He told himself she was just stubborn. But the truth was that Imani Adeyemi had already started entering places in his heart he had kept closed for a long time.
That was what made the next few weeks harder. Pa Josiah’s health, which had been unsteady for some time, suddenly became worse.
At first it was small things, more coughing, more weakness, long moments of silence where the old man sat still and looked tired.
Then one evening Chidi came home and found his grandfather struggling to breathe. Fear entered him at once.
“Grandpa!” He called rushing to him. “What is it?” Pa Josiah tried to wave it off but his face had already changed.
He looked pale and worn out. That night Chidi borrowed money for transport and took him to a small hospital.
The doctor said more tests were needed then came drugs, then admission, then more bills.
Chidi felt as if the ground under his feet had opened. Pa Josiah Bello was the only family he had left.
His parents had died years earlier and since then it had been only the two of them.
The old man had raised him, fed him, prayed for him and pushed him through every hard season.
Chidi could still remember nights when there was almost no food, but Pa Josiah would smile and tell him to eat first because he had already eaten outside.
Later, >> [music] >> Chidi would find out that it was a lie. So now, watching his grandfather lying weak on a hospital bed, Chidi felt something close to panic.
He tried everything. He called people who owed him favors. He took extra work where he could.
He borrowed small amounts from two classmates. He even sold the small wrist watch his father had left behind.
Still, the bills kept rising. Every day felt like another stone on his chest. He stopped sleeping [music] well.
He stopped paying attention in class. He began leaving campus faster than before. Even when Imani found him, he barely had the strength to speak.
One afternoon, she caught up with him outside a lecture hall. Chidi, what’s wrong? Nothing.
Do not do that. He kept walking. I said nothing. Chidi, I know you. That wasn’t nothing.
Just leave it. Talk to me, please. I’m fine. [music] You look tired every day, Chidi.
You barely talk to me now, and even your face has changed. He looked away.
I have things to deal with. Then let me know what they are. You can’t help me.
The answer came too quickly, and it carried more sharpness than he meant. Imani fell quiet.
For a moment, Chidi regretted it, but he was too exhausted to soften it. He stepped around her and left.
It was Adaobi who finally told Imani the truth. That evening, when Imani returned to the room she shared with her, Adaobi was seated on the bed reading.
Imani, did you hear Chidi’s grandfather is in the hospital? Adaobi asked. Imani stopped. What?
Adaobi looked up. I heard two boys in the department talking about it. They said the old man is very sick.
Imani dropped her bag at once. Since when? I do not know. Maybe some days now.
Imani’s face tightened. And he did not tell me. Adaobi closed her book slowly. Maybe because he is proud.
Imani did not even answer. She picked up her phone immediately. The next day she found out the hospital where Pa Josiah had been admitted.
When Chidi saw her there, his whole body went still. Imani stood near the entrance to the ward, holding her handbag close, her expression serious.
Imani, what are you doing here? I came to see your grandfather. You should not be here.
Why? He lowered his voice. Because I did not ask you to come. Imani looked at him for a moment.
Must you ask before I care? That answer weakened him, but it also made him uncomfortable.
He did not know what to say. Imani gently stepped past him and entered the ward.
Pa Josiah was lying quietly, his eyes half closed. When he saw Imani, he tried to sit up.
Please, Pa, don’t stress yourself. The old man studied her face. You must be Imani.
Chidi looked surprised. Grandpa? Pa Josiah gave a faint smile. You think he has not mentioned your name before?
Imani turned to Chidi at once, and for one awkward second, he wished the floor would open.
She smiled softly, then looked back at the old man. It is nice to meet you, sir.
Pa Josiah nodded weakly. Thank you for coming. Imani sat down and spoke with him for some minutes.
Her voice was respectful and warm. She asked how he was feeling. She encouraged him.
She adjusted the bed sheet when it slid down carelessly. Chidi stood by the side and watched her.
For the first time, she was not the bold girl chasing him around campus. She was calm, gentle, present.
When they stepped outside, her face changed again. How much is the bill? Don’t start, Imani.
I’m asking because I want to know. Imani. How much? He said nothing. That silence was answer enough.
Imani did not press again in that moment. She only nodded slowly and said, All right.
The next morning, Chidi was called to the account office. He went there with fear already sitting inside him.
He was sure they wanted more money he did not have. Instead, the woman at the desk checked a file and said, A large part of the bill has been settled.
The rest of the treatment has also been approved. Chidi stared at her. What? She adjusted her glasses.
Payment has been made. By who? She hesitated. A representative came on behalf of someone.
He already knew. He left that office with heat rising in his face. When he called Imani, she picked at once.
Where are you? He asked. Why? Imani. She was quiet for a second. I am near the faculty building.
I am coming. He found her standing under a tree, waiting as if she had expected this.
Did you pay the hospital bill? Yes. Why would you do that without telling me?
If I had told you, you would have stopped me. You had no right. Imani’s face changed.
No right? Chidi ran a hand over his face. He was angry, tired, and ashamed all at once.
I said I was handling it. You were not handling it, Chidi. You were drowning.
The words landed hard because they were true. He turned away. Imani stepped closer. Chidi, your grandfather needed treatment urgently.
I know someone through my father. I made calls and helped arrange it. He’s getting the care he needs now.
That is all. That is not all. Then what is it? He looked at her.
It is another debt. Her eyes widened slightly. A debt? Yes. I didn’t do it so you could owe me.
I will owe you anyway. Why do you always make everything so hard? Chidi laughed bitterly.
Because my life is hard. That shut her up. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Chidi said quietly, You don’t understand how this feels. Then help me understand. He swallowed.
The words were difficult, but once they started coming, he could not stop them. You step in like it’s nothing.
One call, one payment, one decision. For you, it’s small. For me, it’s not small at all.
It’s my grandfather. It’s my responsibility. He’s all I have left. His voice roughened. My parents are gone.
It’s just me and my grandfather. When you do something like this, it feels like you’re standing where I should be standing.
Imani looked at him with hurt in her eyes. I was trying to help. I know.
Why do you still sound angry with me if you know I was trying to help?
It’s because I am grateful. And I hate that I’m grateful. That was the truth of it.
It sat heavily between them. Imani slowly let out a breath. I didn’t help to control you.
I couldn’t sleep knowing you were carrying it all alone. Especially with your grandfather in the hospital.
I don’t know how to watch someone I care about suffer and do nothing. Chidi said nothing for a long time.
His pride was bruised, his chest was tight with shame, but behind all of it, something else was growing, too.
He could see that she meant every word. From that day, things between them changed.
Not suddenly, not in one dramatic moment, but slowly. Imani began visiting Pa Josiah at the hospital from time to time.
She brought fruit sometimes. She greeted the nurses with respect. She spoke to the old man in that same gentle voice that kept surprising Chidi.
And Pa Josiah liked her very much. One afternoon, after Imani had left, Chidi, the old man turned to Chidi with a weak smile.
She is not proud the way people say. Chidi adjusted the bed sheet. People like to talk.
Pa Josiah nodded. That one cares for you. Chidi said nothing, but his ears grew warm.
