Episode 2 My mother's scars

He didn’t expect my next action. I grabbed my tray and struck him on the head with all my strength. He fell backwards screaming and I ran out, leaving my tomatoes spilled all over his room. I continued to run till I reached safety then I realized what I had done. I had just thrown away N700 worth of tomatoes. I was so sure I was going to die that day.

Standing by the road and thinking about my life then I heard - "buy slippers and sandals." “Ah” I sighed in relief. It was our neighbor mama yinka. I ran to her and told her what happened. She tried to encourage me to go home to my mother but I convinced her to come with me and she did.

Immediately my mother saw us approaching, she smiled. She and Mama yinka exchanged plesantaries as she then explained my plight. My mother thanked Mama yinka for saving my life. I was shocked. I wasn’t going to get any beating. But I was totally wrong. Mama Yinka left and my mum asked me to go inside and get changed. With great relief I went into the house jumping happily as I took my clothes off.

I didn’t know my mother was behind me. As I took out my pant, I heard a loud bang on the back of my head. I fell forward but before I could regain myself she had pin me down, ripped my clothes, rubbed fresh pepper in my eyes, body and private part then pushed me outside naked.

I couldn’t see. I was rolling on the floor screaming in pain. I screamed for my father. I was so sure I was going to die but I wanted to see him one last time. A neighbor helped me to  the bathroom and washed me thourghly but the pain didn’t stop. I continued to scream and my mother came and chased the neighbor away, giving me a few more slaps to shut me up. I tried with all my energy to suppress the sobs. With each sob I got an extra slap. The pain was excrutiating.

I couldn't see properly for a day or two. I asked my younger sister about my dad and she said he was out of town. My grief intensified when I heard my mother telling a neighbor that my dad had gone to a neigbouring village in search of greener pasture and would only be around during the weekends. I was devastated. I wanted death so desperately

Days turned into years and the torment continued. My father got so engrossed in trying to make ends meet that he didn’t notice I was dying. I hardly ever saw him but I didn’t blame him either.

Then soon a ray of hope appeared.

To be continued