CAN I REWRITE MY STAR?

It's quite an unusual day, as rain fell unexpectedly, shining alongside the sun. Hazel, still tearful from a difficult morning, found the gentle downpour calming. The droplets washed away her tears, soothing her emotions and quieting her heart.

She has just been expelled from school.

Hazel stepped into the familiar confines of Pa Olu's compound, the largest in the slums she called home. But today, the usually vibrant atmosphere was shrouded in grief. A sea of somber faces filled the courtyard, their wails and sobs echoing through the air.

Hazel's heart sank as she followed the crowd's gaze to the small room she shared with her sister and mother. The source of the anguish was all too clear: tragedy had struck her own doorstep. Hazel's heart skipped a beat as she rushed towards the commotion. She burst into the room, her eyes scanning the scene before her. The sight took her breath away. Her elder sister, Hannah, was slumped over their mother's lifeless body, her face contorted in anguish.

Their mother lay still, her body cold and pale on the bed. Hazel's mind went blank, her thoughts frozen in shock. She tried to process the unbearable scene, but her brain refused to comprehend. She felt like she was drowning in a nightmare.

"Hazel, please...wake Mom up!" Hannah's voice cracked, her words dissolving into uncontrollable sobs. Hazel's eyes locked onto her mother's still form, fear clawing at her chest. She took a step forward, her legs trembling.

"Mo-" she whispered, but the word died on her lips. The room began to spin, darkness closing in. Hazel's knees buckled, and she crumpled to the floor, her vision fading to black.

_______

The ten families of Pa Olu's compound gathered solemnly, their faces etched with grief. Inside, Hannah sat frozen, surrounded by unbearable loss. Her mother lay lifeless, her sister Hazel unconscious, a spoon still clenched between her teeth. Outside, Mr. Akande, Pa Olu's eldest son and the compound's new landlord, addressed the gathering. "We'll arrange a simple burial. Big Tee and his team will help dig the grave, and we'll wrap her in a white cloth. We'll lay her to rest today."

Mama Nkechi, who had shared laughter and tears with Hazel's mother in the market as they sold vegetables together, shook her head.

"Just like that? Hannah's mom is gone" she whispered, her voice laced with sorrow.

Iya Bisi, the compound's notorious gossip and ewa agoyin seller, snapped at Mama Nkechi, "Nooo! How is it supposed to be?! You're just standing there, crying?"

Mrs. Akande intervened, her voice firm, "Iya Bisi, not today. Show some respect." Iya Bisi rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath.

A bystander, frustration etched on their face, spoke up, "It's strange no one knows her family members, not even her children. God, why did this have to happen?" Mama Nkechi's composure shattered, and she burst into tears.

"My friend didn't deserve this! God, why?!" she wailed.

Inside, Hazel stirred, her gaze locking onto Hannah. She rushed to her mother's side, her voice trembling despite her attempts to remain calm.

"Mommy, please wake up...please." Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her mother's lifeless body. Hannah's eyes met Hazel's, filled with shared despair.

****

Hours passed, and the somber preparations were complete.

Mrs. Williams' body, wrapped in a simple white cloth, lay ready for burial. The harsh reality of their poverty had denied her a mortuary stay, leaving this hasty farewell.

Pastor Johnson's solemn voice rose above the mourners, offering prayers for the deceased. Hannah and Hazel stood numb, their minds reeling from the sudden loss. Yesterday, their mother had been ill; today, she was gone.

As the men lifted Mrs. Williams' body, Hazel's fragile composure shattered. A heart-wrenching scream tore from her throat:

"Noooooooooo!!!" She lunged forward, but Hannah's arms enveloped her, holding her back. The grave, a stark reminder of their loss, yawned open. As the sand poured into the grave, memories of their mother flooded Hazel's mind. She relived laughter-filled moments, warm embraces, and gentle guidance.

"She can't be gone! Nooooooo!!" Hazel wailed, struggling to break free from Hannah's grasp. Her eyes fixed on the disappearing figure, her heart shattered. Hannah held her back, her own tears streaming down her face.

She closed her eyes, recalling her mother's words: "One day when it's just you and your little sister, protect her."

She remembered the conversation vividly, though she was only ten at the time. Now, the weight of those words crushed her. Hannah's grip on Hazel tightened, a silent promise to honor their mother's wish.

As the last mourners departed, Hannah and Hazel stood alone beside their mother's grave. They wrapped their arms around each other, unleashing a torrent of tears.

Mrs. Williams had been their rock, their guiding light. She had single-handedly raised these two resilient girls, nurturing their growth, and shaping their characters. The bond between them was unbreakable. Their father had abandoned them seventeen years ago, when Hannah was just three and Hazel was still in the womb. Mrs. Williams had faced unimaginable struggles, but her love and dedication never wavered. Now, in the silence of their grief, Hannah and Hazel mourned the loss of their hero, their confidante, and their best friend.

They sat beside the grave till midnight. Mama Nkechi walks in with her daughter,Nkechi, her face etched with concern.

"Hannah, it's late. You can't stay here all night. Bring your sister inside." Mama Nkechi's gentle tone contrasted with Hazel's desperation.

"Please, let us stay. Our mom will be alone out here. She needs our company." Hazel's said as tears streamed down her face.

Mama Nkechi's expression softened. Everywhere was quite, making Hazel sniffing sounds loud enough to be heard, and even crickets.

"Hannah,"Nkechi called softly. "No!" Hannah exclaimed, her voice firm. "Don't try to convince us, please." Mama Nkechi sat beside them, her expression compassionate. "When things like this happen, we say life happened.

This is life. People come and go, unexpectedly. You just have to move on and become better people, ones your mom would be proud of." She paused, her eyes locked on the sisters.

"Right now, you need to eat and sleep. Tomorrow is another day. You can't stay out here all night, you'll catch a cold." Hannah wiped away tears, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Thank you, ma." She stood, lifting Hazel gently. "Hazel and I will go to our room now. Thank you so much." As they rose, Mama Nkechi enveloped them in a warm hug.

"Goodnight, my dear ones. May God comfort you and heal your hearts" As they stepped into their room, Hazel felt an unsettling emptiness. She drifted to the window, her gaze falling upon the freshly dug grave behind their compound.

The reality hit her like a wave. "Dear Mom," Hazel whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll miss you so much, and it'll take time to accept this. But I hope you've found rest and perfect peace. Thank you for everything you did for Hannah and me. We'll make you proud, Mom. The world will see us soon." Hannah's tears flowed anew as she listened to Hazel's heartfelt words.

She wrapped her arms around her sister, holding her close. "We'll do it together, Hazel. We'll make Mom proud," Hannah whispered, her voice cracking. The sisters stood there, united in their grief, their faces wet with tears, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

******

A week had passed since their mother's passing, and Hannah was determined to maintain some semblance of normalcy. She swept the compound with purpose, singing softly to herself. Hazel emerged from their room, her movements sluggish. Hannah's gaze narrowed, noticing the tray in Hazel's hand.

"Where are you going?" Hannah asked, her tone firm. Hazel avoided her sister's eyes.

"Mr. Ahmad's farm. I need to get vegetables for sale." Hannah's expression turned suspicious.

"Hazel?" "Eh?" Hazel replied, feigning nonchalance.

"It's Monday," Hannah said, her voice laced with concern.

"Isn't your exam today?" Hazel's hesitation confirmed Hannah's fears. She stared at her sister, dismayed.

"I was expelled," Hazel said, her voice barely above a whisper. Hannah's eyes widened in shock.

"What?! Why? How? When?" Hazel's fake smile twisted her face.

"The Beatrice case. Everyone thinks I did it." Hannah's expression crumpled.

"But that's not true!" Hazel's voice cracked. "It doesn't matter. No school will accept me now. And we can't afford private education. I'm a dropout."

Pain etched Hannah's face. "How am I just now hearing about this? Shouldn't we go plead with the principal?"

Hazel shook her head, her eyes welling up. "It won't work, Hannah. They all hate me." Hazel turned and walked out of the compound, leaving Hannah stunned and heartbroken.