FATIMA

©Miriam Edem

Episode 1.

®Do not repost without due acknowledgement or permission of the writer.

 

My name is Fatima. According to my mother, I got the name from my late grandmother who screamed “Fatima” at my face because of how fat I came out, and that was how the name came to stay. Funny enough I am no longer fat now I am grown up and I wish my late grand mom who do call me “fatty bumbum” when I was growing up could see how very thin I am bent with the struggles of life.

 

I came from a Strong Christian family vibrating in the love of God, and from my tender age i was introduced into the faith. Two siblings were added to the family as time went on and we were so blessed and happy as one big family. Then my grand mother briefly fell ill and passed away, that was one of the days I hated most because I was like an egg to her and I love her so dearly.

We travelled to the village for her funeral and paid our last respect. I decided to help with the sharing of food, especially to our church members who came down for the burial when I stormed into this lady and fell the tray of food down. I apologized to her but she didn’t look bothered and my mother came rushing to see what happened.

 

“Fatima I thought I told you to be careful” my mother said as I bent to pick the tray up but the lady was busy smiling at us and I noticed my mother dragged me away and I knew they must know each other.

“Mommy who is that?” I asked when we got to where the food was kept.

 

“Just avoid her okay, I wonder what she’s doing here. Be careful next time you go out there, what a waste!” My mother replied and left the room. I got another tray of food and kept on sharing and at a point I forgot about the lady. Evening came and water was needed to do some dishes and I decided to join the children in the village despite I base in the city and do not know them. I am so friendly and I always want to interact with people whether it’s the first time meeting them or not.

Just close to the stream I heard my name and turned to see the lady I bumped into and I wondered how she knew my name. I gave her that respect and approached her as she stood at a corner,

 

“How are you?” She asked when I approached her.

“I’m fine” I replied.

 

“So you are Silas daughter huh?” She asked.

“Yes, who are you and why are you asking?” I asked.

 

“Never mind, anyway tell your father I am sending my greetings” she replied and left me standing. Who will I say is greeting my father? I wondered and left to the stream.

When we were about to sleep, after our usual devotion I told my father a lady sent her greetings and my mom looked at me while my dad kept this “who?” Look.

 

“Which lady?” My mother asked.

“The one I bumped into with the tray, she met me around the stream and sent her greetings” I replied and my mom looked at my father who was totally blank of what we are saying.

 

“It’s fine go to bed” my mom said and with that tiredness I retired to bed.

 

The next day the family had a meeting very early in the morning which I was not among. I was attending to my siblings and packing up our things to return back to the city so everyone can resume with either our schooling or jobs.

At about 10a.m the meeting was over and at 12pm we were already waving the villagers good bye to get into our car and set off but this lady slowly approached us with her eyes red and she folded her arms under her breasts blocking the road.

 

My mother rolled her eyes and I looked at my father and saw he was uncomfortable.

“Loveth how are you?” My father asked.

“Are you asking me that?” The lady replied.

 

“Fatima get into the car please, we can’t arrive the city late” my mom shouted and we slowly went into the car leaving my father with Loveth outside.

“Uhmmm use this to take care of yourself” my father said stretching some notes to her but she took it and threw the money on him.

 

“I don’t want your money! I don’t need it! I promise you Silas, you will suffer! You will know no peace! You think you have a happy family huh? I swear you and your family will regret knowing me! You will feel my pains I bet you!” Loveth screamed with tears streaming down her face and my mother angrily left the car.

“What does this wretch want! Can somebody take her out of here cause we have a trip! My mother screamed out and some boys in the compound quickly dragged her out while my father slowly got into the car and looked at us at the back.

 

“Don’t worry about that okay” my father said and looked at my mother who was still burning in anger. He gently touched her hand and heaved, and we drove off.

But who is Loveth and what wrong did my father do to her?

Tbc

#milove