I went out of my room and into the passageway, walking as though poverty sat on my shoulders. James was cooking as he had always done, making sure he was frustrating everybody that lived in that compound, including me. My stomach rumbled at the sweet smell of beans and mashed potatoes. I'm pretty sure James had made me his target in this compound.
I ran into Mama Nkechi as I walked out, and she made sure to remind me of how silly I was, how I made her daughter receive 18 strokes of the cane for failing. It wasn't as though it was my fault, those questions were difficult.
I ignored her and walked out of the compound. I had better things to worry about – like the party I intended to attend. Though I haven't decided which one to go to yet because I wasn't sure if any were available, I will just have a look around.
With my smelling self, I strolled out the compound gate, and walked down the street. Everyone I knew; my friends, my crush, and even the teacher that said I won't make it in this life was also passing by.
There was no manner of insult I didn't receive:
"See his head like flattened puff puff",
"As I see this shirt, I knew it was you",
"You don't have money, and you are walking on the road, who do you hope to impress?".
All they said to me didn't matter because I had an agenda, a plan. I needed food, and fast. My stomach refused to have mercy on me, and kept growling as though I'm the one refusing to eat.
If I had food, do you think I wouldn't eat? Such as inconsiderate stomach.
It so happened that a wedding was being organized by a man who just arrived from overseas. It was a glamorous sight, people were dancing, singing, and the bride? Well she was happy. To be honest, I am just here for the food, whether the bride loves the groom or not is none of my business.
I casually joined the crowd, trying to blend in, but my stench gave me away. People around me started to close their noses, and look at me with demeaning eyes. I didn't care. I danced my cares away. It's only someone who has had something to eat that will consider other people's opinion. Let's be honest, we are all here for the same thing, and that is food. Nothing really concerns us with who loves who.
After the dance, we all took our seats. The MC came and made a series of boring talks on how the couple found each other and blah blah blah.
Go straight to the food section bro.
Eventually, waitresses dressed in stunning attires trooped into the hall, and began to share food to everyone. I was happy, my stomach rumbled with joy. This is it. It was my turn to get my share, and the next thing I heard was: "This brother has eaten".
You could have seen the shock on my face. Eaten? How? Me that have been salivating here, and you said I have eaten. I turned to look at the "winch" that opened her mouth to utter such nonsense.
The waitress bowed politely and left. All my explanations fell on deaf ears. Oh, nice one. So that's how you people in this city want to behave. Benegota, Benegota, Benegota. How many times did I call you? 1:0.
I stared at the woman that spoke as she relaxed and was comfortably eating her food to her satisfaction. My temper began to rise. She can't go unpunished. I got up from my seat, my body vibrating in complete rage. I walked over to her seat, and she had the guts to greet me "Good afternoon".
What was good about the afternoon? You had the guts to deny me food. Okay, I would prove to you that many are mad, but few are in the psychiatric hospital.
I instantly took her plate of food, and threw it on her body. The entire hall went silent, her body froze in shock. I looked at her straight in the eyes and all I saw was rage. Before I could tell her what was on my mind, I received a hard thunderous slap right across the face.
ROSE POV
I couldn't believe my eyes. This dude had the effrontery to throw my food on my new dress. Does he have the slightest idea how much this dress cost? I'm pretty sure it could buy him, buy his family and all he owns. Who does he think he is?
I got up as fast as I could, and before asking any questions, I landed a heavy slap on his face. He stumbled backwards as someone who had no single bone in his body. He looked at me shocked, the stench of his outfit oozing out more strongly than before. The fact he was sweating made it worse. I lunged myself at him, and began hitting him on the eyes. He kicked me off him, and it resulted in a fight between us.
One would think the people around would separate us or better still, call the cops. But no…they were too busy taking pictures, making videos, and some placing bets on who would win. Classic Benegota.
The fight lasted for a few minutes, during which I beat him to a pulp. It wasn't much of a fight, it was more of a knockout. He was too weak to be called a man. If not that I had restrained myself, I'm pretty sure I would have beaten him into unconsciousness. People began to hail me, some calling me "woman of steel". I was so happy, and it made me look at him with disdain.
Weakling!
You don't have strength, but you are looking for a fight. Yes, you won't eat in this place. Do you really think you could just join the dance with your smelling self, and expect to be treated like a king? Who does that?
I was at the climax of my celebration when I saw my father shaking his head from a distance. I knew I was in deep trouble. Not only that, the new dress had torn due to the fight, and funny enough, it was borrowed. How do I start to explain to the owner that it was because of this boy lying down here that the dress is in such a mess.
I grabbed him by the ears and told him he would pay for what he had done.
DANIEL POV
I tried to fight back after the slap, but she ended up overpowering me. Now, she is saying I have to pay for her dress. I haven't had anything to eat since early this morning. Who would take care of my medical bills? She had better be joking because this play ain't funny.
"Give me the money for the dress you ruined!" She yelled, pulling me by the ear.
"Give me the money for my medical bill, and I might consider giving you the money for the dress." I said, slapping her hands off my ear.
"You really know how to get on someone's nerves, don't you? Now, I give you to the count of three to give me the money. One…." she said, her face becoming puffed up with anger.
"And what makes you think I care?" I asked, unfazed by her serious expression.
"You will care a bit. By the time I am done dealing with you. You will…."
"That's enough!" An aged man said from the crowd. He was dressed in our cultural native attire, and from the look of things, he is probably a high ranking chief.
"Get to the car!" He yelled at her.
"But father…." She tried to say.
"I said get to the car!" He yelled, causing her to run out of the hall in fear.
"And you…." He said, turning to me.
"And me what?" I replied. I've had enough of being pushed around because I don't have money. Com'on, let the poor breathe.
"I'd deal with you later." He said, moving towards the same direction as that rude girl ran.
"So who is gonna pay my bills?" I yelled after him, because I don't understand who he is leaving the hospital bills for.
All I got was nothing but silence. Murmurs erupted from among the crowd that stood there. I knew the topic of discussion was me. I had to find my way out of the hall before they started calling me names.
"Silly man."
"Weak man."
"See how the lady lifted him 10 feet in the air, and smashed him to the ground."
10 feet ke? People can lie!
"I thought men are strong?"
"Nah, he's not one of us. He's too weak."
Those were the commentaries I kept hearing all around me. The fact I was injured didn't matter to them. Sometimes I wonder what I did to the world. I dragged myself out of the hall amid their laughter. I've got to be honest, that girl is strong. Very strong.
I believe she lives in this Benegota, I'd have my revenge. Only problem is finding her. But let's think this through. What if she ends up beating me again? That's going to be a double disgrace. My stomach rumbled for the tenth time today. Food, I didn't eat. Beating? Well, it was in surplus. Let me just drag myself home. Benegota is not for me.
ROSE POV
I ran into the car, fresh tears slowly dripping from my eyes. Why does he have to embarrass me like that? What did I do to offend him? I have been trying to maintain a high profile among the people, but now, he has ruined it. I hope he's happy now.
A figure approached the car, and dropped in at the driver's seat. It was my dad, his aura filling the car. He wasn't smiling, neither was I. How would I pay for this dress?
"So, you decided to tarnish the image of our family by your reckless action out there?" He said, his voice stern.
"Dad, it's not what you think. I was just…." I tried to explain.
"Trying to disgrace us right?" He said, interrupting me.
"No dad. It…."
"Shut up!" He barked. "So why did you choose to fight?"
"I didn't mean to. It was him that…." I tried to explain again.
"Didn't you hear me tell you to shut the hell up!" He yelled at me. "So tell me, why couldn't you have beckoned unto me for help?"
Silence.
"So you have decided to keep quiet right?" He said, anger tracing his tone.
"But dad, you said…." I tried to say.
"So you dare to speak while I'm speaking." He shouted.
"Just end me. What do you want me to do? Shut up or talk? Be specific." I said, feeling irritated by his behavior.
"Oh, so you have grown wings huh?" He said, his voice getting low. "You have shown me you are more than capable of taking care of yourself."
"I don't understand," I said, shock written all over my face. I hope this is not heading where I think it is.
"You have three weeks to find an apartment and leave my house." He said in an air of finality.
I was shocked.
"Dad, you can't kick me out." I tried to reason with him. I couldn't believe what he was saying.
"I already did. Pack your bags when we get ho
me. You are leaving in three weeks." He said, pulling out of the driveway.
I can't believe I just got kicked out. Where will I go?
TBC…