Story of My Life

Words of Poison

Ayobami sat looking at her family, trembling, at the scene that was about to unfold. She knew that this was coming but the realization didn't settle on her until the first shard of glass hit the ground.

Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law were notoriously known to not get along. And her family was the perfect example of that. But to make matters worse, Ayobami's father insisted on having her grandmother live with them.

That meant there was a brewing pot of trouble always ready to overspill.

And what was the recipe that stirred trouble this time? It was Ayobami's disrespect towards her grandmother for her mother's sake.

Ayobami had never really understood why, but from a young age, she always stood up to her grandmother for treating her mother badly. Sometimes, purposely disrespecting her grandmother because of the role she played whenever her parents fought.

This was one of those times.

Ayobami's father had travelled. Ayobami's grandmother insulted her mother. And Ayobami stood up to her when her mother wasn't present.

But of course, the situation wouldn't end there. When her father got back, immediately after Saturday morning prayers, Ayobami's grandmother spoke.

"Laitan, wait. There was something that happened while you weren't around that I have to say in front of you. It is Ayobami. You need to see the way she spoke to me."

Ayobami's mother interjected, "Mummy, but you would have told me if anything had happened."

Ayobami's mother was trying to diffuse the situation. Knowing the violent nature of her husband, things were about to become real ugly, real fast.

"Shut up Shade!" Her grandmother replied. "Is it not you? I know you. If I ask you to solve this or even better still report it to Laitan, you will add and subtract things from the story. Please just keep quiet, you and your daughter are the same thing."

And with that, the volcano erupted.

Ayobami's father got up and started to beat her mercilessly. He didn't care where he hit her, he just did.

Her mother got up and tried to hold her father.

"E jo!" She screamed. "She's just a little girl, don't beat her like this."

Her father growled angrily before storming off for what seemed like hours before reemerging with a belt in hand. He made sure he used force that could tear her skin off. Her mother screamed.

"Stop! Stop! E ma pa mi lomo! This is your daughter for Christ's sake".

He turned to face her with eyes that were stonecold.

Dramatically, iron is heard hitting the tiles as her father dropped the belt.

"I shouldn't beat her, it's true, because, this is your fault. She took after your wretched attitude. It was a mistake marrying you!"

It was in that moment, the first sound of glass was heard.

Her father breaks every framed marriage picture in sight and levels it to mere paper and glass. By the time he is done, the floor is decorated with pieces of glass everywhere.

All the while, her grandmother smirks as she watches the disaster unfold. She only spoke when Laitan was walking to his room, telling him to be careful so that he wouldn't cut his feet.

Later that day, Ayobami's father sat her down to tell her words that would haunt her forever.

"Ayobami, you are a mistake in this house. You are the problem of my marriage."

This was ten years ago. She was six years old.