Anita couldn't go to school. She was yet to pay her school fees. The school authority had given her the grace of first and second terms since mama and Ada had come to plead for her to continue schooling and pay as soon as they have the money to settle her education fees. When it became obvious they couldn’t pay as promised, the proprietress couldn't bear it any longer
"As you can see, the school will start exams very soon. Anita still has outstanding school fees to pay. If other children are not paying, I wonder how we are going to pay our workers and manage the school activities. I understand the situation on ground. That's why I have given you enough time to pay her school fees. I'm very sorry but this is how far we can go" The proprietress declared.
Ever since Johnson’s death, survival had been very difficult for Ngozi as her bereaved condition and pressure from her husband’s relatives couldn’t make her concentrate on her supermarket and it was eventually sold to raise funds for her hospital treatment since she had been denied access to the bank account she jointly owned with her late husband. Ada tried all she could to support her sister financially but she was among the thousands of workers being owed for months by the government. The family only survived on the bank loan she got two months ago. Mama’s deteriorating health had made her stop her food selling business
Gloria sighed heavily as Ngozi narrated her current plight. She had come to pay Ngozi a visit after her recovery from the psychiatric hospital. She sighed heavily.
"Can I bring up a suggestion, please?” She asked. Ngozi nodded and her heart pounded heavily as she awaited her friend’s opinion.
"I would like you to change environment for a while. At least, somewhere more comfortable than your residence. Your condition gives you no room to stay alone. I think you remember what the doctor said? My husband and had a discussion about it last night and we concluded that you come over with Anita to stay with us pending the time my lawyer gets prepared to take legal action in court against your wicked in-laws."
Ngozi was left in in awe and lost for words. She finally opened her mouth at least to say something.
" Have you thought about this very well? I hope I will not become a burden to you and your husband. This is rather too much" she muttered.
" There's nothing too much to do for a good friend like you. You are more like a twin sister to me. You have sacrificed a lot for me too during our University days and up to this moment. Your influence fetched me the job I am doing right now. Remember those days when you would buy me bra and panties when I had none? What about the day I lost my school fees a day to our exams? Have you forgotten those sacrifices? If you have forgotten, I can never forget, you have been a helper to my destiny. Please, inform mama about your movement. We shall plan on how the old woman will take her drugs and eat good food on time. Here is your house. Nobody is going to disturb you. The children are in boarding school. We have housemaids who will take care of you. Feel at home and make yourself comfortable" Gloria replied, smiling.
"Gloria, I can't thank you enough for this kind gesture. You have been a wonderful friend. You have stretched forth a helping hand at the time I needed it most. I pray that the Lord will never forsake you at your needy moments. God bless...” She couldn't complete the sentence as tears of joy flowed freely down her cheeks. Gloria moved closer to comfort her. "It's okay, dear. I believe this too shall pass. It's an unwanted visitor. And it must go in a short while. We shall work it out and I believe God is in control.”
Mama was so happy as soon as Ngozi explained the current development to her. She was excited and could have jumped up like a playful little child had her health permitted. In as mucAsshe loved the idea of her daughter staying with her friend within a forperiod ofperiodpart of she wanted her daughter to stay behind. Things were not as smooth as they ought to. She rem remembered the adage that says dry bread eaten in contentment is better than fried chicken eaten amid havoc and problems"
She understood the fact that her daughter and Gloria had been childhood friends right from time. "Some people will surely act like chameleons. Blood runs through our veins and there's no how we will not act like one. Are you sure staying with Gloria is going to be as rosy as expected?" Mama tried to reason along with Ngosi who sat in rapt attention as she listened to her mother's opinion about the issue.
Another reason mama was scared was because of Ngozi's pregnant state. Her condition reminded her of those days when she was heavily pregnant too. Ngozi was the expectant child. Being her first pregnancy, she always felt uncomfortable. The early month was the worse of all whereby she almost vomited her intestines. She also developed a strange appetite for peppery food. Her husband almost threw up in the process of eating the peppery food she prepared one certain night. "You this woman, you will not kill me. You can see how long I have left this house just to fetch what we will eat. But yet, you have deliberately added much pepper. God will judge you" Her husband had said after he had come home seriously famished only to be served peppery soup and Akpu. He couldn't eat it. He was forced to go to bed hungry. That same night, the expectant mother woke him up and urged him to start fanning her even when the weather was as cold as ice.
Many times, she would abandon her food and request her husband to go and look for hot Akara at the dead hour of the night. All hell would let loose if he should come home with a cock and bull story without the Akara. At times, she would complain of back pain whereby she would insist should do a vigil rubbing her back while she slept off. At times, she would yell at him over a slight argument. But since the husband understood her condition, he would just go out to take fresh air and walked in when those fires on the hfiresair had been quenched by Divine hands.
Mama's experience could not give her the boldness to tell Ngozi to go ahead to stay with her friend. Though her friend was an experienced mother too, they might be a bit different. If Ngozi should start with some strange pregnancy behaviour, how would one be certain her friend and the husband could cope? ?
Mama fully understood what she passed through before the tiny figure in her belly was born and eventually metamorphosed into the beautiful woman known as Ngozi.
Mama made Ngozi understand that she can't trade any of her children for money or anything in the world. She might not have all that it takes to satisfy them but she believes that there's surely light at the end of the tunnel. The six decades she had spent on earth and the grey hairs on her head are not just there for fun but signs of experience. She's full of experience and could easily detect danger if she sees one ahead. She believed that what an elderly woman can picture afar when seated on a stool can't be seen by a child on top of an iroko tree.
During mama and Ngozi's conversation, Chioma and Anita walked in. Anita, a thirteen thirteen-year-old chubby and beautiful like her mother had a school bag hung smartly at her back. A broad smile appeared on her face as soon as she sighted her mother. She moved eagerly to embrace her mother who was sitting close to mama
"Good afternoon, mama. Good afternoon, mom. I have missed you so much" Ngozi couldn't wait to wrap her hands across her beautiful daughter. "Oh, I have missed you so much too. Where are you coming from? Did you follow Aunty Chioma to her office today?"
Ngozi threw a questioning look at both of them.
"Not at all, I have a friend who teaches children afternoon lessons. So, I decided to take her there at least to keep her busy for some time" Chioma replied.
" And how was it today? Did you enjoy her teaching?" Ngozi asked Anita who was sitting on her lap, resting her head on her mother's bosom.
" Yes Mom. But, she's not as good as Aunt Benedicta. She doesn't have a smiling face. Always serious like a someone going for world war" Anita complained.
"Sorry dear. Don't worry. It's just for the main time" Ngozi said, stroking her head playfully.
Chioma was left in awe as Anita never discussed any ugly side of her new teacher with her. Probably, she thought she would feel bad about her friend or report her to the teacher.
" So, Anita, you couldn't discuss this with me until you saw your mom, abi? This is bad of you. Look here, I won't give you part of the hot puf-puf we bought on our way. Bet with me, your mouth won't have a taste." Chioma threatened. She was about to leave and rest in her room when Ngozi called her back.
"If you are not giving her part of the puf-puf, at least, you will give me to have e taste." Chioma smiled and stretched forth the puf-puf nylon to her. There were ten in the nylon. Ngozi took three and deliberately gave Anita one of the puf-puf to eat. Anita collected it and munched it leisurely. "Case settled. At least, I have settled the matter between both of you." Ngozi declared.
Mama, please, ask for your puff-puff before she vexes for you too o." Ngozi continued while everyone laughed over it. But all of a sudden, something terrible happened.