20th of October, 2020

18th October, 2020

18th October, 2020
Lekki
7:00 pm

Jóke

I had spent the day at home. I went home last night after Emmanuel's body was taken to his father's home.

Maami didn't want to talk to me. She was upset with me. I and Bimbo had decided not to go for the protest today.

I went down the stairs, my heart in my mouth. I saw Maami lying down on the chair, her eyes closed.

"Maami." I called and she opened her eyes and looked at me. As I drew closer she looked away.

"Maami I'm very sorry." I said and held her hand.

"Jóke leave my hand." She said and eyed me.

"I'm very sorry, Maami." I said and closed my eyes.

"Tolu saw you on the news, Joke. She was upset with both of us. She said she'd call you. Even Tola was angry when Tolu told him."

Tolu and Tola were my twin siblings. My elder brother and sister. They were living in other parts of Lagos. Our father had died years ago due to heart failure.

It was a big blow to Maami.

"I'm sorry." I said and went back upstairs. I just felt guilty around her.

I decided to check my phone for updates. The protest was still going on at the Lekki bridge while some protests were held at other places.

I also checked for the updates in other states. Properties were being destroyed in places like Abuja, Aba and Enugu. People were also killed and many people lost many opportunities of having a normal day.

I sighed and laid down on the bed. I would surely join the protest tomorrow.

Then I heard gunshots nearby. I sat up and I heard the shots again. I quickly ran down the stairs to see my mother frightened.

"Armed robbers." She whispered and switched off the lights in the house. We both laid down on the floor as someone walked past out corridor. The person began to knock on the door and Maami whimpered.

I held her hand as the person knocked again, loudly this time. Then the person stopped knocking.

We heard them break into our neighbor's house and order them around. I and Maami slowly climbed up the stairs and into her room.

We both laid on the bed and I slept beside Maami. Sleep following hours after.