The Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 4

          Derrick's gaze  stood fixed on Effe and her daughter. He couldn't believe what his eyes had seen,he rubbed them countless times to check if he was dreaming. The young lady in front of him looked nothing like a mother,but looked exactly like the little girl beside her.

       "I'm I interrupting something", Derrick finally spoke up. Effe and Samayra separated from each other, letting their gaze fall on the young man who had the confused look written all over his face.

         "Ehhh Sorry, Samayra meet my new friend Derrick". He helped me get home safely. Effe says with a bright smile still holding Samayra close to her.

        "Hello Uncle", Thank you for bringing my Mom back home to me. Samayra thanks him with a cheesy smile. Her smile reached eyes which made them  darken with a glint of light in it. Derrick smiled back looking at her,intently studying her features comparing it with  Effe's.

        " You're welcome".Um I think I should go now,I have to return the bus to my boss.Derrick says with a look of uncertainty,see you another time.Bye!

He walked off without waiting for Effe's reply, neither turning back to wave but walked through the path and finally disappearing. Living Effe whose expression suddenly looked glum and confused.

Effe stood still looking into space , "why the sudden change". She thought to herself.

" Mummy why did Uncle Derrick leave just like that". He didn't look happy at all,I think he might have been hungry. Samayra blabbered ,happily tugging at the end of Effe's dress.

" Maybe", Effe replied still wondering why Derrick left in such a hurry. Anyway how are you,have you eaten. She asks Samayra worriedly,after snapping out of her thoughts.

"Yes mummy I have". Today I decided to try cooking so I prepared egg stew and boiled plantain. I might have added less salt because I didn't want it to turn out too salty, since when it's heated over and over again the salt  finally settles in.

" Woah my girl is already growing so fast", Effe says, dragging her wares into their small room and Samayra following nbehind her with the widest smile on her face.

" I'm sure you will love it", Samayra replies after dropping her Mother's handbag on the mattress.

" I sure will ". Please fetch some water and heat it on the coal pot for me so I can bath ehh. It has rained so the weather is too chilly for my liking and i might catch a cold.

  "Yes mummy". Should I warm your portion of food too. Samayra asks after entering the kitchen attached to the small hall room.

"Yes darling". Effe replies, removing her clothes and wrapping a cloth around her body. But heat the water first so I can be bathing whiles you warm the food.

"Yes please".

Effe drops her clothes in the laundry basket and spots Samayra's clothes looking wet. She picks them out and drops them back in after feeling the texture of it.

"Samayra". She calls out. Why are your clothes wet,did you ran out to play in the rain.

"No ooo". Samayra rushes into the room .I was worried about you so I decided to walk to the bus station to meet you, since you hadn't returned. And it was getting late, but the road was too muddy so I came back home.

" Sorry ehh", Effe replies, touched by the words of her daughter. I'll try to come back home on time,I know it is hard for you staying at home alone.

"  No mummy It's fine, besides I don't sit at home all day. I go over to Ama's place  to learn after she gets back from school so I don't get bored. She replies cheerfully.