SOMEWHERE IN AFRICA

chapter 2

I went about my chores like nothing happened, at least if am going to die today, I should die with food in my stomach.

The children came back from school and I quickly washed off their uniforms and dirty socks.

even if the uniforms are not dry, they have other ironed ones to wear.

I have to clean their shoes as well.

Emily ran outside with all her energy sweating like the house is on fire
What happened Emily why are you in a hurry.

I could see her chest beating fast and she is trying to talk and trying to catch her breath at the same time

"M-my mummy is calling you"

my heart skipped twice, it’s probably because of the food that she is calling me for  but I ask Emily anyway to be sure.

"Emily... do you have an idea why mummy is calling me...?"

"No... I don't... are you in any trouble?"

"Not really... Just that I ate up all the food meant for Serena and Tobias...I was instructed to keep it but I disobeyed and ate it up...because I was hungry..."

Ooh... I'm sorry...and mummy is going to be mad at you... don't worry, I will say that I ate it...I will tell her I ate all the food so that she won’t hurt you..."

If only lying  would be that easy

"No...Don’t do that because she will not believe you and you’ll be lying" I said to her tapping her cute nose

Her eyes are saying 'lying is the best right now'

"nobody will believe you Emily... but not to worry I will be fine, I'm always fine..."

I will be fine or maybe dead

"I won't let her abuse you again...dad warned her not to hit you again after he saw marks all over your body...so if she beats you I will tell dad. Don't be scared"

"Hahaha...I'm not scared Emily... I will be fine. Come let's go but don't say anything when we get there." I warned her in a serious voice

When we got to the living room, Boss Lady was watching a movie with her daughter Serena and her only son Tobias, their eyes were glued on the Indian TV series showing. She spoke up to me without looking at me

"Lauretta… go and microwave the food I asked you to keep for my children, warm it up and bring it to Serena, make noodles with egg for Tobias and Emily, go quickly so that you can go to the market... you are wasting too much time on those chores...hurry up, I want to cook dinner before my husband comes back from work..."

I’m dead......I opened my mouth to tell her that I ate the food so that she can come and finally kill me when Emily spoke out

"Mummy I ate all the food... I finished the jollof rice that Lauretta kept for us, I was hungry when I returned from school so let Serena and Tobias eat noodles instead... no more rice left...”

They all turned to look at her and Emily wore a mean face so that she will appear convincing, but she was looking all funny with the way she said it, Serena her elder sister spoke first

"Stop lying you tiny thing...you don't even know how to lie very well...and you don't even like jollof rice,

"I ate all the food" Emily answered with all seriousness that I even the mother was stated at her daughter boldness

"Lauretta has eaten the food and asked you to lie on her behalf...she is now teaching you how to lie. Serena made an attempt to hit Emily and I immediately dragged Emily behind me.