My New Home

Chapter Ten

It was time for afternoon prayer, solatu zuhr. Jamal and the men left for the mosque while I performed ablution and joined the womem at the mosque. After our prayer, Mama gathered us and gave a brief lecture about the power of words.  She talked about bow words could be a doom and also be helpful. It's as if she was  psychic and knows exactly all that was happening in my life at the moment.

After the lecture, we dispersed and went to the kitchen to start with the preparation of lunch. Mama kept popping in out of the kitchen, telling us what we were doing wrong, and guiding us on how to do it right and several new instructions. The distraction was so much the meal almost became a disaster. Finally, Iya ewe came to our rescue and told Mama to sit in the living room and not stress herself.

"I'm not disabled. Mama argued. How can you tell me to sit in a place?"

They kept arguing back and forth, with Iya ewe trying to explain things to her and Mama interpreting all her statements wrongly and sabotaging her at every turn. I couldn't care less about their argument. As long as she's out of our hair, I'm good.

I love Mama to pieces but I was about to pull my eyes out in frustration when she kept asking if we've washed the pot before placing it on fire or if we seasoned the fish before frying. I mean how could we not have seasoned already fried fish.  She even asked if we've sieved the yam flour and told us the direction to place the turning stick while preparing Amala (Nigerians local food) . If Iya ewe hasn't distracted her, by now, she would be asking if we knew how handle the spoon while dishing the food.

Our launch was late than usual courtesy of Mama Bauchi. I served Mama first before we started eating and Iya ewe had to change her water three times because she saw tiny particles in it. She made us all change into lighter attire because eating Amala makes one sweat a lot and so you have to prepare ahead. For someone who claimed to be a supporter of individual privacy, she sure loves the crowd. She insisted that we should all eat at the dining, something we're not used to.

She also brought Kareema to the flat and said she'll be staying with her in her room even though the girl doesn't look a bit thrilled about her impromptu decision but all in all, she's a doting grand mother and I admire her strength.

Some minutes after taking lunch, it was time for Asr and we went to the masjid as usual. After praying, mama gave another brief lecture. I guess we'll have to look forward to her lectures after every prayer.
She then called us into her room to collect the gift she packaged for everyone from Bauchi. My package contained a hijab, a golden shoe that looked more elegant than the one I wore during my convocation ceremony in school, jalaabia and perfume.

I wondered what others got in their package but I'm happy enough with my gift as it is.

Three days later, which was a Sunday, Mama told us to dress up and get ready for outing. She informed us that there was a popular lecturer that does his program nearby and we're to attend his lecture. The information  caused a great deal of an issue among the family members. Hajia and her husband refused to go to such gathering because they have a different lecture that they attend weekly. Umu adio and her husband too insisted that they attend Asalatu (a religious gathering) every Sunday and cannot make it, even though I later learnt that they aren't regular attendant. Idris also have a get together with his friends while Faria, Qoriah and Ameerah said they needed to attend a function leaving me, Jamal, Iya ewe and Alhaji to go with her since Kareema didn't bother giving an excuse but made it very clear with her expression that she was going no where.

The way I see it, they were being too lenient with the girl. I wished they could give me with half the respect she get and I'll sincerely be grateful forever. Also, I would have loved it if they could just leave me with her for a month, troubled or not, I'll train some senses into her.