"Oh my God!" my eyes fluttered open at the exclamation from my step mum. "What happened here? " I raised my hands as she rushed forward. My hands were left hanging as she rushed past me. I blinked and dropped my hand to my head feeling it for traces of blood. I was wondering how the blood must have dried up so fast when I heard my step mum cry out.
"Go and get me Femi to come with the car keys now". My brothers ran towards the boys quarters shouting. I could hear them lamenting from afar. The words blood and Dara drifted to my ears. Then it dawned on me, I looked at her direction and sighted blood dripping down Dara's face. I jumped up instantly, this was no time for goofing around. Fear ran down my veins. Have I killed Dara?. I moved a little closer and caught a glimpse of Dara's face.
Her eyes were closed and she appeared lifeless. Her mum kept wiping her tears and praying silently. I sat down dejectedly on the wet floor and closed my eyes and prayed silently also. As mean as I considered her to be, I still loved her. My uncle came rushing in just then setting her into action as he carried her onto his shoulder and ran towards the car.
I knew there would be trouble when she comes back but I was not worried about that. All I wanted right then was for Dara's recovery. The rest of the night was cold and silent as we all sat down on the pavement by the gate awaiting her return. 3 hours passed and we became scared but remained silent, each person to his own thoughts.
"What should we do if mummy doesn't come back? " Martin voiced out eventually. I swallowed, I have always wished she disappeared but I never knew how much we needed her for survival till now.
"Hello guys" a tiny chirps voice from above interrupted us. I looked up at a girl about our age looking down at us. I looked at the boys and smiled when I saw them adjust well on their seat. Our neighbor had just come back from his numerous travels and this time he brought a girl back with him.
The wall demarcating both of our houses had a decorative brick which we could put our hands through and also see each others compound vividly. His house was a storey taller than ours and it was from this balcony she stood smiling down at us. I waited for the guys to reply as they had always been on her trail since she came. They had made an habit of coming to sit on the pavement and listen to her voice whenever she came out of her house into her compound.
They looked moonstruck just then and I knew I had to help them out. "How are you?" I returned.
She smiled "I'm fine, my name is Clara, what's yours? "
I have always loved her smooth voice and accent and it sounded more wonderful hearing it directed at me now. "Mine is Ruth, Are you his daughter ? "
She knew I was referring to her father and nodded "My dad decided it was time I came back to Nigeria and learn the culture". She tilted her head a little to my brothers and frowned. "What's their deal? Why are they quiet. I know they talk a lot, I see all of you through my room window" .
I laughed then, if only she knew. "They are worried our mum won't come back soon. They are Martin, Kingsley and Charles by the way. " I moved closer to Martin and nudged him. "You guys need to respond you know". They seem to come back to their senses then and ran inside to hide. Clara understood and laughed. "Are they shy? "
I feigned seriousness "My brothers shy? No, no, no" I decided to change the topic. "How old are you? " I knew they were probably listening and had to as for them since it was their topic of argument in the bus.
"I'm 7. How old are you guys too? "
"I'm 9 and the oldest, we are all a year apart from each other. Martin and Dara, followed by Kingsley then Charles. "
Her eyes widened "Where's Dara? And are they twins? ".
"Oh no, we are all step brothers and sisters, Dara went out with her mum." . She looked confused and decided not to pursue it further.
"Who is going to take care of you tonight if your mum isn't around ".
I shrugged "I guess I have to play the big sister role".
She smiled "What of that White woman that lives beside you.".
It took me a while to know she was talking about mama and I laughed openly. Thinking of it now, she does look white. "She travelled" I finally muttered.
"Is she your mum? "
I didn't quite know how to explain how she was related to us because she really wasn't and we never had the courage to ask. I had to give her an answer. "She's our grandma." just then her name rang out from inside. She looked like she was about to ask another question but instead she pouted.
"Sorry I have to go. I'll talk to you some other time." I waved back at her. She went in and reappeared in a split second. "And, greet your brothers for me".
I smiled "I definitely will, goodnight". After she was gone my brothers came striding out quietly. "Is she gone? " Martin asked.
I laughed "Yes she is scaredy cat". I hit him on his shoulder.
"No we are not, we were just observing"
I snickered "Indeed you aren't, she's your age mate Kingsley" I looked at Charles "and she's out of your league
He looked thoughtful for a while "No she isn't, I saw her look at me"
"No it was me, she smiled at me "Kingsley argued."
"She needs someone older for her, you both should give it a rest. I'm the handsome one amongst us, she was definitely looking at me ". The next few minutes were filled with arguments as I looked on and laughed. It was getting darker and probably almost midnight then. My mind flashed back to my step mum.
"Do you guys think we should go inside now? " they quieted down when they realized the same thing. Martin shrugged "I guess". He was the oldest man in the house and loved to feel in Charge. "I'll take care of the---" he started saying when we heard the gate being unlocked. We all jumped up excited when we saw my step mum come in with Dara and bro Femi.
As excited as we were, we couldn't run to hug her and thank her for coming back. Charles did it for us though. "Welcome ma" we said as she passed us ignoring us. when she got in we ran to hug bro Femi.
"How are you? I'm sure you missed us"
"We did, we were scared already".
He smiled. "Don't worry it is fine." he looked at me and saw the worried look on me "I've spoken to her, she won't touch you. It was nobody's fault". I sighed in relief and hugged him "Thank you ". He patted my back. "Okay let's all go in, you all have to go to Church tomorrow okay? "
My step mum had gone into her room with Dara when we got in. We looked at each other and silently retreated to our room. I was glad when I laid on the bed. I couldn't thank bro Demi enough. Dara looked okay though except for a small plaster at the back of her head. I sighed as my eyes drifted shut with a smile plastered on my face.
I woke up feeling different. It's been three days since I wet the bed and I was feeling happy about it. Per adventure, If I keep it up I will be allowed to sleep on the bed. I got up and folded my mat to its corner before kneeling to pray. I prayed for Change. The joy of my dry bed reflected on me that morning. I happily killed several mosquitoes that came to greet me as I opened my wardrobe to bring out my uniform. I felt a pain on my chest and I stood in front of the mirror raising my nightie up.
The pain came from my breast and I felt a mould growing there. It was painful and I knew not what it was. I decided to show my mom at church, she sure would explain to me.
The sound of the bell rang in by 6am and we all gathered into the living room. After the prayers, my step mum stood up ignoring our greetings. We all gathered round Dara curiously asking questions. She showed us the wound and narrated her experience at the hospital to our astonishment.
"Will you scatter that gathering now and go and have your bathe?" My step mum barged in startling us. We all scampered out to have our bathe.
"What's all this? " my step mum gestured to the whole of me as I came in dripping wet from the compound. I looked at myself looking for what I did wrong.
"Is this how to bathe? " . I became puzzled, I had always bathe myself since when I could walk and she never complained.
"Martin!" she called. He ran in panting with surprise written on his face.
"MA?! "
"go and bathe for her".
We were both shocked "MA? " we resounded in unison.
"Do you want me to slap you? "
We shook our head and started going outside.
"Not there, in my bathroom".
Tears began to streak down my cheeks. I felt humiliated. I had started growing pubic hairs which I have been trying to hide from everyone even when we all bathed together. It is always dark and the very early hours of the morning whenever we bathe so my secret was always safe. I felt so sad that my brother will have to bathe for me and even In her bathroom with the lights on.
I stepped into the bathroom still crying oblivious to martins rubbing the soap against the sponge. I closed my eyes as his hands came down on me. I held my breathe as his hands passed rubbed against my breast reminding me of the lump. I opened my eyes to see him look at me just then. I couldn't stand the shame and closed it back.
My step mum stood by the door watching us as he bathe me. I continued sobbing till he was done.
"It's okay, let her rinse off the soap herself. " Martin stopped and she looked at me "Next time you don't know how to bathe again, I will keep making your siblings teach you. Rinse your body and get out of my bathroom ". I sat down in the tub crying as soon as she left. I eventually summoned strength to wash off before going to change. I sat down in the room refusing to come out to eat as I could not face my siblings yet.
Minutes later, Kingsley came in to call me when they were about to leave. I took my Bible and went into the car not looking at anyone. I was silent throughout the journey and I made a conviction to kill myself if my mum refuse to accept me this time. I am definitely not coming back to this house.