26
1147 Words
Chapter 26.
I had already spent two weeks at home and it was just my last week of holiday when my paternal grandma walked into our apartment carrying her locally weaved basket on her head.
Pamilerin amd I ran out to hug and help her as soon as we sighted her. Pamilerin was the happiest, she loved grandma so much and she was also grandma's favourite amongst us. I miss her too, I hadn't seen her in months and she couldn't attend mom's burial due to reasons I didn't quite understand.
"Adunni mi, Asake, how have you girls been?" Grandma greeted in her native language.
The names she called Pamilerin and I respectively are known as oriki in Yorubaland and most Yoruba people bear such names, Tomiwa's own was Ajoke.
My dad postrated before his mother as grandma started to rain praises and prayers that sounded like incantations to me upon him.
"Asake, what of your sister, Ajoke? Has she now agreed to go to school or is she now learning that trade that she left halfway?" Grandma asked after Tomiwa after she settled comfortably on one of the couches and drank cold water.
Dad sat opposite her while Pamilerin and I sat on the spaces beside her.
"She's not around ma, she went to attend her friend's elder sister's wedding ceremony in Rivers state. Says she's one of the ladies in whatever" I explained while dad looked shocked at the news.
"Portharcourt? That far? And she didn't see the need for me to know such plans?" Dad exclaimed.
"Bolaji, so you are saying that you had no idea that your first daughter travelled?" Grandma questioned.
"That's exactly what I'm saying o, mummy. She didn't tell me anything about it! How can that small girl go to Portharcourt alone without fear for her life? Tomiwa will not kill me!" Dad exclaimed angrilly.
"Wonders shall never end! That's one of the reasons for my coming, we have a lot to talk about. I can't just watch you ruin my girls' lives. Asake, Adunni, carry my basket into your room and check inside for the those local sweets that you girls love so much" Pamilerin went to carry the basket and left, I followed her but stood at a corner of the entrance to eavesdrop on their converstion.
I love grandma a lot, but I just tend to dislike her some times. She seemed to have a nutured hatred for my mom, they never got along and nothing my mom did ever satisfied her.
"Bolaji, so you haven't even thought of getting these girls what they are lacking?" Grandma started.
"Lacking ke? Mummy, I try my best to give my children the best of everything, its not easy but I'm trying my best. I leave enough money for them so they have no cause to steal or w***e around, its just that Tomiwa who have just chosen to destroy her life. Sometimes, I feel like she's been possessed or something" Dad ranted, exasperated.
"So you think its just money that they need? Bolaji, I am not talking about money o! I am telling you that what they lack and need so badly is a new mother. These are girls who are in their teens and they need thorough monitoring which you aren't capable of doing" Grandma said.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. He should remarry already? It hadn't even been up to three months that my mum died and grandma wanted her replaced so soon.
Grandma didn't even shock me than the response dad gave to it, "Oh! I've been thinking about that too, mummy. Infact, I've walked towards it already. I'm just waiting for my children to adjust before I bring her in, in two or three months time plus people will start gossiping that its too soon" Dad explained.
"They have adjusted enough, Bolaji. And bring her to me before you bring her in. Meanwhile, its not too early to remarry o, my son, you are a man so its understandable. These girls need a mother as soon as possible" Grandma pestered while I shook my head as I tried to contain the sudden hatred and anger I felt for her at that moment.
"Now that I think about it very well, you are right ma. She should move in by next month" Dad said nonchallantly.
I gasped loudly which made them notice my presence, "Tiwa, are you eavesdropping on our conversation? So much disrespect!" Dad spat angrilly.
"This is one of the things that they need to be trained on. Make sure its a responsible woman this time around, that mother of theirs forgot to train them very well, all she cared about was expensive clothes and parties!" Grandma remarked.
I was boiling with rage, did she really have to speak ill of my late mother in my presence?
"Grandma, how could you even say such thing?! Couldn't you at least respect the fact that she's late? What did my mom ever do to you that makes you hate her so much?!" I asked vibrating in anger.
"Young lady, don't even dare raise your voice at an elder! She knows what's best for you" Dad scolded while I boldly rolled my eyes.
"Dad, sometimes, the elders acts so wrong and childish that the child who knows the right thing just has to correct them. Am sure she didn't even shed a tear when she heard of my mother's death! She must have even cooked her favourite soup on that dreadful day!" I snapped feeling nothing but total hatred for the adults in front of me.
"You have no say in this, Tiwa! This is not an issue that can be understood by a little girl like you. Its all for your own good, You need a mother and thats it so go into your room until I decide on what punishment to give you!" Dad snapped but I remained adamant, I don't know where the bravery or courage just came from but I sure wasn't done with all that was on my mind.
"I think you should stop this pathetic attempt of you just using us as a pawn in this when its clearly obvious that you are the one who is in dire need of a woman to replace our mom's space on your matrimonial bed, its all about your own s****l needs..." I was interrupted by a slap from my dad which was something I kind of expected.
But then I was satisfied because I got to say everything that he needed to hear. I ran into my room feeling no remorse.
And then I heard dad's voice say in a conclusive tone, "You are right, mummy. They need a mother as soon as possible and she's moving in next week!"
I felt all my energy drain out of me.
- Writer
