Unexpected Event
We planned for the trip for weeks; the countryside is where we headed on that coming weekend. Yes I loved it there but mother constantly believed there are better schools in the city. The atmosphere, the surroundings, the life was peaceful, and the food was fresh from the garden and in abundance. From the second mother told us of the visit to the countryside, I became so overwhelmed by the idea. The weekend seemed so far yet so near my siblings, and I could not wait. The eve before the day of travelling we packed in excitement every item that we required for the short holiday, we moved up and down telling friends and neighbors of the experience that was awaiting us. The countryside was the place where one could relax in peace without the interference of the city noises, the unbearable congestion and the constant distraction from neighbors and street children. We visited the countryside often because it was the home place of my grandparents. There were so old and when they saw visitors they were always overjoyed. They ensured everything was in order, and food and fruits in plenty especially for us, children, and we enjoyed every minute of the stay there, often resisting to return home when the holidays were over.
On that chilly Saturday morning, father was shouting for us to hurry up, he complained that we were running late, but that was father always in a hurry. We packed bags in the boot and arranged ourselves in order to the small van, mother was not coming with us, she had a lot to do, and in her work place, they did not give her a holiday leave. We were sad that we were leaving her behind, but excited nevertheless of the fact of travelling to the country side. We sang joyfully along with the musician in the car radio as father drove, sometimes caught in between emotions, not sure if we were sad or excited, but deep down we knew, we would have fun, and there will be no regrets. The road was so deserted proving it was a weekend, and people were resting in their homes. One could count the vehicles on the road many of them being trailers that transported various goods. As father drove, we soon fell asleep leaving him awake to drive on the uncongested road.
Suddenly I had a loud scratch that awoke me from my deep, beautiful slumber, before my conscious could tell me what was happening; I heard my father yell loudly and the van came to a halt. My siblings lay in silence in deep sleep, but this time round the sleep was to a significant extent deeper. I could not sense my legs in fact, I could not move about then it hit we involved in an accident. My father had gone head in collision with a trailer blood oozed profusely from my nose my head started to spin as my mind tried to come into terms with the fact that we involved in a terrible accident. I tried to call my father, but the shock in me held my voice in such a way I could not speak. Then I heard faint voices coming nearer asking whether there were at all any casualties. I wondered if my siblings were still alive the thought of losing them was so painful beyond the pain of the wounds I had just experienced. I looked at my father he was terribly injured blood was all over I tried to move, but my body could not allow it, then I saw a lay of hope as good Samaritans tried to rescue us. Traffic police were already in view, and they tried to separate van from the trailer out of the blue my younger sisters loud cry I bet it was her last cry, because she went silently immediately afterwards. They tried to pull me out first, but my legs pressed by the front seat in such a way I could not move. When they finally pulled me out I could not feel my legs, I did not believe my eyes that I left my legs there, in short crippled. Tears rolled on my cheeks profusely i wondered how my life would be, but before I thought of myself any further; I saw them pull out my younger sister and they put her in the side ways and covered her. When I tried to ask about her condition, one of the good Samaritans gave me that look of she is no more, I cried not believing what had just happened. I tried to shake my head and persuade it was all but a nightmare, but truth fell on it was undoubtedly true. I heard people pitying us, saying that only one survived the rest died on the sport. There and then I knew I had lost my family in the accident.
I could not belief my ears, hours ago they were alive and kicking, I wondered the shock my mother will have on receiving the news. We were a family a few hours back we were happy of the fact that we were visiting the countryside. Little did I know my father and siblings were happy for their last time on earth? The pain of losing them was unbearable, my body was shaking all over, and my eyes were heavy with emotions. The scenario made me forget I had just lost my legs, the thought of living without my father and siblings made me wish I was dead too. I was wondering why was I left to live to bear all the pain and suffering, how was I going to live without them. Although my mother was still alive, I knew the news will devastate her. I wondered who will comfort who; I was weak and a crippled too. In my complete life I on no account dreamt of being trouble to someone, but the accident had just deprived my liberty of movement. how will I start Soon an ambulance came and took me, given a seductive and fell asleep, not knowing what was happening any more.
When I awoke a day later my mother was there with me her eyes swollen, and she looked sad, and devastated. At first I did not know what had happened, but soon every thing was clear as a day. An accident had taken place I shouted “my legs, father, I called my siblings names” then I broke into tears. My mother tried to comfort me, but it was all in vain she soon joined me, but tried desperately to comfort me that life will be okay, but we both knew it was going to take awhile. An innocent trip to the countryside turned out tragic, and took the life of my darling father and siblings; life was never going to be the same again, keeping in mind crippled too.
