13/12/2023
THE ORDEALS OF NNEOMA
Episode 12
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Nneoma was roaming around Bakers Avenue aimlessly. She wouldn't talk to anyone or leave the area. Her favourite spot was under that mango tree.
As time went on, she noticed a huge waste dump towards the end of one of the streets. She would go there in search of what to eat.
She would pick leftover or spoilt foods from the dump and carry them to her favourite spot where she feeds on them. Whenever there were no leftover or spoilt foods, she would resort to begging for food.
One day, Nneoma was famished. She went to the waste dump and searched through it but couldn't find something to eat. She left.
She went to a provision stall around there and stood in front of it. The owner came out and asked her to leave but she refused. Nneoma was shaky and moving her fingers towards her mouth to indicate she wanted food.
The stall owner went in and brought a stick. Then Nneoma started drawing back but still won't go.
"I have told you to stop coming to this place. I don't have anything to do with you. Don't come and chase away my customers."
As the lady was chasing her away, a black Hilux van suddenly stopped beside them.
"What's going on here," asked the lady who was driving the car.
"She's m@d, I want her to stop coming to my shop."
"I think she's hungry."
"Am I her mother? I just don't want to see her close to my shop."
"Stop chasing her, please."
She then parked on the safer part of the road and then reached for a shopping bag behind her, brought out a wrap of two pieces of meat pie and a soft drink and gave them to Nneoma.
Nneoma bent her knee gently in appreciation and started devouring the snacks right in their presence.
The lady gently rolled the car away from there.
"Morris, you haven't said a word since you asked me to stop before that lady and the m@d girl."
"I was just not in the mood. Mummy, that girl is so hungry. I don't know that young people like us could be m@d."
"My son, it happens."
"Can we at least buy food for her, I feel for her."
"Okay."
They then drove to a restaurant off the street and bought a plate of jollof rice and meat.
They went back and saw Nneoma sitting under the mango tree. The lady got down and gave the food to her. Nneoma was grateful.
The lady then entered her car and drove off.
Since Nneoma was carried out of the house, it hasn't been easy for Stella. Her husband hardly comes home early and hardly eats at home either. He's always bringing up topics about Nneoma and wouldn't stop looking out for her.
Dera would grudgingly do a few chores and leave the rest for her mother.
She comes back from school later than before and would give flimsy excuses when asked why she was late.
Later on, it was a holiday period. Dera was still leaving chores for her mother.
Whenever Stella leaves the house, Dera would leave too but she was so careful that she always comes back before her mother.
A couple of days later, two of Dera's friends who were also her classmates visited her. Stella was not at home.
The three friends were outside discussing and giggling.
"My sugar daddy is so rich, I wonder what you are getting from that pauper," the first girl said to Dera.
"I love him so much whether he's rich or poor and I will always support him."
"Come to think of it Dera, this boy is taking from you. You need someone that will be providing for you not the other way round," the second girl said.
"It's nobody's business, love conquereth all."
"Love nwantiti," the two girls chorused and they all laughed.
They later switched topics.
Soon after Dera saw them off and they left.
Morris kept on disturbing his mother about Nneoma's feeding. His mother had no choice but to grant his request.
They were visiting Nneoma under the tree almost daily. It was the holiday period, so the boy wasn't going to school.
So one day, they took food to Nneoma under the mango tree and were leaving. A lady who knows Morris' mother was waving at them to stop. They stopped and the lady got closer.
"Bimbo! Is this you? It's been a while since I saw you," Morris' mother exclaimed through the wind-down car window.
"My sister, it's quite a long time. What are you doing here?"
"It's my son and his troubles. He requested that we bring food to that m@d girl over there," pointing towards the mango tree where Nneoma was.
"Eh yahh, that's very nice of you my dear. God will bless you," Bimbo said to Morris.
"Thank you ma," Morris said.
"I own a pharmaceutical shop down there," Bimbo continued.
"That's great, one of these days, I'll come to your shop. Right now, we are in a hurry," she said and ignited the car.
"Alright, see you later. Bye."
"Bye," Morris and her mother chorused as they left the place.
TO BE CONTINUED
Story by Oluchi Eze
