The constant taps of the running water in the bathroom for some odd reason made me think so much. Every tap, a second spent, what have I achieved today? Absolutely nothing….. I soaked myself in self pity as I saw myself like the clay the old Baba in our street uses to make local pots. I looked outside the window, hoping to see the old man but all I saw was the empty, deserted streets of Mile 12. Mile 12, once flooded with people bustling with energy, activity and hard work was stripped naked and made desolate. The scene before me ached my heart but not as much as my own condition dampened my spirits.
” Shola!!!! Have you washed the plates and the pots I asked you to wash, lataro (since morning)!!!” My stepmother screamed more curses on my head from afar like the bitter old woman in Mile 12 who used to lay hideous curses on the Aboki for stealing her customers. How was I supposed to read when my own stepmother locked my books away in her room to punish me? How was I to improve myself? A time like this is invaluable amd should be spent wisely but here I am fully grounded in my stepmother’s heartlessness.
Like the popular Cinderella, my father was snatched away from me by the cold hands of death leaving me to fate, leaving me to my destiny. I ignored her poisonous calls as I let myself drown in my own thoughts, as I cupped my face, a jaw splitting slap slashed through my cheekbones,
” A child who has sworn not to let her mother sleep would not sleep too, go and do what I told you to before I lose my temper!!” I stared at her with shocked eyes as tears rolled down my cheeks, I didn’t blame her, all my life I never sat with her alone for twenty four hours. I never gave her the chance to taunt me with her wickedness, I always had something to do outside the confines of my house. I was either at Mama Yakubu’s shop where I worked part-time as a sales girl in Mile 12, or I was in my classroom.
I never depended on her for food, or for my fees, I did all the daily odd jobs I could lay my hands on to survive. She never had the right to treat me so badly, she was always asleep or too tired when I came back home. But now ….Quarantine. The reverse is now the case, she treats me as badly as one would treat a poor church rat. I, myself do not want to be a victim of this so called virus but wouldn’t it be better than all of these that I go through every single day. What shall I do now that MILE 12 HAS FALLEN!!!!!
The nostalgic pen❄️❄️
Lovely
Thank you…expect more soon enough 😊😊
Wow! Lovely story… well written with a good plot
Thank you very much….more wonderful content coming up soon😊😊
Nice work coz..😘
Thanks dearie 😊😊
Exquisite💗💗
Thanks 😊😊
Amazing🙌👏👏👏
😎 that’s how we roll😉😉
This is a good start. Welldone.
Thank you sir 😊
Agony of an African child🥺🥺🥺
Nice work, well done my dear
Thank you ma
I appreciate the skill and ingenuity in your writing. Pls, keep it up.
Thank you sir
I must say this is amazing, like Totally amazing.
Thanks a lot…more content coming soon enough 😊😊
Nice
Thanks
Be hopeful because Mile 12 will soon be revived and restored.
Fantastic piece you’ve got!
I love the write up
Do not relent.
Thank you very much😊😊
I am certain that Mile 12 would be restored to it’s former glory very soon …..
Very well scripted, the writer’s dexterity to create imagery in literature is very evident in this piece. The analogy is almost perfect, as the settings and the personas of the grandma and the writer are likened to the prevalent raucous conditions in a typical Lagos market like Mile 12. It’s impressive!
Thank you very much
I very much value your appreciation for my work
You done an astonishing work in here, I most commend you🖒
Thank you very much 😊
Meanwhile, the Mile 12 shall be restored but so many things will definitely change in the disposition of Mile 12 after the isolation….
Most definitely, Mile 12 would be restored after a plethora of changes have taken place
What a beautiful piece!
Thank you 😊
Good job. You killed it. The headline was topnotch, the content a kiss from me. Keep it up the journey not easy but with the 3ps,passion, patience and persistence in mind you will conquer. As you continue in this journey always have the reader in mind. Your end result is what makes the reader more interested in sharing it. Carve out a niche for yourself. I hope to read more of your personal diaries….
Thanks you very much
I appreciate your advice sir
Reblogged this on erhymz and commented:
I wish I could add a poem to this😊
Let’s see about that first….😊😊