It was very late at night when dad finally came home, that was after refusing picking mum's calls. The next morning was a rather quiet day as everyone was so scared of stepping on another's toes. Zara wasn't having that as she kept running around the house, snuggling up on everyone. At that moment, I appreciated my little sister for bringing such warmth in our home.
Mum made a pot of delicious spaghetti with scrambled eggs, which we all had. Seeing aunty that morning made me realize how badly bruised she was. Her lips were very much swollen, her arms sore, and her fair face had turned red. I wouldn't lie I wept in my heart.
My mum was also bruised with her lips were swollen and her eyes caked in blood. Her bump had gone down a bit though she was still feeling very weak. Most importantly, mum was definitely absent minded she burnt the food earlier on, something she never does.
We were not fully done with breakfast when the door bell rang. Mum stood up to get it but dad motioned at her to sit still and then ordered me to get it. He never does this. I went and was very much surprised to see who it was. I had thought it was a threat but never knew she would carry it through.
"Good morning Mama" I said rather coldly to dad's mum who was standing at the door, her face depicting readiness for battle.
"And you are not smiling?" She complained. I faked a smile and gave her a cold hug.
"That's better Nwa m" She said. And then walked into the house.
On the mention of grandma, mum started fidgeting. Dad on the other hand sprang up from the dining, rushing to his mum for a hug. She intentionally pushed her son aside, while making her way to her daughter. Instantly, Aunty Tee started crying, while crawling into her mum's warm embrace. Mum greeted but grandma hushed her.
"Bia Emeka, did you beat your sister?" She asked, now fully facing dad.
"Mum relax first, let Nneka get you something to eat before....
"Did I ever tell you I've been dying of hunger in my house? Answer my question Emeka, did you beat your sister because of this thing you call a wife?" Grandma asked pointing to my mum. Mum quietly sat down.
"Mum for starters, I didn't hit her because of my wife. Actually I am sorry for hitting her but Tee went too far mum. You should have asked what she did first" Dad said sitting down.
"You have no right to hit your little sister no matter what!" Grandma warned. "What could she have done to warrant such beating? Oh my God! Look at her lips, her elbow, her face, her.... Jesus ooo, Emeka what did you use on her? Eh iron??" Grandma was now in tears. "And you were here Nneka, because of you, my son hit his sister for the first time in this life. You came into my family to put asunder? Nneka did I wrong you by accepting that my son should marry you?" She asked walking closer to mum. Mum stood up and went behind dad who stood in the gap between grandma and mum.
"Mum, that's my wife you are talking to like that" Dad said.
"You disappoint me today Emeka. I pleaded with you that your sister should stay with you briefly while she sorts herself out, but what did you do? You threw her under the bus just to satisfy your wife. O di mma Emeka." She cried more. "Tekilah, come take me to your room please" She said angrily.
Aunty Tee left the table and led her mum to her room. She left the door a bit ajar intentionally so just we can overhear. And just then, we could hear clearly everything she was telling grandma, about her fight with aunty Nma, the trip we went and about dad beating her. In all these, she never mentioned the efforts mum made in these occasions to save her from troubles. She didn't also mention that she have physically assaulted mum twice in my presence while mum was trying to be a good samaritan. Mum on the other hand has never laid any complaint about her actions, not even to my dad. She blatantly lied against her.
Mum was so quiet for my liking. Well maybe when I grow and get married someday, I might understand why she has endured all she has, but until then, I will keep wishing and praying she gets the courage to stand up to them.
And that reminds me, grandma never asked mum how she got the bruises on her lips, face and elbow; does it mean she never saw them? Or she intentionally decided not to notice? E buru ozu onye ozo, o di ka osisi kporo nku!
Obviously, our house once again became a silent zone. Mum rarely came out, and whenever she does it was just to cook and clean; which she afterwards goes back into her room. Thankfully, we were in our last holiday week and I was grateful I was around to keep mum company.
To distract mum a bit, I reminded her of my upcoming birthday which we eventually used that opportunity to discuss. I will be fourteen the next month and mum has been so excited that she'd began my birthday preparation since I turned thirteen. So with the opportunity created from this, we started out our planning. I discussed my ideas, dress code, the cake theme, costumes and my invitation list. Just like I mentioned earlier, mum was going all in on this birthday. She is even super excited more than myself, the celebrant. She had promised to sponsor it even if dad decides to cancel on me. So this birthday was supposed to be my best, well not until another aunty Tee episode.
That night during dinner, everyone was at the table, everyone including grandma. After prayers dad decided to use the medium to apologise to his sister for his shortcoming. Well grandma didn't want to hear dad's side of the story on the reason why he hit aunty, so for peace sake dad just apologized and promised to make it up to aunty by even sending her on a trip if she wanted. Well they laughed about it and I could see mum's lips curve into smile. Atleast, their making up would mean she was going to have peace.
After dinner while we all were still seated at the dining, I had casually reminded dad of my upcoming birthday. He screamed in excitement and congratulated me. He asked what my plans were and I explained on how I and mum had been planning this since I turned thirteen. He was pleased and laughed over our "stupidity" of making such little occasion sound outrightly important. Well, dad made mention of how he wanted to surprise all of us on my birthday but that he was getting stuck on his surprise as he was losing his magical touch.
Everyone had a good laugh.
Then aunty Tee pleaded with dad to allow her take care of my birthday events, the arrangement and everything.
"That's nice aunty, thank you so much but don't worry, I and mummy have this covered" I didn't even realize when I said this. She cast me a scornful look and then transferred her gaze to dad with very pleading eyes. Dad glanced at mum who was dumbfounded and playing with her hair to avoid issues.
"Yes, I think you can do it better" Grandma said "You said you will make it up to her, ngwanu! This is what she wants". Grandma said to her son.
Dad looked at my mum again and realized she was totally avoiding his gaze. He sighed and then said "I have kept this as a surprise for you darling but I guess it's time to reveal it. We will be celebrating Ada's birthday in our very own house!"
Mum jumped up in excitement. She hugged dad so tight. Dad scrolled through his gallery and presented pictures of the house. They were very magical and captivating. "Ada, please we will combine your birthday with the house opening ceremony, so I guess your aunty Tee can handle it" He said reaching out for my hands.
At that point, it was as if my joy was killed instantly. I cried as he held my hand. Mum had a mixture of sadness and joy as she tears up as well.
"Don't worry; I will bring in a professional who will fix everything. She is a very good friend of mine and believe me you will like her" Aunty said.
Mum's opinion was never asked for, just like that as if she was never part of the family. Mum cried profusely in secret but smiles as if nothing has ever happened.
"We will actually need an interior designer" dad mentioned
"She is one as well, I mean that my event planner friend. She will handle the whole work, you have nothing to worry about brother" Aunty Tee said triumphantly.
"Tee, it would be nice if your friend decorates the new building, and cater for the opening house event, but I will handle Ada's birthday party. We have been planning this for a whole year now and I won't disappoint my daughter by backing off now" Mum said looking at my dad. I joined in the stare. Aunty Tee and grandma wasn't happy at that.
"I thought my son just said that Tee should handle everything; why then are you thwarting his orders?" Grandma asked. "So you can't even obey just this tiny instruction Nneka? Eh? O dikwa egwu o!! (Wonders shall never end!!).
Aunty Tee laughed, "Mum you are yet to see anything!" She exclaimed.
"Dad please, I and mum have been planning everything since I turned eleven, please let's do this" I cried
Obviously dad was confused. He was torn between his wife and daughter, and his mum and sister. Every eye was cast on him. He had the final say. At a point, mum realized we have all put dad in a very difficult position and he was confused on the best decision to make, so mum thanked everyone, stood up and turned to leave to their room. I guess dad saw her heart wrenching tears and then made a decision.
"I guess you all can work together" He began. "Since Nneka and Ada has been working on this for a year now, I guess it will be so wrong of me to take away that pleasure. And since there are two occasions, I guess Tee can handle one while My wife handles the lesser one just like she said." I screamed in happiness and hugged mum and dad. Mum went over and kissed dad, grandma and aunty Tee's jealousy went over the sky. I was so happy that Zara joined me in my scream. I dragged mum into our room because of course, we have many unfinished aspect of our business to talk about.
"Oh as you said, no problem" Aunty Tee said. :I will bring the designer over to your office later today for you to have your first meeting, that's if that is okay for you".
"That will be great" Dad responded and left to sleep.
From our room, I and mum could hear grandma and aunty talk about mum and how spoilt she has made me become. We were laughing at such ignorance. Grandma mentioned that I was going to end up worse than my mum if I am not taken for deliverance. Mum laughed so loud, it was the last they will ever do in this house, I was sure even dad would outrightly object to it. Till that time though.
****
Hi all
New chapter
Sorry, I might not be updating that regular. Days are becoming more busy for me.
Kisses all.