chapter 5

The night of the day of how her birth took place was crystallized with terror. The mid wives at the hospital ward thought it a miracle, that the baby had come out alive but it was agonizing, that her mother who envisioned a better life for her was not alive to induce the loving care of a passionate mother who although was not ready to nurture a child but was passionate to tenderly groom her into a grown woman of integrity. But fate had taken its full course leaving a thorn of thistles for a helpless child to bear with. It was on a Friday night the intensity of the cold weather had spread through out the western part of the country. Bisola was the first child who was from the family of four. Her mother 'Mami Sola' as she was popularly called, became the bread winner of the house after the death of her father who worked at the train station. Unlike 'Mother Eniola' whom was the first wife 'Baba' got married to, her mother had no entitlement for being the second wife. After 'Baba's' death she was greatly ridiculed by 'Mother Eniola'. The report of 'Baba's death came to the family as a shock as 'Baba' had gone out that morning looking healthy but did not come back from work that day. Everyone was worried because 'Baba' had never stayed out late before, 'Mother Eniola' most especially felt tensed when it was past midnight and their was no sign of his return. She began by raining abuses on 'Mami Sola' and accused her for the absence of her husband. 'Baba' made sure that 'Mami Sola' was given the benefit of being the second wife but 'Mother Eniola' never let her have her peace of mind. The thought of getting married to 'Baba' never came across her mind, but was forcefully coerced by her parents whose greed knew no bounds. Two days passed and their was no sign of 'Baba' and each passing day became hell for 'Mami Sola' as 'Mother Eniola' kept ranting and calling her names, after endless efforts of relatives searching to know his whereabouts which became fruitless. Then one Saturday morning when the sun was shining intensely, sending it's heat to the earth the station officer came and broke the sad news of 'Baba's' death. He began by telling everyone of how he slumped when he went to have his lunch at one of the restaurant which was close to the train station. He further explained that he had been hospitalized but gave up the ghost by the evening of the day, and since then they had been looking for a way to contact his family until now. He ended his speech by extending his condolences and giving them a particular sum of money to bear their loss. Like an unknown wind of despair blown 'Mother Eniola' broke down in tears screaming furiously and cursing anyone responsible for his death. The news of 'Baba's' death spread like wild fire and before dusk family and friends had come to pay their condolence visit, giving them the assurance and hope that everything was going to be better 'Mami Sola' cried bitterly knowing fully well that the man who had stood to protect and defend her had gone, realizing the wrath that will come with his death. A week later relatives of 'Baba' came to discuss the burial of their brother concluding that he must be given an elaborate one, because he had been a man who valued his people and contributed to them his own quota if given the chance to help anyone around him.

The day of his burial came and their was a large crowd which filled the compound. The burial turned out successful as their was enough food and drinks for everyone. Some people left with a word of prayer on their lips asking God to give them the grace to bear their loss and confessing also that indeed it was a successful one. 'Mother Eniola' let hell loose as she kept ranting at 'Mami Sola', blaming her unconditionally for the death of her husband and how she had finally decided to use her sorcery to destroy the family. After much quarrels and accusation 'Mother Eniola' decided to throw the bombshell by planning with her in-laws to send her away. The peak of it all came as alas; she was thrown out of the house after much deliberation by her in-laws leaving her to cater for the four children she gave birth to for 'Baba'. 'Mami Sola' felt grieved by the resolution her in-laws had come to. Her thoughts contemplated going back home to her parents. Her children looked at her sadly as they pondered on what next step their mother will take. 'Life' when you think a puzzle has been solved, it comes back with more puzzles to be fixed. 'Mami Sola' whispered as her mind went back to earlier years of love and protection from her beloved husband. A word of prayer was uttered by her, as she now grasped the courage to seek for help from her friend before dusk came. She looked at the cloudy sky and hurriedly began to walk, on getting closer her feet hit a stone causing her to stop abruptly as she bit her lips bitterly in pain, heaving as fine blood trickled out. She walked slowly now as the view of her destination came into place.  It was a large compound with a properly built wall that surrounded it, her steps hastened as she strode into the compound unveiling the inhabitants of the house who occupied the surrounding. She stopped abruptly and knocked on the wooden door, Yemi came out looking neatly dressed and jovial to see her friend, her hands went around 'Mami Sola' joyfully when suddenly 'Mami Sola' groaned;  on seeing the blood that trickled out.  Yemi went inside to get cotton balls, 'Mami Sola' sat on the chair placed in front of the house feeling relieved. Yemi came out with the cotton balls. 'Mami Sola' sat down on the chair placed in front of her house feeling relieved. A space of silence filled the air for sometime as Yemi cleaned her wound. She narrated her ordeal and without further pleas from her, Yemi quickly allowed them to stay for sometime. Very soon the day, would be dark and  she thought of going back to get her children and their luggages. A feeling of tiredness surged inside of her as she walked fast and was glad to have been accepted by her friend. Today unlike every other day since her husband died was a day to be grateful for, 'Mami Sola' returned to Yemi's residence with her children feeling light-hearted from all the pain 'Mother Eniola' had caused her. It had been an exhausting day for her but her face brightened with a glimpse of hope as she settled in with her children. For two days they had laid in Yemi's house, and the uncertain plans of her going to stay in her parents house still bothered her. She wasn't ready to receive the ranting of her parents especially her mother. The nagging words of her mother will begin by the persistent talk of her inability to fight for her right as a wife; she shook the thought out of her head and decided to take whatever blames her parents were going to give her. 

The journey from were she stayed to were her parents lived was a tiresome one. It was already dusk when they safely arrived, the night was dark as their was no ray of light from the moon. Women with heavy looking loads on their heads walked fast to their homes as darkness filled the surrounding, they payed no attention to anyone.  The bus driver stopped and her children, came down with their luggages consciously they quickened their steps and headed towards the bush path as the sound of rustling wind echoed with darkness surrounding their environment. An owl hooted which sent shivers down their spine as they increased their pace. A tiny spark of joy ignited in them as they saw a fire that was lit in the bushes, the weather grew much more cold and the glow of the lit fire became more vivid as they moved towards an open compound, they all smiled feeling happy they had arrived. Relatives who were still outside the compound welcomed them from their tiresome journey. Her parents welcomed her wholeheartedly and her mother fondly hugged, the children clenching them closely to her body as she smelt of smoke. She had just finished, preparing the evening meal when they arrived. 'Mami Sola' went to the bathroom outside the hut. Soon it will be dawn and a proper sleep was needed to prepare her mind for the next day.

 *

The day was bright as sun rays shone upon the earth, she woke up from her mat which was on the floor, a feeling of drowsiness crept through her body. She gave a yawn as her eyes hovered around the room. Her siblings were still fast asleep, getting up she went to the kitchen area with a wrapper and picked a bucket and headed towards the stream walking in a simple manner as birds of the air fluttered their feathers singing beautifully, making the dawn, of the day wonderful. The green grassland spread forth in it's vast form as the morning dew had watered it. Everything seemed wonderful, as the morning air smelt fresh, everywhere looked calm and Bisola hoped the day will turn out well as nature had presented itself so graciously today. Approaching the stream with their buckets; a group of children splashed water as they took their bath and played letting the torrents of water flow down their legs as it washed away their dirt's. She went to the mouth of the rock were the water gushed out and placed her bucket allowing the water to freely flow out into it. She carefully placed the bucket on her head fast as the thought of her mother and other family members being awake came into her mind. It came as a shock to Folake, that her daughter had been thrown away like a piece of thrash after all these years. 

'Rubbish' Folake thought as she looked at her daughter scornfully. It was obvious that the gentle nature that was exhibited in her character was a trait her father possessed. Folake was quiet for sometime, thinking instantly of how to resolve the problem, when finally the silence that was amidst them was broken.

"Are you telling me that you were thrown out of your husband's house?" She asked pacing around the room.

"Yes Mami," She replied almost in a whisper.

"And you let her, do that to you and your children." 

"How could you," She said looking irritated at her daughter.

"But you pushed me into all of this, I had never conceived the idea of getting married to him, but you pressured me into this now I am left with kids to fend for."

She bent her head down looking distraught. Bisola walked into the room and greeted them respectfully, they both replied to her in unison Folake drew her close and playfully teased her of how she had grown so beautiful. The rented praises continued on to describing her body and how it had grown into a curvy look within these years. Bisola giggled at what her grandmother said and thanked her for the praises. She excused herself and went towards the kitchen. Folake look lingered as she watched her leave the room.

"I think i know what to do."

"What do you mean by that?" 'Mami Sola' questioned and Folake drew her close and said:

"I think i know exactly the solution to your problem" She said giving a wink  at her daughter.

She settled down properly and told her what she thought was the best thing to do as they were in a fix. The following week came 'Mami Sola' thought of how to tell Bisola the news, of her leaving. She quietly, called her with a calm tone as the sun set that morning.

"Mother!" She exclaimed receiving the news shockingly and feeling astonished at the moment too. Anguished and sad, she cast a look at her mother and spoke again,

"No, Mami Sola replied." 

"My child please forgive me, but you have to understand my intension of doing this, it's the best thing to do at the moment" She spoke as her hand were gently placed on her shoulder.

"Why don't you see it from a positive perception." She shared the tale of how the city glowed with bright lights as people bubbled with happiness like the sun with life glowing in them. The well built flyovers that were finely constructed taking almost the form of a high mountain seep and the better opportunities the city brought.

"Life there is a lot more easier and beautiful."

"Mami do you think so?"

"Yes you will be a lot more better there."

She looked at her and smiled.

"You will be fine" Her voice sounded reassuringly as she tickled Bisola.

At night Bisola thought of what 'Mami Sola' had said and felt glad but she would miss her siblings so much. The next day at the early morning hours of the day Bisola packed her things and bade her siblings goodbye, everyone in her family wished her farewells.

The day was fresh and Mr Adeleke drove speedily, they got into the city of Lagos by mid-day. It was her first time of going to the city and she had slept almost through out the whole journey, the city was captivating and they were flyovers which were high and also lots of vehicles sped on the highways, she marvelled at the sight. Her eyes caught sight of people as they were in a hurry and paid no attention to anyone. They were roadside hawker's who were dressed in a haggard way as they sold their goods and walked along in an urgent manner. Everybody went their way to an unknown destination. She looked at the hustle and bustle of the city, feeling intrigued 'Mami' had been right she whispered. A flow of joy filled her heart and some where in her subconscious mind, she perceived the better life she envisioned for herself. They got to Maryland, and Mr Adeleke drove calmly now on the smooth tarred road. When they approached their home, he honked the car at the front of the gate. An aged man who was around his early fifties opened the gate and he drove into the compound. The house was built with a nice architect design, the type that was comfortable for their family. The compound was decorated with neatly cut flowers. Two cars were parked at the car park, the car came to a halt and Bisola's joy knew no bounds as she came down from the car and looked at the beautiful environment.