For Chi-chi

Chi-chi was one of those relatives that i was never sure what to refer to her as.

Aunt? Cousin?

Her father is my mum's uncle, which makes her my mum's cousin, which made her my 2nd cousin i guess.

She wasn't much older than me, and used to come over to our house on holiday when schools were on vacation. I'm sure she always looked foward to the holidays just so she could come stay with us.

We used to visit her parents house too. Like i said, her dad is my mothers uncle. Eldest male in her family i think, the one my father would report her to when they had their issues. Very nice man.

They lived in Festac and we'd go visit them sometimes on Sundays after service. It was one of those family visits i didn't quite look foward to. See they lived in one of those face-me-i-face-you buildings that i'd only ever heard the likes of Daddy Showkey sing about. Theirs was a tiny living room and a bedroom shared by mother, father and 4 children. The sitting room had terrible lighting and always smelled musty so my sister and i would leave the parentals there and go sit in the room with our 2nd cousins. Whenever we went to visit them, i'd be careful to drink my "mineral" slowly so i would not need to pee. You see they had this toilet/latrine/whatever that they shared with several other tenants, plus you had to fetch water to flush it too.

My prissy little self was having none of that.

One day i overheard my mother saying that Chi-chi had been diagnosed with diabetes. At the time all i knew about diabetes was that it had to do with sugar and if you drank too much fanta (i really used to love fanta) you might get it when you're older. So i was surprised that somebody so young could have diabetes. But i was fascinated. The next time i saw her i kept asking about how she gave herself insulin shots and what kind of foods she was allowed to eat. I felt bad for her when she mentioned she had to start eating unripe plantain porridge. Yuck.

There was some unpleasantness between us and our relationship became strained. Visits to festac were fewer and far between. I can't remember the last time i saw Chi-chi. Must be over 5yrs ago at least. She comes to mind sometimes when i'm studying and i come across a diabetes related question.

On Saturday morning i woke up to a message from my sister. It simply read "Chi-chi is dead"

I'd be lying if i tell you i broke down and wept. I may have shed a couple of tears, but i still carried on with the rest of my day.

That doesn't mean that i am not saddened by her death. I can't tell you how saddened i am.

I have so many questions, but no one to answer them.

How did she die?

What exactly did she die of?

She's had this condition for at least 10yrs.

Was she seeing a doctor regularly?

Was she compliant with her medication?

I've seen people who have lived with diabetes for 30+yrs

She was barely 30yrs old.

Once again i'm reminded that health care in Nigeria is non-existent, and i continue to pray that God continues to keep all my loved ones in good health.

Once again i'm reminded of how fleeting life is. Here today, gone tomorrow.

Yet everyone else ploughs on.