Its been two days now since Nathaniel and his family came to Nigeria. He and his family move to a suite not far from the estate where Toun and her family lived.
".....and here we are." Toun finished telling her story to Nathaniel and their daughter.
Nathaniel covered his face with his palm. Toun story is mixed with good news and sad news.
The good news is that he have a son and that son is her elder son Hope.
The bad news is she have a heart cancer and she is in the critical stage.
Now he know why she looks so lean, fragile and pale. She can't even walk properly or talk for so long. She is depending strongly on medication.
"Mom." Anna said with a broken voice, tears gathering their eyes.
"You don't have to cry sweetheart. You will be fine." Toun console her daughter.
"How?" She asked.
She gave a sad smile. "I don't know how but it will be fine."
"Won't you have a surgery, any kind of medication that can help. I can take you you to my friends that are doctors they could help." Nathaniel said holding back his anger.
Why does it have to happen to her? She had been through a lot. She endure all those years as an hostage, get married unwillingly. And she is suffering from cancer of the heart. Why does it have to be her?
She take his hands in her hand and he look at her hand sadly.
"I have done three chemotherapy and several radiation therapy but it didn't help much. I have accept my fate."
"But why? Why does it have to be you?" He asked.
She understand his pain. Japheth had feel the same way. She took both their hands.
"Let's not waste our time asking questions that can't be answered. Let's make use of the time we have left for something better." She said to them.
****
Anna just finished making a call with Andre. She was about to check on her grand mother when she heard a knock on the door.
She stood up and went to the door.
" Hi. "She said grinning at Nancy and Hope.
" Hi aunt Anna. " Nancy said and she embrace her tightly. She had reluctantly went back home the day before. They sat and talk for a long time. She promised to bring Hope along when she is coming. And here they are, both of them.
Anna laughed." I'm gonna stop breathing. "
"Sorry." She said and she pull away quickly.
Anna laughed and she said hi to Hope. She asked them to come in and they did. They both sat down in the large and beautifully decorated room.
Nancy begin to chat about her brothers and about the party she is going to during the weekend with her friends.
"That's great but make sure you are careful." Anna advised. She nods in understanding. "Is that yours?" She asked turning to Hope. He seem a little taken about that she was talking to him.
"Yes." He replied.
"He take it along because he have a practice when we leave here." Nancy added.
Anna nodded. "It's a good guitar. Nancy told me you play."
"Yes. Since i was ten." He answered now getting interested and glad they were involving him in the conversation.
"I begin to play since i was six. I love how it feels on my finger ." She said looking at the guitar layed beside him.
"Me too. I got this as a present from mom." He said picking it up. He smile looking at the instrument.
Anna also smile. "She gave me my first keyboard. Although i haven't touch it in a long time because i mostly play the piano instead of keyboard. So what inspired you to play guitar? Who are your influence in music and instruments?" She asked curiously trying to know more about her newly - known brother.
" I just happened to love tbe instrument. But i was influenced by Elvis Presley, James Blunt, Elton John and Bruno Mars." He answered proudly.
" I also love Bruno Mars; he's so handsome. " Nancy chip in. They smile down at her.
" So what's yours? "Hope asked turning back to Anna.
She answered." My dad is my first major influence and then Michael Jackson, the Beatles, Slash, Prince and few others. And i also love Ed sheeran."
"He sang Perfect! That's song is so beautiful and also Thinking Out Loud. "Nancy commented. Anna nodded in agreement." Why don't you play thinking out loud for aunt Anna?" Nancy suggested to Hope. He look at Anna for confirmation. She nodded.
" That would be nice. Or whatever you want to play." Anna agreed.
He place the strap of the guitar around his neck and position the guitar properly on his thigh. Then he began to play starting so smoothly.
He play it so well like he had been playing it since forever.
Anna clap her hands when he finish playing and singing.
"That was amazing Hope. I'm impressed." She commented.
"Thanks." He appreciated with a grin.
*****
Its been more than two weeks since Toun told Nathaniel and Anna everything about herself. She could no longer stand from her bed and each passing day, she grow weaker and paler. Her breathing was getting worst.
A week later in the afternoon, She called her children. They sit down around her in the living room. She had insisted that she could get up and she did.
"Mom." Dammy and Isabella said with their glassy eyes.
"I'm okay." She said smiling weakly at them. She hold both their hands and say their eulogy. "You should stay strong and i don't want you to ever leave each other. No matter what happens, you should stick together as one, remember what i told you."
"Family matters and loyalty makes us family." They recited while Anna keep looking at her fragile mother.
She nods. "I want you to love each other and obey your father. Take good care of him and yourself...."
"Mom please stop saying this, the doctor said you still have months left. Stop talking like you want to give up." Hope said. Even if he knew the truth deep down.
"I'm not giving up Hope. I can't because of all of you. I also don't want to die." She admitted as a lone tears fall down her cheeks.
"You won't die mom. Just stay strong." Dammy cried.
"I will but promise you will do as i say."
"I promise." Dammy and Isabella promise. Hope was quiet and she turn to Hope.
"Hope?"
"I'm afraid mom." He break down. She took his hand and squeeze it.
"I know you. And i also know you are strong. You need to be strong for your siblings. Please do it for me."
He hesitate and then said. "I promise." nodding as the tears flow down his cheek.
"Thank you. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. You all mean the world to me." She said sincerely with lot of emotion lace in the words.
After Hope and his younger siblings had all gone to their room; Toun is left alone with Anna. She had also cried her eyes out. She knew her mother have just a few time left.
" Why do i have to lose you again?" She cried in her arms.
"I won't leave you. I will always be with you. You are going to be fine. Do you remember when we went shopping with your dad on your fifth birthday?"
Anna nodded and smile. They had a good time then and she had hope in her small mind that she had the perfect family and nothing was ever going to break it. But it was all wrong.
" Yes I do. Daddy wanted vegetable salad but you wanted a fruit salad. You asked me to choose for you guys after you refused to give in to what dad wanted. And I choose fruit salad. You gave me kisses and hug and we jumped in merriment and dad made a mock anger. "Anna explained the little memory she had on what happened that day.
Toun nod her head abd smile." I'm glad you still remember. We have so much fun that day. " She took her hands." I always love you and your dad. It didn't change all those years. I wished i could see you again and I'm glad i do. I can rest in peace. Don't ever give up. Don't let anyone look down on you. You are precious and i love, don't forget that."
"I love you too."
Toun pull her back into an embrace. "I'm sorry we had to meet again this way. I had hurt and break you down in the past."
"It's not your fault. I know you never wanted it to happen." She said.
****
Toun gave her best friend Tobi a small book when she came to visit her later in the day. She made her promise to give the book to her family if anything happened.
They cried in each other arms and they sat together while Tobi talk about their time in college. The parties they attend, the friends they made, their lecturers, troubles time on campus and the years after before her disappearance.
Tobi made her food that she didn't eat much from it. She embrace and kiss the kids goodnight before she was taken to bed by Anna and Tobi.
When Japheth returns from work and lay on the bed to sleep, he stare at her for a long time. He thought about how he could live without her.
Every day at work, his mind mostly drift off to her. He see her fragile body every time he close his eyes bringing more pain and sadness to him.
He had search about heart disease and cancer, the treatment that could help and doctors that are specialized with the cancer. Everyday he told Toun what he discovered and things that could work but she reject everything.
Its hard knowing she is going to die and he can't do anything. He had never know so much happiness and joy until he met her. His life was complete when he married her..... Now he is about to see that woman die.
Because he was so sad of seeing the children look at her with tears in their eyes or with fears on their face when they look at their mother or him seeing her look so fragile and pale especially in the last few weeks, he leaves home early to clear his head. But it still doesn't help.
He kiss her head as a lone tears fall down on her forehead.
He lay down to sleep when she stir awake.
"Japheth." Her voice was low and weak.
He turn and look at her. "You're awake. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"It's fine. How is work today?" She asked.
"The same." He said and chuckles.
Her mouth tug up slowly in a thin smile.
"Japh, thank you for everything. You mean a lot to me. You are kindest man i ever know. Don't stop been good." She said. She turn to look at him. "I might not have always said this but i love you."
Japheth smile. She is right, she hadn't said it before with so much sincerity. He is glad she do now.
"I love you too." He said. "Go back to sleep. We will talk tomorrow." She shakes her slowly. He kiss her once more on her pale lips and he lay down to sleep.
Toun sigh softly as tears flow down the side of her face.
*****
Nathaniel stand in the balcony of his suite looking into the dark night. The half moon shine on the earth but not bright enough to see clearly. He look down on the lights from different buildings and streets light below.
There shine brightly in the silent night. Every one has gone to bed even his daughter and mother.
He can't sleep. He can't take the thought of Toun out his mind.
He had gone to meet her earlier in the day before Anna and his mother came.
She had managed to get out of bed today.
"I didn't forget you all those years. You were always here in my heart. I didn't stop hoping for the day i will meet you again. I was worried i will break you. I hated my life without you until i know of Hope. He was the one i look up to and had hope that i will see you again. This is not what i want but we can't question God. Everything has a reason. I am grateful of the love you showed me, the joy and freedom i knew when I was with you. You taught me a lot. You showed me there is life apart from the the one i grew up from and you taught me what it is to love. I love you Nathaniel. I always do and it did not change. I hope you can forgive me for everything that i and my family had done to you. " She had said with tears earlier that day.
" I didn't hate you for anything. Your parents are at fault not you. " He said.
" Thank you. Take care of our daughter and our son when I'm gone. I trust you to do that. You train Anna to be a fine woman. She is so talented and beautiful. " Tears flow down her eyes uncontrollable while she smile." You are the best. I never doubted you for once so i trust you. " Nathaniel nods gratefully." I love you Nathan. "
He pull her closer with her head resting under his chin. He cried kissing her head.
" I love you too Adetoun Christabell. " He said with tears running down his cheek.
***
The saddest thing is saying goodbye. It's hurt like hell to say goodbye to her. It was quite better than saying goodbye without her like he did years ago but it's still hurt.
A cold breeze blow sending shiver down his body and he feels the hair at the back of his neck rise. He got this feeling he can't explain.
"I will always love you Toun." He said into the night as two lines of tears form a path down his cheeks.
*****
Everyone gather in the sitting room of the Olatunbosun, Japheth home. Japheth sat looking at empty space with the twins sitting close to him with their swollen faces as a result of crying. They look tired and sad. Hope who is still shaking and weeping silently sat beside Nancy who keep consoling him. Nathaniel sat beside his mother while Anna sit close to her with her head resting on her small shoulder. She path the latter on her back. Tobi and her two sons sat opposite them.
Toun parents and sister Eunice sat opposite Japheth with sadness written all over their face.
"Toun asked me to give this to you" She place a book on the table. "If anything happens to her." She sniffles. "I guess now is what she meant."
Toun died that night after talking to Japheth a week ago. Japheth didn't know she was dead when he wakes up. He kiss her head and went to have breakfast with the children. The children had left her to sleep when he told them she was still sleeping peacefully. So they did.
When Anna and Tobi came later in the day, they told them the same thing. They didn't wake her after pecking in her room to see she was still sleeping like she does recently.
After a while, Anna had to return to her grandmother that is left alone in the suite since her father had gone on a walk early that morning.
She enterd the room and saw she was still laying in the same position she had saw her an hour ago. She move closer as a big lump of fear suddenly appeared on her chest. Then she saw her lips were white and her skin was already becoming white.
Without any one telling her, she knew she is dead and she shouted.
She was buried three days later.
Tobi had requested the family meet since Nathaniel and his family might want to return back to the United State. So they all seated as she requested.
"What's in the book?" Mr Joseph asked with a croaked voice.
"I think it is a message." She said staring at the book as her eyes swell with tears.
"Who is going to read it?" Mrs Mopelola asked looking at her grand children.
"One of you should read it." Tobi said to the children. They were quiet for a while then Isabella sniffed loudly and said. "I will read it."
She stood up and pick the book on the center table. She open it. She wipe away her tears that had begin to fall.
She read out aloud to everyone.
"If you're reading this then i must have been gone and my best friend had given this to you as she promised." Isabella paused, holding back her tears. "I didn't plan this because i know you all believe what the doctor had said. But i knew my body better.
To my sister Eunice, i forgive you for everything that you might had done. I know you apologize and i didn't give you a reply. I was angry but you are still my sister and you regret everything, so i forgive from my heart.
To my parents, " Isabella look at the old couple angrily and then continue." You've done a lot to hurt me. Mom you couldn't even defend me and dad you wanted me have your own thoughts. I cried when i remember every thing you did. But we are human and i guess that is your own mistake. If you are born a parent again, please do better. And also ask for forgiveness from Nathaniel and Annabella. You hurt them so they deserve an apology from you. It is the least you can do for all those years i was taken away from them. Then i can be at peace with you.
To Nancy and her brothers, thank you for been good friends. " Nancy smile sadly and her brothers nods." I hope you would continue to be a good friend to Hope." Nancy muttered i will." To Oluwatobiloba, thank you for all the good memories and been a good friend. You are the best friend anyone could ever ask for. I couldn't pay you back for everything but i pray God reward you for everything. Thank you.
To my father in law and mother in law, please take care of yourself and your grandchildren.
To Grandma Allyson, one of the best people i know in my life. You took me in when i had no hope and when my parents humiliated your son. You help me raise my daughter. You understood me and love me. I can't tell you how much i ever remain indebted to you. May God bless you. I appreciate everything ma. Thank you.
To my beautiful and funny twins, the book will be full if i begin to say your eulogy. You put a new smile on my face when i first held the two of you in my arms. You grew up to be so funny and beautiful and intelligent. I know you are afraid, I'm sorry i leave you so soon. Mommy is sorry. Stay strong Dammy. Isabella watch your brother. Don't forget your promises. Mom love you now and forever." Dammy cried loudly and his father pull him to give him a side hug and console him. Isabella stay strong but the tears still flow down her eyes even as she wipe them away.
" To Hope darling, your name actually worked. You've got a beautiful talent, use it well because i believe in you. You can do it. I knew you to be strong, be strong for your siblings. They need you. And don't forget your promise to me." I won't. I won't. Hope said closing his eyes tight. Nancy hold his hand.
" I love you. " I love you too mom. He whisper. "To Annabella, i am proud of what you've become. You've taken after your father. Take care of him and your grandma. And please stay in contact with your younger ones. I'm sorry i couldn't see you grow and see you in that beautiful white dress. You have no idea how much it hurt me but there's a reason for everything. Have fun and take care of yourself. Remember what i told you. I love you too.
To Nathaniel, everything i told you are true and that's is how i feels. Move on and love again. Take care of your family.
And lastly to Japheth, you are a gift that i never worth having but like always there is a reason for everything. Thank you for enduring all the bad and good time with me. Move on and love again. You deserve happiness. Take good care of yourself and the kids. I love you.
Thank you all for loving me. I am gone but I'm always with you.
Love Adetoun.
******
A/N: Hello everyone. I think this is my longest chapter 3543 words. I can proudly tell myself it amazing. Don't mind me.
Sorry if you find it too long and also sad. It is bound to happen. Toun had a heart cancer and it is unavoidable.
This is also the final chapter but there is an epilogue.
Thanks to all of you that support me throughout the book.
Comment and vote.
Love you all.