CRY FOR ME: Part 1 – 10
Part 6
Franca Uwuigiaren
It will soon be morning and I couldn’t sleep. The thought that my siblings are not my father’s Children was killing me.
My dad doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment. He deserves better. Dad has been nice to mum and her family.
When mum’s brother wanted to travel out of the country, dad supported him even though he was arrested for drugs trafficking.
When her father needed money for eye surgery, dad coughed out money.
One of her sisters had accommodation issue, my dad gave her money covering two years rent.
Where then did my dad go wrong? Was I supposed to confront mum about this or tell Dad so he would die of heart problem. Maybe this was about the dream I had. I kept tossing on the bed.
I stood from the mattress and sat on the chair. I watched as my sisters snore gently oblivious of my existence. My parents were in the room sleeping.
I remembered that when Dad returned from work, he bought fruits for us. He was so cheerful except me. My heart was already chattered into pieces.
I watched mum as she sat crossed leg eating banana and the groundnuts dad bought, smiling and nodding her head as dad checked our notebooks.
“Your handwriting is so like mine,” he told Blessing smiling.
“That your rubbish handwriting.” She fired at him but he ignored her and kept checking our books and asking us questions.
“I am the one that will build you a duplex” Cheta told Dad.
“I know you girls are intelligent and smart. I pray that God help me to send you to the university”
“Amen” we chorused.
“Girls, I have good news for you. Tonight, we are going to pray as a family.
I have been going to church for years without knowing how to pray or knowing God. No relationship with him.
Last week, I met a man who told me great things about Jesus and I have genuinely submitted myself to His Authority.
So return your books to your bags let’s fellowship with God. Tomorrow I will get you something.”
“Yaaay! My sisters screamed in excitement. I forced myself to smile.
Since Dad returned from work, mum didn’t make any attempt to dish out food for him.
I went to the kitchen but discovered she didn’t leave any food in the pot yet she sat eating the banana and groundnuts he bought.
Dad went to the kitchen and saw for himself that there was no food. I heard pot opening and closing.
He told us he was coming. He went out and bought bread, butter and items for making tea.
I boiled water but before I could make the tea, mum had already cut from the bread. I presented the cup of tea for him and he ate in silence.
Before we went to bed he read the Bible and preached God’s word to us. As we prayed, mum disappeared from the parlour.
I heard the cock crow and I moved to the window. It was almost Dawn and I still couldn’t sleep.
Last night, dad told us that when we’re worried and afraid, we shouldn’t hesitate to talk to God. I went on my knees and I prayed silently to God.
CRY FOR ME: Part 1 – 10
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I was careful in the house. I was even more afraid that she might harm dad and I. Dad kept giving her money for our upkeep but she never leave any meal for him.
Trust dad, he will never ask. He took care of his stomach before coming home. Yesterday, I entered the room to get cardigan because it was cold and I noticed dad faced one direction and mum another direction with a big gap between them.
Most times when we return from school, mum will not be home till evening. She would enter the house with her usual goodies. As usual she won’t give me anything and I have since removed my heart from it.
“Why is it that you never allow Susan to join us” Cheta asked
“Cheta, tell Susan that I am not her mother. She’s a girl I picked from the dustbin and she will remain a rejected child.”
“Come here Susan” I walked timidly to her.
“Do I look like your mother? Go and look for her. My heart can no longer accept you. You and your dad are useless.
Did you hear me? I didn’t respond. I just stared at her with teary eyes. She stood up and dashed me a slap.
“You don’t keep quiet when I am talking to you. I said you’re useless and miserable. Did you hear me? She asked
“Yes mum”
Another slap landed on my face.
“I am not your idiotic mother. Never you call me mum again. Have I made myself clear”
“Yes ma.” I said touching my face.
“Good.”
I wanted to move to the room but she called me back.
“Sit and watch us eat.” I sat down sobbing. Blessing and Cheta dropped their spoons.
“I am not eating again” Cheta said
“If Susan can’t eat with us, I am not eating again” Blessing stood up and went to the kitchen to Wash her hands.
“I am not cooking this evening. If you girls won’t eat, suit yourselves. It’s because of you my children are rebelling.” She kicked me and I fell off the chair.
Dad returned and met the drama.
“When will you stop this maltreatment chiamaka. I am loosing my patience”
“Don’t preach to me. You’re as useless as Susan.”
“Are you talking to me like this?”
“Do your worst Ikechukwu.”
He looked at her for long contemplating whether to deal with her or not, then he walked to the room.
He came out and asked Blessing to buy indomie noodles but when she returned, mum had locked the kitchen door.
Dad could have break the lock but he didn’t. I saw the anger in his eyes. I saw he would have done something terrible. He clenched his fist.
“I am glad Jesus changed me. I pray he changes you too Chiamaka. You need Jesus to save you” he told her.
Mum just hissed.
“Jesus touch chiamaka because she’s becoming a thorn in my flesh” he said to no one in particular.
Dad went out and returned with minerals and bread. We ate in silence. We saw he struggled to keep his emotions in check. Tears were falling from his eyes.
Before we went to bed, he read the scripture and prayed with us. Dad slept on the chair because mum locked the room door.
CRY FOR ME: Part 1 – 10
Written by Franca Uwuigiaren
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
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