Title: Zina – The Price of Survival

The rain poured heavily over the rusty zinc roofs of Odi Street, a quiet neighborhood in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Water rushed through the muddy gutters as children ran barefoot, laughing despite the storm. Inside a small, overcrowded compound, there was no laughter. Only fear. Eight-year-old Zina sat quietly on a wooden stool, clutching her school bag tightly against her chest. Her younger brother slept on her lap, unaware of the chaos waiting to unfold. Her mother stood by the kitchen doorway, her eyes fixed on the gate. “He should have been home hours ago,” she whispered. The fear in her voice made Zina’s stomach twist. This wasn’t the first time. Her father had changed. Years ago, he was a respected man in the community. He worked hard, provided for his family, and always came home smiling with sweets for the children. But everything changed when alcohol entered his life. At first, it was only during celebrations. Then weekends. Soon, every evening. Finally… Every single day. The bottle became more important than his wives. More important than his children. More important than his responsibilities. The little money he earned disappeared into bars before it ever reached home. ⸻ The family was unlike most others. Zina’s father had two wives. Her mother, Mama Grace, was the first wife. Together, they had five children. The second wife, Mama Henry also had five children. Ten children. Two mothers. One father. One compound. Life had never been luxurious, but before the drinking began, there had always been enough. Enough food. Enough peace. Enough hope. Now… Even garri had become a luxury. ⸻ “Zina,” her mother called softly. “Yes, Mama.” “Go and see if your father is coming.” Zina hesitated. “I don’t want to.” Her mother understood. Whenever he returned drunk, everyone became his enemy. Still… “We need to know.” Zina slowly walked outside. The rain had reduced to a drizzle. She looked toward the narrow road leading into the compound. Nothing. Just darkness. She sighed with relief. Maybe he wouldn’t come home tonight. Maybe tonight would be peaceful. She turned to go back inside. Then she heard it. A loud, familiar voice. “I said open the gate!” Her heart stopped. Daddy. ⸻ He staggered into the compound with a bottle still in his hand. His shirt was soaked. His eyes were bloodshot. The smell of alcohol reached Zina before he did. “What are you looking at?” he shouted. “N… nothing, Daddy.” He pushed past her so hard she nearly fell into the mud. Mama Grace rushed outside. “Please, lower your voice. The children are sleeping.” He laughed. “The children?” “Do they feed me?” “Do they buy my drinks?” Mama Rose also stepped outside, trying to calm him. “Please, come inside.” Instead… He threw the bottle against the wall. Glass shattered everywhere. The younger children woke up screaming. ⸻ “What did I marry both of you for?” he yelled. “You complain every day.” “You ask for food.” “You ask for school fees.” “You ask for rent.” “Do you think money grows on trees?” Mama Grace couldn’t hold back anymore. “We ask because the children are hungry.” “They haven’t eaten since yesterday.” His face darkened. Without warning… He slapped her. The sound echoed through the compound. Zina screamed. “Mama!” She rushed toward her mother, tears streaming down her face. Her father pointed at her. “Go inside before I deal with you too!” For the first time… Zina was afraid of the man she once called her hero. ⸻ That night, no one slept. The younger children cried until morning. Mama Grace sat silently, holding an ice cloth against her swollen cheek. Mama henry stared into space. No one spoke. No one knew what tomorrow would bring. But deep inside both women… A decision had already begun to form. They could no longer continue living like this. Not for themselves. Not for their children. ⸻ The weeks that followed became worse. Their father stopped paying school fees. The landlord came almost every week asking for rent. Sometimes there was no food. Sometimes there was only one loaf of bread for twelve people. The mothers always pretended they weren’t hungry. “Eat,” Mama Grace would tell the children. “I already ate at work.” Zina knew she was lying. She had seen her mother drinking only water before going to bed. ⸻ School became another battle. One afternoon, Zina’s teacher stopped her after class. “Zina.” “Yes, Ma.” “You haven’t paid your fees.” She looked down. “I know.” “If the fees aren’t paid by next week, you won’t be allowed into class.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’ll tell my mother.” The teacher sighed. “You are one of my brightest students.” “I don’t want you to stop coming.” Zina nodded quietly. As she walked home, she prayed silently. “God… Please help my mother.” She wasn’t asking for toys. Or beautiful clothes. She simply wanted to stay in school. ⸻ That evening, another fight erupted. This time, louder than ever. Their father accused both wives of disrespecting him. Mama Henry finally spoke. “We’re tired.” “We’re tired of hunger.” “We’re tired of lies.” “We’re tired of watching our children suffer.” He laughed. “So leave.” Neither woman answered. But they looked at each other. A look that said everything. It was over. Their marriage had reached its end. Little did Zina know… The family she had always known was about to be torn apart forever. End of Chapter One (Part 1). To be continued…