Mr and Mrs Alabi were both standing by Ayobami's sick bed, looking into his pale face. Mrs Alabi had tears in her eyes she could not understand why her only child who was barely 4 years old, the pride of her womanhood the only thing that gave her a reason to live had to suffer so much pain. Mr Alabi was out of strength he could not calm his wife, he had his own dark clouds hanging over him, the whole thought of losing his only child killed him. He remembered how long it took them to have this one child. The doctor came in without any one noticing his presence until he coughed out to alert them he was around.
"your son has low blood count (cytopenia) he will need some pint of blood for transfusion and you need to deposit at least six thousand Naira before we commence treatment"
on hearing this Mr Alabi gave his wife a look indicating indepth pain and fear.
"doctor please help us, this is our only child we will bring the money as soon as possible".
Mr Alabi knew he had no idea on how to get the money to pay for Ayobami's hospital bills and with the doctor not willing to start treatment he and his wife had to take to the streets seeking for help.
Its been four days since the doctor told the Alabi's to pay for Ayobami's medical bill in order to commence blood transfusion, they have been roaming around the streets of Ikare begging for assistance with no one willing to help, what no one knew was that the Alabi's were not indigenes of Ikare neither were they living in Ikare.
The Alabi's were victims of the insurgence happening in the Northern part of the nation, they ran away from home leaving all they had behind so as to survive. With help coming from nowhere the Alabi's feared that their worst nightmare would turn into reality.
Ayobami was getting worse with no one to care for him while his parents were out trying to gather whatever they could come up with. Emeka the youth corp member working with the hospital could not bear to watch the little boy suffer, he was so worried and concerned, he had no idea on how to help in this case, considering the problems he has with some of the hospital staffs concerning how he helps patients without their knowledge, Emeka thought of donating his blood to Ayobami but found out they were not compatible.
With Ayobami on his mind Emeka had to contact another corp member for help without hesitation and with the look of determination on his face Emeka remembered he recently conducted a blood test for one of his friends Paul who's blood seemed compatible. Calling Paul on the phone Emeka tells him all about Ayobami and his parents
"the little boy needs transfusion, it would really mean a lot if you can assist in donating the blood he needs"
with just few minutes to make up his mind Paul agreed
"I'll do it, when should I come"
with so much joy Emeka screamed that the nurses around wondered if he had won a jack pot
"please come as soon as you can".
Paul arrived some minutes later, the necessary tests were done the doctors and nurses were so glad to finally get a donor for the little boy, with lots of activities going on around towards the blood transfusion that was to take place Emeka called Mr and Mrs Alabi to inform them about the new development telling them to come around. Mr Alabi and his wife got to the hospital an hour later with disappointment written all over Emeka's face that the Alabi's arrived late he walked up to them and gave them a run down on Ayobami's condition
"the doctors are with your son, we got a donor he is inside the office"
with joy the Alabi's followed Emeka to go see their son's donor. On seeing Paul Mr Alabi fell to the ground with his wife to thank Paul for saving their son's life, feeling embarrassed Paul had to pull Mr Alabi up
"sir, please I only did the right thing, please get up, your son is like a little brother to me"
with tears running down Mr Alabi's face
"you saved my only child , I can't thank you enough, may God bless you".
Mr Alabi and his wife told Emeka and Paul about how they escaped from the crisis that brought them to Ondo state and how the whole stress of running away led to their son's illness and all they went through on the streets begging for assistance with no one willing to listen or help,
"no one was willing to help us or even listen to our story, when you called to tell us about our son's donor we had no money on us to even take a bike to get here, we had to walk all the way"
on hearing this Paul was weak he could feel the man's pain, the pain of not being able to provide for his family due to circumstance. The doctors after the operation informed everyone about Ayobami's improvement which really brought light to the faces of his parents.
At this point Paul informed Emeka about his desire to pay for Ayobami's hospital bill which really made Emeka happy
"I want to run home quickly to get some money, I'll like to pay the boy's hospital bill, help me tell the nurses to continue with the necessary treatments, I'll be back soon"
"that is really nice I'll see what I can do to also help out"
On hearing this Mr and Mrs Alabi thanked Paul and Emeka all over again, they could not hide the joy they felt, it seemed like an angel was sent to them.
Paul did as he promised, he came back with some money to pay Ayobami's medical bill and gave some money to Mr Alabi and his wife, Emeka also did the same with a big smile on his face, really pleased he could help.
Paul sank his head in his pillow that night really pleased with himself being able to help a fellow human being in need, he could recall the joy on Mr and Mrs Alabi's faces, with a big smile on his face Paul closed his eyes to
sleep.
