Diary of a single mother 15.
“What’s wrong with you Chinyere? Didn’t I teach you how to respect your elders?”. My mother asked angrily.
“But mummy, you should be asking me why I reacted that way even if all she said is true”. I replied defensively.
“You see what I’m saying… She’s even calling me a liar right in my presence. I can’t stay with her o. Two captains can’t be in the same boat”. Frank’s mom said.
“I’m not calling you a liar ma. You have been treating me so unfairly..”.
My mother gave me a heavy slap immediately.
“We are trying to settle an issue, you still have mouth to be talking about fairness. Is this what I thought you on obedience?”. My mother fumed at me.
I started crying. It was obvious my opinion and how I feel doesn’t count.
“Oya go down on your knees and apologize. Is this how you will be behaving when you finally get married? Who will marry you with this character?”. My father ordered.
Why should I be apologizing to someone who should be apologizing to me?
“You can’t even obey your father?”. My mother shouted.
With tears, I went down on my knees. I couldn’t control the tears from dropping.
“I’m sorry”. I said reluctantly.
“It’s like you want to receive another slap. Is that how to apologize to your elder?”. My mother said with annoyance.
“I’m sorry ma for my actions ๐ญ. I promise to behave well from henceforth”. I said.
These were the most heavy words that ever came out of my mouth. I hated my parents even more. How could they do this to their daughter? Do they hate me this much??
The issue finally got resolved but this strained my relationship with Frank’s mom.
We no longer meet eyeball to eyeballs. This went on for months.
Frank on the other hand was nowhere to be found in any of these. I was all alone fighting all these battles. Nobody to lean on.
I fell into labor two days before my due date. The pain was out of this world. I couldn’t even stand on my own.
I kept on screaming out for help.
JJudith OnyoyiboOJudith Onyoyibo
