Sisterhood episode 2

TITLE: SISTERHOOD

WRITTEN BY: OGECHI ALABI

PART 2

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They realized they would like to stay together in the second year. Funke had the link for the accommodation. They contributed money to make it happen and it happened. The second year they were in a different hostel with bigger rooms. They loved it there. Things had happened in their first year they wanted to be corrected.

Esther carried over three courses. Her roommates were mad at her. Her Commulative Points Average (CPA) wasn’t impressive, she was dangerously approaching a pass. Her friends told her some home truths. She had a boyfriend who they felt was a distraction. The boy would come most nights to whisk Esther away. She spent most of her weekdays with him in town. He wasn’t a student and didn’t appreciate the fact she had to study when he wanted to party and show her off to his friends. Jake was a major problem. He didn’t want to share her that was why he came to pick her up almost every night.

Zainab said, “It has to stop. Esther tell Jake he can only see you at weekends otherwise you will fail. You are not an average student, you are eloquent and very intelligent but he is using his own to spoil your own. If he truly loves you, he should give you space to study.”

Nkem added, “She is right. You are lucky your parents can afford to pay your fees and meet your needs; what do you need Jake for? I hope you are using condoms with him before he gets you pregnant. He is not adding value to you.”

“He said he will help me sort those courses when I write them again and I will make As” Esther replied to them.

“Something you can achieve with your brain he wants you to do with money. What is wrong with that Bini boy? Be wise. You can accomplish this yourself. Spend weekends with him and nothing more. Use your sense.” Funke answered.

They talked to Zainab. Zainab’s fiancé Bashir was quite handsome. What he had in looks he lacked in character. He didn’t trust Zainab at all. When he spoke to her, it was always in a condescending manner. He called her names. Whenever he sends things to her, he would want her to try them on for him to see. She wasn’t comfortable with that but he would insist. He would want to check her body to be sure no other man was touching her. If he called and she misses his call, he will call her a harlot and refuse to talk to her for days. She would cry and beg him. She would go to his family to beg. It was downright degrading.

Esther began, “As you are advising me, let me advise you. You see that Bashir, call his bluff. You are a beautiful lady, although very skinny, but you are. He asked you not to add weight and you agreed. You are starving yourself so you will be good enough for him. You are killing yourself; you are not living. Tell him you will no longer show him your naked body or model in your underwear for him. You are a decent Muslim lady and until he marries you legally, he can’t demand such.”

“I can’t do that. If I do that he will call off the marriage and claim I have a boyfriend in school that is why I am disrespecting him. My parents will ask me to do whatever he demands.”

“Do they know what he asks for?” Funke asked.

“My mother knows but she said all men are the same and I should do it to please him. She said we will grow together and he will not desire another woman. But his demands are becoming strange, I am no longer comfortable with them.”

Nkem added, “The man is an abuser and I do not think you should marry him. He is not a good person. Eat food well and get fine shape. You are very beautiful; he will not leave you if you refuse to do the things he is asking you to do. Just say no and stick to no. Stop begging him and his people.”

They talked about the business Nkem had started in her room. She had opened a mini-mart in her room from proceeds from her sale of noodles. Students preferred to buy from her because it was convenient and it was the same price. Nkem appealed to them to bear with her and support her.

“My mother needs more money to put into her palm oil business. Once she gets the money, she will be able to pay my siblings’ school fees without struggling.”

Funke asked, “How much does she need?”

“She said if she sees N10,000 now she will not need my help again.”

Esther replied, “That’s a lot of money o. But I can support with N1,000. I will also help you sell your market. But this your business will not provide the money anytime soon.”

“I know, but with your help here, I can send her part of my monthly allowance. My uncle asked me what I wanted as he will be coming back for Christmas, I haven’t said anything.”

Another story – Crazy Househelp season 1 – 2

“Give me your phone let me reply for you,” Esther took her phone and typed a reply and then read it out. “Uncle, I do not like to make demands. If you can help me with some clothes and shoes, it will go a long way. I have only a few clothes in school which are worn out. They can at least last until I leave school if I get new ones. If I can also get a used phone and laptop, I will be grateful.”

“Ah! That’s asking for too much. Don’t send it.”

Esther pressed send and said, “I have sent it. He should know these things, he shouldn’t be told. If he is a kind man as you claim, he will do what you requested.”

There was no complaint about Funke. She was exceptional. She, Nkem and Zainab had done very well in their first year. Esther felt out of place. She decided to take their advice and ask Jake to only see her at the weekends. She had to stop partying and concentrate on her studies.

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Two weeks after the meeting, Funke called Nkem to meet her at the bank. Nkem wondered why until she got there. Funke gave her an envelope and said, “This is N10,000 for your mother. I told my uncle about your case and he gave me the money to help your family. Please send the money to your mother immediately. It is between both of us; nobody should know what I did for you. Don’t tell anyone and please don’t thank me, I should thank you. You do things for me without asking for anything in return. You washed my clothes the other day without me asking. You are good to me, to us. You are beautiful, but you have refused to sell your body to men so you can take care of your family. I am proud of you.”

Nkem wept as they went into the bank. When she sent the money to her mother, her mother called immediately after she received the alert.

“Nkem, I saw the money you sent me. Are my eyes deceiving me? Where did you get the money from?”

“Mama, it is Funke that gave me the money so you and my brothers will not suffer. She told her uncle about us and he gave her money to give us.”

“Just like that? That her uncle, did he see you?”

“No, ma. He has never seen me before. I don’t know him. It was Funke.”

“God bless them.” She burst into prayers for them before her call credit was exhausted.

Nkem turned to Funke and said, “she is so grateful. God bless you. I will never forget what you did for me.”

Tbc