Rewrite my destiny

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.