Episode 2: Hell Is A Place Called Home

[Excerpt From Episode 1: “Oh for Heaven’s sake, you devil’s child, will you shut that your hell mouth. I did not kill my mother so you cannot kill me you hear? You would rather leave this house like your useless father.” With that, she stormed out of the room to go curl up on the sofa as she tried to sleep with hopes that the headache would be gone when she woke up again.] To read episode 1, CLICK HERE 

“My mother is feeling very ill Audu, I promise we will pay back. Just give me the panadol, she is really in pain.”

“Walai me no give credit again,” Audu replied angrily “if you no commot for here, walai me cut your leg.” Aisha turned her to leave with a dejected expression on her face. Her mother was still not feeling better, her headache was now so severe she had started moaning in pain and her temperature had also risen. The young girl felt at a loss as to what to do as the aboki that had been her only hope of getting her mother drug for relief was obstinate about selling on credit. Who would the poor guy, they still after all owed him some unsettled debt and he was beginning to feel like he was being taken for a fool. She dragged herself back into their compound and went inside to her ill mother with tears welled up in her eyes.

“Mama, Audu has refused to give me anything on credit again. I don’t know what to do again.” Bukola turned her head painfully to peek at her daughter from half closed eyes and weakly beckoned her to come closer. Aisha went to her mother’s side and looked at her with pity; the alcohol was beginning to take its effect on her. She was looking older than her age but one could tell she was a pretty woman. There were sorrow lines on her face that told the story of a woman who has known pain and lived a hard life. Seeing her vibrant mother in this state tore at Aisha’s young heart and she squeezed her mother’s hand gently before trying to cool her head with a towel earlier soaked in water.

As she cooled Bukola’s head with the soaked towel, the moans abated a bit and she finally dosed off. When she was sure that her mother was asleep, Aisha’s little twelve years old feet tiptoed out of the room as she headed for her best friend’s house.

Tricia was the only person that knew of all the things Aisha had to endure and although the two girls were as different as chalk and cheese, they had formed a friendship so strong that they were inseparable. On countless occasions, Tricia would share her meals and pocket money with Aisha and although splitting the money meant both of them didn’t have enough, Tricia was always quick to point out that she could always go home to her parents while Aisha really was going to be left with nothing. Her mother who was supposed to take care of her was too busy drinking at the beer parlours to get a stable job and whenever she did get something, she wasted it on alcohol.

Aisha arrived at Tricia’s compound and met her best friend fetching water from the borehole in the compound. She quickly went inside and greeted Tricia’s parents as she requested for an extra bucket to help her friend out with her chore. As the two girls went to and fro with the buckets balanced firmly on their heads, Aisha explained the situation at home to her.

“Are you sick as well; you say she is moaning terribly and has a fever yet you think panadol is all she needs. Even if you can’t afford the bills of a hospital, you can at least go to Nurse Titi who can give a bit of professional help.” Tricia said in annoyance. Aisha looked at Tricia as if she had suddenly developed horns on her head and replied

“Is it stone or paper that I will use to pay Nurse Titi for her services ni? You know how that woman can be rude and we really do not have any money at home...”

“Nurse Titi is a nice woman Aisha, you just don’t know how to get along with her,” Tricia cut in “here is what we will do. Once we fetch this last bucket, I will go tell my father that you came to remind me of the text book we were told to pay for. Once he gives me the money, we would go to Nurse Titi and explain the situation to her so she can attend to your mother.”

For the first time that day Aisha let herself smile as she choked back the tears that threatened to spill and said a weak thank you to her friend. Tricia had always helped her on numerous occasions and she only wished someday she would be able to repay her friend for all her kindness.

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