My Name Is Aka Episode 8

[Mojoyin]

MY NAME IS AKA
Episode 8
By AMAH'S HEART

"My name is Akachukwu Peter, I'm 15years and I was in Jss3 in my former school, I'm supposed to be going to SS1 now.."

She blinked severally as she looked up from the register

"Miss Peter, your name isn't registered yet but it can be, there's still time. Your father only came to make enquiry on Monday and said he will be coming with you yesterday, that's Tuesday, unfortunately we didn't see you untill today. Where's your father.."

", He's in his workshop. He told me that he had already done everything required and even brought back this form, which I already filled in..."
I stretched out the paper work towards.

She glanced through it and heaved.

"This is the school requirements form for new students, it cost only 1k and that's the only money your father paid yesterday. He promised to bring it along with you to make payment for your registration..."

I was speechless as I stood there staring at the Woman.
Why then did my father said he had done everything required and asked me to go to school that I will be given uniform and books.

I wasn't expecting this kind of outcome and I feel really disappointed.

"... you've to go and bring your father to come and properly register you if you want to be part of the students here. this is first term and three weeks is gone already, you need to hurry so that you can catch up with the other students.."

"Okay ma, thank you. I will be back tomorrow.."

It was already break time as the break bell rang, students were out of the class.

I saw some of them that use to be my classmates back then before I traveled to the city.
Some were in Ss2 and others in Ss1.

My headmaster back then in my elementary, who thought I was too intelligent to be in primary 4 and he made me and six others student from my class to take the exam with primary 5  pupil and I passed it all, we even beat some of the pupils in primary 5.

I had to skip my supposed class then to be in primary 5 with only three of my classmates who passed the exam too, the other three went back to primary 4 because they didn't do too well

Coming to the city in my Jss2, I didn't know what awaits me.
My Aunty made me repeat class when I newly came.
She had said her daughter, Nunu most be higher than me in everything, which includes class.
I went to a different School, which wasn't too far from the house.
It wasn't all local but standard.
The fees wasn't much compared to her children's school fees that was way huge.

I was still very grateful for their kindness, atleast sending me to school and all that they did.
I hold no fault against them except that they almost endangered my life, making me misérâble but for the sake of Molly, I forgive them all.
My uncle, Aunty, Austin and offcourse Nunu, I hold no sin against them.

I still don't know how to look past what Lambert did
He could have succeeded in taking advantage of me and nothing will be done.
It will be swept under the carpet and everyone will move on like nothing happened.

Anytime I think of how he kept pressing my brëâst and tapping my buttøcks, i felt cold, goosebumps all over, then anger will come to settle in.

I escaped him by chance but I'm afraid not everyone will be able to do so.

"Aka! Aka.." I heard somebody screaming my name as I was almost getting to the school gate

"...hey! I have been shouting your name but it seems your mind traveled outside your body, maybe to America.."
Buchi  began to chuckle loudly

I laughed out too at his last statement

He used to be my classmate.
He was among the pupils that passed the primary 5 exam and we both skipped primary 4
Buchi, Sarah, Nonso and I are the only selected students then that passed our exam with flying color.

Buchi and Sarah are my very close friends.
Immediately he heard I was back, he came visiting with Sarah who happens to be his cousin.
They have visited twice and wanted me to fill them in about my school in the big city.

"Hey Buchi, you're out for break.."

"Yeah.. obviously. When will you be starting.. tomorrow or Monday..?

"Hmm, I don't know but I guess Monday. I thought my father did the registration and I was asked to come in person and maybe to finalise any sign in but the principal said I should come with my father to properly register before I can get started with class works.."

"Ooh! I see. I was happy seeing you in school and thought you've registered.."

"... what class will you be in? Ss2 right?

"I'm not sure, I guess it will be Ss1. We won't be in the same class unfortunately but atleast we will be in the same school.."

Sarah and others came running to meet us
They all had different questions

I also saw my two junior brothers. They came dragging me to buy something for them.
I gave them the small change I collected from my mother in the morning.

We sat by the school gate talking untill the break was over, the bell rang signalling them to go back to the class

I had to also take my leave as they waved me goodbye.

I went straight to my father's workshop but he was not around.

I went to meet mother, close to the market side were she sells vegetable leaves.

My sister was there with her.

I told her everything that I was told in school
"... papa only paid one thousand naira which was the enquiry form..."

"Your father had said he didn't have enough money to sort your school registration but he's hoping to get money soon.."

"Mummy, how can he said he doesn't have money. I gave him the whole money I returned with, when he changed the dollar it was more than 150k. A hundred dollar is more than fifty thousand Mummy, what did he do with all the money just within one month.."

"He gave me forty thousand to buy foodstuffs for the house. I added the remaining money in my ogu business..."

I stared at my mother waiting for further explanation.
I wasn't even given a dime from the money, I thought is because he wanted to use it for my school and some other necessary things, like changing the kitchen and bathroom roof zinc, whenever it rains, there's rain dropping in multiple places in the kitchen.

There's work to be done in the two bedroom apartment that we live in but we can still be managing until there's enough.

"What of the remaining money? I finally asked since my Mum didn't bother explaining further.

"I don't know, go ask your father.."

"Papa is not in his shop, I was just coming from there.."

"Then wait for him to return, in the meantime stay here with your sister and attend to customers. I want to go and check on Mama Adaobi, I heard she just returned from omugwo, her daughter gave birth and she was gone for about 6 months.."

My mother left, leaving me  and my sister in the shop.

Two women came to buy vegetable and requested that it should be cut.

I quickly switched into work mood.
I sliced the vegetables, packed it up after collecting money the customers.

My sister was equally helping in making it fast and easy.

I used to help my mother back then after school before I traveled to the city.

Is nothing new to me, rather is something that's part of me

My father Only repairs shoe, but hardly make one

He's comfortable fixing people's torn shoes, he could have explore and make more money if he can start making new foot wears.

Ever since he left his teaching Job in a primary school because it wasn't paying much, he decided to start cobbler business, he even borrowed money back then to start but is not going as expected.

My Mother didn't return back to the shop that day, she must have felt relaxed because I'm there.
As night approached, I started closing up
I saw my brothers coming from the house.

"Mummy said you should close so that you can go home and make dinner. She came back and left again.."

My Mom have this habits of seriously engaging in a conversation with her friends and she can even forget that she haven't make dinner or attend to other important things.

My father used to complain and that brings misunderstanding between them.

Since I came, I'm practically the one cooking, washing and tidying up the house.

I just want to start school already.

"Hûrry up Aka, I'm very hungry.." Obinna, who's thirteen years old said.

"How can you be hungry, are you not the one that finished the whole food in the pot? Uzo, my eleven year old brother cut in.

"We both finished it, that food wasn't even much. I'm still very hungry.."

"Me too, ever since Aka came back we don't use to eat enough because her mouth is included in every meal. Instead of the large portion we use to get is now divided and is néver okay for me.." Uzo added.

"Is a lie.." Amara, my nine years old sister said in my defense
... Is it not Aka that gave Mummy the money she used in buying plenty food stuffs for the house? Amara continued.

"Com'on stop lying, Aka came back empty handed. She didn't even buy anything for us. She should go back to where she's coming from so that we can have enough food and I can go back eating my large quantity. Sharing with two of you is already too much..." Uzo said again.

"If you want dinner ready on time then quit talking rúbbish and come and help me pack.." I said still concentrating on getting every of my mother's goods properly arranged and packed.

Amara was helping me out but she stopped to talk with my two brothers who thought my coming back was a bad omen for their stomach infrastructure.

Obinna assisted, Uzo didn't do much. He never stopped complaining of hunger and the little food he ate after coming back from school.

I ignored them and after everything was properly packed up, we went home.

I changed over and started dinner
My mother came back and complained that I cooked too much food, more than the usual.

I only wanted my brothers to have enough since they're already thinking I'm the one behind their small portion of food.
Everytime I finished cooking, I will call mother to dish out for everyone. That's how she wants it and she's the only one that dishes out the food.

That's why I decided to make much food tonight but she's complaining that the food was way too much, next time she will have to be measuring out the food by herself.

After my father came back, I waited for him to eat so that I can go and ask him what he did with the whole money I gave him.
I also need to ask him of my school plans.

Is not so loving or warm around here, I thought it will be far better with my family
Maybe I was wrong or maybe it will still get better
I'm still very hopeful.

(Do NOT take credit or plagiarize AMAH'S HEART STORIES)

MY NAME IS AKA
Episode 9
By AMAH'S HEART

After eating, I packed my father's plates and put it all together for tomorrow's morning washing.
Here in the village, things are done differently.
Back in the city, after every meal I make sure I wash, dry and put away every used item but not the same here.

My fsthry sat in his usual worn out cushion, some part of it is already torn.
He relaxed his head back, I know the next minute is to start snoring loudly with strong smell of alcohol filling everyone's nostril.
The air is mostly polluted because of that, he sometimes come back drunk or filled up with whatever he ate out there, maybe in a restaurant.

I know he will soon start sleeping but before that will happen, I round up with what I was doing and move to him.

Although I was expecting him to even ask me how my day went, the outcome of today's meeting with the school proprietress but he didn't say a word, he didn't mention it or even ask my Mom.

"Papa, I went to the school today.."

He looked up at me, the ray light from the big kerosene lampthan that illuminated the whole sitting room seems to be going deem.
We don't get much electric power supply around here, there's a particular electric pole that fell close by, it affected the power supply.
People that owns generator turns it on at night but we don't have any.

Since it was just a room and parlour, our sitting room is just like bedroom because there's a spring iron bed in it that makes so much noise and that's where my father sleeps.
He will sometimes call mother to join him.

My brother's and sister sleep on the bed in the room.
While I use a mat to lie down with my mother's wrapper wrapped around me, in the bedroom, avoiding the mosquitoes that comes singing in my ears.

I always close my ears with my hands from the several murmuring, heavy noise from the spring iron bed that my father and mother sometimes sleep in, follows by loud snoring.

The lamp is not so bright today, I even cleaned it's bulb before turning it on.

Maybe the kerosene in it was getting dry.
I will have to turn on the small lamp or we sleep in the dark
Everyone in this house are used to sleeping in the dark except me

No matter how low the light is, I will still want it to be burning till morning.

My father has a torchlight, that's what we use anytime anyone wants to visit the out house either to urinâte or excretion.

"... Papa I wasn't registered in the school.. like you said, I was told to come with you tomorrow for proper registration.."

He closed his eyes again without a word.

"... Papa.." I tapped him gently hoping he will reply me.

"What is the issue here.." he barked angrily, startling me as I take several feet away from him.

"..Are you blind, can't you see that I want to sleep. Whatever you had to say can't it wait till morning?

"Sorry Papa, I thought this was the best time to.."

"To do what? To come and dustub me? Can't I get rest in my house again? I'm begining to see reasons why Ego and Jim her husband pursued you from their home. Is this how you used to disturb them.."

I was taken aback with what he said because this isn't the first time he will be making such remarks.

Papa and mama knows everything,
I took my time to tell them what happened and why i decided to come back home, my aunty and uncle also conceded because I guess everyone was already tired of the trending situation with Lambert.

How could papa say things like that.

"...get out of my sight and don't you dâre disturb me next time I'm trying to rest.

I walked away and sat down outside.

Mama who was going to the outhouse saw me

"What are you doing here.."

"Nothing, I just want to stay here small before coming inside..."

"You're here sulking like a child because your father scolded you for disturbing him, even Amara won't behave like you, going to wake your sleeping father.."

"He wasn't sleeping, he just finished eating 5 minutes ago and that's why I decided to talk to him about my school before he sleeps.."

"You're not a kid, you've to be very wise at your age. You live in the big city for more than three years, much is expected from you. Is this how you used to behave when you were there?  You can't still be acting like a child. You're older than Obinna, Uzo and Amara, start behaving like an elder not like a child of yesterday.."

I really don't know what warrant all this long talk from mother.
I did nothing wrong except going to talk to my father.

They never stopped reminding me how I'm the eldest and so many unnecessary things they speculate about why my rich Aunty and uncle sent me back

As my mother left to the outhouse, I returned inside to spread my sleeping mat.

I was not happy, I struggled with sleep, I stayed up staring at the low burning lamp until I finally slept off.

The following morning, I was up early to make food for the house
I called my brothers to wash the dishes that were used last night while Amara was busy sweeping the chicken house. they both started whining and complaining who will wash and who will rinse.
They ended up leaving it for me.

I had to think of what every one will eat that morning.
Especially for my siblings who were preparing to leave for school.

Down here, there's no speacial breakfast, everyone eats whatever is available.

The leftover rice from last night couldn't go round because my father already indicated interest in eating it that morning.
My mother asked to be given the remaining rice with it's crumbs after I served my father, she ate it right in the pot, although I wish she left it for me.

We had small leftover bítter leaf soup that I made yesterday morning.

I boiled water and made garri.

In no time the whole garri and soup was almost gone.
My two brothers are the real consumers in that house and they're always hungry.

Amara joined them and didn't eat much before leaving the food for the boys.

I had to add little water to the bottom pot, used spoon to turn it properly
Scrapping every tiny bit of soup together so that I can have something to eat.

They left for school and I was careful not to go to my father right away so that he won't complain again that is too early.

I went to him as he was about leaving the house.

"Papa, sorry that I disturbed your sleep yesterday night. Can we go to the school today or Monday will be better?

"There's no money for your school Aka, the whole money has finish, quit hoping on it. Beside I have already made some payment for your school.."

"You only paid one thousand to obtain the form. The whole school registration money and uniform is about twenty eight thousand naira. Is not much.."

"Twenty eight thousand is not much to you? I wonder when you turned to be a millionaire to assume twenty eight thousand is a stipend. You should have remained with Ego and her family because your coming back is an extra expenses to this family which I'm not in for.."

"Papa what are you saying, I gave you three hundred dollars, Just a month ago..." I have had enough of all this and wasn't going to keep calm anymore.

"And so what? So many children are bringing more than that home. You refused to let me rest because you gave me dollar, what kind of child are you? is becoming very clear what Ego said about you when I called her is true..."

"I don't care about whatever my aunty said to you over the phone. I just want to start school that's what I'm more concerned about. The money supposed to go a long way for this family. I know how much is a hundred dollars in naira, I gave you three hundred dollars, it supposed to be more than enough to put this house in order, register me in school and also start a good business. That's more than two hundred thousand naira papa..."

He chuckled loudly
Mama said I should keep quiet and stop sounding like a spoilt brât
She said the money is not upto what I mentioned, I assured her that it was.

"Maggi, you can see your daughter is challenging me. She has grown, is this same disrespect and stubbornness that made them send her back here. she have quickly forgotten the kind of father she has.."

"... haven't you been feeding in this house? Eeh, Aka..anwser me.  Incase you want to know how the whole money was spent, I gave fifty thousand to your mother to buy food stuffs, I use some to pay your brother and sister school fees, use the remaining to sort out my long accumulated debt. The small money that Ego's husband use to send to me every month, that's twenty thousand naira, it usually goes into feeding but everything has stopped because you're no longer living with them. They're no more sending us anything and the money you came back with, you want me to update you on every dime.."

My mother spoke up. "You gave me forty thousand for food stuffs and when I asked you to give me small money to add to my business you gave me ten thousand Only.."

"...I told you to go register her in school before the money runs out, I hate this argument this early morning. She needs to go to school Peter. If the amount she mentioned is right then there's no how you can spend over two hundred thousand in one month. You can't even finish it in drinks. You need to put her in school, she can't possibly be home. She's the reason we have the money in the first place, her needs should be put into consideration, what if she came back empty handed.."

"Both of you should just shút up. There's nothing I can do right now because there's no money. even if I call Ego, she won't pick my call because this untrained daughter of yours almost ruined their reputation.."

"Haven't I said it enough that I was almost râpéd by their family friend. Mr Lambert is in his fifties, he has grown kids living in London and his wife left him long time ago, The man fabricated lies against me.."

"Ego said the man is stinking rich famous and kind, she said you lied against him without fear of what your lies will do to his high status in the society. She said even your friend who witnessed the whole thing said you're a liâr.."

" ... what if this Lambert likes you and want to make you his wife since his wife is no longer with him.."?

My jaw dropped immediately he said that.

"She's a small girl, that man should go find his size. He has the money to gather women like King Solomon, why our own Aka.." my mother chirped in.

"She's not a small girl. Aka is fifteen going to sixteen years, beside she matured too fast. looking like a twenty years already. is better for her to marry on time because she may start looking old, like a forty years woman when she reaches twenty. This Lambert can take care of her and even you condemning me will live large like you've never tasted poverty. Do you know what that means, We will be in money..."

My mother sighed and told my father to stop talking rúbbish.

"You think I'm talking nonsense, I don't blame you and your disrespectful daughter. Don't you think that she supposed to get married so that she can assist in taking care of her siblings? My shoemaking is not bringing much, your vegetable business can't do much either. Ego's husband that was sending money stopped because of what she did. The money she managed to return back with, is gone and she's asking me to give account of which i already did. There's no money, she will have to be patient until I have money to put her in school.."

My parents began to argue back and forth
I ran out crying because I was weak to the knee hearing my father say all of that.

I sat at the backyard but I felt helpless and decided to go see my step grandmother who was still alive.

My own grandmother is late but we weren't too close, she was mostly sick and always shouting at us for disturbing her peace. I guess is because of the sickness and there was no enough money to care for her.

She passed on when I was nine years, Amara was still very small.

My step grandma, is kind woman and patient
She always treat us like hers.
Her house wasn't too far.

She has only one daughter who díed during childbirth.
The elderly woman has only two grand children, Zaram who's mother díed during birth is living with her while her elder brother is with her father in a close by town.
They usually come visiting mama with goodies which she will still share with us.
My step grandmother is hard-working and owns a stockfish store.
She makes the best soup with stockfish and very welcoming.

Some of the villagers used to say that she's a wítch and that's why she couldn't give birth to many children and the only one she had diëd.

But alot of other people knows that is only lies, jeâlóusy is the root of their bitterness.

Mama Zaram, like we used to call her is a respected and generous. Alot of people loves her but that never stop the jealous villagers from hating.

I explained to her what was going on, she was very comforting and I feel good talking to her.

"Mama Zaram, the sad part is that my brothers and sister school fees is just eight thousand each and my uncle used to send twenty thousand to papa every month after papa kept calling to complain to them that things are hard and there's no means of survival..."

"... papa has no investment, nothing reasonable except for the shoemaking which he's not even serious with. I'm so disappointed, I thought coming home was a better idea. I'm begining to regret. Maybe I would've remain in the city suffering and smiling. Atleast papa will still be getting his twenty thousand, I know that's one of the reasons he's so pained.."

"It's all going to be alright, your father does not know that he has a expensive jewel. it saddens me that he can't see that he's already blessed through you. You're a bright child and will excel no matter how much life strikes. If the going gets tough, seek the help of God, life sometimes gets tiring but those who trust in the Lord will néver be put to shame.."

She went inside and brought out three thousand, she gave it to me and asked me to hold onto it until the next market day, if she sells more stock fish, she will give me more money until the money for school is completed.

I didn't want to collect it but she insisted and asked me not to tell my father or even my mother because they will take and spend it as usual.

I hugged her tight.
She asked if I have eaten and I told her that I have.
I left with a lighter heart.

I saw my mother approaching, she said she's been looking for me.

Mother told me that I will have to follow her to the farm that morning to uproot some cassava for garri preparation, since what we have is almost gone.

I left with my mother to the distance farm land to get the cassava after properly hidding the money under the bed.

(Do NOT take credit or plagiarize AMAH'S HEART STORIES)