MAMA I MADE IT: Episode 1 – 10
MAMA, I MADE IT
Episode 4.
Story by Mariam Edem (Mariam Eyen Efik)
While going on the road all eyes were on us, my mom practically was so happy in a way I can’t explain. She will run to a distance and run back holding my hand to run with her but I was too tired and hungry to do that.
A feeling of shame came upon me with the laugh of the children who came to watch us, but I just waved it behind me so my mom won’t notice it and be down.
We went down a place like a slope and I knew a stream must be nearby as I saw people coming out with water on their head. They just gave way for us and we arrived at the stream which my mom pushed me inside before I could say Jack!
The joy that filled my heart when I saw the water was out of this world, because I was seriously weak and the only way I could be refreshed is to have a bath.
But I wanted making my mom scared with the way she pushed me in though playfully, I pretended to drown and my mom began shouting trying to tell people to help but none answered her.
When I saw that I came up and held my mom and she hugged me tight and attempted to draw me out of the water but I refused.
“Mom I was joking I’m fine, I said and began to swim laughing at her, but that single act quenched her excitement.
I wanted saying something to the people that ignored her, but I decided not to and played with my mom in the stream until it was just us left there and great fear gripped me.
“Mom we need to start going its late, I said to her but she was dancing around while I rolled my eyes knowing we might end up sleeping in the stream.
“Mom common we need to go, we will come back tomorrow alright, I said drawing her out while she sluggishly followed me home.
MAMA I MADE IT: Episode 1 – 10
When we got home with our wet clothes I took out my towel to clean her up, but she got the towel from me and cleaned me instead while I was laughing hard enjoying it.
We cleaned ourselves and I applied her my body cream, severally she got the cream from me and began to lick that i had to return it to my bag and got a gown that wasn’t my size.
My dad bought it for me when he traveled but I loved it knowing it was expensive and I decided to keep it. Seeing the gown I remembered my dad, but I shook my head to wave the thought and looked at my mom,
“Mom let’s try this okay, I said still holding the gown, but she collected it from me and smelled it and began to jump around shouting with the gown which I had to get it from her so it won’t get torn.
“I see you like it, now let’s put it on, I said and she shook her head saying things I don’t know and I understood it to be she didn’t want to change her clothes.
“No nau you have to change up, see its wet and you may catch cold, take this off okay so you can wear your fine clothes. Don’t you want to wear this? I asked trying to tickle her and she accepted.
I wore her the gown and it fit her so perfectly,
“Its so beautiful, I said admiring it while she stood like a stick with a sad face and i laughed knowing she wasn’t comfortable with it.
Before I knew it she grabbed her old clothes to put it on but I took it away from her and threw it outside,
“Not anymore mom, now let’s eat so we can go to bed, i said bringing out the remaining bread from the bag. Immediately she saw the bread she jumped at once and snatch it from me which I struggled it with her knowing she will finish it for me with the way I was so hungry.
We ate that for our dinner, drank the water I bought and I shook some old clothes I dried outside on the floor we cleaned up for us to sleep, while I brought out my favourite blanket I didn’t want to leave behind so we can cover up ourselves.
She was so quiet facing up as she slept with me while I carefully looked at her and wished we could talk like mother and daughter.
I closed my eyes sadly and didn’t know when I slept off but I felt a hand touching me, I opened my eyes and saw she was arranging the blanket to cover me. Then she began running around the house killing mosquitoes despite it was dark and I immediately switched on my phone to give her light.
“Mom its okay come sleep please, I said tiredly and she returned back which she covered the blanket properly on her.
“Thank you, I said and she gently touched the hair pin on my head which I didn’t know was still there and I slept off again………
MAMA I MADE IT: Episode 1 – 10
The next morning I woke up with shattering sounds, of course it was my mom scattering again in a very serious mood and I closed my eyes back wishing I never woke up. But I jumped up from where I pretended to sleep when she threw something that almost hit me,
“Mommy is it not too early? i asked holding my blanket looking at her and she came to me talking her normal talk I couldn’t understand and I shook my head and yawned.
I folded the blanket and kept it on my bag and went out to receive fresh air leaving her to continue with her scattering.
She scattered enough while I sat down outside beating insects on my body and she came out happily with a dirty old brush and attempted to brush my hair which I jumped up like someone set fire under me.
“Ahhhh mommy no nau its dirty, don’t worry I’ll get you a new one throw that away, I said and she sadly looked at the brush and wanted to try it on her hair but i quickly took it away from her and threw it into the bush.
“Look mommy, I washed your hair yesterday night and you won’t dirty it again.
MAMA I MADE IT: Episode 1 – 10
Later in the day I’ll make your hair okay that’s why i don’t want you to put that dirty thing on your hair nau, look at your fine dress, very beautiful, I began to tease her and she began to use her hand to clean herself of the dust she got when she was busy scattering and I nodded at that.
I came to know something about my mom, that’s there’s this little spot in her that makes her do something good without being told, and I really need to know more about her so i can try to see how i can help her out of this mess.
“What will you love to eat for breakfast? I asked and she ran in and came out with the empty bread nylon and i couldn’t stop laughing which she joined in laughing.
“Okay i get it, I’ll go get you bread and pap, stay here okay I’ll be back, i said but she shook her head frowning and i understood she wants to follow me which i smiled knowing i always do same with my dad when it was just me.
“Okay no problem, let’s go together but first i need to brush up, I said and went in to take my tooth brush but stopped knowing she doesn’t have one and I felt it will make her feel bad if she sees me doing it alone, I see her as a curious person and i loved it knowing it will help her.
“Let’s go out so I’ll get you a tooth brush also, this beautiful set of teeth need to come back sparkling okay, I said cleaning her face and she nodded happily as I tried closing the door but my dad car drove in and i was so surprised………..
MAMA I MADE IT: Episode 1 – 10
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