It was a cold night on the streets of Lagos. The warm breeze blowing the curtains in my room, they made a little ""whish"" sound as they fell back to their normal state.
Mum was frying akara in the kitchen as that was what we ate every Saturday night.I could hear her singing as she put scoops of the light brown liquid substance into the deep frying pan.
Esan, my brother, was getting ready to release the dogs as it was getting dark and dinner was almost ready. My father taught my brother how to feed, clean and pet those animals like they were humans. He would say "" son, treat them like they are your kids"" I wonder why he never taught me how to take care of them.
"" Adanma!"" Screamed mother as she was setting the table and talking to my dad "" Bia! Come and eat your dinner oo!, you don't want it to be cold"". I rushed down the stairs tripping on my dad's shoes, i couldn't wait to devour my mother's delicious akara.
Suddenly, there was a heavy knock on the door. We were all silent. Who could be knocking at this time and how did they pass through the gate?!. My father quietly but quickly stood up to get my mother's mortar signalling to her to lead my brother and me to the kitchen store. She said "" Do not move and if you hear any scream. Be quiet"". A cold shiver ran down my spine, the words felt like her last command.
My father tapped my mother and they went to the door. I could hear my dad telling my mum to open it slowly. I held my ears waiting and expecting the worse, i felt my brother's arm around me protecting me from the dreadful and traumatic noise that would be heard soon.
A loud knock followed by a loud shriek was heard and then dead silence. I covered my mouth and bit my lips so i wouldn't scream. The there was silence.. AGAIN.
Footsteps were heard and suddenly there was a soft knock on the door... the kitchen store's door.I looked at my brother and for the first time saw fear in his eyes, he held me tight and put his finger in my mouth so i bit them. It was his way of telling me to be quiet.
The door sprung open and there standing with a smile on her face was.. my mother. I left my brother's arm and jumped into her's, kissing her face as tears fell from my eyes. ""Don't cry my ada, everything is alright"" she said. Father walked into the store and carried my brother who was paralyzed from fear. They took us to the dinning table and mother proceeded in sharing the akara on our plates.I looked around the house for any signs of another presence... NONE.
My brother and I looked at our parents, who were smiling and laughing. We were confused as to why they were acting as if nothing happened. ""Mama,who came to visit? and who screamed?"" asked my brother. "" Esan, stop talking, your food might get cold"" said my father.
We gave each other confused looks and my brother shrugged,since we were fine then nothing happened. I caught my mother staring at me and smiled at her, she winked. I blushed and concentrated on my food forcing myself not to focus on the blood stains on the side of her lips.
Claim: Originally written by Nigerian Fiction Member 303 - Nia
Nigerian Fiction Title 121
 | A guest post by
|