Episode 2

#Blind_____Desire..

#Episode_____Two.

'God please save my mother…dont let anything bad happen to her please…' i wept as i prayed 'whatever she's passing through, father give her the strength to overcome it…dont let the plans of then wicked ones…' the tears prevented me from continuing.

If anything bad happened to mama, i didnt know if i would be able to survive it…i really loved mama…she was the best mother the world could ever provide.

People say mama and i looked alike and it was true, i was a replica of mama. Brown skinned just like her, love-shaped face and almondshaped light green eyes.

Dada was lightskinned just like papa with his dreadlocks…his name was Danke but he was called Dada due to his dreadlocks and the Da in his name Danke.

I also prayed for Dada too.

I felt nothing but hatred towards papa…hatred for separating us from our mother for no just reason…oh how mama must be feeling…

Mama had always loved her children and she being separated from us must have hurt real bad.

A plan crept into my head and i smiled.

***

'Ivyy, take dis money and make sure you are back from school early alright?' Aunty Chime said thrusting a hundred naira note into my palms.

I smiled in gratitude and left the house.

They were both the same…my father and herself…wicked people..though aunty Chime had been very nice and caring towards me dis past few weeks, i couldnt help but feel nothing but pure undiluted hatred for her.

I hated father and aunt Chime and God was surely going to punish them for their evil deeds especially aunt Chime who hated mama for no just reason.

I clutched my books tightly as i crossed the major road leading to the market. My heart suddenly leaped in excitement at the thought of seeing my mother once again.

We could plan…we could sneak out of the village and go to Ezei, get Dada and then we leave to a faraway village to start life afresh without papa and his brutality.

As i strolled into the line where mama's shop was located, i started running.

I sighted mama from afar shading her goods with a faded green top and a worn out wrapper with patches below.

I ran to her 'mama!'

Before she could turn to me, i had already engaged her in a bear hug.

She looked shocked, but then she quickly wrapped her arms around me briefly, then pulled back.

She looked around like she was scared, then looked at me.

'Ivyy…what…what are you doing here?' she asked looking around like a thief.

I wonder why she did that..was she scared of papa?

'mama…they…they took me away from you' i said hugging her tightly.

She held my shoulders and gently pulled me away from her. I could see the tears stinging her eyes but she quickly wiped them with the sleeve of her dress.

Then she reached her waist bag and brought out a five hundred naira note and t----t it in my hand, she looked around once more, this time tears were strolling down her cheeks.

'Ivyy…' her voice was shaky with tears 'you have to go now…and please…please i beg you in the name of God, dont come here again…its for your own good, you have to leave immediately..i dont want this to get to your father's ears…and…and the council's…'

I was momentarily numb as she fell on her knees clutching her school uniform 'Ivyy, you have to stay away from me, you really have to stay away from me if you want a better life…please protect your future and stay away from me…i'm nothing but badluck and i would only spoil your future if you have anything to do with me..i want us to severe whatever connection we have btw us henceforth…' she was really crying and i felt myself moved with tears as i fell on my knees too.

'mama…'

'please Ivyy, i beg you…' she placed her palms together, then she sniffed and cleaned her nostrils with her wrapper 'take care of Dada for me…you know i love you both, the two of u are my life and i would sacrifice anything to ensure the future of both of you…but for now, just stay away from me..Ivyy biko, go away'

'mama…'

'go away! Ivyy, just go away!'

I was crying 'mama, why are you chasing me away?'

'because i love you' she suddenly got up on her feet…she dragged me out of the shop 'run…just go, now!'

'but mama…'

'go! Just go! Stay away from me!'

I ran away like a scared kid crying like never before.

I sat under the large mango tree at the back of the compound..the food and nutrition teacher was in the class and i ddnt offer her subject so i had to leave.

I thought of my encounter with my mother the previous morning…she had mentioned something about the council…was she having issues with the village government(council)? If so, what was her offence? Why wasnt anyone letting me in on what was happening?

Mama had looked really lean and pale with dark circles under her eyes…she had looked miserable and lonely…and i couldnt help but notice the guilt that crept into her face the moment she saw me.

Had papa and aunty Chime set her up? Because it was something they were equally capable of. Maybe papa had finally decided to carry out his threat of marrying a new wife and the best way to discard mama was to frame her up and report her to the council…maybe it was all aunty Chime's idea.

I thought of asking Henna…her father was a chief in our town so he would be aware of the case…but how do i discuss that with loudmouthed Henna and expect her to keep it secret…what if it was a deadly crime? What if mama was really guilty of it?

No…i shook my head. Mama would never do anything wrong.

'heyy pretty' a voice called.

I looked up to see the person i really didnt want to see as at that moment…i immediately frowned 'hi Ralph'

'you dont look happy to see me…whats wrong with my princess?' he was with his geeky friend, Sam or whatever his name was.

One funny looking boy who was obviously his errand boy…with his baggy trouser, rumpled shirts..seen better says scandal with his glasses and bowlegs. He was well made jest of in our class..every girl made fun of him in our class for no just reason..even Henna who claimed she had shagged him once back of the principal's office.

'yes maybe i'm not happy to see you…because you are the last person i really dont wanna see right now' i retorted opening my Economics textbook and glancing through.

He snatched the book from my hand and sat opposite him…his errand boy standing behing him as usual.

'maybe you should give yourself a break Vee, all work and no play makes Ivyy a dull girl…give yourself a little break and catch some fun…everywhere you go, you are always holding a book…dont u know that no matter how hard u read, u're still going to end up in the kitchen…isnt that so Sam?' he asked facing his errandboy who stammered in affirmation.

I smiled wryly 'really? Ever heard of all play and no work at all makes Ralph a dull boy? And do you really think that all girls are destined to end up in the kitchen just like your mother and your entire generational background…and i know you dont read books so you might not know about this woman…late Dora Akunyili…and Ngozi Iweala…wait a minute, you think God destined only men to become successful and popular?' She eyed him and snatched her book from his hands 'you are so full of yourself'

I stood up and started walking away when he ran up to me and grabbed my hand.

'let go of me!' i screamed.

'i feel insulted right now Vee…' he smiled though i could still see the anger in his eyes and the i-will-deal-with-you look in his eyes but i didnt care 'but i will forgive you on once condition….'

'really now? Then what does your majesty wants?' i asked sarcastically…whoever told the idiot i needed his forgiveness in the first place?

'just a one night stand…i've heard rumors stating you're a virgin…actually i love them fresh..and i will be very gentle' his hands trailed from my soft cheeks to the first button on my shirt then raised it up again intentionally hitting my right breas.t.

I instantly slapped his hand away breathing fast…i really couldnt help the electricity that surged through me the moment his hand touched my br.east…i had felt moist in between my thighs.

'stay away from me Ralph or i will be forced to report you to the school authorities' i said and walked away.

***

'babes…' Oma said running towards me…i sighed…my plans of avoiding them this afternoon had failed…i had planned to go home alone…without their company so i could think properly but it didnt work…Oma caught me but fortunately, she seemed to be alone.

'where have you been? I've been searching all over for you..' she said panting heavily as she caught up with me.

'sorry…where are the others?'

'Henna went with her driver to her boyfriend's place while Ije waited for the sanitary prefect, seems there is something going on btw dem..they might even lash sef' She chuckled.

I rolled my eyes in disgust.

'aha babes! Henna said something about your mother having an issue with the Council, said she overheard her father telling her mother but didnt know her crime…'

My heart suddenly flew into my mouth.

God…where are u?

TO BE CONTINUED 🤎