The Igwes' car moved slowly along the dimly lit road, shadows flickering outside, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. Mr. Igwe sat stiffly in the driver's seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his anger palpable. Beside him, Mrs. Igwe fidgeted nervously, her hands clenched in her lap as she stared out the window, her mind racing.
"How dare that woman lay her hand on me!" Mr. Igwe exploded, pounding the steering wheel with frustration. "Me, Ugo Igwe! The audacity, the disrespect! Who does she think she is?!"
"Obi'm, please, calm yourself," Mrs. Igwe urged gently, her voice soft and cautious. "We're still on the road; let's not lose control."
He brushed her hand away, his voice dripping with disdain. "Be silent! You, of all people, should have defended me! But no, you just sat there like some clueless, witless stray! I have married a liability!"
Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she murmured, "I'm sorry, my husband. Please don't let anger drive us into another misfortune."
Suddenly, she placed a hand over her stomach, grimacing as discomfort washed over her. "Biko, my love, I'm feeling unwell. Please, slow down a bit…"
"Are you out of your mind?" he snapped, the irritation in his voice rising.
In a fit of rage, Mr. Igwe momentarily removed his hands from the steering wheel. The car swerved wildly, and before he could regain control, it collided violently with the vehicle ahead. The sound of crashing metal and shattering glass filled the air, followed by a deafening silence as the lights fell into darkness.
Three hours later, the rhythmic beeping of heart monitors pierced the stillness of the hospital room. A soft light illuminated the stark white sheets of two hospital beds where Mr. and Mrs. Igwe lay, their bodies swathed in bandages. The door swung open, and an elderly woman—Mama—hurried into the doctor's ward, her face etched with distress.
"Doctor! Please, my children—are they alive?" She fell to her knees, her sobs echoing through the sterile room.
"Please, Madam, try to stay calm," the doctor urged gently, lifting her to her feet. "Both are alive, but…" He hesitated, the gravity of the situation evident on his face.
"Doctor…please…tell me. I can bear it," Mama pleaded, clasping her hands tightly together, trembling with fear.
"Ma'am, brace yourself," he replied, guiding her to a chair. "The injuries they sustained were severe."
A strangled cry escaped Mama's lips. "Chai…Chineke, give me strength…"
"Your daughter…" The doctor paused, his voice heavy with sorrow. "She suffered an impact that…led to the loss of her baby. The force also damaged her womb beyond repair. She won't be able to bear children again."
"Obara Jesus! My child! My grandchild!" Mama wailed, pressing her hands to her head as fresh grief washed over her.
The doctor sighed, pity etched in his features. "Her husband…his spine was critically injured from the collision. He…he will no longer be able to walk or move his body."
A gasp escaped Mama's lips, her hand clutching her heart as horror filled her eyes. "Oh, Chineke!" She stumbled backward, collapsing in a faint.
The doctor rushed to assist her, concern flooding his expression as the lights dimmed slowly, casting a mournful silence over the room.