WAZOBIA: A Tale of Two worlds

Fifteen

"Bye!" Faustina shouted, rather madly, to Ngozi before grabbing my hand again so we could start going - Home this time around.
I was exhausted and heavy from eating so much.

Fausti skipped. I looked at her and smiled. If not that she had parents, I would've highly considered adopting her.

"Aunty Sim,"

"Yep,"

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

I scrunched up my eyebrows and tried my best not to look at Fausti.

"No,"

"I figured."

I turned to look at her.

"Well, I've heard Mami telling Daddy that you don't want to marry," she said, staring at the dirt.

I held my breath before asking;
"W...what did Daddy say?"

She was quiet for a time, not wanting to answer me.
Then she looked up at me and her face lit.

"You are very beautiful Aunty Sim,"

I squeezed Fausti's hands and bopped her nose with my index finger.

"You're the most beautiful young girl I've ever seen,"

She blushed and began skipping again.

We followed a path behind a gutter where we met up with goats, who were happily feasting on a neighbour's water leaf.

Then a woman caught my eye; a little ways in front of us. She was beckoning for me to come.
I was always warned never to answer strangers. Moreover, witches were rampant now.

I looked closely and realised I knew the woman. She was an old family friend.
She continued to beckon with pleading eyes.

I hastened my steps, dragging Fausti, and walked through the fence leading to the backyard, bounded by palm leaves.

"What is wrong mama?" I asked. It was custom to call every elderly woman mama.

"Nnem, please assist me," she said, her eyes still on mine.

She looked very weary. Not too old, about fifty eight with little white hairs.

I wondered what it was.

"Mama ọgịnị?" Fausti asked.

"Please help me to pound this yam biko. It has to be ready soon and it is much," she said, a tear falling.

I did not understand.

"Ah, ah, mama, is that why you're like this?"

"Sorry dear," she said, ashamed of herself.

"It is my husband. Hes having friends over and he said I must get the food done before he arrives. He has a very bad temper and I'm afraid he'll beat me if I'm not done," she said.

I stared at her.

"Look here," she folded her wrappa up so she could show me a large mark on her thigh.

"He did that to you?" I asked, "Dị gị?"

She nodded.
I immediately swelled with anger.

"Mama, I have to go,"

"No, please," she looked at me, eyes pleading.

Faustina rested a hand on mine and urged with her eyes.

I sat down on an overturned bucket opposite her and began to pound.

*.     *.      *

I applied a lot of energy into pounding and the woman stopped to look at me, then she held my hand.

"What is the matter, eh, nne?"

I stared at the now white and pulpy yam I was pounding and finally looked up at her.

"Mama, he did that to you?" I pointed at her wrappa, "and you didn't do anything, you just...allowed him?" I said, squinting at her in disgust.

She chuckled.

I dropped the pestle.
"Mama why are you laughing?"

"You're still a child. When you get married, you'll understand,"

It was my turn to laugh.

"Sorry but, not gonna happen," I said.

"Eh?"

"Mama, I don't plan to marry,"

"Chineke!" She shouted, and then shushed me.

"Mme chi onu! Ịsi gịnị? Do not ever say that in your life again! You dont want to have children?!" She asked, astonished.

"I do not need to marry to have children. I can adopt," I said.

"Hei! Efuemo!" She slapped her thighs and put her hands over her head.

Fausti choked a giggle.

"Do not even think about that one oh. My daughter, you will marry and give birth," she said.

I became angry again.

"God forbid that! I won't marry and suffer because of a few kids. Mbanu, never!" I said.

She stared at me, speechless, and then exclaimed,
"Hei! Oh! What has America done to our pikin now?! Chei!" She lamented.

"Mama, it has nothing to do with America, I've decided this since."