ENTANGLED LOVE

Sonia walked out of her classroom and saw Michael leaning against the door, waiting for her. Michael was her neighbor, friend, and senior in school. She was in SS1, while Michael was in SS3. Every day, he would wait for her after school, and they would walk home together.

"Hi Sonia, let's go home," Michael said.

"Yes," Sonia replied.

As they walked home, they discussed and laughed together.

Mrs Justina (Sonia mother) came out of her apartment and headed to her car. She was about to leave to her supermarket. Then, Mrs Brenda came out of her apartment and poured water on her

"What? Mummy Michael, why did you pour water on me? What did I do wrong to you?" Mrs Justina asked

"You feel too big, so I have to pour water on you," Mrs Brenda shouted.

"Mummy Michael, I can tolerate something else, but you pouring water on me is what I can't tolerate. Look at how you have wet my dress," Mrs Justina said, her clothes dripping with water.

Other neighbors came out of their houses and peeped at the scene. Just then, Michael and Sonia entered the compound and saw their mother exchanging words.

Sonia ran to her mother and asked, "What happened, Mum?"

"Let's go inside," Mrs Justina replied.

Mrs Justina and Sonia entered the house

"But Mum, what Mummy Michael did to you is unfair. How could she just pour water on you?"Sonia asked

"Don't mind her.I am not troublesome like her."Mrs Justina replied

"Yes, Mum, you are kind," Sonia replied.

"Let me go and change into something else," Mrs Justina said and went to her room

Mrs Justina changed into something else, and returned to the sitting room

"Sonia!,Sonia"Mrs Justina called out

Sonia rushed out of her room."Yes, Mum?" She answered.

"I'm leaving for the supermarket now," Mrs Justina said.

"Okay, Mum," Sonia replied.

Mrs Justina headed out the door and left the house.

Meanwhile, Michael confronted his mother about her behavior towards Mrs Justina.

"Mum, what you did to Sonia mother is not right," Michael said.

"What are you talking about?She is feeling too big because she is rich. She needs to be taught a lesson."Mrs Brenda replied.

"But Mum, I don't see Sonia mother as a proud woman,She is always been kind.."Michael said

"Shut up, you're just a teenager and you don't know anything at all." Mrs Brenda snapped, silencing Michael.

Michael shook his head and walked away to his room

Mrs Justina arrived at her supermarket and parked her car in the garage. She got out and walked into the store.She was greeted by her workers. "Good afternoon, ma," they greeted in unison.

"How are you all doing"Mrs Justina asked

"We are all doing great ma"they answered in unison

"How much did we sell today?"Mrs Justina asked one of the workers

"45,000naira, ma."The worker replied

"That's great! Let me see the book,"Mrs Justina said,

"Alright ma" the worker replied and handed her a notebook detailing the day sales.

Mrs Justina sat down on a plastic chair and scan the notebook

In the night, Michael lay on a bench outside the house, lost in thought.

"My mum had no right to pour water on Sonia mother. It's not fair.I need to apologize to Sonia mother."he said to himself

Mrs Brenda lay on the bed in her room, gazing at the ceiling fan while deep in thought.

"Justina has a supermarket and she is living well, while I'm struggling to make ends meet.And to make matters worse, she id living in a one-bedroom apartment, while I'm stuck in this small room house.I need to find a way to bring her down, I will go to a native doctor and get a charm to make her beg and let people mock at her."Mrs Brenda thought to herself.

With a wicked grin spreading across her face, She drifted off to sleep, plotting her next move.

The following morning which was Saturday. Mrs Brenda got dressed, she went to the kitchen to have breakfast. Michael was already in the kitchen, munching on custard and bread.

"Good morning, Mum," Michael greeted, looking up from his bowl.

"Good morning, dear," Mrs Brenda replied, pouring hot water into a cup.

"I'm traveling this morning, so I want you to take care of the house"Mrs Brenda said

"Okay, Mum,Where are you going?"Michael asked

"I'm going to visit my sister.I'll be back in the evening,."Mrs Brenda replied

"Okay, Mum,Have a safe trip."Michael said.

"Thank you,And don't forget to lock the door and don't let anyone in."Mrs Brenda cautioned

"I will, Mum," Michael replied.

After breakfast, Mrs Brenda left the house.

That morning, Mrs Brenda traveled to a faraway community. She visited the Agbara shrine. When she arrived the shrine,she removed her shoes before entering the shrine, which appeared eerie and intimidating. She sat on the ground,and waited for the great Agbara to finish his ritual with the gods.

Once he completed the liberation, Agbara turned and face Mrs Brenda. "My daughter, I know why you've come,.You want your neighbor to become a beggar."