The pains of a lonely mother episode 3 – 4

THE PAINS OF A LONELY MOTHER 3
©️ Fardaykhemy Raheem.

Mama muttered to herself and keep on crying. Mama cook is approaching her, she quickly wiped her tears and continue washing the plates before she start complaining.

She washed the remaining plates but it keep on getting much because of customer patronage. Her stomach grumbled now. She removed her small phone from her pocket and checked the time. It is 11:30a.m . She put it back in her pocket and went in,side to get some food.

Mama cook is busy attending to customers. She hold a plate full of soup and added three meats to it before handling it over to a customer. Mama move closer to her so that she can see her very well.

“Mama what’s wrong?” She asked while the old woman touch her stomach

“I am hungry ma” she replied

“By what time? Just 11:30a.m. it is too early to eat! You arrived by 9:30 and you want to eat now! You can’t! Come back at 1:30pm. Then I will attend to you”. She yelled at the old woman while the customer behind her interfere into the matter.

“Haba! 11:30am is too early for an old woman to eat. It is not ma! I know if she is your mother, you won’t treat her this way. If you don’t have the food to give her, just tell her and stop post phoning the time to eat” the young man cut in.

“And who the hell are you? Did I call you into this matter! Are you the owner of the shop? Wetin concern you? Mr Man mind your business ooooo. I get chinchin for head and I am not normal as you are looking at me. I am not ready to give her food and that is my final decision”.

“It is surprising how people with one shop behave like God. They treat people any how! I always see you anytime you talk to this woman anyhow. You don’t have the fear of God in you…you ….

“Sh.u.t up your mouth! Toothpick! Is she your mother or why is your own much than everyone here! Mr Man if you know that you are here to talk. Shift for me and let me attend to other good customer ” she rudel*y replied the young man while he left in anger. She faced the old woman.

“You see what you caused hnnn? Just because of food , are you c.u.r.sed? Did they born you with food?”

“I am sorry ma” mama pleaded while tears trickled down her wr.inkled face…

“Get out of my sight! She shouted at her while she left. She got back to the d.i.rty plates and sat down. Opeyemi approached her with some left over food and stretched it towards her.

“Mama! I saw how mama cook treated you in there and I don’t like how she talk to you anyhow. Please can you manage the food with me. I can’t eat everything finish. Quickly eat this food pending the time that you will be given your food” she said while mama wiped off the tears on her face and happily eat the food while opeyemi keep on watching if anyone is coming. Mama ate the last grain of rice in the plate and drank a cup of water.

“Thank you opeyemi! Ever since I got here, you are the only nice person I have. You will never lack. Your situation won’t be like mine by God grace. Ah! Thank you ooo” mama prayed while she smile …

“Mama! I have to go now before she started looking for me, you know that she is not normal”.

“Thank you my daughter ooo”. Mama appreciated while she left.

She gladly washed the remaining plates and when it is 1:30pm. Mama cook handed her a plate of Amala with one meat along with ewedu soup. She sat down and devoured the food while opeyemi smiled from afar.

She don’t know why her life is like that?
She heard that mama had a son but what happened?
She don’t have to be suffering all around. What she need is full attention and care.

Everyone had a story to tell

But

Where is mama son?.

THE PAINS OF A LONELY MOTHER 4
©️ Fardaykhemy Raheem

But

Where is mama’sa son?”

Mama finished eating the food and take the plates to the backyard for washing. She washed the remaining plates too and left the place to rest for a bit.
herr phone ring and she picked it up.
“Hello”

“Good afternoon my sister. How are you doing?” Rebecca asked over the phone.

“I am doing good my dear”

“Are you sure my sister?”

“I am fine” mama replied

“Alrigh,t ma! I just called to greet you. I haven’t heard from you in a while, that was why I called!

“Thanks for remembering me Rebecca. I am doing good”

“Alright Sistoo! Anytime I have enough time here, I will come and greet you at home”.

“Alright dear, till then, bye”. She replied and end the call while she sighed. Her back ached badly now but she managed to stand up and went in,side.

She glanced at the clock and it is 3:00 pm, people are still buying food while some were just entering the shop.

A guy and a lady came in, the lady look so young and beautiful while the guy look tough. It reminds her of her youthful life. She has such beautiful features before ….damn old age. Her skin is full of wrinkles now. The young lady raised her hand and stare into mama’s face calling her attention.

“Excuse me ma! She called out while mama tiredly walk up to her.

“Are you the waitress here?” She asked while mama shook her head.

“She must be part of their waitress because I don’t understand what she is doing sitting down there!. The tough-looking guy interrupted.

“You don’t have to talk to an old woman like that” she cut in.

“Mama! Please where is the waitress here? “she asked searching her eyes for an answer.

“They are all busy, but I can assist them by taking your order. What did you want dear?”

“I want swallow which is amala and egusi soup along with assorted meat. What did you want baby?” She asked the tough-looking guy.

“Give me eba and Vegetable soup along with five cow skin meat” he replied while mama take their order.

The lady paid for their meals by giving mama the money while she returned with the change.

“This is your change dea,r,” she said stretching the five hundred naira note to her.

“Mama! You can keep it ma I love people like you. If it is another person. She won’t return with the change. You can keep it ma” she replied while the young guy interrupted.

“What did you mean by her keeping the change. It is her work now and she has every right to return the change. Mama or what are you called bring the change” he requested while she handed it to him and returned to her seat.

“You don’t have to collect the money back from her. She is an old woman for christ’s sake. I gave her the money because she deserve it and more of it. I pitied her condition” the lady argued while the guy replies

“What concerns you about how old she is? Did you know what she has used her youthful life to do that makes her miss.er.able in this old age of hers abeg spare me that shit” the guy replied while the young lady sighed and continue eating.

When they are through with eating, mama packed their plates and left them alone. They rest a bit and decide to leave. The guy left first while the lady removed 5000 naira notes from her bag and slipped it into mama’shand along with her card.

“I have to leave quickly, I don’t want that guy to be aware of what is happening”.

“Thank you, dear,r ooo my God will bless you”

“Amen! If you need any assistance ma, kindly call me” she said and left while mama quickly pocket the money.

It is closing time for the day. Mama cook called all her workers while they all assembled in her front.

“We thank God for today’s sales, as you all know that the month is coming to its end. I don’t want you to keep coming late like some of you used to do. I thank everyone for their cooperation in this shop and I would like to compensate you this evening. Mama! I am sorry I won’t compensate you because of the guy food you spilled over so you can leave, you don’t have any business here for now” she said while mama sadly left.

Mama cook compensate the other workers while everyone left.

Mama got back home and opened her door. She entered and counted the money with her. It is 6000. The remaining 1k with her and the 5k that the lady gave to her. She dropped the purse on her bed and walked to the bathroom. There is no water left in the house. She sighed and peep outside.

There is no child to call outside too. She brings out a bucket and went to fetch her water.

She lifted the bucket on her head and keep on dragging her leg back to her house. She was about to enter her house when she slipped and fall. The water was wasted while she hurt her back. She let out a loud pain while her neighbors rushed her to her room. They applied balm to her back while she gro-ned in pain.

“Mama! You should have called me when you know that you need assistance, you shouldn’t be the one doing all this” Tundee said( one of mama neighbor)

“I don’t want to disturb anyone and it is just a bucket” she replied

“Next Time always call me ooo, I am here for you,u,” he said while mama noddedd her head.

He helped mama to fetch all her water while the remaining people stayed with her.

“Please help me to dial my son’s number,r,” mama said while they all looked into their eyes.

“You have a son mama! Bimpe asked surprised

“Yes. I have a son and his name is ibikunle”.

“You have a son and he didn’t bother to check on you. Even if it’s once, mama! You don’t have a son” simply argued whileTundee joined back in the conversation.

“Mama can’t have a son and be in this condition” Tunde interrupted.

“I am with my stomach. If I am full, I will know and if I am not, I will also know. I said that I have a son”. Mama replied laying her back on the floor while facing them.

” mama! It’s just hærd to believe. We haven’t seen your son for a while and we all thought you didn’t have a son. Anyways, no problem” she replied.

Bimpe dialled mama’sa son’s number and it ring twice and later went busy. She keep on dialing it and it went busy straightway.

“Mama your son’s number is not reachable ooo. Who should I call again?”.

“Call his wife”

“His wife! Bimpe exclaimed

“Yes. He has a wife”.

Bimpe dialed ibikunle’s wife’s number and it ring instantly and she picked it.

She gave the phone to mama

TBC.