Niniola’s siblings were glad to see their sister back. “We’ve been suffering.” Her younger brother said, wiping the tears that had fallen from his eyes. “He beats Maami every day. Every day!” he said, shaking his head. “I wish we could just run away, but where would we go to? Sister Nini you have toContinue reading The Family Part 17
Niniola was moping the kitchen floor when Chief Afonja walked in. “Good morning sir.” “Make me some tea.” As she set the kettle on the burner, the chief sat down at the breakfast table and wiped his forehead. He had slipped out of Mama Eli’s bed, about to escape to Mama Ayo’s room when sheContinue reading The Family Part 16
Gbenga floated in and out of consciousness before the next person grabbed him. His throat was sore from screaming and his energy was depleted from taking too many punches, kicks and slaps. He had come to the conclusion that the policemen had left the station. He had screamed too loudly for anyone not to haveContinue reading The Family Part 15
Biola was ready to face the world again, two weeks after the assault. She applied her make-up and wore a simple knee-length gown. When she got into her children’s room they looked at her surprised. “Mum?” Ayo said tentatively, wondering if she was really back. “Yes Ayo, are you ready for school?”
Mama Ayo sat on the floor of the shower unable to erase the memories of what Gbenga had done to her. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I was drunk and you bashed my ego! You made me do it!” he had said, pulling up his trousers after he was done assaulting her. She had calmly gottenContinue reading The Family Part 13
The first time Niniola heard that her mother was pregnant for the sixth time she was furious. “Why? Why? How will you take care of it? How can you get pregnant when we’re trying to escape?” she had railed on, not understanding why her mother had been so careless.
“What about Yimika?” “He has a disease, condition, I don’t even know. I just know he’s not normal.” Chief Afonja pulled away from his wife. “What do you mean he’s not normal?”