Marked ( Nigerian) #4

Chapter Two

Remi walked down the street that led to her house. She had grown up here and she knew everybody.

"Remi, welcome" the pap seller on their street, mommy shade would yell in Yoruba from her shed that displayed her products at the front of her house when ever she saw her going home.

"Come and take the pap your mother paid for earlier". Her father loved drinking pap a lot.

She was closest to her father and it made her unable to relate to why other people got scared around their fathers. Her mom scared her more.

She and her father would have deep conversations about their living situation when she was growing up. He never hid much about the truth from her. He had lost his job at the phamacitical company due to bankruptcy when she was in senior school. He had tried to get another job but couldn't.

Finally, her mother who use to be a full housewife since giving birth to the triplets came up with the solution of using his savings to open a shop that sold provisions and other small items. They were able to afford the basic things with the help of the shop.

Both of them would take turns staying at the small shop and when she was home from school she would take turns with them. When her youngest sister had died, her mother had gotten depressed and fell ill.

The treatment took a lot but she became well. Her family hardly spoke about Alaba, her sister who had died at age Ten. She was very jovial and she made everyone laugh.

Remi had once walked in on her father crying and he had apologized for not being able to give all of them the life they deserved. She didn't know what to say so she sat beside him and cried with him. It had strengthened their bond.

Remi had gotten home to meet Chima in the living area in her house at surulere surrounded by her whole family. Her father sat in his arm chair outside and gave her no warning about his presence after they had exchange greetings. Her living room area was the size of the Guest bathroom in Chima's house on the island. She felt a rush of shame anytime he came over to her house. Her younger sister Tomi rushed towards Remi as she held on to the closed door, resting her back against it.

Her other two siblings Toba and Tobi the twenty years old twins sat on opposite sides of their mother.

He had brought gifts like he usually did whenever he came around.

" Why are you standing by the door, come on, come in and greet Chima well" her mother had said as she dragged her by the arm towards the rest of the family.

"Remi see what Chima got for me" her younger sister who was in her first year with the boys at the University of Lagos said excitedly towards her sister as she held out the phone he had gotten her.

"Give that back to him" she told her sister before proceeding towards the kitchen.

"I am so sorry" she had heard her mother say before excusing herself to follow her daughter.

She picked up the nylon of bread and searched for the butter container they kept margarine in to make it feel real butter. She took a bite of her bread and poured a glass of water to drink.

Remi gulped the water slowly before Her mother slapped her hard on her back and the mixture of bread and water came splashing out of Her mouth.

"You won't disgrace this family" her mom said softly as she held on tight to Remi's arms. "Why don't you want me to eat the fruit of my labor". Her mother started to cry as she slapped Remi's shoulders.

Remi wasn't moved because she had learnt at an early age the different stages of drama her mom could perform when it was called for.

"Mommy, stop this ha" she said angrily. She looked at her mom's face change as she raised her hand to hit her on the face.

"Mommy" she heard Chima call out.

"My son, come in" her mom said as she stared at her daughter angrily and retreated her hand. She turned to face Chima with a smile.

She hugged him before proceeding to leave the kitchen. As Chima faced Remi her mother made threats at her from behind him.

Remi brushed it off and looked away. She proceeded to clean the mess her mom had made her make.

Growing up her mom had told her about how she had missed her chance to give her children the life they deserved by marrying a wealthy man. Instead she had chosen love and settled for her father. Her mom said this to her a lot but she never heard any hint of regret in her mother's voice no matter how much she searched for it. Growing up was fun for the most part, when they had, they had and when they didn't have, they worked and prayed.

"I am sorry, Remi.... I didn't mean it like that" he said with his cute eyes that made her smile. She was determined not to smile even though all she wanted to do was hug him tight. Instead she turned away with the dirt she had gathered from the slab and threw it in the bin.

As she washed her hand he wrapped his arm around her waist and hugged her from behind.
He kissed her neck softly which made her smile. She couldn't stay mad at him for long.

"I am really sorry"
She kissed him softly on the lips and nodded.

"I got the email on my way home. I start work on Monday" she said with a hint of excitement in her voice. She searched for an expression that would give her a reason to continue the fight they had but he just looked genuinely happy for her.

He kissed her softly before embracing her. Chima was taller than her but His hugs always had its way of making her feel better. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest and heard his heart beat as he placed a kiss on her head.

"My mom wants to meet you" he said. She suddenly felt fear. She really didn't like the idea of meeting his mom. He held her in high regards. His dad was the only one she had met, the rest of his family, she only heard of them when he talked about them. She had spoken to his brother a few times over the phone whenever he called when they were together.

" you will do alright okay and she will fall head over heels for you"

She smiled sadly and nodded slowly. She wasn't sure why she couldn't believe any of the word she said despite the fact that she knew she was a very loveable person.

"I have heard. When will it be" she asked as she walked towards the door.

"I will keep you updated" he said as he shoved a slice of bread into his mouth. She smiled at him, he looked in place and funny in his black suit. He knew how to make himself feel at home when he was at her house. A lot of it came from him wanting her to not feel the difference between their social status which she felt anyway.

"That's not butter"

"Yh, I know" he said as he shoved the bread he spread margarine on into his mouth.

She felt tempted to slap his back and make him spit out the content of his mouth like her mom did to her. Then she thought about how she would have to be the one to clean it up again so she smiled at him instead and he returned a huge grin.