"FLAWED"

The floors seemed like it had undergone a war between two river goddesses, as it looked like an ocean exploded in here. We have managed to sneak through the doors binding the kitchen, which was apparently built outside the house, and the main house. "Kra kan kan" a plate fell. "Sola don't move! " , Fumbi whispered. As we tiptoed further into the main mansion, we saw a figure lurking around in the dark, and then it paused and sat down. Pressing into my face, " That's mum?!" Fumbi said, as if ascertaining her thoughts and asking a question at the same time. "Probably...

"I was out of breath at this point and wanted to go to bed. "She must have heard that sound?", "I guess she did, but something's amiss, why is she up by this time, alone in the parlour for that matter? The lion must have surely roared while we were away." The lion I mentioned here was my father. He is a lion, but only attacks within his colonies; that's the height of his strength and power.

"You silly brats can come out now!" Mum said, her voice sounding like it was strained from crying. We crept out of hiding and knelt in front of her, as if trying to appease the gods. "This was all... " My words were snatched from my mouth. "Have I failed as a mother, for loving my children unconditionally?" Even in the dark, I could see the tears rolling down my mother's cheeks; my heart broke.Fumbi looked at me and held my hands, signalling me to get a grip on our mum. "Mum, you are the best thing that has ever happened to us... " I was cut short again. " Then why?!" She asked, staring us down with rage, I could hear the pain in her voice. "What Sola is trying to say is that we're sorry, and we-we- we'll ne-never do such again, Mummy." Fumbi stammered. "Omode lon se eyin mejeji" she stood up and used the end of her wrapper to wipe her tears. "Did he... " I stood up, darting to the room my father was, preparing for the worst that could happen in my head. "If you don't come back here!" "But mummy?!" She looked at me like she has never done before, "Bosibi jor!" I immediately stopped. "He can't continue doing this to you, he simply can't, I mean this is too much now. Look at how this house has become a fighting ground for beasts, doesn't he have a heart?!" Fumbi walked up to me and touched my shoulder, as if to calm me down, but I shoved her hands away. " This is all your fault, you just never learn!" I screamed and ran to my room. "Don't worry mummy, I'll talk to her." Fumbi assured her. Mum just shook her head and left. She has had it with us, and we knew it.

* * *

"Speaking of scholarships, Chinaza has gotten too many offers already. Is it offers to study abroad? She has them all,Obim what else could be more pleasing than having our blessed daughter go to the States to further her education?" Chief Oche says, as he fans himself with his Akpakpa, with his legs crossed like a royalty. "My husband, I know the opportunities are coming in, but we can't just rush to neglect our daughter, by chasing her outside the country to further her studies kwanu?!!" Ada exclaims in worry. "Neglect kwa, Ada please, make better use of your words, because I never stated that I was neglecting my daughter. We're only sending her abroad to further her education. As it is now, our daughter has attained the age of 20 years, and she's no longer our little baby, who was always getting scared whenever the lights were turned off, she is now a brave and smart woman, who can now decipher what's right from what's wrong. Please and please Ada, she needs to step out of her comfort zone, and besides... " "Exactly dad, mum is simply too scared I'll lose my way around there, and it's absolutely a wrong thought. Mummy, you're worrying too much, and therefore hindering me from pursuing greener pastures." Chinaza walks in like she's had been eavesdropping on their conversation. " Ehen, now that you have heard it from the horse's mouth, are you happy now?" Chief Oche chuckles, as he spreads his arms to hug his daughter. "Dad how are you, I missed you a little bit, while I was away." "Hmm hmm, this father and daughter bond is becoming something else o, this one that my opinion is becoming null and void in this house, hmm hmm" Ada grumbles, moving her waist around, as though she was dancing to a traditional song. Chinaza smiles and hugs her mum from behind, "Mommy, you know you're my absolute favorite in the world, don't ever think that way now. Your opinion has always been important to me, and it will forever be. I just want you to know that I am no longer a baby, and I equally have the right to decide the things I want for myself, as you both do." "I'm not saying you don't, but..." Chief interrupted her before she could complete her statement, "That's by the way, how was the trip to and fro Onitcha? Hope you were not too stressed out my angel?" " Daddy, it was everything. I enjoyed my stay there, although it was quite different from what I'm used to, but I got to learn something new from the trip. Onitcha is truly a beautiful place, filled with many business opportunities. The staffs at your store were accommodating, most importantly. They helped me to understand the business dynamics, and I can say that I am well groomed for managing the store in your stead, to some extent though." They all giggled. "I am very proud of you my daughter." Chief pulls her in for another hug. "Thanks Daddy, it's all thanks to your empowerment and God's grace." "Indeed my darling daughter, it's all by the grace of the Most High." Ada added. They all proceed to the dinning area to eat dinner.