Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Forty Three

By the time I got home from school, I was totally disheartened. I kept thinking of what to do about the teacher's complaints, but nothing immediate came to mind. The only long shot I had was the money from the freebies which Dera had kept for me plus the money in my piggy bank. These two options were miles away and at this point, impossible to get.

After wallowing in deep thoughts, I resolved to cajoling Mama to let me visit the shop this evening, maybe Dera can help not in only retrieving the money, but in buying the stuffs I needed as well. The only other problem I have now is time.

It's already 3pm and Mama isn't home yet. Aunt Oby, aunt Onyinyechi and uncle Ugonna were all home, crushing the option of sneaking out.

I only have to wait for Mama.

4pm

5pm

And Mama was still nowhere to be found. I was becoming agitated and gradually shrunken into forfeiting the competition.

6pm

Mama was still relaxed wherever she went to. And she chose to be home late, today of all days? Talk of familiar spirits!

7pm

8pm and Mama finally knocked loudly on the gate.

I murmured a greeting when I opened up for her. As a mother, it didn't take her long to suspect something was wrong. Maybe from my attitude, countenance or my muffled sob. The end point was, everything changed that night for me.

"And what is it?" She more of yelled than asked.

"Nothing" I cried.

"Yet you're crying?"

I was mute.

"Better don't make this room uncomfortable for me if you know you aren't ready to talk"

I went dumb again, but after a short while, realised I needed to let my anger slide and speak up.

"Mama, the school said I can't go for the competition in such torn uniform and sandals. They also said I need to have a pair of socks if I really want to participate" I complained

"And what does that mean?"

"It means that I'll have to buy a pair of socks and sandals, then stitch and iron my uniform"

She stifled a laughter.
"That means they don't want you to go! How do they expect you to get all those stuffs you mentioned?" She said stretching her hands a bit. "Well, you can beg Agnes for her iron, that's if she'll agree to lend you. We both know that's even impossible. As for stitching your uniform, I can get you a needle and thread, though I'm not sure I have the color that will suit your uniform. But you can use black, by the way, black blends in every fabric color." She explained adjusting herself on the bed.

I didn't respond. I was so sad to talk. My heart was wallowing in bitterness and my eyes ready to let those tears free.

"You'll have to manage your sandals. At least explain to them that your mother is a widow who has no money" She continued pausing for a while. "For that eh, what do you even call it? socks? ehen, that isn't important at all. It's just for fancy and doesn't in anyway show a bright student. By the way, Jesus Christ allowed all and sundry into his temple, why then can't ordinary school allow people in no matter how they look? And save us parents from constant expenses?" She sighed.

"Mama almost everyone in our school wears socks. I'm not the only one going for this competition, and moreover the girl I'll be going with has everything." I mumbled.

"And what do you want me to do? Eh?" She asked sitting up angrily. "And by the way, who will be in the market by this time"

"No one ma but we can go in the morning" I countered