Hello Hivers and how are you doing today?Today is another sad day for me to remember. I woke up not feeling too good as I flashed back at the death of a loved one.
It's been 17 years Obinna departed this world. It has been a sad one for family and close friends till date. well let me go back a bit.
Obinna was a freshman in the University of Port Harcourt in 2005. At that time,I was in my 200 level as a medical student in same institution.
Obinna moved into same estate where I reside,he usually comes to me for financial assistance, foodstuff,etc.
My door was always open to him 24/7.I always make sure he leaves with a word of advice each time he comes to me. I did this everytime to encourage him to concentrate because I noticed he was always having females visit him. I called his attention to it,he told at that time that there nothing going on and that the girls were in same department with him.
Fast forward to Obinna's misdemeanor, he started keeping late nights, speaking to his neighbors without respect. When you try to advice he,he turns back and strike you with hurtful words.
But with me,it was different because in his negative feedbacks,I tell him how he might likely not make it alive out of this institution if he continues this way.
Need I remind you that Obinna joined the MAN O' WAR team who where regarded as NO DO WELL PEOPLE. This was actually why Obinna was becoming rude and power-drunk, coming home at odd hours,etc.
Few days before my graduation,I called Obinna into my apartment,sat him down and adviced him to desist from any activity that will not make his parents proud. He even confided in me how his parents struggled to pay his fees as well as his younger brother who at that time was in the Polytechnic in another state.
Obinna in turn told me that if I have any problems,I should not hesitate to beckon on him. I told him that I've been in this school long enough to tell him what might happen in no distant time if he continues to expose himself, he laughed and said, No problems.
Three years later, Obinna was in his final year in school when one night, two locals came to his apartment with a Dane gun(locally made),he started struggling with the one with the gun, obviously the guys finger was the trigger, while the nozzle of the gun was facing Obinna's stomach.
Immediately I heard the scuffle,I quickly opened my door,took out my machete because we usually had thieves invading our compound.so as I was trying to unlock my burglary,I heard a bang,the gun had gone off. All these happened in the dark because there was no power at that time.
When I stepped out with my machete,few seconds later, other neighbors started coming out when they heard my voice screaming thieves thieves.
Some came out with touch lights as we walked towards where we heard the gunshot. Behold Obinna was lying down on the floor,in the pool of his blood begging us to take him to the hospital. This happened at about 3am .
One of the neighbors brought his car and we carried Obinna into the car and zoomed off to the school hospital.
Seeing Obinna on the floor that day,I knew he wasn't going to make it. When we eventually got to the hospital, they rushed him into the emergency ward and started working on him. The doctor in charge requested for some pints of blood. A few of us who had same genotype started donating blood.
While they were transfusing blood,he was bleeding seriously. Obinna eventually gave up the ghost at exactly 7am. The news broke us all.
Today 18th of March 2022 made it 17years Obinna was killed while in his final year.
I still get flashbacks every 18th of March each year.
I still remember how I told him he might not graduate alive if he continues with such attitude.
Were my words to him harsh?
Did my words contribute to his death?
Did I speak out of experience?
Continue to rest in peace Obikwe as I fondly call you.
Thank you for reading and have a great weekend
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I am sure it must have been traumatizing witnessing the horrific scene of Obinna laying in the pool of his own blood almost lifeless.
Well, you tried the best you can and may Obinna Rest In Peace.
Amen and thanks for your encouragement too.