Tales of Nene - Episode 3

 

Watery eyes, caused by smoke from burning firewood made Mrs. David’s uncomfortable. Passersby’s would think there was a serious activity going on. Some people gossiped that she uses charm to lure customers. Crowd who refuses to form a queue made sounds like buzzing bees. All yelling different sentences most obvious, sell for me na.  This was a typical morning for her. The yell of the impatient customers impeded the call.  “I am sure I heard the correct thing” muttered Mrs . David’s.  The effect of the sun was beginning to snowball. Immeasurable excitement filled Mrs. David’s mind. Mrs. David’s was double excited. She had this feeling of ecstasy to the extent that a curious customer enquired, “Ma pikin don see school o” replied Mrs. David’s. All rejoiced with her, Thenceforth they were entitled to extra akara.

Mrs. David’s returned from work earlier than previous days, she couldn’t wait to felicitate with Nene. The Bang on the door woke Nene. “Who is there?” asked Nene. Tears of joy was cascading down Mrs. David’s  cheeks, filled with Joy, “you have made me proud my daughter”, She folded her arms wide around Nene, attempting to calm her mother to stop shedding tears, Nene unconsciously began to shed tears too.

Nene doesn’t usually enjoy having dinner with the family especially when Ose, her elder brother is around. Her mother deliberately ensured to make it a surprise, thereby announcing the good-news during dinner.

The room smelt of Brown powder “Hurry up so we could return quickly” said Mrs

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/tales-of-nene

. David’s., Nene stared at her elegant outfit in the mirror, she had tried few skirts and blouses to pick the one that best fits. “Because you have gained admission abi, you want to start making yanga” spoke Mrs. David’s.

The scorching Sun heated Nene skin, she could have easily Objected her Mothers opinion, but she had no choice, the occasion was organized for her newly acquired status, She darted to the gate to meet up with her mum who walked so fast that her feet were raising dust, Nene now smelt of Perfume mixed with sweat, with the perfume possibly dominating with time.

Mrs. David’s was a specialist in haggling, Nene dislikes going to the market with her mum, she prefers going alone or with Aunty Joy. She could spend about an hour searching for the best price for a single item. Nene maneuvered between beggarly dressed men pushing wheel barrow filled with heavy items, traders holding their good on hands, women haggling between a small paths.

Ose lifted off the luggage off his mums head, the odor from the chicken soaked in hot water, was nauseating. Mrs. David’s had given him a phone call earlier, he had to take permission from his boss to close work earlier. Mrs. David’s had ordered him to slay the biggest broiler. Ose couldn’t discern the motive for this duty. The aroma from the kitchen was appetizing. Ose dared to ask his mum who was engrossed. “Mummy, are we expecting an August visitor?”, “Yes and no my son”. He didn’t bothered to question further, he knew his mum was concealing the truth.

Moonlight streamed through the windows and occasionally a gentle breeze lifted the curtains. The aroma of black soup filled the room, placed beside a big bowl of starch near the hurricane lantern which stood on the wooden table at the center of the room radiated intense heat. The tickle of the clock read 9:45pm. Ose slouched bare-chested on the sofa opposite Mrs. David eagerly expecting the reason for preparing the unusual mouth-watering meal. Nene was remembering the savage behavior Ose displayed the last time they ate together where he had ate up the chicken for both during power outage and she had just few spoonful.

 They knock of the door brought dozing heads back to life. They were obviously not expecting Mr. David’s. The screeching of tyres and brake was the signature of Mr David’s arrival, they were not expecting anyone arrival at the time of the night. Ose dashed for the door. Eager Ose who was curious to see the one made him to close from work earlier. The door slammed on his face as he released the knob.

A masculine figure lurked in the dark, Mr.

Read " My Encounter With Kate " by the same author ( Osazuwa Omorodion )

. David’s staggered further, “this drunken husband of mine again” grumbled Mrs. David’s. The dim lamp prevented Mrs. David’s whose blood was now very hot from seeing Mr. David’s face. Mr. David’s now stood up firmly trying to get a balance, his lips were moving but words weren’t coming out, he was also gesticulating with his left hand while pressing the right against the left side of his chest. Nene who just sat there tired and ashamed of her dad went for the rechargeable to replace the lantern whose kerosene was almost exhausted.

Mrs. David’s was now more angered than ever before, PHCN had just restored power supply, the yellow bulb shone, the sight in front of her almost stopped her heart, she tried to scream but terror took her voice, she closed her eyes hoping she was hallucinating. Ose stood there clueless, he tried to get help but his legs couldn’t move.

The sight Nene saw made the rechargeable drop, “she was frozen to the pant”. Could this be an imagination? Thought Nene.  Ose dashed out as Nene collapsed.