IS SHE MY GRANDMOTHER?
EPISODE 2
The sun was getting set that day. Inside the small, two-bedroom house, I sat on the kitchen table after receiving the beatings of my life. I was very famished as the aroma of the food remaining in the pot keeps traveling through my nostrils. I thought she had gone to sleep. I opened the pot of rice and took out of it. I was eating it when I saw a shadow. It was her shadow. I knew I was done for. My Grandmother entered the kitchen with a wicked glint in her eye.
I knew I was in trouble. I looked into her eyes with fear as I trembled. My heart nearly jumped into my stomach as I waited patiently for her next action. As usual, she was holding a cane behind her. It wasn’t my intention to steal food from the kitchen but I was hungry, each time I offend her she would always starve me. At times I sleep with an empty stomach.
My grandmother was a formidable figure, her sharp features and stern expression making her seem larger than life. She held that cane in her gnarled hands, tapping it on the floor as she spoke:
“You think you can get away with your foolishness, do you? You thought I had gone to sleep.” her voice low and menacing. “You think you can do what you want without consequences?” She said.
My eyes widened in fear. She shook her head, unable to speak. “You are not smarter from your unfortunate Father that died.” She finally speak.
My grandmother leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “I know what you’ve been up to, young lady. And I won’t stand for it. You will obey my rules, or else you will suffer it.” She said.
Fear gripped me as I shivers. My heart was racing. I knew my grandmother was not a woman to be crossed. I apologized to her in tears stating that hunger pushed me to the kitchen.
My grandmother smiled wickedly. “It seems the beating I gave you not quite long isn’t enough to reset your brain? I gave you my wares to hawk and you came back with nothing and you want to eat. See my dear, if you must eat in this house, then you must contribute your effort.” She said as I nodded with fear. She took the food with me and returned it to the pot. She instructed me to go out of the kitchen.
I nodded again, relieved to be dismissed without being flogged again. I quickly got up from the table and made my way to the door. As I leave, I could feel my grandmother’s eyes still on me. I knew I had been lucky this time, but I also knew that her my grandmother would never let me forget it.
.
TBC
