Where have you gone, Akpanu oooo?” As I sauntered towards his room at the gate, I yelled.
“Akpan bo si ta ooo, I say come out here!”
The unwary
Akpan dashed out, he wore his shorts a little too loosely.
“What
happened, na?” He smirked.
Instead
of responding, I dragged his shorts down, exposing him to the elements but for
his underwear.
He was
dressed in a singlet. He was too taken aback to move, and he remained fixed to
the spot.
“Oshi!
olori olori olori olori olori olori buruku werey!
“How could
you dare to prey on my daughter?” I screamed at the top of my lungs. I clapped
my hands as well.
“Rubbish!”
he exclaimed as he drew his shorts up.
“Can you
tell me what you just said?”
“I said
rubbish!” Carry your scumbag pikin with you jare, comot for ma sight!” He responded.
I
quickly landed on him and slapped him.
“You
labeled my daughter a scumbag, didn't you? You must demonstrate to me that you
were not born a criminal.
Also a
scumbag! Agbero!” I hurriedly stated.
I was
armed with a stick and kpo when I emerged! The broom. He was thrown to the
ground and landed on his head. He shouted and collapsed.
“Oshi!” I
lunged at him.
At the
gate, a car's horn blared. I was aware of this as well.mLina, to be precise.
Holding
his breath, Akpan crawled to the gate and opened it.
After he
opened the door, I rushed on him once more. Lina raced out of her car and
rushed over to us.
I sat on
Akpan's lap, stuffing his face with food fists and smacks
“Stop!”
exclaims someone Lina yelled.
I didn't
comply; instead, I grabbed a grip of Akpan’s balls, he let out a loud yell.
He
started speaking in my ear because I didn't let go.
“What's
the matter with you?” Lina yanked me away from him.
I didn't
respond because I was gasping for air.
“I
recommend that the two of you meet with me inside,” she said as she walked into
the sitting room.
**********
Lina had
heard what I had said, but Akpan had not.
All of
it was denied. After he declined, he claimed I assaulted him.
I looked
at him with bruises and swells all over my body.
His
face, particularly his forehead, was swollen. He would never forget Tejumola
for the rest of his life!
“I'm
surprised with you, Tejumola.” Lina got started.
“Did you
believe him, Ma?” My mouth trembled.
“Of
course I do!” she exclaimed angrily.
My eyes
were on the verge of popping out.
“It's
been ten years since I've lived with Akpan.”
Now, I
don't believe Akpan is capable of doing so. He's a great guy well-educated...”
she stated
I took a
deep breath and swallowed hard.
“It's in
my best interests to keep my gatekeeper safe,” You came close to killing him!” she
emphasized the importance of
“In that
case, I'll reimburse you.” She said haphazardly
I bit my
tongue and restrained myself from saying anything.
“Here's
50,000 naira, you must use it.”
Now is
the time to depart; you can travel wherever you want.
I took
the money and whispered a thank you.
On the
spur of the moment, I came to a halt at the exit.
“Ma, I
genuinely want to thank you for everything you've done for me.”
You've
tried everything you've done so far...” I sighed.
“It's
just that Tejumola isn't going to sit back and take it.
“Wait
and see how some scum prey on her daughter...”
With a
shake of my head, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the situation
“May God
bless you for what you've accomplished, may he generously bless you.” I came to
a conclusion.
My eyes
welled up and tears streamed down my cheeks.
Lina's
lips moved but she didn't say anything.
She was
full of regrets and pity. I didn't waste any time.
“Please
accept my apologies, Mama.” As I packed, Eniola sniffed.
We
gathered our meager possessions in one place.
“Can you
do mummy a favor, Eniola?” I asked without raising my head.
She
sobbed, "Uhm!"
“Please,
Mummy, stop crying,” she says.
My one,
please!” I begged her to listen to me.
“But
you're crying too...” she added among the tears.
“All
right, mummy won't cry anymore.” I shifted my gaze to her. My tears were wiped
away by her.
“Now go
ahead and do the same.” I feigned a grin while wiping my brow.
She
smiled reassuringly and said, "I won't cry again." I softly shook my
head.
She threw
her arms around me and murmured, "I love you."
“I only
have eyes for you, my one and only.”
I patted
her on the back of her head.
“We have
to get out of here right now.”
I've
only made a few friends, therefore I'd visit them. Now, I'd find a place to
live before the end of the week.
When my
money runs out, I'll open a shop and start selling provisions.
At the
very least, two hundred thousand naira would be required.
I
reassured myself as Eniola and I walked towards the direction of Bola's house.
Bola and
I have within those few months, had grown so close.
Bola
greeted us and made us feel at ease at her home.
She promised
to assist us in finding an apartment during the next several days…