The Weight I Carry - by Favyben

My phone rang unexpectedly. It was my older sister. **"Hi, Ib... Mona was rushed to the hospital."** My heart skipped. **"Oh my God. What happened?"** **"She needs surgery."** Everything went silent. Even before asking the next question, I already knew what was coming. Hospital emergencies never come alone. They come with bills. I hesitated for a few seconds before asking. **"How much are they asking for?"** She replied almost immediately. **"₦100,000 for a start."** I swallowed hard. I opened my banking app and looked at my savings. After sending ₦100,000 to support my parents' rent not long ago, I had just ₦120,000 left. The painful part was that this wasn't spare money it was part of the money I had kept aside for my own rent, which was due soon. For a moment, I stared at the screen. Then I transferred the money. **"I've sent it. Please keep me updated."** **"Thank you,"** she replied. I dropped my phone and sat on the edge of my bed, staring into nothing. My mind was blank. I didn't realize almost two hours had passed until my phone rang again. It was my sister. My heart sank before I even answered. **"Ib... they need another ₦150,000 before they'll proceed with the treatment, it’s to complete the payment. I would have paid it, but I don't have anything on me."** I closed my eyes. Where was I supposed to find another ₦150,000? I didn't even have enough left to take care of myself. I couldn't speak. Then my sister's voice broke the silence. **"Hello, Ib... are you there? Mona wants to talk to you."** A weak voice came through the phone. **"Hello, Ib... my stomach hurts. I'm in so much pain."** The words pierced my heart. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Trying to steady my voice, I replied, **"Okay... I'll do my best. I'll try and send something."** **"Thank you,"** my sister whispered. After the call ended, I cried until my chest hurt. When I finally picked up my phone again, I messaged a friend. **"Hi, Blessed. Please, I need a favor."** **"What's wrong?"** **"My sister is in the hospital. I need to borrow ₦150,000."** A few minutes later, he replied. **"I don't have that much, but let me send what I have."** Fresh tears rolled down my face. **"Thank you so much."** **"You're welcome. Anything for you."** I put my phone down and looked up at the ceiling. Sometimes I wonder how much one person is expected to carry. I'm barely 30, yet it feels like the weight of an entire family rests on my shoulders. There's my own life to build. Bills to pay. Dreams I'm still chasing. And then there are the people I love, whose needs become mine the moment they call. Some days I ask God, *"Lord, please bless my family so this burden becomes lighter. Help us all stand on our own feet. This salary barely takes care of me. Sometimes it feels like I'm carrying more than I know how to bear."* There are moments when the pressure feels overwhelming, when I wonder how much longer I can keep going, if I should end it all. But even in those moments, I hold on to hope. I believe there will come a day when these emergencies won't leave me choosing between my own survival and the people I love. A day when helping my family won't mean sacrificing everything I have. Until then, I'll keep praying. I'll keep showing up. And somehow... I'll keep believing. I'll smile soon. I know it.

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