Epic 9

With the look on Dinma's face and the pace she used in entering the house, I already knew what had happened. Mama has called her. 

"What happened?" She questioned immediately as she entered the room. I didn't have the strength to explain, so I just gave her the package.

" It's a picture! Are you trying to explain that with everything mama told me, it's just a picture that you have been crying for?". Dinma asked. But, I didn't respond to her questions, I just watched her as my eyes became more cloudy.

"What in the name of God is this? Isn't this mother with Benjamin? And also Mich...", she got stuck in her words. She joined me in the crying. 

"Micheal has always been the Informant, he is the one giving mother all the information, my pain is that I told him about Lisa, it is certain now that Benjamin knows that Lisa isn't dead". I cried out.

" Oh My goodness! What? You told him everything! You see why it is difficult for me to trust anyone, they are all betrayals. What are we going to do now?", Dinma asked.

"This isn't a "we" battle, this is my battle. I won't have you stain your white because of my fight, all I need is your prayers". I said while dressing up to leave.

"You are my sister, Lisa is my cousin, Mama has hurt me as well, this is not just your fight alone, this is our fight", Dinma said.

I just looked at her, shook my head, and left the room. She followed me immediately. 

"Dinma, I know you care, mum has hurt us, I know and I believe you on that, but please just stay back on this one, a time will come when I don't need to stop you, but stay back on this one. Take care of mama and papa. I am sure if I do leave they might come back to hurt them. Please protect my family". I pleaded with Dinma before she finally agreed.

I left the house in anger, I got to the clubhouse and the first person I saw was an increase in my pain. It was Micheal, he stood outside as the bouncer, on seeing me, he let out a weary smile. Tears were already coming out of my eyes when I hadn't reached them yet. "Of course, I can do this", I muttered and quickly dried my eyes.

"Excuse me, you son of a bitch", I muttered angrily as I made to enter the clubhouse while being stopped by Micheal.

"I am sorry ma'am but this isn't a child trafficking home or a church, are you sure you are at the right place? We can help redirect you if you don't mind". He said blushing. I could feel the inner me burning.

"My late father should be smiling wherever he is now because he died smart with vision even with his blinded eyes, rather than a sightful but visionless person. Now get the hell out of my way". I screamed.

“Hmm! I suppose you are addressing yourself on that because this is a clubhouse ma'am not a church like I have said before. So, if you are here, and you are sure you have a vision, then you can see you are putting on the wrong dress, even if you are here to apply as a striper you are still not welcomed because you don't have a sexy body for that, the clubhouse is for young girls with vision not for divorced mothers. Now, please leave ma'am". He said. I was holding my pain while looking at the demon standing in front of me before I heard a voice inside saying.

" you can let her in”. I looked up to find my mum standing in front of me, and immediately, Micheal, adjusted for me to enter. I wanted to step on his toe, but couldn't. I left him and focused back on my business even though his words still pierced into my heart.

"What brings my beautiful daughter to my chambers?". She asked while sitting down at one of the VIP's round tables.

" Something that will lead to your early grave", I said angrily.

"Just like you are about to go to your early grave, just by a snap from my fingers, you know you don't act in another person's territory? This is my territory, so you shouldn't be rude or quick to predict things that aren't necessary". She said while sipping her juice and smiling.

"I don't mind dying now, I just came to warn you, stay away from my life, stay away from my family, stay away from my feelings. And last but not least, stay away from my daughter!". I said.

“What daughter are we talking about? The dead one? Or, could it be that you lied to everyone, including your husband?”, She questioned. I didn't know what to say, I was really angry and confused.

“I have delivered my message, I will be taking my leave”, I said while standing up to leave.

“Not too fast my daughter, have this, it will save you from embarrassment next time, I know your reason is money, you couldn't afford shoes and clothes for a clubhouse”, she said while handing me the cash she was with, which I collected without counting.

“Sure, how did you get to know about this, you are a genius I must say, I am really lucky to have you as my mother, I must be going now and thanks for the money I do appreciate it”, I said while taking my leave.

“you are always welcomed, it is quite unusual having you accept something from me", she said.

"That is a new resolution or are you not happy about that, I am grateful", I said and left.

I kept smiling, was she not expecting me to collect the money, I got to the door and my mood quickly changed on seeing Micheal, I couldn't help out, but had to eye him and left.

I got home with mixed feelings, feeling of satisfaction, and betrayal. 

"How did it go?", desperate Dinma asked.

" It went how it was meant to go", I replied while quickly undressing but remembered it hasn't ended yet.

"I will be back in a jiffy", I told Dinma while putting on my Jacket again and leaving the house. I got to my destination. Children surrounded me and greeted me. I put my hand in my pocket and brought out some of the cash I had gotten from my mother and shared it with the children. 

Here is my target, sitting with fear. 

" Are you surprised to see me? Am I no longer welcomed here?". I asked her while sitting on a little stool beside her.

"Of course, you are, what a pleasant surprise", the old lady replied while letting out a fake smile.

“o thought as much, thank you". I said.

”So, what brings you here?", she questioned.

“A lot, a lot of hidden secrets, an act of wickedness, betrayal, and loss”. I exclaimed

“I am yet to fully understand what you are saying, what act of wickedness”. She questioned.

“don't act like you don't know what I am saying or trying to make me sound like a fool, what is the exact thing that happened after my father's death? How much did she pay you?". I asked, while immediately noticing the fear in her.

"I am sorry". she said slowly.

Not like I care about her emotions.

"There's no problem, I understand that you are sorry, and there isn't anything to be done about that. I just want to know the truth". I demanded while smiling.

"I knew this day would come!", she exclaimed.

“she forced me to do it, she threatened to kill my children if I didn't do it", she said as I watched her continue with her talk.

"I know she did so, I just want to know how much", I said with a bit choking voice, which was already covered with tears.

“150,000( one hundred and fifty thousand)”, she said, while slowly bending her face in shame.

“Just 150,000! Is it worth it? Where is the money now? All spent on useless things I suppose”. I said angrily.

“No! It was stolen”, she said slowly.

“stolen indeed!!! It wasn't stolen, it was recollected, how to outsmart she can be, now you have nothing". I said standing up to leave.

"I am sorry", she said after me.

“Will your sorry solve anything now? Keep it, for now, I don't need to have a lot to do, thanks for the Info. God bless". I said and left without looking back as the small Children's waved goodbye to me, all shouting "buy this for me when coming back next time, buy that for me when coming back next time!".

I got home and met Dinma sleeping. I didn't want to disturb her, so I slowly pulled off my shoes and lay down beside her, and slept off as well.

«»«»«»

My lashes were shaking, my head aching. countless times I rubbed my hands off my eyes. I wanted to scream as the feeling continued, but I was forced to wake up.

"ohmmm! Stop now!!!", I screamed at Dinma who was using a broomstick to touch my lashes which made me wake up.

“I am sorry, but you have been snoring all day, what happened, gist me about the outing”. Dinma said laughing.

“What outing? I didn't go for an outing", I said while rubbing my eyes slowly.

”So where did you go then?".

" I went to see aunty jane". I said while sitting up straight.

“Aunty jane...!!!", Dinma exclaimed.

"yeah! Aunty jane". I said.

“Why? What business of ours is hers? Why did you visit her after all the ill-treatment she gave us?". Dinma said annoyed.

"yes I know, and it is our duty as humans to forgive and forget, besides it wasn't her fault, it wasn't deliberate". I said.

"Oh please...! Spare me that cramp, I am sure she must have filled your head with trash, whose fault is it then?". She questioned while still angry.

“Mother”. I said as little tears dropped down my eyes.

“Mo... What? Mother!!! How?". Dinma questioned, surprised.

"It was mother who made her do it, she threatened to kill her children if she didn't do as she was told. If only you saw her eyes all reddish and swollen as she apologized to me". I told Dinma whose nerves were calming gradually.

"Are you serious about this? Why would a mother be this wicked and mean? Why does she want us to suffer? Are you sure she is even our mother?". Dinma asked, surprised.

"I doubt", I exclaimed as I bent my head.

“so what is the plan now?”, Dinma said 

“I don't know, I am sure she won't spare anyone that comes close to us, She doesn't want our peace. Maybe she wants us to die before she can let go”, I said while letting out a big sigh.

Dinma's phone started beeping, it was her foster mum.

“Ow! It's time to get going, I will call you later to know the next plan". Dinma said and went home.

A lot was on my mind but I didn't know what to believe. Immediately, mama came inside the room.

"Good day mama, how are you doing?". I said as she sat on the mattress with me.

“I am good as always, hope you are fine, you have been running around all day?", she said.

"I wish I could say yes", I replied.

"What is the problem? You know I am always here to help". She said,

"Of course, I know. How did you meet Mrs. Jane?". I asked.

"Ow! Jane! The woman who sold this beautiful damsel before me, right?!", she said.

“Yes mama, how did you meet her?", I said.

"I don't know her too well, but she came to me pleading that I take you both as my daughter, that is yourself and Dinma your sister, I let her know then about the consequences of feeding all of us all by myself, of course, you know my husband was not working then…". She said while pausing a little to let out a cough.

"Yeah! I know. I said". While being anxious about the outcome of the adoption.

"So, she pleaded with me to accept you alone then, I considered the fact of me not having a child, and having you around will look like one. So I decided to take you in. Besides hearing the story of how your mother left you and your little sister in the care of your blind father, I had so much pity for you, that was how I took you in, ``she explained with a smile.

"wow! Thank you so much, but, did you pay her for the adoption?". I said.

"No! I didn't, she only pleaded with me to take you in as my daughter, which I did". Mama said.

I was dumb, how come no one told me about this? Mrs. Jane was right after all.

"Did she tell you her reasons for bringing me over?", I asked Mama, who noticed how anxious I was becoming.

“She mentioned something about a woman threatening her on her Children's lie, and wanting to kill her as well if she didn't send you both out of her house, but, is there a problem?”, Mama asked not withholding her anxiety.

“Not at all Mama, but, suppose the woman comes to you, threatening you to kick me out of your house, will you agree?", I asked as cold tears began to run down my eyes.

Mama couldn't say a word but gazed at me, She came closer and wrapped me in her arms.

"I would never do that. If protecting you is the last thing I will do, I don't mind doing it. No woman can separate us". She said while giving me a peck on my forehead.

"Mama!", I called out.

“yes!”, she said.

“I want to become a stripper", I said coldly and she immediately removed her hands from my body.

”A strip Gini? (what)", she questioned in her Igbo ascent.

“A stripper Mama, I want to become a stripper so that I can get my revenge back on my mother”. I told her.

“No! That will not happen, not while I am alive, what will people say? That she finally lured you into her business!!! What about your dead father? How do you think he will feel? No, my daughter, you can't. There are a lot of beautiful ways you can have revenge on someone without pleasing them. Or are you no longer a Christian?”. She asked.

“What other way mama? She won't stop haunting me, I know my mother, she is a dangerous woman, she will do anything in her power just to make sure I get frustrated and come to her begging for help.

"There is a better way, and this is what you are going to do…". Mama said and I began to reason what she had just said.

"That will be a perfect idea mama, I will do as you have said, thank you so much, I love you beyond stars", I said while smiling.

"Anytime, so...“she said and left the room.

I picked up my phone and made a phone call.

"pick up you moron!", I kept shouting each time the phone rang without a response. After so many attempts, the monkey finally picked up.

"Good day, I already know the story, meet me at the uncompleted building near the Junction by 7:00 pm make sure no one is following". I said and ended the call immediately.

By 7:00 pm, I was already at the venue.

"You made it here on time, thanks“. I said smiling.

"Welcome, so...?“ he said.

"I need you to help me out, this is my plan...and I need you to help me out". I said.

"Well, there is no problem, I will do my best to help out, at least it is a way of paying back for my betrayal", He said while smiling.

"Well, I don't know what to say about that, but as of that, it is left for God to forgive you. But, we are good now. So, um! Firstly, I need you to get every damn piece of information you know about my mother“. I said.

"Okay! That isn't a big deal, I will find out and tell you everything you need to know". He said.

"Sure, thank you, maybe after the plan must have been accomplished, I will let you know what our next step will be", I replied.

"Okay! I agree, you are the boss now", he said while funnily praising me.

"I am no boss! I just want to do what is right, and make sure you are being careful with the investigation, you know how cruel and suspicious my mother can be!" I told him while giving him a little wink.

"yeah! I know which is why It will take a little time to delay because I need to find out from the right source". He said.

"You need to get going because of time, you know how dangerous and deadly the road can be at night". I said while he came closer for a hug and left afterward and I did the same.

I got home really exhausted, I must have trekked for a long time and indeed I did. I went to so many places. Just as I laid down to sleep, my phone began to beep, and behold it was...