Chapter 7 – The Diamonds Secret

Chapter 11 – Reports on Eunice's Curiosity.

Back in the slum, little Eunice was growing fast. She was six years old when she was registered in a nearby primary school.

Eunice had begun asking questions.

Curious.

Intelligent.

And full of questions.

One afternoon she discovered an old bag belonging to Benice.

Inside were photographs.

School pictures.

Family photos.

Eunice studied them carefully.

"This girl looks like me,” she said.

Mama Amah sighed.

She had known this day would come.

"Mama Amah,” Eunice asked softly.

“Are you my mother or grandma?”

“No." responded Mama Amah

"Where is my mother?”

The old woman hesitated.

But children always sense truth.

Finally she spoke.

“Your mother loves you very much.”

“Then why did she leave me?”

Tears filled Mama Amah’s eyes.

“She left so she could build a better future for you.”

But Eunice was not satisfied.

“I want to see her.”

Mama Amah held her tightly.

“One day you will.”

But inside she was worried. Secrets do not stay hidden forever.

She was a bright child.

Too bright for secrets.

"Mama Amah,” she asked one afternoon,

"Where is my mother?”

The old woman sighed.

“She is working very hard."

“But why doesn't she come to see me?"

Mama Amah hesitated.

“How could I explain this complicated truth to a child?”

“Your mother loves you very much,” she said gently.

Eunice looked unconvinced.

”I want to meet her.”

Mama Amah narrated to Benice, how curious Eunice has grown over the past three years.

“Eunice commenced school. I managed to register her into a neighbourhood not far from where we lived.” Mama Amah continued with her narration.

“Do you know that some children from the same school were pointing fingers at Eunice, calling her all sorts of names she couldn't understand. They even tried to bully her."

"Immediately, I went to their head teacher to report because I didn't usually tolerate bullying especially to vulnerable persons"

" The head teacher apologised, called Eunice’s teacher to listen to my report and was instructed to watch over her that none takes advantage of her."

"The school promised to investigate and warn children during morning assembly.”

Mama Amah continued.

"I advised her to shun them and face her studies."

“One day, with curiosity, she started searching for the bag you left behind. She saw family pictures, friends and your personal pictures. She shouted"

" Grandma! This beautiful girl looks like me! Who is she? Is she my sister? Where is she?"

"I became confused on what to say, how do I begin?, somehow, after much inquisitiveness, I decided to narrate a little story about my life and my only daughter Rita who passed on.”

“Ahhhh so my own young mummy passed on to life beyond,? where we cannot see her again?” She asked, crying.

"Nooooo, she was not your real mum, calming her down, your real mum is still alive but she travelled to the city in order to make money and come and take you."

“Don't you like going to live in a city better than this place?"

" She immediately wiped her tears and went out to play with her friends.”

"Within some minutes, she came in with three of her friends who asked me,

"Grandma. Is it true that you are not Eunice Mum?"

"When is her mum coming back to take her?” They continued asking me too many questions almost every day, sometimes, I chased them out to go and play in order to be allowed some rest." reported Mama Amah.

“Uh-huh!!!!" Benice started crying. Mama Amah started rubbing her back.

"It's all my fault." Benice sobbed.

"It's well my daughter." Mama Amah consoling Benice.

Benice searched for a nearby private school for Eunice.

“I should look for a nearby school for Eunice.” Benice said to Mama Amah. "Yes, without wasting time, it's better to do so" Mama Amah in agreement.

“I will go today before school dismissed"

“I think I like this school written ‘St. Anna’s Nursery and Elementary Schools’.

"Good day madam! My name is Benice, I have come to see if this school can admit my daughter."

“How old is she?” Asked the headteacher.

" She is almost nine years old” replied Benice. All right, you will be given the prospectus for books but the school provides school uniforms. However, all the uniforms sewed have been exhausted."

"All right, I will provide them because I I am the seamstress that sewed those ones" “Really.’’ The children love the style. You have a unique style admired by the school and the parents." Commended the head teacher.

"Euny my love! You are starting school next Monday with your new school uniform. I will sew for you" “Wao! Mummy Benny thank you very much.". Eunice rejoicing.

"Mama Amah you are our big Mama but I would like to employ you as Eunice's nanny and be paid some stipends as prepare her for school, ensure her launch box is neat, take her to and from school daily.”

"Oh!! That’s very kind of you” responded Mama Amah.

Benice got back fully to her shop after some days’ off.

Adrian continued calling and visiting Benice in her boutique.