Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Forty One

"What would be my expression when Mama gets home? How would I present this issue to her? Will my aunts hear of this? Will they even let me attend this competition? How will I cope?"

These and many more where the questions that flooded my heart immediately my aunt dropped the bombshell. I was disturbed and worried, with my eyes feeling weak and dizzy. Was it the news or the hunger I'd nursed since I returned?.

My legs shook beneath my weight with my head releasing enormous aches to my brain. I knew no matter how hard I think and worry, my problems wouldn't be solved until I face them. I have to face Mama in a more intelligent way, a way that will warm her heart. Decidedly, I braced up for an act.

Mama was home before six which was quite unlike her. I was walking to the backyard to bring in my clothes when I saw her push the gate open. Mama's face wasn't bright at all, in fact it felt as though she'd had a very huge fight with someone unknown. This unsettled me, it wasn't the mood I was hoping for.

I watched as she made her way across the common room and into her room, barely acknowledging my greeting. If she was this angry, how then am I going to present my case to her? I was emotionally disturbed.

As the night drew nearer, I knew it was time for me to make a move, it was either now or never. I stood up from the couch I was sitting in the common room and walked quietly into her room. I matched to the edge of the wall, just beside the wardrobe where I'd hid my school bag. Grabbing it, I unzipped it and began searching carefully for my glossy certificate. I carefully pulled it out from the book where I hid it, and placed it gently on the cold floor. Then I began putting back my exercise books into the bag, before zipping it closed. Done, I picked up the certificate and proceeded to Mama.

Mama was seated at the edge of her bed, with her face lowered to view her big black Bible which spread open in her palms. This scene made me smile cos I was certain she knew not what she was reading. As far as I'm concerned, Mama can't read, unless she schooled overnight without my knowledge. Her round glasses rested perfectly on the upper edge of her nose, her eyeballs propping from above. The energy saving bulb illuminated the whole room making it easier for me to read her expressions.

"Mama I have something to show you" I said a bit audibly while trying so hard to find my voice.

She lifted her head from the Bible she was holding and fixied her eyes on mine with an expressionless face.

"Ehhh..... " I muttered, losing my confidence.

"What's that in your hand?" She asked squinting to take a closer look.

"That's what I wanted to show you" I muttered with a smile. I extended my hand to hers with the paper dangling between the tips of my fingers.

"This looks important" She noted while wiping her sweaty palm on her  loose gown. She then gently took it from me.

Her words instantly etched a smile on my lips. Maybe reading the Bible was a good thing at this moment for me right?

"You know I can't understand this" She said laughing. "Don't blame me my child, our teacher broke his hand while holding the chalk" She joked forcing me to laugh out loudly.

"What happened to the teacher Mama?" I asked amidst laughter

"Oh!  He fell from the blackboard and broke his ankle". She replied in a feast of laughter and I joined in too.

It was beautiful watching Mama laugh this much. Believe me when I say I was surprised. I wasn't expecting this at all.

"Tell me, what is this paper for? I really like it, it looks like something that can fetch money!" She remarked, scrutinizing it.

"Mama I won it in our school competition!" I said excitedly. Her eyes flashed open in bewilderment.

"Really?"

"Yes Mama. And our school has selected me to represent them in the upcoming Nestle competition next tomorrow!" I was still excited.

"Oh!" She gasped happily. "This is good news! You tried my child" She said giving me a high five.

Right now, I'm over the moon.

"So how much will they pay you?" Mama chipped in while still looking at the paper.

I wanted to laugh crazily at her question which had literally made me realise that I have a lot of explanations to do.

According to what I've heard, I would be given a certificate to take home if I win, but the accompanying monetary prize will be given to the school to assist in her management. This was what I was supposed to tell her but then I thought otherwise. Mama would be happy and let me do this if she believes something like money will come out of it, so I quickly responded.

"Mama I don't know the amount actually but it will be huge" I paused for it to sink a bit into her imagination. "And the best part is that you'll accompany me to it pick up since you're my guardian!"

Her eyes nearly popped out of her socket as she imagined how much she would get from that, and without another word she asked.

"You said its coming up when?"

"Next tomorrow ma!"

"Then you should better start reading and doing what ever you need to do" She said bringing the certificate to rest in her bosom. For a moment I wondered if she thinks that certificate could be sold for cash. Mama sef.

"But Mama, aunty Oby mentioned that we'll be leaving for the village tomorrow to be back by weekend. You know if we travel now, I won't be able to make it to the competition" I said in a very low tone.

"Don't worry, I'll call brother Magnus. He'll have to hold off the prayer till weekend"

"Brother Magnus?" I asked surprised.

"Yes, we're traveling home for a general prayer he's hosting for us. Evil attacks are much and our household need to be cleansed including you."

"Oh!" I gasped.

"And now that you've mentioned it, there will be a form of agreement between us. "

"What agreement Mama?"

"If you really want to be here for the competition, that means you'll agree to willingly forfeit school on Monday because once the prayer is over on Sunday, I wouldn't want to rush home that same day because of your school"

I thought about it for a second. My competition is more important than an ordinary school day, and what harm could missing a school for just a day cause? By the way, I've been missing important school days all my life.

"Okay ma, I agree" I responded happily.

"That's good. It's a solid agreement right? No going back?" She asked seriously and I nodded happily.

"Okay. Now that we've agreed, pack some skirts too as you'll be going with brother Magnus to his ministry after the close of prayers on Sunday. He said you'll be undergoing a deliverance session early Monday morning. That means I'll come over to pick you up in the evening so we can go home together"

As my ears absorbed her last words, my lips hung in the air stopping my heart from pulsating. I couldn't breathe as my nostrils were robbed of air, my eyes popped from their sockets with my feet stuck on the floor i stood.

I'm trapped!
*****

Hi all
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I felt touched with all your prayers and therefore decided to say a thank you by updating way too early 😂

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