A familiar scent

Minka knocked on the door to her mother's room. She stood and waited for a response although it was partially open.

"Come on my dear daughter"

"Mummy good morning"

"How are you?"

"I am very well thank you and you?"

"I am alright" came the response. She looked at Minka and smiled.

"I am in a hurry so I will be brief. I understand the emotions and feelings that come with this stage of your life. I realize it's a phase that accompanies teenage. This does not mean you will not have feelings as an adolescent or adult. It implies that this stage brings with it a high secretion of hormones, I dare say higher that other stages."

"Okay mummy what are trying to imply?"

"I am implying that you take things slow with Ogar."

Minka shook. She looked at her mother and frowned .

"My dear daughter are you surprised? Well don't be because I have felt the same way before. I know how you feel especially when it is the first time. You have your whole life ahead of you. A bright future and a world laid fallow before you." Minka blushed uncomfortably.

She could feel butterflies bin her tummy. Her mother had discussed sex education with herself and her sister on countless occasions but she had never spoken to her about relationship.

"But Ogar wishes me well. Are you saying he is a distraction, because he is not."

" This month will make you sixteen years. You are still so young. It may be him in the end or it may be someone else"

"Ah mummy no oh! Someone else ke? Where will the person come from nah?"

"Look people change and so do their feelings. I do not mean to break your heart. I want you to know that this world has over seven billion people and billions of opportunities as well.

Life equals hope."

"But mummy I have known you with only one man.Uncle Travis.... "

Her mother smiled.

"Oh no.." Minka added "maybe two, dad and uncle Travis,and... and now brother Ramses father.." she corrected herself.

"That should be three"

Her mother smiled on and said nothing but Minka began to frown.

"Mummy why did the smile suddenly disappear from your face at the mention of brother Ramses father?"

"Don't bother yourself Minka. I am alright" she managed to reply in a quivering voice.

"Mummy tell me. Why.... are you crying?"

Her mother broke down in tears as she could no longer hold them back.

"Were you raped? Tell me. I will not say a word to anyone. I promise"

"No Minka--" she managed to reply before Minka continued her interrogation.

"What did he do to you? I am so angry right now. If I meet him, I will give him a piece of my mind. He would regret everything he has ever done."

Minka hugged her mother. Admist her tears her mother saida

"You know I would do all it takes to keep you safe. I love you and I don't want you to get hurt. I want you to understand this. I am your parent and I am here to guide you. I promise to do my best my beautiful girl. I love you"

"I love you too mum" she said as she stood up to leave. She got to the door handle. She turned around, with her hand on the door knob and said "Mummy will you and uncle Travis ever come back together?"

Her mother looked at her and smiled. "Minka dear that should not bother you"

"I noticed you were really happy with him. I hope to see you that excited one more time"

Aunt Sheila feigned a smile but deep within her, her heart sank. She knew she had made mistakes but she deserved to be loved, did she not? If she did get back with him then what would become of her daughter and Ogar. Yes. She was willing to sacrifice her relationship for her daughter. As long as the relationship was one she could nurture, especially as it is with Ogar.

Of course she would be able to ensure her daughter is not distracted nor misled in anyway whatsoever. What was the point of it anyway, she had children already. She has a job, a side hustle and will soon be rounding up her building project. She has had a fair share of life's blessings and would step aside to ensure her children do the same.

It is one thing to be here and it's another to be here for them. She was there. Still exiting. Still alive and was living for them.

"You know what would make me excited?"

"No. What?" Minka asked curiously.

"Seeing you and your sister growing up to live your dreams, in accordance to God's will of course."

"Oh mum, by His grace we will"

"You see on my time parents would be itching to see their female child get into the higher institution or learn a trade and settle down as soon as she is in her twenties,. Even now the cycle is on. I personally don't think marriage is or should be ultimate achievement of a woman. There are women out there who are single but they have contributed immensely to humanity. I want you to know that you can do great things on your own. You have a long way to go. For me, a relationship is not paramount. Yes. You see the more you develop yourself, the better. Eventually you will be financially independent and will command respect. That is when you can venture into marriage and you will gain respect, especially from your in-laws. I want you to know that when you eventually get married, you and your husband can be a force that positively influences the world"

Minka nodded and smiled confidently. Each time her mother opened her mouth she has something positive to say about her and her sister, Nkom. She seemed so proud of both of them. Minka promised not to disappoint her. Already she had been through a lot. She settled down with someone she love, toiled with him and encouraged but what did she get in return, mockery, humiliation and abuse.

Minka feared the word "abuse". She hoped to settle down with someone who genuinely loves her. She knew it was possible because she had found him already and he has found her. She moved closer to her mum and gave her a hug.

"Mummy thank you. Thank you so much for everything"

Her mother smiled. "It's alright Minka. It's my job so I have to do the best I can"

She watched her mother place her belt on her waist. She buckled it and carried her handbag. Asking to help her was no use because she will decline as she did in time past.

"Please come and lock the door behind me as I let myself out" she said.

"Okay ma" Minka followed closely behind. The doorbell rang.

"I am already at the door,I will get it" her mother said. She opened upt he door and looked in the direction of her three children once more. Have yourselves a lovely day"

"Love you mum!" They chorused bin unison.

"Love you too". She smiled. She picked up a familiar scent which she had not perceived in a while.

She turned in the direction of the door which she swung completely open. She froze on the spot. She frowned in confusion as she stared.

"Good morning Sheila" she cleared her throat and responded "Travis?"