UDEME
©Kikelomo Fadugbagbe
Episode 4
Udeme and Jesse were cuddling and jesting.
“I love you so much,” he said seductively.
“Hmmm are you sure, you know I’m not educated like you.”
“That is not an issue, I’m ready to sponsor your academics, Thank God you are done with secondary.”
Udeme smiled. “I can’t wait because I want to go to higher school.”
“You will my queen” he kissed her forehead.
Mama Mazi was lying on a mat outside her house. she was in serious pain. Her friend, Mama Ngozi was there to keep her company.
“Mama Mazi are you sure this is mere hot water, hmm this leg is getting worse day by day.”
“I don’t know who I offended oo,” she said sobbing “I’ve applied everything It keeps getting worse, I can’t go to market, I can’t work, and my sons are now living like one who has no mother.”
“It will surely get better, continue taking your drugs, my opinion, you need Udeme now like never before.”
Mama Maxi frowned her face.
“You have started, you know you’re the cause of what happened to my leg, you remember, must you mention Udeme, please be warned”
“Ok let me start going to my house then before I cause another trouble”
“Are you now leaving me, take me inside first, who will take me inside when you are leaving
Mama Ngozi.” She called but was ignored.
Five Months Later
Jesse has ended his service and was making plans to return to the city.
“Udeme”
“Yes, my love.”
“We are going to Lagos today, I’ve called my parent to expect a big surprise, he said as he pointed at her already protruding belly.”
“I can’t wait to see them, I know they are lovely peope. I’m going to the big city.” Udeme said excitedly.
“I want to join them at the send-off party, help me arrange my things, once I’m back we will just move, okay?”
“Okay, my love.”
Immediately he left. Udeme cracked her head to see if there was something important she needs to take.
“Yes, I remember, my parent’s picture and my school certificate, how will I go to higher school if I don’t have it? I can’t leave it with that witch, she might burn it. Today is market day so she will be in the market, and her two sons will be somewhere gambling, this is the best time to get my things.”
She moved out of Jesse’s hut for the first time since she left home. She got to her home and entered quietly. Her heart skipped when she saw Mama Maxi lying on the cushion chair in the sitting room.
“Who I’m I seeing Mama Mazi opened her mouth in big O, staring at Udeme’s protruding belly”
“So you have been staying with a man. I’m always right, you have been doing this thing that is why you are running from circumcision. You got pregnant for a man who has not paid your bride price shame on you”
“Mama please leave me alone, I want to pick my certificate, besides, you should be in the market. Jesus! What happened to your leg?” Udeme asked in shock
“Leave my leg, go inside and pick whatever you want to pick”
Udeme went in and returned with a bag containing her secondary school certificate and some of her family pictures.
“Ok Mama, I’m leaving”
“Ah ah, just like that, are we fighting, sit down and let me entertain you, we are not quarreling my daughter. Let us forget the past, I want your life to be better that was why I was kind of harsh to you. You are still my beautiful Udeme”
Udeme smiled.
“I’m sorry for everything we are not enemies, you can always come and visit me, bring your man, and let him know your family, we are not quarreling my daughter, sit down let me get you something, even if it is only water” She went to the kitchen with the help of a walking stick.
“Mama this your leg, needs medical attention ooo”
Mama Maxi returned with a place of rice and malt. Udeme ate and dose off immediately.
To be continued…
Udeme is a fool