One Tuesday that dishonesty met grief

Torrential screams filled the atmosphere.

On that Tuesday, I was home when noise tore through the estate. Normally, loud noise here meant “money na water” parties, sounds of celebration. I thought nothing of it and carried on with my day.

A land agent had called earlier that "everything was ready,” he said the land was cleared, demarcated and foundations dug. I sent the money.

To my greatest dismay, what I met was a thorny bush. No clearing, no demarcation and no foundations. The agent arrived later, pleading that he had paid workers who told him the job was done. He never checked. As I listened, he bolted. I called the workers. They said there was no agreement on price, so they never started. We renegotiated.

I left for home, disappointed but thinking,

“He wasn’t totally dishonest. Just misinformed.”

The estate was different when I returned. Cars lined the road. Shops closed. A stillness that made my skin shiver. “Something is wrong today,” I told my partner.

Three years ago, this same stillness fell when a groom died a week to his wedding. That day, it fell for another youth.

I found out in pieces

A neighbour's son took his life by his own hand. Then it dawned on me that it was the shout of pain I heard earlier. The mother's pain none could calm. Everyone stood in silent solidarity with prayers that God comforts her. His mother raised him alone after his father was assassinated. She was preparing his papers so he could travel abroad after NYSC. She mentioned how he used to say that one day they would be contributing money for his funeral. She didn't take it to heart. They searched his room for a note, an explanation. Nothing was found. She wailed, why did my child do this to me? He left in the night. She found him in the afternoon, when the breakfast she left remained untouched. The mother laments, "I wish I listened deeply or checked on him in his room" It was too late, they doctor said. No one had the right words to console her. We patted her back and held her up. Silence became comfort. No one really prepares for grief.

That day I learned how grief and dishonesty can share the same sunrise.

"One steals your trust and honour. The other steals your breath". Both leave you standing in a place you did not plan to be, asking questions with no answers. "Suicide might look like an exit but it creates another vacuum of pain for those left behind but the world doesn't end with it". Today, the whole estate is livening up, normalcy slowly creeping in and everyone seems to be moving on with their life.

If you are in a dark place, going through a rough day or path, disappointment, betrayals or even a broken trust in a relationship.
Kindly speak up and confide in someone. Ask and seek for help. There's more light tomorrow after the night. Do not give in or give up. You don't live for yourself alone. We really need each other. Be kind and compassionate in your decisions and actions. Don't quit too soon, persist till you overcome. _

Rest on, dear friend. We miss you. Sending peace, love, strength and hope to all still here.

Some details have been taken out of respect for privacy. Select Images are generated by meta AI.