₦airaland Forum

... Red's for Anger...

The little talk that transpired between i and my mom last night brought a surety that I might likely talk some more this morning, probably give her a piece of my mind. I didn't plan on staying long because apparently, I have some businesses to run in the bigger city.

I left my room after a refreshing morning shower. The mint tooth gel I had used to brush my teeth, leaving my breadth a mix of mint and some sweetness. I'm humming a popular song, making my way towards the kitchen. The kitchen looks clean, so is the entire house. I walk out the house, as my mother was no where to be seen.

My mother was sitting with someone on a bench outside the house. They were talking in hushed tones, making it unable for anyone to hear. I walk briskly towards them, not recognizing the person. Immediately they noticed my presence, they stop talking and looks towards my direction. The lady stands up abruptly, shoving me into her arms in a warm hug.

‘Rose, so good to see you again after a long time..’ She says, still hugging me. I look over at my mother, expecting an explanation. She turns her face away from me, staring at the ground.

‘Its been so long you left us. You look very good..’ She adds, finally letting me go as she uses the opportunity to look me over.

‘Thank you.. you must be?’ I ask, looking straight into her eyes.

‘I'm Amina.. you don't remember me? I'm Amina. My mother used to be your mother's best friend while she was alive!’ She says.

‘What do you mean “while she was alive?”' I asked.

‘Well... My mother died a year ago.. it was good she had to leave us, you know. She suffered a lot!' She replies, without any atom of pity.

‘You mean mma Amina is dead?’ I ask, still not believing it.

‘Yes, she died from a very serious illness. We all missed you. I was thinking that you'll probably never return’ She says.

‘I don't understand how you missed me. We were never close, Amina. I didn't even know much about you apart from your name!’ I reply.

‘Yeah, true...’ she says, staring into oblivion.

‘So, why are you here?’ I ask, feeling that her presence wasn't very much needed.

‘I came to ask your mother for help..’ she replies, suddenly looking very sad.

‘What help?’ I ask, looking from her to my mother.

‘Financial help. I'm suffering, Rose. I don't know what else to do or who else to turn to’

‘What seems to be the problem?’

‘I was diagnosed with a very serious disease which needs urgent care and money to take care of’ She confesses. I wasn't very much surprised by that, probably because I have always known the kind of life she lived while we were still little. Amina would be the same age as I but looking at her now, I could see that she was rapidly aging. Wrinkles were already appearing at her lower eyes and her face looks contorted.

She was looking like a forty years old woman while she would be in her early thirties. Standing in front of me, she was looking sad, bitter even. I could tell she probably regretted her past, wanting to right her wrongs but it was too late to do so. Suddenly, she starts to weep. I sit there, like a bag of potatoes, staring at my mother's best friend's daughter, watching her weep. She looks vulnerable, the pains in her heart resurfacing to the facade of her being.

I didn't know how to calm a woman down, I've never been one to show signs of pity. Mother went over to her to calm her down. She gets her, whispering sweet things of nothingness into her ear.

‘I didn't know my mother had enough money to help..’ I blurt out, not thinking straight.

‘She doesn't, when I heard you had returned home, I decided to come. Please Rose, I really need your help..’ she says amidst sobs.

‘How would you need help from a woman who needs help as well...’ I say, shaking my head. The two of them stares at me like I had suddenly developed two heads.

‘My mother was the cause of my father's death. I located his study which is at the outskirts of the village. I visited there in order to see if I could find anything related to my father. Some memories he left behind...’ I left them, dashing into the house to my room. Immediately grabbing my father's journal from my handbag, I dash out of the house towards the women. Shoving the book into my mother's hands, I start to weep uncontrollably.

Mother goes through the pages, reading each contents. As if on cue, she starts to sob too. We both became vulnerable instantly, weeping, letting the contents of our hearts out.

‘I'm so sorry..’ Mother states, still reading the journal.

‘Oh, God..I'm really so so sorry..’ she continues.

‘I didn't know.. I didn't know that it's like that.. I didn't know what came over me, Rose. Please forgive me..’ she weeps.

‘I'm not the one you should be asking for forgiveness’

‘I don't even remember where your father is buried..’

‘Well, find out and do the needful!’ I say, as I stand up to leave.

‘I suggest you read to the end. Father has another family and don't you ever accuse him of cheating on you because you deserve it all!’ I deadpan.

‘Dont go please, please help me!’

At that moment, I just stare at Amina with pity lacing my eyes. I know I have the right resources to help her but does she deserve any help?

‘Come back tomorrow morning before I leave for the city. I will see what I can do..’ I say.

Divepen1:
That's it.

Eyaiii..

Divepen1:
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https://my.w.tt/QadE3c3Qwcb

::What wrongs done, can be undone...

The wrinkles on the face of my mother, indicating old age, shaming adolescence. Her usually unreadable face, her eyes twinkling in the sparse fluorescent that hung on the ceiling. It's light so dim that it only reveals half of what should be seen. Her greying hair cascading the tips of her shoulder.

We sat there, eating cold potatoes in silence. Drinking warm water from a rusted cup, listening to the crooking of toads from a nearby swamp and the creaking of insects which probably has decided that silence wasn't good for their health.

“You look good, well fed. What could be the secret?” Mother asked, breaking the silence. I looked up from my plate, my face too heavy to lift a smile and my lips too numb to echo a reply.

“I thought that the years which you spent outside my care will be enough to make you speak up!” She continues when she realized I wasn't able to offer a reply.

She shakes her head in what looks like sympathy. Still looking my way in an unmeasurable lack of pity. I looked away, not too shy to curtesy or defend myself but there were a million things going on inside my head and all I wanted to do was to handle a gun, literally.

“Seems like you now believe in saying better than you ought to!” I managed to say, dropping the fork in my hands, rubbing my clammy hands on the fabric I wore.

Mother smiles, only revealing two sets of half decayed tooth. I wondered how old she could be.

“Words are power, Rose. I believe in words but never found any usefulness for it!” She said.

“I was hoping you would have said more. I needed those words when I was little; still in your care. But now, I feel like I don't need it anymore, especially not from you!”

“I know you hate me, Rose. But always remember that I was the one that bore you in my womb for nine months!”

“To hell with you mother!..." I said as I stood up from my seat, my expression only that of anger and ignominy. The sudden impact shook the whole table, making the plate and the spoons fall to the ground with a loud clatter. Mother still looked unflinched, unperturbed by my adequate display of emotions.

“It was all your fault.. your foolishness killed my father, your foolishness rendered me completely hopeless. Your foolishness made me never to have the best form of upbringing and now you stand in my front to talk trash?”

“Actually, I think you're the one in my front talking trash. Yes, I know I messed up. But never you blame me for your father's death! Your father was a disappointment!”

“You were and still is the disappointment! Father loved you, wanted the best for you; for us. But what did you do, you killed him with silence!”

My heart bleeds as I remember my father, how cheerful he had always tried to be and how he eventually died with so many secrets.

“You don't deserve any good thing in this life, mother! You're wicked and evil and should be left to die as one!”

“You don't pay evil with evil, Rose!” She said, looking highly unperturbed by the whole scenerio.

I got my phone and my purse and made for my room. The silence that has once being the maleficent of my territory and perhaps, still is, shoves down my throat as I walk into the cold room. All the memories from the past sweeps through my vision, rendering me completely hopeless. I saunter to my childhood bed, using my palm to support my head as a banging headache takes total control.

The moonlight peaking through the half eaten wooden door which was probably caused by termites. I could see that there were not much changes in the room. Everything looks exactly the way I left it, except for a few baggages lying at the corner. I immediately refused to wonder what could be in the box as I lay on the mattress, stretching my spine.

I thought by now, my mother would have deemed herself some good change but, humans never completely change.

Closing my heavy tired eyes, I drift into the unknown world of dreams....





Merry Christmas and a prosperous New year to all Nlanders

Obinnau:
The ban has been removed.
BTW your DP is beautiful

Thank you

VickyRotex:
Seems the antispam bot banned the OP.

Divepen1 or Obinnau please unban her.

Thanks for indicating it!

÷÷

The child that pays attention to the situation of life and take it at ease, might likely live long...

The perfect thing to do when the time is right is to...Get married!

I, for one never believed in true love but as time goes by and age was catching up on me, I realized that I could as well do myself ye favors of getting a good man to marry.

So, that's how olatunji came into the picture...
~~
“Iyawo mi, are you not prepared already? We need to head to the national stadium. You know that the president will be giving his speech today. And I don't want to miss it” Ola yelled from the living room.

I tried to hurry up with my makeup as I pulled open my wardrobe to get out the floral dress Ola has gifted me the night before. I smiled slightly as my ears caught the beautiful piece, hanging inside the wardrobe. I made a mental note to ask Ola about the designer and probably pick up more dresses from the company.

After putting on the dress, I wear my pointed heels, check out my hair in the mirror and patted my cheek with some blush. Smiling at my reflection, I saunter out of the room.

“Wow, you look beautiful!” Ola exclaimed as he comes over to my side, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me towards him. He smelled of rich avocado fragrance and a strong masculinity. He place a kiss on my forehead and pulls me away, looking deep into my eyes.

“I've always known that I made the right decision by getting married to you!” he says, not taking his eyes off me for one second.

“Stop flattering yourself, Olatunji. We are already late, ain't we?!” I tease as I gently pull myself away from him. He laughs.

We get outside the house as my husband locked the door behind him. The air outside smelled like dust, the weather was sort of chilly and the atmosphere looks like it will rain any moment from now.

“You think the president propaganda will work out today? I think it will rain anytime soon!” I say to my husband as we maneuver to where our Volkswagen was parked.

“It has to work out. I'm sure they would have done something to stop the rain!” He replies.

We get to the car, he gets into the drivers seat and slides in. He ignites the car, roaring the engine to life. I'm still standing outside, waiting for my dearest husband to remember his eitquettes.

As if on cue, he looks beside him, not finding his partner. He rushed out of the car, muttering a ‘sorry’ and getting my door for me. I slide into the passenger seat, fixing my dress straight and checking my reflection in the side view mirror. Not bothering to say thank you. That's what he gets by making me stand outside in this hideous heels!

Few seconds later, we are driving through the street of surulere to the national stadium.

The streets were rough, everyone going about their activities. Our car drive pass shops, restaurans, hawkers, hotels, and so many things you can see on the street.

Ola turned on the radio, a high life music came blasting through the speakers. I cringe momentarily at it's loud sound as he made to lower the volume. The music plays for a while, it's rhythm entering the depths of my soul.

After a while, my husband decides the music wasn't what he needed and changed the station. The next fm starts talking about the gathering at the stadium and we decided to listen to it.

After what took forever, in the popular Lagos traffic, we were almost at the stadium.

It was 1985
Ibrahim babaginda was set to release his propaganda for our dear nation.

Ola finally got a place to park his car after much stress. We got out of the car, as Ola came beside me, entwines our hands and leads me into the stadium.

It's half past 12pm

~~
OLA'S POV

My pretty wife and I walk into the stadium. People of different tribes, color and different languages were seen around the vicinity. I could see that the sun was slowly peeking through the clouds, shinning it's rays on the occupants of Earth. I hold unto my wife's hand, leading her to a more secured area.

I look far beyond, sighting Tolu and her husband Jide. They have turned to family friend ever since I and tolu placed our infatuations aside, realising that we were not meant for each other. I know that Kike still have some sort of dislike for Tolu but she always try her best to believe that I can never break her heart, again. I, on my side vowed never to put our relationship on stake.

I gently move Kike through the crowd, passing through sweating bodies and finally to the place Tolu and Jide were standing.

On seeing us, Tolu immediately shoved her husband gently as they smiled towards our direction. Kike looks at me awkwardly but then put on her best smile.

“It is wonderful to see you again, Kike and Ola” Tolu says, French hugging my wife and I. Jide gives Kike a perk on the cheek while he shakes my hand.

“How's it coming?” I ask, looking around the stadium. Lots of people were already gathered. At the center of the stadium, chairs and a canopy was set to house the president and his representatives.

I can see Ebitu Ukiwe, arranging some papers, preparing the place for the president. I look over at my wife, smiling stylishly. Not knowing why I was smiling, she smiles back.

“We are not so late, after all!” I say, squeezing her hand gently.

“Let's just say the president has adapted to the African time!” I reply. I laugh, shaking my head. Tolu and Jide joined in the laughter as well.

Few minutes later, the president was coming out of his BMW-760LI. With his white agbada and his polish black shoes and his medicated glasses. He walks magestically into the place like a lion who has been prepared for hunt his whole life...

The violence that took place after the president's speech couldn't be compared to another.

Taking my wife's hand, we maneuver towards our car, waving Tolu and her husband goodbye.
~~

SOME DAYS AFTER..
KIKE POV

Fried rice was my husband's favorite after it's introduction in Nigeria. As a result, I have gone far beyond to learn how to prepare the meal with ease.

August 12 1985.

“Oko mi, your food is ready!” I say to my husband as I set the dinning. He was in the parlour, reading news paper. After hearing what I said, he gets up from the seat and makes his way towards the dinning.

“Iyawo mi, what did you prepare?” he ask, pulling a chair from the table and seating on it.

“Fried rice with chicken” I reply, dishing out his share.

“Hmmm... Delicious!” He compliments. After dishing out our food, I take my seat.

“Let us pray” he says.

Lunch was quicker than expected. After clearing the plates, I sit with my husband as he tell tales that were popular in the Yoruba kingdom. We talk about the story of Moremi and how she rescued her village.

My husband has always been one to tell jokes so we joked about the recent happenings in the community.

During our talks, we couldn't resist the urge of looking at each other, wanting to do more than just talks. Coming over to his side, I momentarily let my hand graze the hairs on his bare chest, pulling at it seductively. I allow my hand the freewill to do wonders, caressing every bare skin that it can find.

As if not been able to resist the temptation, he pulls me towards him, a giggle escaping from my lips.

“I will be the master for today” he says, his lips landing on mine, taking control. Our breadths were hitched, with every passing moment becoming heated. Our little romantic endeavor in our sitting room reaching the tops of the roof.

He is in control, control of my emotions, of my mentality, of my body, I couldn't help but to call his name countless of times, feeling like a true woman.

He takes my pleasure as a chance to do more, to caress, to kiss, to go further than expected.

Suddenly, everything stops. Our breathing reaching the top of the roofs. Our eyes roaming our faces, sweats tickling down our bodies. I smile, feeling too satisfied to say a thing.
~~

FEW WEEKS LATER..
OLA POV

I am sitting on one of the sofas in the sitting room, talking to some visitors.

Atinuke and babalola who were my close friends from college decided to visit me today. My wife is in the kitchen preparing lunch while I entertain our visitors with my silly joke.

“You need to see how I took off from the office the other day. The armies came and pursued everybody. This military rule is no longer funny oo” I say, tapping my foot on the cemented floor, shaking my head.

“I'm telling you. We need to do something about this regime before they kill everyone of us. Imagine, somebody cannot work in peace again, do they want hunger to kill the people?” Babalola says.

“Yesterday, I was at the market place purchasing some fresh tomatoes. One soldier just came from nowhere and asked the seller to pack her loads. The woman refused, hmm. You need to see how the soldier scattered all her market, creating havoc” Atinuke explains.

“si gbogbo nkan wọnyi” I exclaim.

We keep telling stories of the happenings in the land as my wife comes out of the kitchen with a tray of freshly baked cookies.

“awon ore mi, please manage this one for me. Rice is still on fire!” Kike says as she drops the tray on the center table.

I look at my beautiful wife, feeling very proud of myself. Who says I didn't make the right decision?!

“Ha, iyawo! How did you learn to make cookies?” Atinuke ask, taking a bit from a piece she held in her hands.

“I learnt it when I was in Enugu Nsukka. During my IT training” Kike replies.

“Hmm.. that is very good! It is very delicious” Babalola compliments.

“Thank you oremi!” She replies.

“Iyawo mi is a very virtuous woman. My love for her will never cease!” I say, looking up at my wife. She smiles shyly, going back to the kitchen.

“Ola, we know you made the right choice but don't you think it will be much better with kids?” Babalola ask. I shake my head, replying him..

“We do not want kids for now. More over, we are very happy alone. Kids might likely bring a kind of distraction in our affection towards each other, and I don't want that to happen at all!” I reply, looking at the kitchen door.

Of a truth, I am not bothered about us not having children. But sometimes I wonder how Kike was not able to conceive. I can boldly say we never use protection in our romantic escapades but that has never been a problem.

“But it will be much better to have someone who either looks like you or Kike running around the place! Think about it oremi!” Atinuke adds.

“Oh, both of you, drop the topic already. Let's talk about other important things!”

They look at me like a kid without sense and I just shove the thought aside.
~~
A MONTH LATER..
KIKE POV

The rains came down in a way that satisfied everyone taste for drama. The pattering on the roof, making it unable for me to sleep.

It is past 11pm and my husband has not return. Worry makes it's way to my heart as I picked up the telephone to dial his office line once more. Still not connecting!

I saunter out of bed, using a wrapper to tie around my chest. The cold was peeking through the windows and I involuntarily wish for my husband.

Going into the sitting room, I sigh at the wall clock, try to read a magazine but each time I watch the pictures of the sexy looking men, wearing nothing but pants and polished shoes, I couldn't help but to miss my husband.

I haven't been this alone by this time of the night ever since I tied the knot with Olatunji.

“Ola, where are you?” I mutter, feeling helpless.

I get up from the sofa, heading to the kitchen. If I needed to wait for him, then I need something to help me stay awake.

I remember that I have once purchased some cocoa powder from aunty Ada few days ago. The igbo woman had explained it's usefulness, there by urging me to purchase it. Now, I think it will do me a great good!

I mix the powder into a mug, pour water into the kettle and place it on the cooking stove. The kettle makes a hiss, indicating that it is ready for use. Turning off the stove, I pour the hot water into the mug containing the cocoa powder.

After tasting the brown liquid, I sensation burning my tongue in the process. I realize that the water might have been too hot so I mix it with a little cold water.

Taking my mug of tea with me into the sitting room, I sit at a sofa, sipping the content of the mug slowly.

11:30pm and Ola has not returned.
God knows where he might be?

The idea of calling Tolu crosses my mind but I shove it aside, thinking it would be rude to call the woman at this ungodly hour and more over, I trust my husband.

I stand up, heading to the telephone.

First ring...

Second ring....

“Hello?” A tired voice escapes from the receiver.

“Hello, Tolu.. please I'm sorry to have disturbed your peace but did you by any chance see my husband today?” I ask, feeling already guilty for calling the woman.

There's a shuffle on the other end..

“What, why would you even ask me that?” She ask, annoyance fanning her voice.

“I'm really sorry, just that I haven't seen him since today!” I say, bitting on my lower lip.

“Well, I don't know. I didn't see him!” She replies. There's silence as I keep quite, not knowing what else to say. What was I thinking when I had to call her by this time asking for the whereabouts of my husband?

“Hello, Kike.. did you say you haven't seen your husband?” A male voice comes from the receiver. Which happens to be Jide, Tolu's husband.

“Yes.. and I'm so worried!”

“Have you tried calling his line?”

“Called his office line but no response. It wasn't even going through!”

“Relax, he might be cut up with something. He will return to you, don't worry!”

immediately I heard don't worry, my worry escalates to the roof. So many thoughts runs through my mind.

What if something terrible has happened to him?

What if the military has taken him?

What if he were shot dead?

Oh God!

“Hello?” Jide says. I realize that I was still holding the telephone.

“Yes?” I ask.

“I will go out now to look for him, don't worry he will come back?” immediately he said this, Tolu yells,

“Are you insane? Do you know what time it is? You are not going anywhere oo!” she deadpans.

“Dont worry honey, I will not go alone....” the remaining of the things he could have said gets caught in the telephone machine as I banged the phone right into it.

For once, I think Jide might be insane to go after my husband or probably he just said that to cheer me up.

I begin praying a silent prayer, begging God to see my husband through.

Few hours into the early hours of morning, there is a loud bang on the door, startling me awake and making me jump to my feet.

I look over at the wall clock, it reads 2:45am
Rubbing my hands over my eyes, I go towards the door as the knocking never ceases.

Opening the door without bothering to ask who it was, I'm met with my husband, the moonlight showing his torn cloths and his dirty body.

“oko mi!” I exclaim as I run into him. He hugs me fiercely, stroking my back affectionately. I lead him inside, trying to get a clear glimpse of his physique. All my words were stuck to my throat as I lead him into the bathroom, running a quick shower..

The next day, I find out my husband's car broke down and he was robbed by some soldiers.

~~
OLA POV

After the night I was robbed, Kike refuses to let me out of her sight! At first, I found it funny but then, I started complaining about my inability to work and earn money for us. How are we supposed to feed and pay rent if I do not work?

After much persuasion, she finally agrees for me to go to work but only to come back home on time.

The evils in this military regime is getting to it's peaks and no one is doing anything about it. I and my wife are trying our best to live our perfect lives.

On a faithful Saturday evening, I announce to my wife that we will be moving to Enugu Nsukka for a holiday and we won't return until the riot in Lagos State subsides.

Kike hugs me, placing a kiss on my forehead.

“I'm so happy that you said that, oko mi!" She says. I smile, leaning in for a kiss.

The next day we began to prepare and pack our belongings in my Volkswagen passa.

We are set to live our perfect lives....

Hello..

As you all know me by now, I'm a writer! Lol

So, here's a Sunday present for y'all!