They say true friendship is born from sacrifice and showing up for ones you claim you love ? Right ?
Well I am that friend who sacrificed too much, and I have no idea how to retrace my steps,
My name is Ebuka and this is my story..
They call him Dele and he has been my friend for the longest of time …
I was in my house in the village, basking in the warm glow of the evening, when my childhood friend Dele came to me with a heart-wrenching plea.
“Please,Ore Mi, Dakun , jor,sleep with my wife!” he cried, his voice breaking with desperation. He kneeled before me, his strong hands trembling as they clutched mine. Tears streamed down his face, glistening in the fading light.
I was shocked, my eyes widening as I glanced at Folashade, Dele’s wife, who stood beside him with tears in her eyes. I was speechless, unsure of how to respond to this unimaginable request.
You see, Dele and I go way back. We grew up together in Igbonla, sharing dreams and adventures. Our bond was more than just friendship – it was a brotherhood. As we reached adulthood, our paths diverged, but our bond remained strong. I often visited Igbonla, bringing tales of the city and gifts for Dele and Folashade. The three of us shared a bond that was rare and beautiful.
But during one of my visits, I noticed a change in Dele. My once vibrant friend seemed distant and troubled. I confronted him, asking what was bothering him, but he brushed it off, saying it was just some personal issues.
It wasn’t until later, as we sat around a fire, that Dele finally opened up. He and Folashade had been trying to conceive a child for years, but all their efforts had been in vain. The village elders whispered about curses and bad omens, and the pressure from the community was unbearable.
Folashade then revealed the shocking truth. They had even consulted a renowned healer, who told them that the only way to break the curse was for Folashade to conceive a child with another man.
I was torned,I loved Dele and Folashade like family, but the request was unimaginable. I couldn’t fathom the idea of betraying my friend, yet I couldn’t ignore their suffering.
As I walked through the familiar streets of Igbonla, the memories of our childhood came rushing back to me. The day we first met, the countless hours we spent exploring the fields, the time I almost drowned and Dele heroically saved me. These memories only strengthened my resolve to help my brother, no matter the cost.
Days turned into weeks, and I wrestled with my conscience. The weight of Dele and Folashade’s plea consumed my thoughts, leaving me sleepless and restless. I found myself wandering the familiar streets of Igbonla, the memories of our childhood flooding my mind.
One night, as I sat by the flickering fire by the side of my house, Dele and Folashade came to visit me. Dele’s eyes were filled with despair, and Folashade’s hands trembled as she grabbed mine.
“Ebuka, we’ve been to the hospital,” Dele began, his voice barely above a whisper. “The doctors, they say… they say we are fine, very fertile.
I felt a relief in my heart, but am still curious at his words sank in. “Fertile ? But why can’t you gather a child , since they said your fertile?
Folashade spoke up, her voice laced with anguish. “We’ve tried everything, Ebuka. Medicines, treatments, but nothing has worked. The doctors say there’s nothing they can do.”
Dele reached out and clasped my hand, his grip desperate. “Please, Ebuka, you’re the only one who can help us. We’ve been to the native doctor, and he says the only way to break the curse is for Folashade to conceive a child with another man.”
Ebuka do you remember when I saved you from drowning when we were kids?
I nodded in acknowledgment, that day was the beginning of my predicament, I was caused by the river goddess Amoria
I was stunned, my mind racing with the implications of their request. Knowing fully well that , dele had told me not to go close to the river, because I can’t swim… not knowing that the river was owned by the river goddess Amoria, Dele, Folashade, this is… this is a lot to take in. I need time to think.”
Dele nodded, understanding the weight of the decision he had placed on my shoulders. “Take all the time you need, Ebuka. We trust you, and we know you’ll do what’s best for our family.”
Days passed, and I found myself wandering the streets, lost in my own thoughts. The memory of Dele and Folashade’s visit to the native doctor haunted me.
“The only way to break the curse is for Folashade to conceive a child with another man,” the old healer had told them.
I knew the gravity of what they were asking of me, but the love I felt for my dear friends was stronger than any hesitation. I made my decision.
The night I entered their hut, the air was thick with tension, but also a deep sense of trust and understanding. As Folashade and I came together, Dele stood outside, his hands clasped tightly, tears streaming down his face. I knew the pain and sacrifice I was enduring, but I was willing to bear that burden for the sake of my beloved friends.
In the days that followed, the village was filled with unspoken happiness . Dele and Folashade were grateful for my selfless act, but I could see the weight of it on my shoulders. I withdrew from my friends, spending more time alone, lost in my own thoughts, unable to shake the guilt and sense of betrayal, even though I knew it was necessary.
One evening, as I sat by the river, Dele approached me, his eyes filled with understanding. “Ebuka, I know this has been hard for you. But I want you to know that Folashade and I, we are forever in your debt. You have given us the greatest gift, and we will never forget it.”
I looked up, my eyes brimming with tears. “Dele, I… I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for what I’ve done.”
Dele placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “You have nothing to forgive, my brother. You have saved our family, and for that, we will be eternally grateful.”
In the days that followed, the village was filled with unspoken tension. Dele and Folashade were grateful for my selfless act, but I could see the weight of it on my shoulders. I withdrew from my friends, spending more time alone, lost in my own thoughts, unable to shake the guilt and sense of betrayal, even though I knew it was necessary.
One evening, as I sat by the river, Dele approached me, his eyes filled with understanding. “Ebuka, I know this has been hard for you. But I want you to know that Folashade and I, we are forever in your debt. You have given us the greatest gift, and we will never forget it.”
I looked up, my eyes brimming with tears. “Dele, I… I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for what I’ve done.”
Dele placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “You have nothing to forgive, my brother. You have saved our family, and for that, we will be eternally grateful.”
Time passed, and Folashade’s belly began to swell with new life. The village elders, once skeptical, now whispered of a blessing, a miracle that had broken the curse. Dele and Folashade beamed with joy, their hearts overflowing with gratitude.
As the day of the child’s birth approached, I knew that I would have to face the consequences of my actions. I steeled myself, knowing that the path ahead would be difficult, but I was determined to see it through, for the sake of my beloved friends.
The question I keep asking myself is Would I come back to claim my child in the future? How would I react when I see my child, my own blood in the arms of another man, what if I can’t father a child again ? still don’t have a clear answer to this,All I know is that I made a sacrifice out of love, and I will have to live with the consequences.
It’s been five now, and I haven’t visited my friend dele, who has two girls and my son,am married to the love of my life, but theirs no cry of a child in my home, I thought of the incident between i and dele, and I was wondering if the curse left him and now is upon me, I don’t know how to confess this to my wife, should I reach out to my friend dele, or should confess to my wife and let’s seek the face of God, sincerely I am confused, I need help..
Comments