Chapter 6

After church service that Sunday, Dad took us to big mummy's house like we did most times after sunday services. Big Mummy prepared white rice with stew and turkey. I remember her stew being really peppery. Although Daddy did not like his meal spicy, he would always finish his food, while my brothers will either eat very little or eat the white rice only. We spent some time with big mummy then left.

  I want to discuss something with you guys. What is that Daddy, I asked back. Your mum is dead. Dead how! Yes, so whenever anyone asks you about her anywhere, in church or even in school, tell them your mum is dead. I moved closer to him because he was driving and I sat at the back, she is not dead Daddy, is she? Demi, there is no difference between someone whose mother is dead and someone who grew up without the mother, Dad spoke back. We all muttered okay. I sat back and wondered whether mummy was truly dead or Daddy just wanted us and everyone to believe that. Because I spoke with her on her birthday, I borrowed the nurse's phone from school to wish her, without informing Daddy, but we have not spoken since then because the nurse left the school to travel by the time I was in SS2 and I have not been able to reach her since then. And I knew he was angry that she left. There was also a time when Dada dropped Dolamu in school, they were celebrating mother's day in his school that day. Daddy, my school said all mother's should come to school today and we would give them a gift we each made for our mothers. Okay boy, I will go with you to your class. No Daddy, they won't let you come, fathers are not allowed. Why not? Because it is mother's day not father's day Daddy. So I thought that must be another reason why he told us that.

  On our way home, Dad met with Daddy Aliya, a family friend. They had something to discuss so we went to his house. While they were discussing at his house, Mummy Aliya called me privately to her room. How are you, hope you have not been missing your mum too much, she asked smiling. I am fine ma. Demi I have always wanted to ask, what school are you in now? I was so scared to reply her because my Dad had told us not to tell her about our school because she was a close friend to my mum. I mean what is the name of your new school, because I heard you changed your school? Hmmn, Hebron Heights College Ma, I shuttered. Where is it situated? That is all I can tell you ma, my Dad told us not to tell anyone about our new school. Okay, do you have the school's pamphlet or something? No I don't ma, I replied. Okay no problem dear. Would you and your brothers like something to eat? No, thank you ma, we are just coming from our big mummy's house and we are there. Okay that is fine. 

  We got home really late in the evening from Daddy Aliya's house. Later at night, I started to wonder why mummy Aliya wanted to know so much about our school. Or does she know about mummy's whereabout, I wish I had asked her. I spoke to no one in particular. I soon dozed off as a result of fatigue from the outings we had that day.