CHOICE

2

The bed suddenly fills up with water and a bewildered Zechariah jumps up from sleep. He clears his eyes to note his mother standing at the side of his bed holding an empty bucket.
"Mom. What's the cause for that?" He angrily demands.
"Gbenu dake! See his mouth. Yen yen yen yen yen. Will you get up. Your mates are out there doing better things with their lives and you're here still sleeping by 7:00." She retorts.
"I had a very bad day yesterday. So I slept late due to my prolonged prayer time. Is it bad to want to rest?"
"Please shut up. Zechariah shut up your dirty mouth. You want to rest without working abi? It's not possible. The only time you can rest is when you work." She turns to leave. "By the time I return to this room don't let me meet you here ooo. Noted?" She questions holding her left ear.
He refuses to reply as she instead removes the bed cover. She makes to move closer to him.
"Are you deaf? Abi you're dumb? Which one. If you like reply if you like don't. If you like grumble from today to tomorrow. That's your problem. But if I come back to still meet you here with the clothes not washed and water unfetched... Ah! You will know why my name is Ololade Abeni." She finishes with a hiss and angrily exits the room.
Zechariah sulks and soliloquies, "This woman ehn, only God knows what I did to her. If Zephaniah and I were just brothers instead of twins I would have concluded that I was adopted. Zechariah this, Zechariah that." Looking upwards, "I'm tired God. I really am. See the way that girl washed me yesterday on top working experience. Hmmm..... All will be fine and I will live comfortably well." His thoughts are rudely interrupted by a loud voice.
"Zechariah! Zechariah! Zechariah! If I come back to that room fire will fall. That's all I will say." Knowing his mother fully well, he hurriedly leaves the room to attend to the house chores.

   The door creaks and a young lady of about twenty four years comes into the room to meet Zechariah. The striking resemblance between them doesn't go unnoticed and the smile that breaks out on Zechariah's face is duely acknowledged.
"Afternoon bro." The lady greets.
"Jael. How are you?"
"I'm not fine ooo."
A concerned Zechariah drops the book in his hands and turns to face her properly. He pats his side on the bed and motions for her to sit.
"What wrong?"
"What happened with Mama in the morning."
"Mchteew... I didn't know it was that. It's just a minor issue." He tries to cover up.
"Indeed a minor issue. A minor issue that has deprived you of breakfast and made you stay glued to your room since morning." She notes.
"It's really a minor issue."
"It's the stuff about work isn't it? Don't mind Mama oo. She thinks it's easy to get a work in this our Nigeria. Are you fine though. You have started looking lean." She stares at him obviously concerned.
"I'm fine jare. Healthy as a horse. How's work?"
"Ahh. My boss gave him one contract like that. I have not even drawn the cake and she must not know."
"How many steps?"
"Seven oo. I don't know what they want to use it for."
"When you're free, bring it let me assist you."
"Awwwn. That's my brother. Any other brother is a counterfeit."
"Reduce your voice abeg. You don't want Mom going all gaga defending her son."
"Who dey help?" Oya na let me come and serve you." She proposes.
"Ehn? No oo."
"What will happen? I cooked it with my money na." Jael joyfully rushes out and returns in a few minutes with a covered plate containing white rice and fish stew.

Have you ever had an argument with your parents that deprived you of food? Well I have. Many times. Share your experience. Please don't forget to vote and comment... Do enjoy your day.

Yours In Ink; Bethel ™