DOPED IN ERROR

 DOPED IN ERROR 

(Short Story/September 2022)

By: Abundance Odeyovwi Yono 

Desmond lived with his parent’s brothers and sisters in FCT, Abuja. He was the youngest of six children, and as a result he enjoyed certain liberties so much that, sometimes, he cooks his own food. 

On a certain day, Desmond as usual, decided to cook his own meal. He settled for jollof rice for lunch. He took his time to prepare a very sumptuous and delicious meal. The aroma of the food pervaded the kitchen and entire house. After adding all the spices and condiments of his choice, he went a step further to add a very special one that was given to him by a friend. He told him that it would give him great pleasure and put him in a very high, exciting mood, for a time. When the food was ready, he dished out a big serving and ate his fill all alone. He transferred what was left in the pot into a food flask and hid it behind the freezer in the kitchen. Hoping to come back to feast on it later, he went out to have a good time. He was feeling dizzy, but also excited!

In a matter of minutes his mother came back from her outing. She was extremely hungry. she could eat a horse! She rushed into the kitchen to grab a bite, but there was nothing to eat to her dismay. But, the mouth-watering aroma of Jollof Rice hung in the air. She recalled that her youngest son, Desmond, was talking about cooking Jollof Rice when she left the house earlier. “He couldn't have eaten all of that rice alone”, she thought. Without wasting time, feverishly, she embarked on a quick search that ended successfully. She located the food flask behind the freezer and helped herself to a sumptuous meal of Jollof Rice. However, few minutes after the meal, she began to feel dizzy and sleepy. She laid down on her bed and slept for a long time. Too long for Comfort!

Evening time came but Desmond’s mother slept on! His other brothers and sisters, who have returned home, tried to wake up their mother; but all was to no avail. They became alarmed! They rushed her to a nearby private hospital.  On Close examination the doctor told them that their mother was very likely under the influence of a drug overdose or abuse. He quizzed them about her last meal before she passed out. George, the Eldest son and the one next to him, left immediately, and went home. When they got home, they met Desmond at the gate and they all got into the house. They told Desmond that their mother was in hospital and in coma. Testament screamed with fright! Their mum was hail and healthy earlier in the day. He felt the current development was strange and frightening. He was also feeling weak and tired!

We know you cooked Jollof rice in the afternoon. Did you add any sleep inducing Ingrediency or substance? All these while Desmond was searching for his food flask in the kitchen. He finally located it on the sink, completely empty. He placed his hand on his head, as fear gripped him instantly. Their mother must have consumed his special Jollof Rice meant for him alone. "Did you add anything to that food?”, his two other brothers asked, once again with so much suspicion and threat! "No. I didn't add anything", he replied with a shaking voice. He was standing between his two elder Brothers. Suddenly. the one standing behind him slapped him hard on his right cheek and Desmond screamed! His other brother standing in front of him kicked his legs sending him to the ground with a with a great impact!  “What did you put in that food?” they roared at him at the same time while threatening to give him the beating of his life. “I added some weed my friend gave to me”, came his humble, weak and timid reply.

Desmond’s brothers were not surprised. They knew his friends secretly smoked marijuana (Indian hemp), he probably did too. It has a high doping effect, but they were a bit relieved. So, their mother was "doped in error" by the marijuana-laced jollof rice? What a startling revelation. As they were contemplating what to do next, Desmond suddenly bolted out of the house and made good his escaped. Off went his two elder brothers to the hospital once more, to inform the doctors about their latest finding at home. After hearing their story, the doctors assured them that their mother will soon be fine! The doctor and nurses had already swung into action and in two hours she came around. she was discharged at about 10 p.m. that night, and happily they all went home.

Back at home Their mother wanted to hear the whole story once again. This time, a detailed version of it, and she got the full story. "So where is my little boy now?" where is Desi? as she fondly called her last child. The two brothers and the three sisters were completely taken aback, and they wondered and stared at their mother, in disbelief. Then George, the eldest son, said, “Desmond is our brother, but earlier today he almost killed you. In an emotion-laden voice their mother defended him by saying that it was not his fault. "I ate the jollof rice without his consent! "I want my son back home now or latest by tomorrow morning! Where is he now? “We don't know yet. Tomorrow we will go and look for him”, said George, the Eldest Son. "Pray nothing bad happens to him", Their mother finally concluded!

Very early the following day the Desmond's brothers and sisters left their worried mother at home, and trouped out in search of him. They went to his friend’s house and all the Likely places he would be, making phone calls and enquiries. It was a very long and difficult search that took them to all the nooks and crannies of the town. They found him late in the evening, at about 6:45 p.m. They located him at his friend’s house in the outskirts of the town close to the railway line. They told him their mother was was ok, and wants him to come back home with them. Deep within him, Desmond was happy. He was relieved that their mother was now all right! But He refused to go with them! He was afraid that they would beat him up or punish him severely! They tried very hard to convince him that nobody will beat him again over this "doping incidence", but he was adamant. So, they left him and went home.

Back at home on learning that her youngest son refused to come back with his siblings, their mother wailed. she said she wants her little boy back home. The following day, Desmond siblings and their mum stood before him. This time his mother pleaded with him to follow them back home. she promised to protect him from further harassment or punishment. Finally, after all said and done, he came back home with them. 

Desmond became a very gentle, warm, understanding and hard-working boy. He kept away from marijuana and other drugs of that sort. Have learnt a bitter lesson that such drugs are dangerous and could lead to addictions, negative behavioural changes, coma and other dangerous consequences. He eventually quit smoking and bubbled with health, and youthful vigor. The family was once again united and lived in love peace and happiness thereafter.