Bruised!

Chapter 5

Uncle Wale was saying congratulations when my aunty told him my score. He saw the hint of hatred in my eyes as I thanked him but he seemed unperturbed. I informed my aunty I will be going home the following day. Uncle Wale was asking me why when I can easily call and tell them. I replied I will prefer to share my joy with them in person. Aunty Sola obliged after calling a friend of hers who lectures at the University of Ibadan, same department I am eyeing. She was told the cut off mark is 255 so I shall be taken on merit. That added to my mood. I was so elated!

I set out for Ìpétumodù the following day as early as 7am.

I wanted to be home before my parents leave for the farm. Mum is actually a certified nurse. She studied in Ghana but decided to join my father in the farming business. According to them, it is lucrative. We have a large farm where various farm products are produced, a piggery, we have ostriches, a poultry and he rears cows and rams. We also have pool palm trees. If I'm not mistaken, my father's farm is on a massive expanse of land roughly 6 acres. It's sustaining our family.

Mum still helps the women in our community when it comes to child delivery. She has a room in our 5 bedroom bungalow set aside for this feat. The room has 3 different beds and some medical equipments to help with her course.

On getting home, I saw some women outside. I knew someone is in labour definitely. I was later told the woman inside was rushed from the second street to our house because her baby had nearly fell off her private part. Her husband isn't around and she didn't leave home for the hospital on time. By the time she summoned courage to go, her baby wasn't so patient. Her neighbour's quickly got a car and brought her here. The baby had been born but mum was taking care of both mother and child when I came in.

I settled in the sitting room as I was trying to answer all the greetings. I wanted to go and look for my father when he came in. I think someone had already alerted him of my arrival. I knelt down to greet him. He dragged me up and hugged me instead.

" Màmádé! Ó ò sọ pé ó ń bọ̀! You didn't give us any premonition of your arrival. Hope all is well. How's your aunt? Salaafia ni?"

"All is well, Bàá mi. How are you too, Sir?

" I'm good o. Your mum is a bit busy now."

"I saw that."

We heard a door opened and closed. The ladies outside were coming in now. That means mum is done and is allowing them to see the new mother. That's her first child as I overheard.

Dad said I should let him check on her. He left and came back with my mother. She hugged me and asked for a few minutes to freshen up. She came back in no time.

I wasn't looking up as they were both showing their excitement in seeing me. I broke into tears all of a sudden.

They were taken aback.

"Màmádé, kí ló dé?", my dad was asking looking so worried while mum asked me to sit down. I sat down amidst tears.

"Did you fail your exam? We heard on radio the results are out. Don't worry. Even if you didn't make it this time around, you can always try again.

" Bàá mi, I passed", I replied still with tears and showed them my result slip.

I had gotten it printed. My mum clapped gleefully and dad was still looking baffled.

" Mamade! ", my mum screamed." Àṣàkẹ́ Adé, I trust you".

"Ọmọ rere bíi ìyàn. Good daughter of mine.", that was my dad.

"Congratulations, Busola but why the tears if you passed? Don't put us in the dark", that was my dad again.

I wiped my tears and began,

"I want to talk to you both. Daddy, can you please tell Àjàní and Àkàndé to go to the farm? Mum, please discharge these people. It's gonna be a long talk".

I Stiffled the tears silently now.

They were both still looking at me in awe. They did all I requested in a flash. Dad led the way to their bedroom. I grew up to see my parents live in one room. They are so inseparable. If you don't want the other to hear what you have to say, don't bother because the other will use the issue to advise you the next day. We don't even bother talking to them separately anymore. They will just be using your matter to laugh in their bedroom.

Mum and dad sat down on the bed after she offered me a seat. I faced them. I was still crying. I rose up to bring in my bag. I brought out the recorder and placed it on my laps. I have three cassettes in all.

I cleared my throat.

"I want to thank the both of you for your care since I grew up to know you as my parents. You've been there for me. You've made me feel loved. I feel your love every second of my life and daddy, I am grateful for the training. For the talks. Even as an Agricturist, you are so much like a certified counselor. I promised you I'll keep myself a virgin. You said I am not obliged to do anything for you or mum but I should be me. All you need is for me to be focused and always remember I have people looking up to me. I told you I want to keep my body for just one person. And you hugged me, dad. That was my 16th birthday.", I paused a bit.

" Daddy, " I had fresh tears now.

"I am no longer a virgin".

There! I dropped it.

Mum went livid.

"So, is that enough to give us hypertension? Is that why you turned to a cry cry baby? Is that....."

"I was r***d", I cut her short.

A silence dropped in the room for like 3 minutes. My father got up slowly. His eyes were blazing. He had never been this angry since I knew him.

"What!", he exclaimed after the silence elapsed.

My mother looked at me in a way that made my heart race so fast. These two can kill for me.

I intend to use that to my advantage.