Story of a Survivor - Season 1 - Episode 46

5 years ago

Story of a Survivor - Season 1 - Episode 46

At night Captain and some of his home based
friends left the House; he said they needed to hit the town.

I offered to go with him but he
declined, he said I should help his mother out in the Kitchen. Jeez!

Most of the visitors had gone to their homes,
Daddy was in his study reading, Daddy’s elder Brother was watching Television in the sitting room, his maternal grandmother was sleeping on a couch in the Sitting room while Mummy was busy in the Kitchen. I did the sigh of the cross as I joined her in the Kitchen.

She pretended not to hear my greeting or notice my presence as she kept on with what she was doing. I coughed a little to get her attention, she turned around
and called out “Omo Ibo” you did not go out with your friend? She asked; no ma! I said: Ayo said I should be with you. Be with me? What for? She asked.

He said you don’t like me! He said I
should ask you why? I lied:

She spun around in surprise, he said that? She
asked.

Yes ma! I said. I moved towards the sink and
started sorting out dirty plates and utensils to
wash. She paused for a while, then she asked;
can you cook any Yoruba food or soup?

Well, I don’t know which one you mean in
particular buti can cook Efo riro, efo shoko, egusi and isakpa, ewedu and gbegiri, obe ewuro, rorowo,amunututu, obe ata.

I can also prepare, Amala dudu, ilafun, ewa agoin, iyan, fufu, eko; I had to stop when I noticed she was staring at me with mouth opened ajar: ha! Omo ibo! Are you sure of what you are saying? You can
prepare all of those? I laughed and said,
mummy! I can cook all of those and many more,

I am a professional Caterer. Okay! Abajo! (No
wonder) she exclaimed. She smiled at me for the first time, I am glad my Son will not be eating all those strong meals in igbo land, she teased.

So what are you doing now? She continued. I
manage my late Mummy’s business and I am schooling as well.

The business is a fashion and designing and catering Outfit; she nodded in
approval.

You mean you combine all of those with School?

She asked: yes ma! It is better to do all what I
can now while I can.

She gave a nod of approval as she moved closer to me and started to rinse
the Plates I had washed. So let us prepare
amala dudu for the family tonight she said; no
problem ma! I said. Where is the elubo? She
rushed and open a gigantic cabinet, look here my dear, she said; I beheld an array of neatly
arranged and labeled containers of food stuffs.

I was visibly impressed so I asked; whose idea is this even though I was sure it was hers I simply wanted to praise her. She busted out laughing; who else but me? I am a lecturer you know, so I must show brilliance in all I do! She felt good.

But you do not lecture home economics’ nah! I understand you lecture mathematics I continued.

Yes I am a mathematician but I am a house Wife as well. She said. Ha mummy I love this one o!

You will teach me how to arrange my kitchen
like yours too! Ha don’t worry my dear, I will
teach you many things, she said.

I prepared the amala under her watchful eyes
and I passed with an “A”. During the meal I told her I would like to use her sewing machine the next morning, she obliged.

By the fifth day, I had designed six dresses for
mummy and four for daddy. I gave the dresses to captain who took it to their rooms and kept on their beds.

When Daddy and Mummy returned
from work in the evening, they went upstairs to their rooms to pull off and freshen up. Captain and I went into his room and waited. Captain’s Phone rang some twenty minutes later, it was his Mother, she called to asked about the dresses she found on her bed, Captain told her it was my handiwork.

Daddy called immediately Mummy‘s
call ended and the same discussion took place.

We were about to leave for the balcony when
mummy came dancing and singing into our room, she was wearing one of the dresses and she held the others in her hands , she danced around me singing then she stopped and looked at me.

Ha! Omo dada nie! (You are a good Child) she
prayed for me.

Daddy joined us in the mood, he had also worn one of his dresses, he came and
hugged me; thank you Ada mi he said, I love this, I have never worn any dress this fitted and smart, but how did you know my size? When did you take my measurement? He asked; she does not take measurements, captain replied.

What? He exclaimed; what a talent you have got; mummy called me “Iyawo mi” (My Wife) for the first time that night.

Don’t worry my daughter she
said; we shall come to that igbo land and eat
Akpu and bitter leaf soup.