The clouds were dark and angry signalling the coming of a heavy rainfall. I stood outside and wondered where my sick Mother went to this early morning. I began thinking about the possible places she might go to. I knew she wouldn't be at the bar. It is too early and besides she is ill. "Fetty What are you doing outside? The rain will pour down heavily any moment from now and some stuffs are outside. " I turned around and it was my Mother speaking. I felt relieved then ran towards her to collect the plastic bags she was carrying. I peeped into the bags and saw bread, some vegetables, grains and other things wrapped inside the plastic bag. "where did she get these stuffs from "? I thought. We went inside and met Kiki taking stuffs like the bench, buckets and other things inside. "Tell Osifa to leave those clothes in the room. We'll wash them after the rainfall. " I said. Tami came out, hugged our mother tightly and said "I am hungry. " "I know." replied our Mother. "We are
Each day haunts fetty with an unexpected twist. Are her days getting darker? The story keeps unfolding.
I looked at my father with so much anger and I couldn't help but let words fly out of my mouth. I went straight to him pointing three fingers on his chest screaming. "What is wrong with you? Why would you hit him? What has he done.? " Emjay was already on his feet cleaning his lips with a handkerchief. He was bleeding. There was a huge crowd all over us. The people in London love fights. It entertained them. I went to Emjay and said "Are you okay? I am so sorry.. I... " he shoved me off and left without saying a word. "What is wrong with you Fetty? Is that how I raised you? What about your sick mother. Its past 10pm and you are here hanging out with some strange boy. And why was he holding you like that. " screamed my father. "So you are going to lecture me about morality? " I began. "What is your business with my life? Do you have any idea of what you've just done? " I turned around and saw how the crowd was increasing. I decided to maintai
When I got home, I stood outside for a while, heaved a deep sigh and cleaned my eyes with the end of my top. I cleared my throat then went inside. The bulb was off so I switched it on and saw how peaceful everyone laid. Tami hugged our mother tightly as they slept while my mother facing him snored loudly. Kiki and Osifa were also fast asleep. I pulled our blanket from the bag underneath our bed and covered them. Our mother already covered Tami with her wrapper. I took off my mini skirt and top, wore a more comfortable gown I usually sleep in then laid on the mat. My limbs were aching. It was as if people were beating drums in my head. My eyes were sore. I felt weak all over. I immediately got up and grabbed my Mother's phone which laid on the center table. I smiled after noticing she had set the alarm already. Layo will always say "The show must go on. " Amidst the demolition notice, food shortage and my incessant mental crisis, the show must go on. I laid on the mat and the more I
”What do you mean by you haven’t registered for your final Secondary School Examination?” said my mother in a confused tone. “Fetty I gave you the money..I right?.” She added. “Yes mother you did.” I began. “Actually…Father….was…” I stammered. I was beginning to shiver. “Your father did what?” she said opening her hands. “While Father was in Libya, he called me through Layo’s phone.” I replied in a very low tune. “Fetty if you’ve been speaking with your father while he was in Libya, and you felt like informing me right now then it is by the way. What I don’t understand is you telling me you didn’t register for your final Secondary School Examination. Leave your fathers issue.” She said. I was terrified and kept shaking like a victim of severe electrocution. “Why are shivering like that. Now loosen up and tell me why you couldn’t register. “She ordered. “And you better be joking.” She added. She got up and folded her arms. “Speak” she thundered. Osifa was awake and sitting on the mat
Immediately Layo and his mother left, my mother got up, dusted her flat shoes and wore them while adjusting her side bag. She left without uttering a word. I went inside the kitchen and boiled water to make tea. After taking the tea I made, I took a bath and cooked lunch. I was about going to the bar when our landlord walked in. Our landlord is a huge bearded man in his late sixties. He is dark and always gave a hard look. He loves wearing an overall black gown which covered the soles of his feet. The toddlers and children in the neighborhood flee at the sight of him. They called me the ‘Devil.’. He barely smiled and had only few acquaintances. He is old and unmarried. “Good morning Oga Landlord.” I said. He didn’t reply but went straight to Mama Funke’s door and knocked. “I am done greeting this man.” I told myself. Mama Funke carefully opened the door and said “Come inside please.” “I will stay right here.” He maintained. “If you say so.” replied Mama Funke. “When did you say you
The first time I was in the biggest and most famous bar in London neighborhood was about four years ago. I was twelve, childish, exuberant and careless. Layo and I were in our second year at the London Secondary School. It was when the annual ghetto festival was introduced. The news spread round the school like a wild fire. “There will be loud music, dancing competitions, free drinks and meat.” The students at school kept saying. Children are not allowed access to Razzi beer parlor but Layo and I were determined to sneak in and we did. We witnessed the entire event and stayed till dawn. From the erotic dance sessions to the free drinks that kept roaming the entire place, the place was filled up with people, old men with their young mistresses, young men accompanied by their girlfriends and bachelors too. Layo and I were the only children there. We were on a hide and seek mission throughout the event. The stench of alcohol was all over the place. We stood all night and the vanity sat
It is a new day. Each day in London reminds us of the usual hustle and bustle. We call it ‘The everyday struggle.’ Everyone is always in a hurry in a space so small. Our neighborhood is said to be overpopulated which is a fact. There were households who lived in a one room apartment and the lucky ones had a two room apartment. It is possible to find seven or more people in a room. During the raining seasons, London becomes inhabitable, filthy and prone to illnesses. When it rains harder or when storms come, some roofs get pulled off, houses are flooded and living becomes a difficult activity. The lowest class of people are found in London. From the shoe repairers, laborers, drivers, local traders and so on. It is also a fact that the money earned in London is spent in London. The Greenland brothel and bars take a huge portion of the neigborhoods earnings. The people work like social animals and feed on crumbs. It was evident poverty dwelt with them. I will say London people are the
My mother and I ran as fast as our legs could carry us. We got to the London Clinic exhausted and anxious. We hurried to the reception and we were directed to the Doctor’s office by the receptionist. She looked at us and I knew she has seen more confused people than us besides it is a hospital. People are always running helter skelter here around here. We knocked on the hard office door and we heard a female voice asking us to come in. On the usual seat Dr. Charles sits was a young woman in her late twenties. She was fair, beautiful and had a veil tied round her head. She smiled and there was a sense of sweetness and tenderness radiating around her. From her looks, it was evident she is a Muslim. “Hello I am Dr. Amrah.” She said while signaling us to sit. “I am new here. I just replaced Dr. Charles.” She added. It then dawned on us that Dr. Charles has been transferred and we never knew. We nodded and she continued. “How can I help you?” she said while adjusting her v
We reached the clinic entrance then Layo squatted so Tami could hop down. “Thank you” said Tami. “Free ride huh?” I added. We all laughed and hurried to get a seat at the reception. Layo left. At the reception, there were few people seated there. This is obviously because we came very early. The clinic is always opene but the doctor comes in at around 9am. People who are always in a hurry come early so they could leave sooner. We were already seated with some other patients who were awaiting the doctor’s arrival. It was few minutes past 8pm. In London clinic, there is a receptionist who directs people, facilitates bill payment and schedules appointments with the doctor. There are two nurses who assist in running the clinic. One comes during the day and the other comes at night. One time, there was a cholera outbreak in the neighborhood. The entire clinic space was filled up. There was only Doctor Charles and the two nurses. They worked round the clock throughout the entire per