BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL - EPISODE TWO Dinner was watery bitter leaf soup and garri. Our soup floated around in a deep stainless plate while the garri, prepared into a starchy mound with hot water, was in a flat plastic plate. My siblings and I sat in a semi circle around our dinner on the floor of our dingy one room apartment. Ours was the largest family in the compound, yet we occupied the tiniest, most packed room. Our room contained a single wooden chair on which papa reclined whenever he was listening to the news on radio or sports, a metal framed bed with metal networking to hold a foam; but we had no foam. Mama spread a worn mat over the frame and softened it further with countless worn wrappers given to us by neighbours and relatives. Papa worked as a gateman in a shopping complex, a job that earned him peanuts which he in turn blew on local gin and pool bets. My fathers major possessions were an empty pocket, an overblown ego and an insatiable crave for things behind skirts; shapely or not. With six children to feed and train in school, my father still bickered with and beat mama over such trivial things as spread your legs. Our soup was meatless; fishless, even crayfish less. And this was not unexpected. Our soup was, more often than not, devoid of meat and what we lacked in protein, mama made up for with plenteous ugu veggies and water. Afam, the second to last child of the family who extremely loved to joke, scooped up a substantial amount of soup in his cupped palm from our soup plate and poured it back onto the plate with a spattering sound. He repeated the action and it infuriated mama. Afam, kwusifahun. Stop that! My mothers look was scathing. Tap dey rush Afam cackled loudly, oblivious of the damage he might be causing. Mama was near tears now and papa, the sleeping lion had been awoken. My father woke with an angry snort and turned his red face towards us. His red eyeballs told tales of anger. Ghen, ghen! Chinwe, my immediate younger sister and ultimate rival, whispered excitedly. Daddy go kill you today Afams countenance fell. His eyes widened with fear. Shut up! The simultaneity of mine and mamas voice shook Chinwe and she too fell silent... Bia, nwokem, araogba go gi? Have you gone mad? Nnanyi, biko forgive him. Mamas placating tone and an intervening arm stopped the fury of my father from pouring on little Afam whose face was already painted the golden colours of tears. Where is my food? Papa was well aware he left no upkeep money before going out for work, yet he asked for his food; like it was his right, upkeep money or not. And mama made sure he got his right. Papa ate his cold meal in near silence. The only real sounds were actually the slurping sounds he made as he gobbled down balls of êba rolled into a ball and soaked in soup. Bia, nwanyi, we have some unfinished business tonight. But....dim, we dont have... Ekwuchagom. I have spoken! His voice was authoritative; final. Mama nodded. Kemesia...(to be continued.....) Covenant Nonso. E. (@nonsoWORDSMITH)
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 05:51:26 +0000
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