It was 8a.m on November 28, 2021. Joseph was finally ready to leave the hospital. He had no belongings with him. Even his original clothes were no more in his possession (that was due to dirty circumstances). The hospital had bought him a pair of jeans trousers and he was given a tee-shirt with the words: "I LOVE GREEN CITY DISTRICT HOSPITAL". The colour of the shirt was pretty obvious too. He didn't get too much sleep. He kept reminiscing all that he was told. Trying to remember the events detailly but nothing came. Dr. Primera wasn't there to see him off. Nobody was there to see him at all. Not even his family members. But that notwithstanding, he took a deep breath and opened the doors leading to the outside world. The first thing that welcomed him was the blue sky of the capital city. He saw kids playing with a plastic bottle on the road and missed being knocked down by a car. He saw women discussing indistinctively about the rise in food prices. He felt the gentle burns of the sun. To him, all of that seemed as though he had missed nothing. But deep down in him, he knew that 3 months of his life were missing and he had to recover them. As he was taking another breath of fresh air; the fresh air of freedom, his nostrils were flushed with a wave of unpleasant smell. It was a thick pungent smell of rotting garbage mixed with an odour of concentrated urea. That smell brought him back to his senses. Maybe the traumatic revelations he received made him think the outside world (compared to his cell) was a paradise, but that brimming joy was rapidly short-lived. Yes, that smell made him notice that there was a large garbage bin two steps from a hospital. And, people were selling food, dresses, shoes, phones, and playing loud sounds around that garbage bin. Did the smell not disturb them? That was not even a question. What bothered him was that such a disease vector was close to a hospital. Was the hospital curing people or making them even sicker? All that concoction made him remember a very crucial thing. That thing was, he was in Cameroon.
Cameroon, like many other African countries, is a place where science, tradition, and religion walk hand-in-hand. A country proud of its diversities. Such diversity earned it the title; Africa in miniature. The country though having 10 regions, could be segmented into 3 distinct parts. The Great North, comprising of the regions: the Far North, North and Adamawa. The climates there were extreme (either extremely hot or extremely cold. Nothing in between). The reliefs were flat lands and plateaus. The West, comprising of the regions; West, North West, South West and Littoral, with the economic capital found in the Littoral region. The relief is mainly mountainous with a conducive climate. Sometimes it can be cold but mostly warm (all these descriptions do not apply to the Littoral region. Which is an uncertain region). And the last part is the South. It comprises the following regions: Centre, East and South. These are mainly administrative regions, with mountainous relief and a warm climate. Having fertile grounds and many political facilities. The political capital is found in the Centre region and that is where Joseph's household resided. From Green City, he decided to walk home. He wasn't in a hurry, for he did not sleep well last night and hence did not prepare a convincing speech. So, on his way to his parent's home, he began cooking up a monologue. The house he was headed to was found in a quarter known by the common folks as Etoug-ebe. That word meant; the old pit. And indeed everything in that quarter was old. Its population was 50% made up of people in their late 70s. The churches there were among the oldest in the country (Be it Baptist, Catholic or Presbyterian). The hospitals too were not recent and didn't even look in good state. Indeed, the name fitted the area. With little or no people on the street (surely they were in church), Joseph entered his street incognito. He arrived at that rusty gate made of zinc and looking like it could crumble at any moment. Tears flew down his cheeks. It is true, 3 months earlier that gate didn't look like that but he was home. He slowly pushed the gate inwards and gently tiptoed to the main door. He pressed the doorbell and waited. He heard a sweet feminine voice from within the house asking;
"Who is at the door?" But Joseph kept quiet. Hearing a familiar voice made him freeze for a certain moment. The person kept on questioning from inside the house and decided to go see who pranked her. When she opened the door, she saw her elder brother standing like a dry log of wood. Looking very pale and sick. To her, she didn't see her elder brother, but someone who had battled death and won. She didn't do anything, except shedding tears of joy. She was weeping silently and suddenly began wailing. Instantly, three similar-looking boys came rushing to the area where the cries were coming from. Upon arrival, they immediately understood what caused their elder sister to cry loudly. One of the boys screamed;
"Mom, Joseph is back."
Several sounds of falling plates and spoons were heard, and a fair-looking woman arrived at the main door. Her expression needed no explanation. It was that of a desperate woman. One who thought she would bury her boy (meanwhile it is always the reverse). She fell to her knees and began mumbling a prayer.
"You seem surprised, Joseph" Joseph's mother said. Joseph was even more surprised by their reaction. It is as though they knew he was coming back.
"Yes, I am" Joseph gently answered. "Your reaction shows as if you were waiting for me."
"Of course, we were waiting for you" Joseph's mom responded.
"But how come?" Joseph began inquiring. That was one of his faults. He always wanted to know and was always searching.
"Your inquisitiveness really proves to us that it is you." Joseph's mom said. "And you shall receive your answers, but first enter the house. I will tell you everything over a nice meal."
Joseph lifted his younger sister, Sephora, who was still crying on the floor. He ushered her to sit. The triplet, Rostand, Roy and Rolland hurriedly brought food from the kitchen and set the table. Joseph sat and began lavishly eating. It was a fat bowl of pounded Irish potatoes and beans. That was a characteristic dish originating from the west region of Cameroon. When Joseph was at about half the bowl, his mother engaged in the discussion.
"Yesterday at around 10 pm, I received a call from Dr. Primera"
"Really?" Joseph said, difficultly pushing his food down his throat
"Yes. She has been keeping us updated all through your period of blackout" Joseph's mom said, with a reassuring tone. That startled Joseph for a moment. But then, depending on what Dr. Pimera said, it might be an advantage or a disadvantage to Joseph.
"What did Dr. Primera tell you?" Joseph asked, emptying what was left in the bowl into his mouth.
"She kept telling us to pray. That your vitals show signs of recovery but that you are not yet awake. That you are still asleep and they are doing everything to keep you alive." Joseph's mom answered, with teary eyes. That explanation was beneficial to Joseph. Indeed he was awake, but not himself. So, Dr. Primera explained the situation, omitting the questionable parts. It prevented Joseph from opening metaphysical concepts in an attempt to explain how he died and came back to life. Joseph held his mom and comforted her. Reassuring her that from now on all shall be for the best. The rest of his siblings just looked at the two people discussing. They had nothing to say. They were just happy of having their big brother back.
Joseph relieved of the explanation his mom had given him, began inquiring about everyone's life while he was 'asleep'. His mom was a saleswoman and had found a new selling spot in the market. She sold food comprising mainly of traditional dishes from the western part of the country. The triplets were all moving to their third year at the University of Yaounde I. Roy, the first amongst the triplets was studying computer science. He was the bulkiest among the three and spent most of his time in front of a screen (PC, TV or smartphone). Rostand, the second amongst the triplets was studying Physics at the same university as Roy. He always had to tell people that physics was life. He spent his time researching famous physicists that changed the world. Apart from research, he would engage in sports and gaming. Rolland on the other hand did biochemistry at the same university as his brothers. He was the only oddball among the triplets. He loved school but above all, he loved engaging in communal restoration with ladies that struck his eye. With his upfront spirit, he was capable of swapping several girls in a week. Even though they knew that part of him, they kept falling for his charms. The triplets were 23years old and seemed to be profiting heavily from their youth.
Sephora was 28years and was preparing to defend her PhD in language and modern letters, still in the University of Yaounde I. She was fair in complexion just like her mother but was a great troubles maker. The one person left, who was not there to welcome Joseph, was the family head. ZENU Alfred was a retired lorry driver. He would travel to distant areas of the country with large logs of wood, sometimes gravel stones and sometimes river sand. He was always in motion but still had time to form a family and try being with them. Since he had retired, he spent his time drinking day in day out with his retired colleagues. They could drink for hours and still be thirsty. That is also why he wasn't there to welcome Joseph. Everybody had progressed, but Joseph felt he was stagnant and needed to cover up the gap as fast as possible. But before doing anything, he needed to rest. The heavy food he was just from gulping down made him feel sleepy. He took a bath, went to his room and lay down peacefully. When he woke up, it was already 7 pm. He went to the living room and saw Sephora sitting and studying. His dad was back and was sleeping on the sofa. He sat closed to Sephora and observed her studying.
"Why are you looking at me like this. It is embarrassing." Sephora broke the silence.
"I am just happy seeing you studying so fervently," Joseph answered. Joseph being the kind of person who likes working, began asking his sister how things have been at the University.
"Don't worry," Sephora spoke. "We made sure to explain to the administration your absence. You will resume teaching in the second semester. Just take this time and recover. You still look like a sickler"
"Thank you very much. I owe you guys big time" Joseph said. "But before I leave you, one last question."
"Go on. I am listening." Sephora answered.
"What about Risa? How has she been during my absence?" Joseph asked. That question turned the jovial atmosphere sour. Sephora suddenly looked bitterly angry. She tried hard enough to conceal her rage but it did not work. She gently closed her books and said;
"I don't know of whereabouts and sincerely, I don't care."
That was odd. Joseph knew that his girlfriend Risa was on great terms with everyone in the house, why this sudden bitterness from Sephora.
"Why are you angry with Risa?" Joseph softly asked.
"Why am I angry?" Sephora started. "The day you were brought to the hospital due to poisoning, you came from Risa's house. I called and asked what you ate, to see if we could come out with some sort of anti-poison. She said you ate nothing and hung off. She never came by to check on you. In school when we met she avoided any discussion. And you expect me not to be angry?" Sephora screamed, waking up her dad who seemed to be deeply asleep. He woke up still drunk, stood up and staggered towards Joseph and Sephora to shut them up. But he slipped and fell on the floor, with his glasses falling under the table. Joseph went and raised him. But when their eyes met, his father collapsed and began shaking strangely on the floor. He suddenly stopped and began repeating strange words in their dialect. Joseph had never heard that version of his dialect and more to that, the state of his father was very much troublesome.
"Go fetch for mom very fast" Joseph ordered Sephora. She immediately climbed up the stairs to her parent's room. Banged heavily at the door while screaming for her mother to rapidly leave the room. When the door opened, she grabbed her mother by the hand and pulled her to the living room. When their mother saw what was happening to her husband, she gently walked toward him.
"Where are his glasses?" Their mother asked.
"It fell off when he slipped. It should be under the table." Joseph said while looking for his father's pair of glasses.
"While Joseph is looking for the glasses, Sephora, rush to my room and bring me the mirror placed on top of the table close to my bed." Their mother asked. Sephora, upon hearing her mother's request, immediately dashed for the mirror. Joseph found the glasses and showed his mother. At the same time, Sephora descended with the mirror and handed it to her mother. She then told them not to stay closer to them. She bent down and whispered some strange words in her husband's ears. The words seemed to have calmed her husband. She took the mirror and placed the silver side on her face and loudly ordered her husband to open his eyes. When he opened them, he stared intently at his reflection.
"What do you see?" Priscila asked her husband.
"I see myself," Alfred answered.
"No" Priscila raised. "Look better. Use your eyes. Focus. What do you see? Tell me."
Alfred looked again at his reflection, but this time around his image disappeared.
"I see nothing. Priscila, I see no one in the mirror." Alfred voiced. Priscila picked up his glasses and gave them to put on. Joseph and Sephora were shocked by what had happened in front of their eyes. Their father mumbled strange words in an ancient dialect. Their mom seemed to know of such things and took care of it with such mannerisms. There were so many questions floating in the air but they were not given the chance to speak. Specifically, Joseph wasn't even given the chance to speak. The moment his father put on his glasses, he went towards Joseph and slapped him. He continued by grabbing his hands at the level of his shoulders and asked,
"Why did you do that? How did you even do that?" Joseph's father asked.
"I don't know what you are talking about" Joseph responded, with his jaw painfully hot.
"I don't understand your questions. Did what? What did I do?" Joseph asked. Priscila came and held her husband, making him release Joseph from his grip. Joseph supporting his painful jaw, sat on the floor looking at his parents. His father was very angry at him and his mother was on the verge of crying.
"Mom, what is happening?" Joseph asked
"My son, it happens that you have become an abomination. Your father unfortunately used his abilities without permission and peeped into you. He saw that you have become an empty one. You are a hollow."
"A hollow? What does that even mean?" Joseph asked, wondering what was going on.
"Priscila, what are you trying to explain here. As from this instant, he is no more a son of mine. And in that case, he is to pack out immediately from my house. Anything belonging to him will not spend the night in my house" Joseph's father angrily screamed.
It was 10 pm, and Joseph who had just left the hospital with only his parents as refuge was chased away by that same refuge. He didn't even know what being a hollow meant. More to that, he had to pack out at such a late hour. Without a second thought, he went to his room and prepared a little travelling suitcase and left the house. As he left, Priscila turned and looked at her husband and said
"Did you have to be so severe? Despite his age, you know he is ignorant of such things"
"I chased him out because I don't want to look at my dying child every day. That is too painful. You know that his state is difficult to cure and I can't see why he will go to such extents as to become a hollow. Who did that to him?" Alfred responded, with tears flowing down his cheeks. Priscila hugged her husband, stroking his back and comforting him.
"While he is absent, we shall try looking for an audience with the chief. He might know how to save Joseph." Priscila said. Sephora, on her part, ran to the gate and watched as her brother left her again. She watched as his image slowly disappeared in the darkness of Etoug-ebe streets.