EPISODE 3
2642 Words
The morning after Adaeze's visit came quietly.
The sun had barely risen when Nneka opened her eyes.
She remained on her mattress for a few moments, staring at the ceiling.
Her mind went back to the previous day.
Her auntie, Adaeze, had come to visit.
She had offered to take Nneka with her.
But Mama Nneka had refused.
Nneka remembered how tightly her mother had held her.
“I don't want to leave you, Mama.”
“And I don't want you to leave me.”
Nneka smiled to herself.
She believed everything was settled.
She quickly got up and walked outside.
“Mama?”
Mama Nneka was already awake.
She was sitting beside the vegetables, arranging them into a basket.
She looked tired, but when she saw Nneka, she smiled.
“You are awake?”
“Yes, Mama.”
Nneka sat beside her.
“Did you sleep well?”
Mama Nneka nodded.
“Yes.”
Nneka looked at her carefully.
“Are you still thinking about yesterday?”
Mama Nneka knew exactly what she meant.
“Adaeze?”
Nneka nodded.
Mama Nneka sighed.
“My daughter, don't worry about it.”
“But she wanted me to go with her.”
“I know.”
“And you said no.”
“Yes.”
Nneka smiled.
“So I'm staying?”
Mama Nneka looked at her daughter.
“You are my child. I am not sending you anywhere.”
Nneka immediately hugged her.
“Thank you, Mama.”
Mama Nneka held her tightly.
“Now leave me and help me arrange these vegetables.”
Nneka laughed.
“Yes, Mama.”
For a few minutes, they worked together.
It almost felt like a normal morning.
But neither of them knew how difficult the day ahead would become.
---
After arranging the vegetables, Mama Nneka prepared to go to the market.
Nneka helped her carry part of the load.
“Mama, give me this one.”
“You don't have to carry it.”
“I want to.”
Mama Nneka smiled.
“You are becoming a big girl.”
Nneka laughed.
“I have always been a big girl.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Mama Nneka shook her head and smiled.
Together, they made their way to the market.
When they arrived, Mama Nneka arranged her vegetables.
Nneka helped her put everything in place.
The market was already busy.
Traders were calling customers.
People were moving from one stall to another.
Children were running around.
Mama Nneka sat down and began selling.
For a while, everything seemed normal.
Then someone suddenly called her name.
“Mama Nneka!”
Mama Nneka looked up.
A woman was walking towards her.
The woman's expression was serious.
“Mama Nneka, where is my money?”
Mama Nneka froze.
Nneka looked at her mother.
The woman stood directly in front of their stall.
“I have been waiting for you.”
Mama Nneka lowered her voice.
“Please, not here.”
“Why not here?”
The woman looked around.
“You have owed me money for months.”
Mama Nneka swallowed.
“I know.”
“Then where is my money?”
“I will pay you.”
“When?”
Mama Nneka looked down.
“Please, give me a little more time.”
The woman laughed bitterly.
“More time?”
“Yes.”
“How many times have you asked me for more time?”
Mama Nneka did not answer.
The woman became louder.
“It has been months!”
People nearby began looking at them.
One trader whispered to another.
“Isn't that Mama Nneka?”
“Yes.”
“She owes that woman money.”
Nneka's face became hot with embarrassment.
She looked at her mother.
Mama Nneka tried to remain calm.
“Please, I am begging you.”
The woman pointed at the vegetables.
“You don't have money, but you have vegetables here?”
Mama Nneka became frightened.
“Please don't touch them.”
“Why?”
“I need to sell them.”
“And I need my money.”
The woman reached towards the vegetables.
Mama Nneka quickly stood up.
“Please!”
The woman began gathering the vegetables.
“I am taking these.”
“No, please!”
“I told you that if you don't pay me, I will not allow you to continue selling with my money.”
Nneka watched helplessly.
“Mama!”
Mama Nneka turned towards her.
“Nneka, stay there.”
The woman carried away the vegetables.
“I will return them when you pay me.”
Mama Nneka stood there in silence.
People around them continued watching.
Someone whispered:
“See this woman. She is owing everybody.”
Another person shook her head.
“Her matter is becoming too much.”
Nneka looked at her mother.
She had never seen her look so ashamed.
“Mama,” Nneka whispered.
Mama Nneka said nothing.
She simply picked up the few things that remained.
“Let's go.”
---
They left the market quietly.
Nneka walked beside her mother.
Neither of them spoke.
After a while, Nneka finally said:
“Mama.”
“Yes?”
“Don't be sad.”
Mama Nneka looked at her.
“I am not sad.”
“You are.”
Mama Nneka forced a smile.
“I'm fine.”
Nneka knew she was pretending.
They continued walking.
But before they could get far, another voice came from behind them.
“Mama Nneka!”
Mama Nneka stopped.
She slowly turned around.
Another person was approaching.
Nneka immediately looked at her mother.
The person stopped in front of them.
“You have not paid me.”
Mama Nneka closed her eyes for a moment.
“Please.”
“Please what?”
“I will pay you.”
“When?”
“I don't know.”
The person became angry.
“You have been saying that for too long.”
Nneka held her mother's hand.
“Mama…”
The person continued complaining.
“You owe me money, and you are walking around like nothing happened.”
Mama Nneka looked down.
“I am sorry.”
“I don't want sorry. I want my money.”
Nneka could feel her mother's hand trembling.
Finally, the person walked away after warning her again.
Mama Nneka remained still.
Nneka looked at her.
“Let's go home, Mama.”
Mama Nneka nodded.
“Yes.”
---
By the time they reached home, Mama Nneka looked exhausted.
She placed the few things she had left on the ground.
She sat down.
Nneka brought her water.
“Mama, drink.”
Mama Nneka took the cup.
“Thank you.”
She drank slowly.
Then she heard another voice.
“Hello!”
Mama Nneka looked up.
A woman was standing at the entrance.
Nneka's father was also nearby.
The woman walked inside.
“Mama Nneka, I have come for my money.”
Mama Nneka's face changed.
Her husband looked at her.
“What is she talking about?”
The woman pointed at Mama Nneka.
“She owes me money.”
Mama Nneka stood up.
“Please.”
“No. I am tired of please.”
Her husband became furious.
“Another person?”
The woman looked at him.
“Yes. She owes me.”
He turned towards Mama Nneka.
“You owe this woman too?”
Mama Nneka became quiet.
The woman continued.
“I have been waiting for a long time.”
Her husband shook his head.
“Please, calm down.”
“I don't want to calm down. I want my money.”
He looked around the house.
Then he looked at Mama Nneka.
“What is happening?”
She tried to explain.
“I borrowed the money to buy vegetables.”
“So where is the money?”
“The business has not been good.”
He became angry.
“Then what are we going to do?”
Mama Nneka lowered her head.
The creditor continued complaining.
Finally, Nneka's father turned to her.
“Please, give us some time.”
The woman shook her head.
“I have heard that before.”
She eventually left after giving them another warning.
The moment she left, Nneka's father exploded.
“How many people do you owe?”
Mama Nneka remained silent.
“How many?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?”
“I have been trying.”
“Trying?”
His voice rose.
“Look at this house!”
He pointed around.
“There is barely enough food!”
Mama Nneka's eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
“And people are coming here every day demanding money!”
“I know!”
“Then what are we going to do?”
“I don't know!”
For a moment, they both became silent.
Nneka stood nearby.
She had never seen her parents so worried.
Her father shook his head.
“This family cannot continue like this.”
Mama Nneka wiped her tears.
“I am doing everything I can.”
“I know you are trying.”
“But what else do you want me to do?”
He had no answer.
---
That evening, there was very little food in the house.
Nneka looked at what had been prepared.
It was barely enough for everyone.
Her younger brother sat quietly.
He did not even have the strength to complain.
Nneka looked at him.
“Why aren't you eating?”
He shook his head.
“I don't feel well.”
Nneka immediately became worried.
“Mama!”
Mama Nneka hurried over.
“What is wrong?”
“He says he doesn't feel well.”
Mama Nneka touched his forehead and became concerned.
“He feels hot.”
Nneka looked frightened.
“Is he sick?”
Mama Nneka tried to remain calm.
“He needs to rest.”
“But what if he needs medicine?”
Mama Nneka became quiet.
She knew what Nneka was thinking.
Money.
Everything came back to money.
Medicine needed money.
Food needed money.
Vegetables needed money.
Even their debts needed money.
And they had almost none.
Mama Nneka sat beside her son.
“Don't worry. You will be fine.”
Her son looked at her.
“Mama?”
“Yes?”
“Will I get better?”
Mama Nneka smiled despite the tears in her eyes.
“Yes, my child.”
Nneka watched her mother.
She knew Mama Nneka was worried.
---
Later that night, Nneka sat beside her mother.
“Mama.”
“Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
Mama Nneka nodded.
“Yes.”
Nneka held her hand.
“You don't have to pretend with me.”
Mama Nneka looked at her.
“My daughter.”
“I know things are hard.”
Mama Nneka became emotional.
Nneka continued.
“One day, Mama, I will change everything.”
Her mother looked at her.
“Nneka…”
“I mean it.”
“You are still young.”
“But I can still promise.”
Mama Nneka pulled her close.
“Don't carry this burden.”
“I just want to help you.”
“I know.”
Nneka rested her head against her mother.
“One day, you won't have to beg anybody for money.”
Mama Nneka closed her eyes.
She prayed silently.
---
That night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Mama Nneka remained awake.
She looked towards her sick son.
Then she looked at Nneka sleeping nearby.
Her heart was heavy.
She remembered Adaeze.
She remembered the conversation from the previous day.
Her sister had not insulted her.
She had only wanted to help.
Adaeze had told her that Nneka could have better opportunities.
Mama Nneka had refused.
At the time, she had been certain.
Her daughter was staying with her.
But now...
She looked around the house.
The debts.
The lack of food.
Her sick child.
Her husband's frustration.
Everything was becoming too much.
Mama Nneka wiped her eyes.
“Adaeze…”
She whispered her sister's name.
For the first time, she wondered whether she should contact her.
But then she remembered her promise to Nneka.
She had told her daughter she would not send her away.
Mama Nneka looked at Nneka again.
“I cannot,” she whispered.
---
The next morning, Nneka's father called Mama Nneka outside.
“We need to talk.”
Mama Nneka looked at him.
“About what?”
He took a deep breath.
“About this family.”
She remained silent.
“We need help.”
“I know.”
“Our situation is getting worse.”
“I know.”
“Then we need to do something.”
Mama Nneka looked at him.
“What are you suggesting?”
He hesitated.
Then he said:
“Adaeze.”
Mama Nneka's expression changed immediately.
“No.”
“You haven't even heard me.”
“I know what you're going to say.”
“Nneka's future is important.”
“She is my daughter.”
“I know.”
“She is not going anywhere.”
He sighed.
“Look at what is happening around us.”
“I know what is happening.”
“People are coming to our house for money.”
“I know.”
“We don't have enough food.”
“I know.”
“Our son is sick.”
“I know!”
Her voice broke.
Her husband became quiet.
Then he spoke gently.
“Adaeze offered to help.”
Mama Nneka shook her head.
“I already said no.”
“Maybe we should reconsider.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I cannot send my daughter away.”
“She will still be your daughter.”
“I don't care.”
“You care about her future.”
“Yes.”
“Then think about it.”
Mama Nneka looked away.
“I have thought about it.”
“And?”
“No.”
Her husband sighed.
“Fine.”
But his face showed that he was not satisfied.
---
Nneka was standing inside the house.
She had heard everything.
She had heard her father mention Adaeze.
She had heard her mother say no.
But this time, something felt different.
The family was struggling more than before.
Her brother was sick.
People were demanding money.
Her mother was crying.
And now her father wanted them to reconsider Adaeze's offer.
Nneka slowly stepped outside.
“Mama?”
Mama Nneka and her husband turned.
Her mother immediately looked worried.
“Nneka.”
Nneka looked at both of them.
“Were you talking about Auntie Adaeze?”
Neither of them answered immediately.
Nneka's eyes filled with worry.
“Is something wrong?”
Mama Nneka walked towards her.
“Nothing is wrong.”
“But I heard you.”
Her mother held her hand.
“We are just trying to find a way to help the family.”
Nneka looked down.
Then she asked quietly:
“Does that mean you are going to send me away?”
Mama Nneka froze.
She remembered her promise.
She remembered telling Nneka that she was not going anywhere.
She looked at her daughter.
“No.”
Her answer was firm.
“No matter what happens, you are my daughter.”
Nneka hugged her.
But this time, Mama Nneka did not feel as certain as she had the day before.
She loved her daughter.
She wanted to keep her promise.
But the family's problems were growing.
And somewhere in the distance, Adaeze was still waiting.
The question that Mama Nneka had refused to consider was slowly returning.
And this time, it was not coming alone.
It was coming with hunger, debt, sickness, and desperation.
Nneka held her mother tightly.
Neither of them knew what the next day would bring.
END OF EPISODE THREE
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