ONE FOR THE CHOCO
My name is Tola. I am the only daughter of my parents, we lived in the populated area of Ayedun Town. Only mum takes care of me, whenever I ask for my dad, mum visibly get angry. I accepted that I don't have a dad like some children In my town. There are things some people have and some don't, many children are free to go to the fair market to do some menial Jobs but mum forbade me from been friends with such girls. Instead she buys me everything I need. she tells me to sit at home. I can't go out to play. I loved my mum but she doesn't wants what I want most of the time and it makes me feel bad about myself and her.
Although mum was hardworking , she stores enough foodstuffs at home doesn't hesitate to buy me what we know in our local language as "wewe"; varieties of biscuits, sweets, chewing gums, candy etc. These are consumables that doesn't give the satisfaction of a actual food but are loved by all children and some adults. I am twelve. My mother buys me a lot of chocolate and I follow every instructions she gives, I stay in doors, busy with my notes and assignment. I'm only allowed to go to Mama Eni shop and seat with her till 6pm when I'll go home. Sometimes mum comes back home around 6:30pm and she must meet me at home.
One Friday afternoon while coming from school I met Tayo, my secret friend "Will you come to the market today ? Tayo asked "No, mum won't let me" "She won't be back from Bank till evening " Tayo reminded me. "I'll come to your house by 2pm and when you work for 2hours I'll take you to a new place where they sell chocolates.
I agreed to her plan because chocolates was involved. At 2pm we sneaked out so mama Eni whose shop is adjacent our house would not notice, at the market the job was to fetch water by placing big bowls on our head into the big drum. "Once we go twice it will be 2 hours we'll be paid #200 and we can buy chocolates" Tayo had informed me.
At the well Tayo fetched and placed the bowl on my head, it was very heavy and moving was difficult. In about 10 minutes I couldn't feel my neck again then I stumbled, the bowl fell and broke, the water wasted, I was in pains. Tayo cried that any child that broke her bowl must work for 5 hours without a pay. I was also in tears, I blamed myself for disobeying my mum because of chocolate, she could buy me plenty if I had waited for her. I knew that mum will hear of this and be disappointed in me even mama Eni too. I promised not to be disobedient again.
© Ganiyu Taofeek
#ANSAChildrenliteratureoftheweek
