Ini

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕱𝖔𝖚𝖗

Inioluwa pushed open the gates as the two sisters walked into the compound. A few of their neighbours' children were seen playing around as their mothers were also outside talking amongst themselves.

They walked past them, after politely greeting them, as they made their way through the stairwell's door. Folashade closed the door after Inioluwa and as soon as she took a few steps up the staircase, she felt something–something awfully familiar. She didn't know why, but her heart felt heavy and there was this fear that she felt consume her.

She shook her head a bit before hurrying to their apartment. Inioluwa yawned as she pushed the barred gates that led to the balcony of their home.

Folashade hastily walked past Inioluwa as she could no longer bear holding in urine, she didn't feel that sensation any longer. Inioluwa pulled off her sandals as she walked towards the kitchen and dropped the nylon bags on the tiled floors. She yawned again and was washing her hands in the sink when Folashade called out her name.

She sighed heavily before heading to the room where Folashade called her from. "Folashade." She said as she got into the room.

She stared at her sister who was squatting, looking perplexed. She walked towards her and a concerned expression was plastered on her face.

"Maami." She said quietly as she knelt beside her mother. Abike looked almost pale and weary. Inioluwa stretched out her hand and touched her mother's forehead, it was warm. She stared at her mother abashed as she wondered how long she was out that her mother had fallen sick.

"Folashade, go call a taxi. We're taking maami to the hospital." Inioluwa instructed and Folashade nodded but as she was about to leave, their mother stopped them.

She held Inioluwa's hand as she said, "I'm fine. No hospital." Her voice coming out in a whisper. She tried to force a smile but it only turned into a grimace.

"No, you're not fine." Inioluwa said but her mother slowly shook her head. Abike knew that this was beyond any medical issues, she had treaded on dangerous path and now, she had to pay the price.

"I just need water." She managed to say before coughing heavily. Folashade went out of the room to get water as Inioluwa stayed with her mother.

"Maami, is everything alright? Why can't I take you to hospital?" Inioluwa asked, suspicion evident in her tone. She was wonderstruck at how adamant her mother was on not being taken to the hospital.

"It's nothing." She said and tried to avoid eye contact. "Just be careful Ini, be careful." She whispered as her eyelids began to droop.

Inioluwa wanted to ask further questions but the yawn that her mother let out kept her questions buried in. Folashade arrived with a glass of water and Inioluwa decided to take her leave.

She held onto the railings of her balcony as she took in deep breaths. Now, she was sure that something was wrong and her mother was somewhat involved in it.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out. She read the caller's ID and smiled a little, almost forgetting about her mother's illness. It was Ayo who had called.

"Ini, you finally answered my calls. I've missed you so much." He said and Inioluwa chuckled to herself.

"I've missed you too. How was cleaning?" She asked.

"Better in a way. How have you been?" He asked and she immediately sighed. Honestly, she didn't know how she felt. Sometimes, she felt confused, other times she felt crazy and now she felt suspicious of her mother and sister.

"Not doing good, huh?" He asked and she sighed again.

"Yeah, everything's been weird lately. Something just doesn't seem right around here and I really don't know what to do." She said.