VILE

Chapter 13: The Past

Tomike picked up a piece of biscuit on the tray in front of her and took a bite. She scanned her surroundings. The living room was big, with four leather couches and a nice looking center table with a flower vase on top. There was a television adjacent where she was seated, to her left was a dinning area. It had a wide wooden dinning table and eight chairs around it. Obviously this grandaunt of hers was well to do.

Mummy Kennedy had mentioned it was Iya Bose who owned the entire building where she lived, as well as some other shops in the area. She was quite popular in Agege for her distribution business. She had two warehouses in her compound that she used as storage for the food items and provisions she sold. Tomike was very impressed.

"You look so much like your mother." Iya Bose beamed, she couldn't help herself from staring at Tomike. "I remember when your mother would come visit with your grandmother. I had just gotten married then. We used to call your mummy omo Igbo and she didn't like it one bit." Tears were now gathering in Iya Bose's eyes. "I can't believe they are both dead now"

"But thank Jehovah God that Tomike is now with you" mummy Kennedy said, trying to console Iya Bose.

"Yes oh! We thank God! My dear, what is your full name" she turned to Tomike.

"Tomike Chidera Adedayo ma"

"Tomike" Iya Bose echoed. "A beautiful name. And what is the meaning of Chidera?"

"Once God has written"

"Beautiful names your parents gave you my dear. Do you hear Yoruba?"

"Yes ma, I also speak"

"Very good. Igbo nko? Your mother must have taught you."

"I hear ma, but I don't speak very well."

"That's fine. You will be very comfortable here. We will take good care of you. No need to worry about food or going on the streets to sell anything. All you need to do is focus on your studies. What class are you now?"

"She hasn't been in school for almost three years now ma", mummy Kennedy cut in before Tomike could speak. "Those wicked people pulled her out of school."

"Ah! That your mother's husband must be cruel"

"But don't worry ma, Tomike is a very smart child, she'll catch up quick" she smiled and stroked Tomike's back.

"Alright then. What was the last class you were in?"

"Jss 1 ma"

"If you are put in Jss 2, do you think you will be able to handle it?"

Tomike nodded.

"Ok oo. We will find a school nearby and enroll you."

Tomike couldn't contain her joy, with a bright smile on her face, she immediately went on her knees,
"Thank you very much ma"

"My dear don't thank me. Your grandmother was my sister. Besides, I have finished training my own children. All this children you see living with me are not my relatives. Their parents only came to me to take them in and help them. So why won't I help my own flesh and blood, my egbons grandchild. Tomike, don't thank me, I'm also doing this for myself." Tears came down her eye. "Oya, omo mi, dida." She motioned with her hands for Tomike to stand. "Make yourself at home. This is your house now. You are with me."

"Yes ma"

"Call me grandma please."

"Ok ma... grandma" the two smiled.

Tomike had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She had a family that cared, she would live in an actual house and not a tiny apartment with more people than it could occupy. There was enough food, she didn't have to hawk sausages anymore, and she was going back to school. She was going to be taken care of. Everything was definitely getting better.

Thank you God, I thought you had forgotten me but here I am. Thank you.

"Come, let me show you your room" Iya Bose broke into her thoughts.

Omo Igbo- a person who is Igbo
Egbon - an elder sibling
Oya omo mi dida - it's alright my child, stand up.