AIR-CLINIC

My uncle and I were very close. He was my real guy that I could confide in at all times, I told him everything that happened in my life. Despite he was at least twelve years older than I was, we discussed like age-mates.

One faithful day I'll never forget. Although uncle Bosco made me promise to never say a word to anyone, the event of that day have never left my memory, still fresh like yesterday. I was fourteen of age at that time.

"Uncle Bosco please let's do something about this", I pleaded. "I'm okay, don't worry", uncle Bosco replied. "Look Mezie", Uncle Bosco looked at me with a very serious face, "never tell anybody what just happened" he said. A worried and obedient boy that I was, I agreed. But now, I'm regretting why I agreed. Just what if I disagreed and said something, Uncle Bosco will be appreciating me now.

"Why can uncle Bosco be this stubborn?" I thought to myself after two weeks of begging uncle Bosco for us to do something or see someone. We will always laugh, joke and exchange secrets, but whenever I bring up the topic, his mood will change.

"This is the last time", I thought to myself as I was preparing my speech that I believed will convince uncle Bosco to see someone. But this time, it seems he knew what I wanted to talk about; about the way he was holding his private part in pains after he was accidentally hit by a car, and stopped groaning in pains when he noticed I was watching him.
)

Image Source

"See Mezie, stop worrying yourself, I got some drugs from the chemist last night". I knew how he behaves when lying, and this time, I was certain. But, I can't kill myself, I assumed he was older, thus, knew better.

Uncle Bosco is now married for six years, still hoping to bear a child. All fingers have been pointing to his wife aunty Jane. Some called her a man, others called her barren. My grandmother (Aunty Jane's mother-in-law) have made life hell for her, attacked her at every provocation for not giving her a grandchild.

"Hello Mezie", uncle Bosco called one afternoon. His voice was sober and low, which is definitely not how we startup our phone conversations. "Mezie I should've listened to you", he said. "I've been telling you that I'm extremely filled with wisdom, but you never believed me", I said jokingly. "I can never have a child Mezie", he said crying on the phone. My smile went off immediately, I didn't understand what he was saying. "Hahan, uncle, which kind talk is this?" I asked being confused. "I went for a test with Jane... I can never have a child... I should've listened to you then, Doctor said it's already too late... I should've listened Mezie, I should have..." his words brought tears to my eyes. I cried so loudly that I forgot that I was supposed to be consoling my uncle. I thought of the jokes we made about his children - how I'll always punish his first child, and be very close to only his last child, because I'm the last child in my family. But now, uncle Bosco can't have even one, I cried and cried. His airtime finished while we were still crying. I picked up my purse, ran outside to recharge my phone. I was still crying running outside, i didn't even notice that people were watching me until my room was filled with curious and concerned friends.

Why did I agree to be silent? Why didn't I report to someone for us to go to the hospital?