An urgent phone call that made me to leave my my okra/bitter leaf soup // 16-06-2025.

On my way back from school on Monday, June 16th, around 2:10 pm, I branched the market and bought some food items before I got to the house. I was in the middle of preparing my favourite Nigerian dish okra with bitter leaf soup. I was done with the washing and chopping of bitter leaves, periwinkle , onions fish and other ingredients was set, and I was just about to finish washing the pieces of meat when my phone rang.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be, but my curiosity got the better of me. I wiped my hands and picked up the phone. On the other end was my colleague, his voice laced with urgency.

"Please, you need to come to the hospital now" he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "My wife is in labor, and the doctors say her condition is critical. I need you here with me." I couldn't continue the cooking anymore even as I was already put the pot on fire, I quickly assessed the situation and made a decision. I called out to my friend who lives in the neighbourhood, she was kindly enough to take over the cooking process, and I rushed out of the house.

The hospital was not that far, a short distance away, but the tension in my chest made the journey feel as if it was a very long journey. When I arrived, I was met with a somber atmosphere. My colleague's face was etched with worry, and the medical staff looked grim.

I followed my colleague to the maternity ward, where we were greeted with the devastating news. The delivery had been successful, and a beautiful baby boy had been born, but my colleague's wife had not survived. The room was filled with the sound of mournful cries, and I couldn't hold back my own tears.

The next few hours were a blur of sadness and grief. I stayed by my colleague's side, offering what little comfort I could. We took the corpse to the mortuary, the weight of our sorrow was in the air, I couldn't take pictures of the tragedy, because of the mourning atmosphere.

As I looked back on that day, I realized that the phone call had not only made me abandon my soup but had also changed my perspective. It reminded me of the fragility of life and the importance of being there for those who need us. The okra and bitter leaf soup could wait; sometimes, life's unexpected twists and turns require us to put things on hold and be present for others. My warmest condolences to Mr. Francis.