Annabelle's Nightmare

‎ ‎Once upon a time, in a village named Apkugo within the Nkanu local government area, there lived a girl by the name Annabelle. She was an extraordinarily beautiful girl; her hair shimmered like gold in the sunlight, and her smile had the ability to warm every heart. However, Annabelle came from a humble background. Her father, Uchenna, worked as a palm wine tapper, while her mother, Chioma, made a living as a fruit seller. Annabelle was their only child. ‎ ‎One faithful day chioma Annabelle's mother was returning from the market, she had an accident on eke market day. The road was so busy and rowdy, while she was about to cross the road, she was unaware that a kekenapepe was coming from the other side. Before Chioma could realize what was going on, she had been knocked down by the Keke man while she was on the ground unconscious. People gathered, both passersby and market men and women, to witness the accident. Many of the market women were shouting that it was Annabelle's mother. They quickly rushed her to the hospital at Nkawgu in Akpugo Clinic, where she was attended to. She was unconscious for a few days. Annabelle's father was at home that fateful day when Mazi Nnamdi's son came to tell Annabelle's father about his wife's accident and that she had been rushed to the hospital. Uchenna, upon hearing the story about his wife's accident, felt so bad that he lost his appetite for the palm wine he was drinking that fateful afternoon. ‎ ‎After that, Mazi Nnamdi's son quickly followed Annabelle's father to the hospital, He was so sad. When he entered the room where his wife was, he could hardly hear anything she was saying because she was talking slowly. A few minutes later, Uchenna's father, Annabelle's father, was called by the doctor into his office. The doctor told him to bring 200,000 naira to commence treatment on his wife. ‎ ‎So he begged the doctor if there was a way he could help him out. The doctor told him to calm down. Uchenna left the hospital crying and heartbroken; he was confused, looking for someone who would give him the money. When he returned home, Annabelle came back from her mother's shop. She greeted her father, Uchenna, but he didn't respond. Uchenna was deep in thought. Annabelle called her father three times, but he didn't respond. She went close to him and touched him. Uchenna was startled and responded, "My daughter, are you back from the market?" Annabelle said, "Yes, Daddy." Annabelle asked, "Daddy, why are you in deep thought?" Uchenna was quiet for a while; then he said, "My daughter, your mother had an accident and is in the hospital. The hospital is demanding 200k to commence treatment on your mother." Immediately, Annabelle heard about her mother's accident, she started crying. ‎Uchenna told his daughter Annabelle to stop crying, my daughter, everything will be fine. Annabelle looked at her father and nodded slowly with tears in her eyes. The next day, early in the morning, Uchenna went to Mazi Okolo. When Mazi Okolo came out, he welcomed Uchenna and offered him a seat, saying, "My good friend, this one, you visited me this early; I hope all is well." Mazi added, "When a tod is running in the daytime, it means something is after it, or it is after something; the tod doesn't run in the daytime for nothing." Uchenna responded, "You are right, my friend." Uchenna said to Mazi Okolo that all is not well. Mazi Okolo was curious to know what the problem was. Uchenna said, "My wife had an accident a few days ago." Mazi Okolo shouted and said sorry to Uchenna. Uchenna said to Mazi Okolo that he came to him so he could lend him some money to save his wife's life. Mazi Okolo said that he just sent some money to one of his sons in Lagos to boost his business. "I don't have any money with me again." ‎Uchenna was sad that his friend Mazi Okolo could not help him out. He thanked Mazi Okolo for listening to him. Uchenna stood up and left. On his way, he headed to Mazi Nnamdi's house. When he reached Mazi Nnamdi's house, Mazi Nnamdi's wife was outside making breakfast. He said, 'Well done, our wife.' Mazi Nnamdi's wife greeted him. Uchenna asked, 'Where is your husband?' She replied, 'My husband is inside; let me go and call him.' A few minutes later, Nnamdi came out and said to Uchenna, 'Oh my God, welcome to my humble abode. Hope all is well this morning since you visited me. ‎Uchenna shook his head and said to Mazi Nnamdi, "My good friend, you will not understand." Mazi Nnamdi was worried about the expression on Uchenna's face. He asked, "What is the matter?" Uchenna said, "My wife had an accident and was rushed to the hospital. The hospital is demanding 200 thousand to start the treatment, which I don't have. There is an adage that says when a man is chased by problems, he will run to his friends, or enemies, or run to the devil." Mazi Nnamdi was touched by Uchenna's predicament and said to Uchenna, "My very good friend, the last money I have with me, I used to buy fertilizer for my crops. You know this is planting season, and my crops last year didn't do well due to lack of fertilizer. I am very sorry that I couldn't help you out, my brother." Uchenna was worried and sad. He said, "What will I do now?" He stood up and said to Mazi Nnamdi, "Alright, my friend, I have heard what you have said." So, Mazi Nnamdi stood up and encouraged Uchenna that God would come to his rescue and send a helper. ‎ ‎ Unfortunately, Uchenna could not afford the hospital expenses and was compelled to borrow the required amount from Chief Donald, hoping to repay him in the future. ‎ ‎ Chief Donald was a wealthy powerful and influential man. He had grown up in a wealthy family. Chief Donald was known for his bravery and integrity, qualities that earned him the love and respect of everyone in the village. Annabelle continued with her mother's business, fruit selling to raise up money. After a few months, later Chioma, Annabelle's mother, was discharged from the hospital. Annabelle and her father were happy; everything became normal again for them until one fateful day, after six months, Chief Donald came back for the money he had lent to Uchenna, Annabelle's father.. But Uchenna couldn't pay it back because he hadn't raised the money. Chief Donald was angry and furious and wanted to pull down the building with his furious voice, demanding his money or collateral that was equivalent to the money he had given to them.. Annabelle's parents couldn't pay it back because they didn't have the money. They begged the chief to give them extra time to pay it back, but the chief refused to grant them extra time and threatened them. Due to the tension and heat, Uchenna, Annabelle's father, had to give his daughter's hand in marriage to Chief Donald. ‎ ‎ ‎