WAZOBIA: A Tale of Two worlds

Mama

The sound of loose chickens and motorcycles welcomed me as I arrived in my village. This wasn't masquerade season, thankfully, SL I would find my house easily and without disturbance.

Three years was long, really. I couldn't remember much, and I couldn't call my elder brother for fear of him leading me to a witches' cove. That was how bad our family was.

I grunted.

I had gotten more stiff-hearted on the way home; anytime I saw a man I remembered Imisi, then my mom, and I drugged myself with more doctrines of how beastly men were. I simply had to hate them.

I struggled while trekking , carrying my travel bag and all the foodstuff i had brought for mama.

My brother; he was to be honored this period. With a chieftaincy  title, my elder brother, Nonso. I wasn't surprised at all. Nonso was too conversant with the village affairs so it was about time he was honored.  But him becoming a chief meant plenty visitors streaming in and out of the house and the last thing I needed were visitors. Visitors meany gossip.

My dagger almost flew out of my pocket. I was distressed and so I was walking very fast; fast enough to attract the attention of passers by.

Once I reached our street it was more or less quieter, minus the sound of boys playing football and motorcycles.

I set down my burdens to ring the bell beside the wooden door of my childhood home - is what I would say if this weren't, in fact, the mansion that Nonso had built few years back to be our "family home". Apart from it being a necessary thing to do in Nigeria, it was also one of the things that qualified him for a chieftaincy; minor.

Home. It seemed a strange word to emit from my lips.

"Onye?" I heard the confused voice of a man and the shuffling of feet .

The door creaked open.

The envisage of my brother appeared in front of me, looking older than he was at thirty-one, staring down at me with his red eyes. No. I didn't receive a warm, hearty welcome; I swallowed a cold stare.

"Nonso"

"Simbi. Welcome" he struggled to say.

"Thank you" I crossed my brother's figure into the house.

I made my way into the sitting room with my luggage, then set myself down on the hard leather couch.

"Where's mama?" I asked.

" she's in the kitchen" Nonso said without looking at me.

I tiptoed toward the kitchen, just to give off q surprised effect; silently praying not to kill her with shock. My mother was cooking outside in the backyard, fanning the firewood with a cut out cardboard piece. I stood and admired her, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Mama"

My mother turned abruptly, her eyes widening once she saw me. I ran up to her.

"Ada m!"  She cradled my head in her bosom, squeezing me tight while I dug my fingernails into her wrappa, crying.

"Mama"

*          *            *

I watched my mom smother the boiled yam she was holding in oil, and raise it up to feed me.

" no mummy" I pushed her hand again while giggling.

" Ah ah, are you not my child again? Biko eat." She pushed it forward again and I smiled , then finally opened my mouth to receive the chunk.