Chapter three
636 Words
In contrast to the hot weather the previous day, this morning seemed to be a cool one, Desmond hummed as he washed his face apparently he had put all of the events of the previous day behind him. Just then Amiru the 'iron condemn' collector came by with his wheelbarrow, he looked grumpy as usual and avoided eye contact with Desmond as he passed.
"Amiru good morning". Desmond said passively.
"Eh-eh o, hold am there, no greet me abeg," Amiru retorted to the surprise of Desmond.
"What's that supposed to mean?". Desmond asked.
"mtchewwww, poverty stricken i***t" he said as he turned to go.
"What did you just say!" he asked angrily as he moved over to Amiru who stood getting ready for a fight.
"Hold it right there!" A voice spoke out. An elderly man who was passing had stopped by them.
"Whats the matter between you boys?" he asked.
"Just imagine, I greeted this good for nothing and he began insulting me, what nonsense!" Desmond explained.
"Lies!...I was just telling him the truth, and he was already spoiling for a fight," Amiru emphasized breathing heavily.
"Oya it's okay," the old man cut cut in, "Amiru carry your Kaiya and get going," He added motioning to Amiru who turned and rapidly pushed his wheelbarrow away.
"Desmond?" the old man called when Amiru had gone away, "Those who have nothing, seeks for something," he said. as Desmond watched him go, he felt confused and angry at the same time and he breathed heavily as he stormed inside his house.
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When he got inside the house, he flung the cup and brush into the washer and stormed over to the living room, in all his life he had never felt so insulted, humiliated all because he was unfortunate ....
"Desmond, what is the matter?" His mother asked walking into the living room, "why are you looking so angry?" She added sitting down in front of him.
"It's nothing Mama" he said sulking.
"Okay, I've prepared some moin-moin, it's in the warmer". She said.
"Mama I'm not eating, in fact I'm tired, I'm tired of this life mama!" He shouted.
"Ah, calm down Desmond, remember that God..."
"Oooooh, is it not God that said heaven help those who help themselves?". He asked cutting her short, "there is a big problem in this family Mama and nobody seems to care, just take a look at Kola he's been married eight years now, no child, every-time miscarriages. Look at Tayo, he is there squatting with a friend looking for job up and down...All these Mama is not normal!" He added.
"You have spoken very well, I also think it is time you get to know" she replied sighing.
"Know what exactly?"
"I think it's time you should know about the earth goddess and the dark realm".
"Who is she?".
"I don't know, nobody does" she answered..."except him". she added reflectively.
"Who?" He asked drawing close to the edge of his seat.
"His name is Santiago, he was the oldest person in the village at the time and he was said to have been keeping some strange secrets, such that people thought him mad because of what he spoke of"
"Santiago" Desmond muttered to himself As he sat back in his chair.
"I'm not so sure if he is still Alive," his mother said...
"It's okay" he replied more to himself than to her, he stared into space for a while, deep in thought and then grunting he turned to his mother
"You said there was moin-moin in the warmer ba".
"Yes,...but I thought you said you were not eating?".
"That was before, I want to eat now," he said standing up.
"Look at him, oya go and carry". She teased as he made his way into the kitchen smiling.
- Writer
