

The neighbors gasped while Tofunmi stood rooted in her spot, replaying those three words in her head. Tolani shook her head vigorously.

“Sis, tell me it's not true. Tell me this is a prank. That…that Grandma's pranking us," Tolani stuttered.

“No, it's not. She…she died of high blood pressure “ Nurse Eno said.

Tolani's leg gave out and she collapsed, but before she could hit the floor, Tofunmi caught her.

Tolani buried her head in her sister's chest and sobbed.

“Sis, it's not true…she was here with us yesterday. We saw her last night…she was fine. Fumi, wake Grandma up" she reached for her Grandma's blouse, tugging on the hem with all her strength.

“Grandma, wakeup! Wakeup!! Wakeup!!!” She wailed.

Tofunmi had to pulled her back. When Tolani saw the first drop of tears rolling down her sister's cheek. She realized it was an illusion or a prank. They had lost the woman who had raised them as her own. Even when she was aging, with lines of fatigue, she made sure they had what to eat.

The Makinde's had just lost one fine, godly woman.