Special seventeen

The curse 📯

             I wasn't there
    not even the least bit aware
  a whole new wave of fear 
curses are rare but definitely real.

Leave me alone!, i screamed as i opened my eyes, i gasped as tears trickled down my cheeks.

I wiped the tears off my face petrified.

This time around i was really really scared.

This time it was an old man who dragged me from school and he was really angry.

He kept on saying things in fits of anger in my tribal language but i don't understand.

What could all this mean.

I searched for my lamp with my hand trying not to mind the breeze that was making my clothes move like humans.

I made sure not too leave my bed and i finally found my lamp.

It was 5 am.

Thank God!. Mum and dad will be awake soon.

For the first time in history i'm wishing their room had been closer.

That way when i scream they'll rush to my side.

Nevertheless, i prefer my privacy.

I decided to go cook early so what happened yesterday won't repeat itself.

Pushing thoughts of the dream aside, i went to the kitchen.

Later on i woke princess to get ready for school.

I dropped the egg sauce from the gas cooker putting the pot of yam on it knowing in the next ten to fifteen minutes my yam will be well cooked.

Then i heard raised voices from my parents room.

'And you never taught it necessary to find out, don't you know there is always an atom of truth in every rumour!', mum said hotly.

" isn't that what i've just  explained", dad replied trying to keep it cool but it definitely wasn't working as i could hear his voice just as loud.

We were boys..., my dad was saying when mum interrupted.

'and you taught you'll never give birth to a girl in your lineage', she said sarcastically.

That was it, i was done adhering to 'don't interrupt adult matters rule'.

I walked briskly towards their room when i sighted princess, a towel wrapped round her wet body rushing out of our bathroom.

"Amebo", i called out to her.

What's wrong she asked worry evident on her face.

I softened, 'nothing to worry yourself about, go and dress'
'it's seven o'clock already', i lied.

She fell for it and raced back to our room.

Could this be about my dream?, i questioned not minding the fact that i had barged in.

Mum immediately composed herself ditto with dad and i wondered again, how my parents could still think we thought they were "perfect couples" who didn't quarrel at all as if we were three years old whom they  could just tell that they were playing.

They had always been very discreet whenever they quarrelled nevertheless we always noticed but today's own was just too obvious.

I don't remember inviting you here, mum said coldly and i knew i was going to be used as a scape goat to vent all the anger at. Just i wasn't in for that today.

Mum, Dad, if this has something to do with me then it's just right that you let me know, I'm no longer a kid, i said softly.

That cooled mum as she visibly calmed.

I will leave that to you daddy micheal, mum said buckling her shoes.  'I have to go so we'll all
meet in church and remember to fast till twelve, no eating till twelve', mum said to me with a smile.

Okay mum, i replied while she went back to the living room  not minding to tell her i had tasted out of the egg sauce while preparing it, i could always edit that part from my brain "the yam".

Mummy please help me check the yam!,  i shouted after her.

Joanne!, dad said.

Sir,  i answered realising i was supposed to be listening to all he had to say.

Dad looked timid and that's not a good sign, he never looks timid.

Whatever he had to say must be something mind wrenching.

"In my family i have always heard of this agreement or should i call it oath taken by my forefathers that their female children must not finish school.

At most secondary.

I really don't know what led to what but i know that most of my great aunties barely finished secondary.

As you know quite well you have only uncles from my side, my parents gave birth to only boys and so also did my father's parents.

My father was the only child and he didn't take it serious so neither did we.

It was when you told me about your dream that i remembered my father telling me about his aunty Lola, who had dreamt in the same pattern and decided to get married instead of completing her education.

And then tina, your uncle tade's  daughter. 
My brother had told me she was promiscuous and that was the reason for her repeated failure in her jamb exams before he decided to get her married.

I just understood everything yesterday, dad ended on a sad note.

I felt numb like i was dumb, is my dad trying to tell me there is some family curse running after me.

'A curse', i never even believed in such things.

'My dream'.

Dad..., I drea...mt again, i stuttered tears gathering in my eyes.

'Child', dad said placing his hands on my shoulders.

For a second there i taught he was going to hug me, i had to remind myself "nigerian parents don't do hugs".

'I know you are scared but i want you to know you serve a God who is stronger than any other gods .No more tears, it won't be your portion that i promise you', dad said and he gave me five hundred naira .

Thanks dad, i said with a wry smile.

I'm late, when i come i promise we'll talk better, dad said going out.

Okay dad, i said after his retreating figure.

I sat down on my parents bed, still trying to comprehend what my dad  had just told me.

I heard clicks from the door, my sister saying goodbye.

I stared at the 500 naira with me, was that supposed to cool me off cus it didn't do the magic.

I'm not just lonely,  I felt terribly scared.

But what pissed me off the most is the fact that my parents had been arguing instead of finding a solution to it.

In situations like this i just wish i could switch things for a moment.

Then I'll be the parent while they'll be the child, that way i can spank them very well.

Arrgghh,  well the taught of that actually made me smile and forget my misery.