Pains of Abigail (Chapter 1)

Written by: Dessy 🌈🌈

      Chapter One

" How many times will I tell you not to come here again?" Mama Emeka angry voice resound through the wall of he shop. I'm sure the living church of God far from her shop could also hear it, that is if people are there.

With tears in my eyes, and hunger hitting me real hard. I went on my knees to plead with Mama Emeka. My frail body couldn't stand the hunger again but I have to be strong for my little brother.

"Please ma, sell it for me, I promise to pay you back. My little brother has nothing to eat. Please I beg.." The words got stuck in my mouth, I couldn't say anything any longer. Tears keep pouring out.

Why do we have to live like this? You may be wondering if I can't look for a job? This last job I lost will be the 5th one. All because I refused to sleep with them. They see me as a begger. I mean if I don't have parents or any parental care, does it mean I shouldn't protect my pride as a woman! I really hate my mother. I hate her to the core! Deep hatred is what I feel for her.

Mama Emeka keeps giving me the evil look. I know what she's going to say next won't favor me

"And so? " She spit at me. " So what? Na me say make your mama leave una" Anytime Mama Emeka is angry that is when she will start speaking in pidgin.

"Abeg carry your unfortunate body and leave this place. Go do ashewo if you won chop. Bastard pikin." She rain insult continuously on me.

I stood up dejectedly, I was walking away slowly, when somebody stop me.

A young boy of my age stretch out a thousand note to me. 

"Take."

I was surprised because all the women in my community always tell their children to stay away from me and my brother.

I collected the money and thank him. He just nodded and left without saying anything else.

I wonder where he got the money from but at the moment I really don't care. I guess he's an angel. I was happy with the money, I can finally get something to eat for my brother. He must have been waiting.

Not knowing my joy will soon be shattered.

I don't want to go back to patronize mama Emeka. Let me go to Mama buchi place.

"Hey, you little thief, stop there. " I stop, could it be me? I asked myself.

I see Mama Emeka running towards me, crowd has begin to gather. 

"Is it because I refuse to sell you bread, that is why you stole my money." She accuse me.

What?

I didn't steal her money, I didn't! 

"But I didn't steal..." Nobody allowed me to speak. Different comments.

"That is how they do. Beggers!"

"How can a young girl resort to stealing?"

"Let's investigate this matter deeply O"

"Will you keep your mouth shut, who knows if she's working for you."

Tears gather in my eyes again. What kind of life is this. Can't I just be happy. Can't I?

I stood there without saying anything, not that saying something will help me in this situation.

I'm just an helpless girl looking for food. To them I'm a bigger. I accept, but this money they can't collect it from me.

"This money is mine. It is mine. I didn't steal it.!" I shouted on top of my voice. " Let me go"

They begin to drag me, but I still held firmly to the money. "My brother will starve! He will starve!"

But they didn't listen. One man slapped me. I fell down. Tears..this stupid tears again.

He wanted to slap me again when another older man hold his hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" Despite being old, his voice is still bold.

"Mama Emeka, I was there looking at you, when you handed a thousand naira note to a customer. And now you're accusing this innocent girl. Don't you fear God?" The man scolds Mama Emeka.

People begin to murmur. I didn't even care. I drag my weak body to go home. I left them there.

On getting home, I can't even call it home again because the landlord will soon throw us out. Ever since my mother left us. Yes! We have no mother. She also Left. Abandon us!

"Sister Abigail." My brother weak voice welcome me home.

I don't know when I stared crying again. My brother is just 4years for Gods sake! Why did he have to go through this! Just why??

I quickly wipe my tears again. I don't want him to also start crying.

"Baby Sam. Look what sister bought for you." I tried to cheer him up.

"Come, move closer, let's eat." I gave him a portion of the bread. I quickly prepare the tea, cold tea to be precise. There is no gas.

I gave it to him to drink. It's still better than nothing.

I also ate my own portion. Thanking God for this one.

Night came. And I cuddle my brother to sleep.

The only thing that made this place worth staying is that we still have to old mattress. Our mother didn't take anything when she left.

I don't know when I drifted to sleep. I was dreaming of nothing when I heard a bang. What is that? 

I tried to ignore it, I really needed to sleep. My whole body needs rest, if not the paracetamol I took when we had dinner. I would have been in serious pains now.

I heard another sound. Bang! What's happening?

The next thing I heard is "Open the door before we break it down."

Ah!

Robbers!!

***

To be Continued!...

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