Vagrants

Chapter 45

The main reason I came home was to get few stuff that I would need but I decided to completely pack out of this house and manage myself in that austere residence because of my mother.

After I had that dream and spoke to Folake and Tayo, I prayed to God and I couldn't sleep. So I came out of my room and I headed to the Kitchen to get some water when I heard voices talking discreetly. I didn't care because it was none of my business so I kept walking towards the kitchen when I heard.

"Adeola has just been a headache to us." Uncle Jide said.

I stopped in my tracks and decided to eavesdrop.

"There is nothing we can do about her condition now." Mother hissed. "She's just a stupid fool."

"Take it easy." Uncle Jide cautioned.

"Take what easy? Can you believe she thinks he charmed her? She's still a fool after everything." Mother hissed.

"What should we do now? Business isn't blooming and you lost your stand amongst the people."

"And it's all because of her!" Mother yelled.

"Calm down. You don't want to wake anyone up."

"Let them wake up! Especially that Adeola! She should know what her actions have led to. She should get out of this house and our lives! She should just die!" Mother yelled, obviously frustrated.

I was finished. For my mother to want me dead and out of her life then my life is definitely over. It was disheartening to hear but everything is all my fault. Every single thing.

"Please calm down. You can't curse your daughter. She's going through..." Uncle Jide said.

"What is she going through? She put herself and all of us in this together. She...She has ruined us!" Mother broke down to tears.

"Please no, you can't cry. Don't give up yet. We'll solve it." Uncle Jide patted her.

I staggered backwards as I saw this but Aunty Kemi caught me. I don't know how long she'd been standing there but I do know that she could make out what was going on.

I made my Mother cry. I remembered the good old days where my mother had to tell jokes to make us smile after our Father died. She was always smiling and was never found without her smile even when she knew no one was watching her.

But now, I was certain that I've robbed my Mother of every reason there was to smile.

"A-Aunty K-Kemi." I stuttered.

"Shh...It's okay."

"No! It's because of me."

"Shh...Don't let them know you're here." Aunty Kemi sighed. "Let's go to your room."

When we got into the room, Aunty Kemi shut the door and sat me down.

"Breathe. Take a deep breath."

And so I did.

I stared at her. "What should I do?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to relieve my mother of all these stress."

"And how are you planning to do that?" She asked.

"I'm going to leave this house and never come back." I got up and headed to my wardrobe when Aunty Kemi grabbed me.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Hundred percent. I'll change my number but I'll keep in contact with you."

"Okay then. Where will you stay?"

"The residence I told you about in Lekki so I'll move in full time."

"Okay. Make sure to take all your important files too."

"Yes." I nodded.

She helped me pack everything into my box. She was going to open the second one which belonged to Damba but I stopped her. I didn't want her to make me burn his things or even find out that I took his money.

She ignored it and continued folding my clothes into my box. Then she told me she'd help me check if the coast was clear so I'd be able to get out of the house quietly. She did a quick 20,000 naira transfer to me while we were outside looking for a cab and told me to take good care of myself. I saw her blink tears away as she waved me goodbye.