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ROOM 127
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2021-07-10 08:27:22I always knew Greenland brothel had its protocols like checks with the securities at the gate. I've been there for parties couple of times. Layo and I would normally flash our invitation cards at the gate then hurry in. Unlike the other time when I stood outside the front gate with my siblings to meet our father, I was inside the main building this time around because I meant business. I went straight to the gate keeper and when he asked me which room I was going to, I was silent. "Who do you want to see. " he asked. "I know who I want to see Oga just allow me inside the main building. " I replied. "All this small small girls without respect living here. So am talking to you and you are answering as you please. Is it because Men are coming to pick you girls on and on so you think you've made it abi? " I was furious and I spoke to him harshly. "Oga in the first place I dnt live here. Respect yourself and stop saying what you don't know. Don't you ever join me with the women leaving here. " I screamed then walked into the main building while he stared in disbelief.
I went straight to room 127. I knocked and the door was opened. "Good afternoon" Father I said. My father looked at me in shock and couldn't even offer me a seat. When he visited me at the bar few days back, he made it know to me that he was in room 127 in the brothel and he knew I will object to his invitation so he requested I bring my siblings at least to the gate and there I was today in his room. I looked around and noticed how tiny his space was. I thought we live in tiny space until I saw my fathers room and realized our room wasn't so tiny after all. The room had a small bed, two chairs, a slim wardrobe and some clothes we're scattered on the bed. He looked at me keenly . He knew my coming was conditional. "Sit my child. " he said. I sat on the edge of the bed. "Mother is sick. " I said. "I know. " he quickly replied. The news is all over the neighborhood moreover if a news is from any bar in London then its authenticity can't be questioned. I would have visited you but... " "I need money" I interrupted. He was mute. He got up, went towards the wardrobe and sat. "Do you need water. "? He asked. I was furious. "Father I said I need money. " I said again in an angry tone. He came closer to me, held my left hand with his right hand while he scratched his head with his right hand. "My child.. I... Sorry.. The thing is... There's no money. " I looked into his teary eyes. He wasn't lying. I got up, adjusted my side bag and said "The doctor needs about 10 thousand naira for Mothers treatment. You have till evening to get the money. " Before opening the door to leave, I turned around and said "Please I don't want my Mother to die. "I hurried back to the hospital and met my siblings playing round the clinic. I was angry. They should be by our mothers side I thought. Kiki ran towards me and before I could say a word Tami said "Mother is awake. " "What? " I screamed in disbelief. "Yes she woke up before we arrived here. Dr. Charles said she woke up as soon as you left. " replied KikI. "Where is Osifa? " I inquired while hurrying to the ward. "She's packing our stuff. Mother said we are living. " On the hospital bed my mother laid unconsciously for 48 hours, I saw her sitting and I felt chills down my spine. I was happy and I ran towards her. She hugged me tightly while I cried in her arms. "My child Am sorry for putting you through a lot. " "No mother. " I retorted. "You are not at fault. "There you are. " said Dr. Charles as he walked towards us. "Dr. Charles told me you went to look for money" said my mother. She chuckled then continued. "Where in London will you get 10 thousand naira at such an ungodly time. " I was quiet. I dare not tell her I went to see our father. Dr. Charles tapped my shoulder and said "You are such a brave kid fetty. Your mother regained consciousness immediately you left. I am surprised. I'll say its a miracle. " my mother smiled weakly and said "My children need me. I had to fight. " "Are you sure it isn't your bar that needed you? " said Dr. Charles jokingly. We all laughed. By 5:30pm we were home already. T. K our mechanic neighbor luckily brought one car home so I begged him to drive us home. Back at the hospital while I was setting our things in the car T. K brought, I noticed our mother conversing in low tunes with Dr. Charles. Whatever they must have said ended in her pleading to repay the hospital bills as soon as possible. When we got home, I boiled water for our mother to take her bath while Osifa washed the clothes we brought from the hospital. I took a stool to the bathroom while my mother sat. "Do you need help? " I asked. "Go Fetty I can handle it. " she said with a smile. I knew she wouldn't let me help her. My mother had her ego to protect. After she took her bath, my siblings and I ate the food I took to the hospital Mother requested for tea without bread. There was no bread after all. So I boiled water and dropped a lipton bag in it then offered her in a cup with little sugar. She drank, took her drugs and was soon fast asleep. I looked at her in admiration. I was grateful she was gradually being herself again. I was happy she regained consciousness and I believe in Miracles. I ensured my siblings had thier bath then offered to assist them with thier homework. I haven't checked thier books lately. While going through their books, Tami said "Sister will mother be sick again. " I looked at the innocence in his eyes and replied. "No. Never will she be sick again. Hr giggled while Kiki whispered to him saying "I told you. " It was 8:25 pm and my siblings were asleep already. On fridays, they watch movies throughout the night and sleep late but today, they were tired. I was tired too. I grabbed the wrapper that hung by the door, took off my clothes, tied it across my chest and went out to take a bath. I finished bathing and met someone standing by our door. It was Layo. "Fetty how have you been. Sorry I couldn't visit you at the clinic. I had some things to tidy up. " He said. "Don't worry. " I replied. I went in, wore clothes on then dragged the bench by the corner and gave him to sit. We sat together. "I heard there's a birthday bash in Razi. " I said. "yea but I won't be going. " why not? There will be free drinks oo I said while laughing. " he smiled and said "It will be the first time I'll go to a party without you and besides the free drinks won't make sense because you and I don't drink. " "But everyone thinks we drink." I said. "That's thier business" replied Layo. "We rock doesn't mean we roll. " he added while I nodded. "So how's your mother. " I heard she was discharged. "yea she miraculously regained consciousness. Am glad. " " I almost struck a deal with the devil today Layo" I said. "I know. You went to GreenLand. " hr replied. "You knew"? I asked then pulled the door to ensure it was shut properly so my mother and siblings wouldn't hear a word even though they were sleeping, I wasn't ready to take chances. "Ehmmm actually am here with the devil you nearly struck a deal with this afternoon. " said Layo. "Are you Mad? You mean you brought my father here? " I said then dashed out to meet him.
SADUWOWhat is Fettys's father up to? What if her mother finds out they have been meeting lately?
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CHAPTER 59: NEW YEAR Dr. Amrah was gone and the Christmas day ended in bliss and sadness. I can’t deny the fact that I am going to miss her a lot, however I could call or text her whenever I wanted to and she promised to also keep in touch. Tonight being the 29th of December unable to fall asleep by 1am, my mother and I sat on the mat in our room reviewing how the year had been so far. In this year, I lost my father just when he had returned to us. In the same year, I made acquaintances, learnt a lot of lessons and saved the community from the ills of the demolition. My mother’s bar had recently been progressing and the peace she made with her family is enough to declare the entire year a blessing. “Fetty we have been through a lot this year” began my mother. “And we achieved a lot too.” I said. She nodded. ‘Previous years were worse.” She said. I nodded in affirmation. Our lives had improved and was way better than it used to. In a place that seems like a
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Christmas in London rings a bell. Despite the poverty that roams around like a wild fire, the people here make Christmas the memorable event that it is. Around the month of October and November, people troop into the town to purchase Christmas foodstuffs and clothes for their children. A child without new clothes on Christmas day will definitely feel out of place so parents place all hands on deck and ensure they save up for the annual event. On Christmas day, there is an exchange of food among neighbors. For instance, my mother cooks and gives to T.K and Mama Funke while they too give us. Such is the tradition. Food and drinks are shared among people celebrating the birth of Christ with love. The children roam around from one house to the other carrying out a ritual which is “Christmas dash” whereby people hand out sweets, gifts or money to the children who knock on their door for Christmas dash just like halloween. At night, teenage boys blow knockout an
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I hurried out of the library without signing out. I kept dialing Layo's number but it was unreachable so I took the route to his house. I met his mother cooking inside their compound. "Good morning Ma. " I greeted her panting heavily after a long trek. "Morning my child. " she replied offering me a stool. I sat and said "Where is Layo? " "He is gone. " she immediately replied with her eyes on the firewood that was burning with her cooking pot on it. "I don't understand. He texted me that he left. Left to where? " I asked in a confused tone. "School. " she replied looking at me. "Wait. Layo left for school without telling me? No that's a mistake. " I said confidently. "I pleaded with him to tell you but he said it would better if he didn't. He felt the pain of you guys departing will be less if you are unaware he is leaving. " she said. "Is he crazy? " I yelled. "Why would he take such a decision? " I added with my eyes welling with tears. "I am deeply sorry Fett
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When I got home, I entered our room after throwing off my heels by the door. I saw my mother sitting up on the bed reading the holy bible. Tami and K**i were already far away in dream land. "You are back. " she said. I nodded without uttering a word then went further to take off my dress. "So tell me how your day went. " said my mother. "Fine. " I replied rolling my hair up with the aim of putting a hair net on. "That's a lie. " she said. "If it went well as you alleged, you would have filled my ear drums with news about the event, the dresses people wore, those who had ugly make ups on and the rich fried rice. " she added. I changed into my night wear and sat on the mat. "It was a disaster. " I began. "Really? Tell me about it. " my mother said. "I don't even know how to start this. The thing is, people fought and it was over me. " I revealed with my head lowered feeling awkward. My mother laughed then said "You still didn't tell me what happened. Start from the top.
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Peter drove us to the Greenland open arena and he parked his car where the staff in the brothel park theirs. He was a VIP after all since his father owns the damn brothel. Julia quickly got down from the car and Peter hurried after her. Emjay went to collect a seat number from the ushers around while Layo and I stood waiting for directions. If we were there alone we would have gone to the ushers, gotten our seat numbers and sat awaiting the opening of the grand event. "Madam Fetty. " began Layo in a shrill voice. "Oh boy! " I mumbled knowing he was up to something. "You just made one girl jealous you know? " he said. "I don't know what you are saying. " I replied adjusting my hair which laid on my back. "But I like the arena you know? The car arena. You should have seen her face when Peter said you looked perfect." said Layo who moved very closer to me. "Shut up. " I replied. "Seat 21" said Emjay while walking towards us. "Look Peter is calling us from the
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I hurried home after Emjay told me he was around our compound. It's been seven months since we last saw each other and hadn't spoken ever since. He never called so did I. He went to study abroad so why was he back? I thought. I had imagined he would take four years to study and come home maybe once a year. Judging by his excitement months earlier, I never thought he could return this early. When I got home, Emajay was seated on the bench outside our door. There he was. Same old Emjay. Nothing has changed about him. He still looked the same. In fact, he got darker. Normally, my heartbeat would quicken at the sight of him but here I was feeling normal. "Hey! " I said hurrying towards him. I sat close to him on the bench and he greeted me with his warm smile. "You are here. " I said. "Yea, av been in London neighborhood for two days now just that I didn't get out till now. " he said staring at me. "Oh really! " I said. "He nodded, lowered his said and said nothing. "So how is sch
