CHAPTER 1 September 2022
Hello [calling sister] good afternoon, I hope everything is fine. Ermm I am back home and I will becoming to your place on monday [call end]
I'm soo happy, finally, I'm done with senior high. I did a few washing then cleaned my room and starts to arrange there. On monday I went to my sister Diana's house to greet her.
Good morning sis,
Good morning how are you?
I'm good
There's a problem.[said Diana]
what problem? [I asked]
Dad is sick and has been taken to the hospital. The doctor said he needs blood so I have sent Joel to go check and see what we can do
I was stunned and didn't know what to do
when was that? [I asked]
Mum called me yesterday and told me. And we're waiting for him to get out of the hospital then you will go and take care of him till your results are out. [said Diana]
All right [I replied]
I stayed in Diana's house till the sun goes down then I left. I went straight to my bed and knelt down and pray to God to heal my father. He should not take him away from me then I stood up,I took my bath and went to bed. I waited for my father to be out of the hospital then I went to visit him. I thought I was going to take him and bring him back to the city but no. I got there and there was this contract job then my mom asked me to join and work as I wait for my results and I agreed to do it. It was not only me, Joel too was part. Joel had gotten some girl pregnant and she stays with my parent, when my father came home, my elder siblings ask my mother to bring my father to the city so they left and it was left with me,Joel and his girlfriend who has already given birth to a baby girl. I couldn't go with my parent because of the job I had sign to do . I can only leave when the time is up. Because of my father's condition, Joel had to take care of my father's farm and my mom's own too. so he was doing the contract job and at the same time farming my parent's farm but I helped him with my mom's own.
The contract job will end in August 2023 so I left when it ended; I came back to the city. Our results came and mine was good that I needed to buy my college forms then boom!!! another situation; my father who was known to be well now from no where fell down and broke his leg[WHAT?]
so I called Diana, talked to her about my forms but she said I have to wait for another year because Elsa my other sister is about to complete school and a lot of money is demanded so I have to sacrifice and wait. Therefore I have to be in my mom's position by taking care of my father. Doing this my mom will go back to help Joel to do the farm work because the doctor said my father can't work anymore. He is not even supposed to bend over or stress himself that much, therefore someone must take care of him and that person was me. I agreed then I decided to learn how to sew too. And my mom helped me with that sent me to madam Nancy my sister Elsa's friend. I started two weeks later after my mom has shown me to her and done all the necessary requirements. We have neighbors at work place. Terry was a master with two apprenticeship and Aaron was one. Master Terry came to welcome me as a newcomer and told me to be serious and learn hard too. Terry my madam was free but I never talked to Aaron not even greeting and visa versa. I was the last person at my work place so I was sent on every errands. Lillian was the senior apprentice followed by Joan then me. work from monday to friday so sometimes I go to Diana's house on sundays.
When I was in school, I used to stay in my brother Darius house on vacations and on the long one, he sent me to classes then I met this guy Morgan. He was very handsome and brilliant too, everyone likes him especially the ladies. He became my boyfriend and I was lucky to have him because he is every girls dream boy. Albert and Lawson was his best friends and they know me too well.
Morgan was in different school so we always get separated but thanks to technology I can hear from him anytime I want. Because of how my parent raised us, everyone thought we were poor even I have no idea about my family affairs. After our WAEC results, fortunate for Morgan he was sent to university and I was taking care of my father and also learning how to sew. Morgan and I were having a distance relationship but Morgan's distance was becoming serious I became angry. One night after closing from work came home ate, took my bath and went in to my bed then my phone rang [gosh] it was him. I was angry cause he has been ignoring me but he said that was not it and he is also sorry for making me feel that way and his apology was accepted. I fell asleep whiles talking to him.
The next morning I did what I have to do then headed to. I got there, cleaned up the place sat down to wait for others to come. Madam Sarah's apprenticeship also came and so master Terry's own. Then in the afternoon I heard some noise like someone was calling me, I went out then to my surprise it was my elder brothers Henry, Darius, his wife and my father whom I left in the house. My father had dressed up like a traveler. I didn't know what to say to them I stood there looking at them and I could see their eyes filled with anger, but what more words could they say. They greeted Mrs Nancy and everyone then turn to me.
Well we came here to take you and daddy away but seems you have already made your decision so we going with dad. so take this money use it wisely because I won't send you money again.[uttered Henry]
And here; this is mine and we brought you some food stuffs too [said Darius]
Father will be staying in Darius' house so if you want to see him you can come there [Henry said lowering his voice]
Okay thank you [I answered]
They paid farewell and then left leaving me alone to stay in the house but I was not afraid of leaving alone and some how I was happy because I wouldn't stress that much after work making food. I came home and saw the food stuffs and packed them and I went to sleep. The next day I went to work, while cleaning Aaron came there,greet me, ask of my being then left. Mrs Nancy came and everyone came therefore we started working until the day break then we went to our houses. Morgan called me that night and we talked and the next day too when I got to work, while talking, I heard a voice from the back thus Morgan's place and it was a lady voice. She asked Morgan whom he was talking with and he his girlfriend but she did not say anything again then we continue until my madam came then I disconnected the call.
Three days later, master Terry and his apprenticeship did not come to work but madam Sarah's place was opened and it was her learners only that morning. A lady came, her name was Harriet , she greeted me and I asked her to sit cause I thought she was looking for Mrs Nancy. Then Lillian and Joan came.
I am looking for Ella
That's me. Any problem?
I came here to warn you to stay away from my man cause I don't share my man with any body
I stood there looking at her and laughed as if there was a comedian performing
Excuse me , what did you just say? [I inquired]
You clearly heard me [she answered] stay away from Aaron
what? Aaron [hahahaha] someone I barely know, we are not even friends
I don't care all I want is for you to stay away from him
okay. But why don't you ask your man if indeed he is cheating?
Unknowingly she slapped me. Then those around came and allowed her to leave. I took no action and didn't inform Morgan about this. The next day I went to work and master Terry and his learners had come but I didn't bother myself to tell Aaron about what has happened. But then Aaron from no where came to our shop and started beating me with his belt for no reason. They stopped him and Mrs Nancy ask him why
'My girlfriend Harriet said she came looking for me and ask Ella here my where about and unexpectedly Ella slapped her. This thing slapped my girlfriend [he said coming towards Ella] '
Mrs Nancy tried to tell Aaron what happened but I stopped her,no one knows why. Two days after the incident, Harriet came there again and she went straight to Aaron's place , master Terry called Mrs Nancy and I to their place. Aaron was sent so we were waiting for him; while waiting for him, Harriet walked to me
Hi! Ella , actually I want to say sorry for what Aaron did to you [she paused] it's good to have a boyfriend like him, just tears and he will do everything to make you happy.
oh ! yeah I should have known that
I didn't suffer making him beats you up oh! my gosh [hahaha]
How dare you?
followed by a slap and start fighting. Harriet was beaten blue black , Aaron who had come tried to separate them by beating me but I didn't give him a chance. Therefore those around came to separate us. Everyone blamed me and said a whole sort of things to me that I became frustrated and I left.I locked myself that night but the other morning I could not move an inche. I was told Mrs Nancy called me several times but none of her calls was answered so she became. Continue the following day too, but in the afternoon she sent Joan to come check on me; Joan came she me but no answer but my door was closed from inside so she called Mrs Nancy and informed her. Mrs Nancy came there with master Terry and they broke my door , they discovered that I had passed away and they took me to the hospital.
Mrs Nancy called Diana from my phone and informed so Diana made a transfer to Mrs Nancy to take care of me until I was discharge from the hospital and I asked to take a leave and I went to Darius house to stay. Yet did not tell Morgan. Darius and his wife had built their own house now and they had moved in so I went there to stay when I took the break.[such a luxury house]