Bride price

..

            ~ Jacob~

Following my mom to her spot, I was to help her get ready and set things up to roast the corn. She usually started by mid afternoon but everything had to be set before then and that was my job.

A car horn blasted through my ears and I glanced up, an unfamiliar face smiled towards my mother and I.

"Good morning oo". My mom's cheerful outburst took me by surprise, I barely see her smile.

I dropped the charcoal on the metal stand my mother uses to roast her corn while she jumped to meet the visitor, with a smile spread widely across her lips.

"The booth is open", the man in the car, who looked to be in his forties said immediately she got to him. He extremely was light skinned and wore a hat.

"Jacob come with me". She waved me over.

Inside the visitor's car booth were tubers of yam, 12 in total.

"Thank you very much ohh. We appreciate it". I guess Mercury must be very cold today because my mom has never ever smiled like this in front of me.

"I will bring more. I hope all these are enough for now". He said softly. "How is my wife?".

"Emm My Rachel is getting ready for school. She is very fine". She fiddled with the tip of her wrapper like a shy teenager. "Well she hasn't paid her school fees sha. But God will provide".

"Oh really? You did not tell me naaaaa. That is very bad. I will see what I can, I will be back tomorrow. Take care of her well ohh. Bye bye". He threw a longing gaze at me. "I will find something for you too next time young man".

"Bye bye oo". My mother waved frantically before swaying away from the road.

"What are these yams for?". I queried, trying not to think wrongly.

"We are almost in September and maize is no longer in season. It's this yams I'll start frying and selling after we can't buy corn anymore and we will eat some at home". She answered, arranging pieces of coal.

Her finger had blisters and burn almost all over and there was a big tear just above her wrist, seeing her hand in that terrible state hurts me so deeply, but I know one day, just one day i will make so much money she won't ever have to work anymore, ever.

I just have to be patient and more importantly, study hard but for now the source and point of these yams is more important.

"Who is that man that brought it and why did he call Rachel his wife?". I asked suspiciously.

Whoever the stranger was, he did not look like a farmer nor a driver to deliver it from a farmer. He had some sort of rich air around him, and my instincts never fail me. 

"Ah. Why are you asking me questions. Are the mother? Warn yourself this morning".

"Answer me.... Ma". I said more respectfully even though i was burning with curiosity.

"Whoever he is, is none of your business, start peeling those corns before your father comes to call you to go to work". She said harshly settling down on her wooden stood. "He used to call Rachel his wife when she was a baby". She added, less harshly.

I said nothing.

My mother began to sing happily while lifting the yam with her dirty hands soiled from the coal she had arranged.

"Continue. I will go and drop this". She said.

"No don't worry. I will take them home". I stood up and dusted my hand.

"I said continue, I will take them home like this". She steadied four on her arms.

A sudden thought flashed through my mind.

"Mummy". I started. "Do you know there's a way we can build a beautiful house and have as many cars as we want and even travel anywhere we want?".

She looked shocked, "How ohh?".

"E DU CA TION!". I voiced. "If you and daddy support and help me and Rachel we will study and get good jobs, we will eradicate poverty from this family".

The look of disappointed in her eyes did not stop me from continuing.

"See mummy, I know this county is hard for all of us and we don't have any connections. But remember that I got a scholarship, the people that gave me a scholarship are watching me. When I graduate they will surely give me a job if I pass very well. I know it will take time but you have to trust me. Rachel is very smart too".

I admit I choose a bad time and place to start explaining something so crucial and important to her but when the motivation clicks, it can't be hindered.

"See this stupid boy? If you ever open that your nonsense mouth and talk about poverty again thunder will fire you and your education. Education abi? I went to school too what am I doing?. If you have sense you will have start going to wash cars and earn money everyday. Bastard". She growled and turned around.

"There is no need to give Rachel out for marriage, let her go to school. I will not let you engage in child abuse". The moment the very words let my mouth her slippers came flying into my face.

             😚 Caroline's POV 🔥

"Hey morning". A wide smile evident on my pretty face, I blinked innocently at my friend as I joined her.

Damola furrowed her brow at me enquiring, she stood solidly a few steps away from her home. "Oh! Are you back together with that jerkbag?".

"No.. what? No! I mean yes but we broke up again". I steadied my backpack timidly.

She folded her arms and bent her neck. "Really? Explain".

I sigh and began."Okay. Can we do it on the way to school?". Alan just walked out the front door and I don't want him to see him at least not until after school when he has to 'supervise' scoff.

I grabbed Damola's hand in mine and warded her off walking in a fast pace.

"Remember that Dare use to pick on me until you became his girlfriend. Sometimes I think he threatened you to become his girlfriend. How can a cute girl like you fall for that arrogant bone head". Damola said furiously.

I couldn't help but get flattered."You think am cute?". I flipped my imaginary long hair and blushed.

"As if?, Don't flatter yourself! Now start talking. Are you back together with him?".

"I was. See after school before I went home he apologized and all and I sort of forgave him but then he cheated again, that same day right in my house. Anyways I sent him out of my house and life immediately". I said flatly.

"Good thing. Don't ever think of dating him ever again, he's a stupid butthead guy with a jerky personality. Don't worry if he ever wants to pick on you I'll protect you and I'm sure my brother will help you just in case".

"Your brother?". I rolled my eyes my scoff.

"Yes what about him"

"Let's just say...hmm... Whatever. So are you taking your phone to school today?. I'm not taking mine so Dare won't have any shit to dig up on me. I know he's going to be angry I even slapped him yesterday before sending him out. Are you taking yours?".

She nodded. "But it's very safe inside my bag. I have spots there, no one can find it. It's just this week I'm going to take it".

"Just be careful. I don't know you if you get in trouble oh".

"Senior Barbara!!". We both exclaimed running towards our favorite girl prefect. She was also walking to school.

"If any of you touch me I will slap your stupid heads off". She grunted.

Damola and I froze. It was as if we just stood in the presence of a demon, her eyes were red and puffy while her nose looked inflated. Some tears she might have cried to sleep.

She eyes us through her terrible looking eyes before walking away but she eyed me longer than she eyed Damola.

"Wtf?". I found myself asking.

Senior Barbara used to be very nice to Damola, since Damola and I are friends she was nice to me too, we sometimes walked to school together and she would buy us snacks during break time.

"She might have woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Or shes angry, you saw her eyes right". Damola said.

"Or we did something wrong. Did you do anything?".

"No. She even came to my house yesterday and she didn't act wierd".

"Maybe your brother said something to her. You know she likes Allan right?".

"She has a boyfriend na?. Maybe they broke up or her village people died".

We burst into laughter.

"You girls gonna laugh all day?". Allan asked walking in between us.

"Rude!". Damola shouted. "Race you to school". She added.