The Flood of Fate: Usman Shehu’s Journey from Hope to Despair

In an unexpected twist of fate, Usman Shehu’s life teetered on the brink of ruin as an unforgiving deluge descended upon Maiduguri.

That fateful night, when tragedy loomed like an ominous shadow over their home, it was only by sheer providence that Usman and his family were spared from nature’s wrath.

Engulfed in slumber when calamity struck, they owed their lives to an alert neighbour whose frantic knocking shattered their peaceful dreams.

?Recounting their narrow escape with palpable urgency in his voice, Usman recalled how oblivion had almost claimed them: “I was ensconced in my humble abode that destined evening when suddenly, our neighbour burst forth with dire warnings of impending doom.”

With no time to salvage even a single belonging, Usman’s family fled into the tempestuous night clad only in their nocturnal garments. They followed their neighbour into uncertainty—away from danger but towards an unknown future.

Usman lamented with sorrowful clarity: “If one were to traverse our neighbourhood now, they would be greeted by sights most harrowing—a multitude of lifeless forms strewn about without mercy. Among them lay familiar faces I once knew—Baba Ali with his gentle smile; Ba Sheriff whose laughter filled our streets; Ba Saleh who shared wisdom freely; and young Mustapha whose dreams were unfulfilled.”

These souls had underestimated nature’s fury—hoping against hope that they could outwait its rage—but instead met their demise amidst its relentless surges.

On Monday evening before this catastrophe, Usman Shehu had locked up his shop imbued with hopeful anticipation for what tomorrow might bring—a stark contrast to what destiny held.

His journey home was punctuated by earnest conversations over cellular waves—promises made to partners about provisions urgently needed. Feeling confident, Usman assured them he would fulfil their requests first thing in the morning.

He left a significant portion of his earnings in the shop at the close of business and looked forward to a productive day ahead. But fate had other plans.

The night was unnervingly quiet, save for the distant rumble of thunder that seemed to echo the tumult brewing within Usman’s heart.

?He settled onto a thin mattress in a cramped camp, trying to ignore the relentless sound of rumbling outside. The flood that had begun as a mere inconvenience had quickly escalated into a catastrophic flood, swallowing Maiduguri whole.

The floodwaters had surged with an unforgiving fury, erasing the fruits of his labour and his dreams in a single, devastating sweep.

Each wave of water on the walls of their makeshift shelter illuminated the stark reality of his loss. The rising waters had not only swept away his shop but also his future—his meticulously planned lifeline that was meant to secure his family’s well-being.

Beside him, his wife Zainab, who had just given birth to twins two weeks earlier, huddled with their children. She looked to him for strength, but Usman felt as fragile as the paper-thin walls of their temporary refuge.

The weight of his financial burdens pressed heavily upon him. Usman had taken a substantial loan to stock his shop in anticipation of a lucrative contract that was supposed to help him meet his obligations.

That contract was now a cruel mirage. The flood had claimed everything—his stock, his shop, and with it, his hopes of paying off the looming debt. The threat of foreclosure on the loan was no longer a distant worry but an immediate, crushing reality.

?Zainab, despite the physical and emotional toll of recent childbirth, faced the disaster with remarkable strength. Her vulnerability was matched only by her determination. The floodwaters had stripped them not just of their livelihood but also of their sense of security.

?In the crowded camp, she found solidarity with other women who had also lost everything. Together, they shared sleepless nights and long days of uncertainty, their bonds forged in the shared experience of loss.

?The camp’s makeshift clinic became a crucial refuge for Zainab, who sought medical care and advice on managing her newborn twins amidst the harsh conditions. The nurses and volunteers, though exhausted themselves, provided both medical and emotional support. Their compassion became a lifeline, a small glimmer of hope in a sea of despair.

?Despite their overwhelming loss, Zainab drew strength from her faith and the resilience of her community. The sight of their twins, innocent and oblivious to the surrounding turmoil, gave her renewed purpose. For their sake, she had to remain strong and hopeful, clinging to the belief that rebuilding their lives was still possible.

?Meanwhile, Usman sat under a tree, observing a scene of unexpected solidarity. Fellow traders, once competitors, now shared their merger resources with one another, united by a common tragedy.

?This solidarity offered a small measure of comfort amidst their overwhelming grief. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the camp, Usman received a visitor—a drenched business partner who had braved the flood to reach him.

The partner handed Usman a small, tattered envelope. Inside was a note of solidarity and a modest sum of money. The gesture, though humble, brought tears to Usman’s eyes. It was a poignant reminder that, even in the darkest of times, compassion and humanity still held the power to pierce through the veil of despair.

September 2024

@HAWIE24