She Screamed!

Chapter 4

For the days are long and cold and broken
For old wounds don't fold but they reopen
And better days uphold whilst hatred awaken
Enormity and Acrimony, like doors, they open

“Mama, I want to go at my friend's house,”Mlanwin said, looking straight at Mama.
Mama showed concern right away.

She looked at her old black Tecno button phone and asked “At this hour? What do you want to do there?”

“Since I'd missed out on school today, I wanted to go at my friend's to write the notes. I don't want to be left behind,” Mlanwin said in a low voice with a sad face.

“It's eight, why can't you do this tomorrow?” Mama suggested. But Mlanwin is stubborn and persistent like Mama. She knows how to menace her way with words.

“Mama please, it's just right here. I'm not going far. Can't you see everybody is still on the road? Please, please,” Mlanwin started to beg consistently. “Do you want me to fail?” she added.

This really touched Mama's heart. Mlanwin knew this was the only way Mama would allow her leave in one piece. “God forbid,” she rebuked. “My dear, you will never fail, stop saying such. Okay fine, which of your friends are you going to?” Mama said, giving her that ‘Answer me’ look.

“I'm just going right here to Nancy, her house is not far. You know her don't you?” Mlanwin said, acting like a baby.

“Okay, fine! But don't stay very long, because if you do I'll beat you,” Mama said. She said this to make Mlanwin afraid, so she would come home soon. She has never laid a finger on Mlanwin and she would never.

“Promise,” Mlanwin hugged her tightly, kissed her right cheek then ran in for her bag.

“Ahn, my young woman, don't forget to carry torch light,” Mama yelled after her. She ran back in, took a torch and left.

Her friend's house wasn't far from hers as she said. Mlanwin's friend wasn't rich but their house was finer and better than Mlanwin's. They could eat at least three times daily and her father could drive her to school because he had a taxi.

She was never sent out of school because her father could drive all day and raise enough money to pay her tuition and also, her mother was a seamstress.

Whilst Mlanwin is the complete opposite. She had prayed and wished she had a father. When her mother was dating Roseline and Titus father, she thought this would be her father but he wasn't the father figure she dreamt of.

He would only come around when he needs money or when he wants to make love to Mama.
He lied that he worked out of town until Mama found out.
That story is so long, it could wait another day.

She had never heard a single news about her own father. Whenever she ask, Mama would change the topic and say “Focus on your studies dear. Don't worry about things that are more grown than you.”
So she never bother asking anymore.

She'd reached her friend's house. The two were seated outside, on the front porch. “Has your mother paid your school fees yet?” Nancy asked slyly.

Mlanwin froze while writing. She  swallowed hard down her throat. The sadness danced it's melody upon her dark brown face.

“Did Mr. Williams gave his quiz today?” Mlanwin changed the topic right away.
She was too ashamed to answer such an embarrassing question.

She'd wished she'd gone to government school instead, where she won't be faced with such predicament.

“No, no, he postpone the quiz till thursday. He said it's coming from the beginning of first period,” Nancy answered.

They talked and talked and it was time for Mlanwin to leave. After writing the mathematics note, she'd realized that she had no idea on how to solve the problems. She then realized again she needed a tutor.

The next morning, Mlanwin woke up early than usual. She looked all over but she couldn't see Mama. Roseline and Titus were still sleeping like newborn babies.

Mlanwin walked outside steadily, she is worried that something might have happened to Mama.

Mama had never left them alone for a second neither by themselves. Dreadful and scary thoughts walked through her witty mind.

She had searched all over for Mama except the back of the old zinc round kitchen near their house. Buried with worries, Mlanwin decided to check there anyways. She knew this was the last place Mama would be. If she's not there then she'll check at Ma Esther's, Aunty Alice's or maybe Ma Vero's.

As Mlanwin bent to see the other end of the old zinc round kitchen, there was Mama. Her back was turned to Mlanwin.

“Mama,” Mlanwin sighed deeply and walked towards her. Mama wiped her face quickly, she didn't want her daughter to see her crying.

“I thought you would be sleeping?” Mama turned around with a fake grin. “Are you crying?” Mlanwin ignored her last sentence. “Crying? Me? No, no dear. I am not crying,” Mama tried to play the smart card but forgetting to know she has a brilliant daughter who's mastered at this game.

“Then why do your face look like someone who's been crying? Mama I know you and I know you're crying,” Mlanwin sat right beside her. “Are you crying because you can't afford to pay my fees?” she added.

“My dear, when you grow up and start having children of your own, you'll understand that you have to do everything in your power to protect, love and provide for them.” The big drop of tear rolled down from Mama's left eye.

Mlanwin wiped Mama's eye with her right hand and said “You don't have to cry and worry, God will provide, you always tell me this. You told me that no matter the situation we're in, we should trust in God, he's always there to help.”

“Mama, when I win the spelling bee and get that scholarship to abroad. I will send for you and Roseline and Titus. Then we won't have to suffer anymore. We won't be poor anymore,” she said boldly.

“Shhh, don't ever say we are poor,” Mama forbade. “We might not eat twice or three times a day, we might not have luxury things, we might not live in a fancy house but we are definitely not poor. We have us and we are able to provide at least some basic needs,” Mama elucidated, looking straight at Mlanwin.

“No matter what the situation is Mlanwin, never classify yourself least. We are all equal in God's eyes behind those tears or those fancy things. Now we have to get prepared to go at the market,” Mama added with a grin.

She is still thinking on how to raise the amount for Mlanwin school. She now come to a conclusion that no children of hers will sit out of school for the others. She'd realized that education is very important and she would never want Mlanwin to be like her.

She'd heed her own advice to her daughter. She promised that Titus and Roseline will attend school with their sister next academic year.

If it cost her to starve by all cost, she will, just to see her children happy and living a normal life like the others.