The Village Gardner

Episode 13

Weekend finally came.i took permision from my boss.and he granted me.i took my hp bag which contain some of my clothes.and left for the village.i spent the sum of one thousand naira from the city to umuagu my village.it was just six hours journey.i stop at one of the supermarket and bought some stuffs for my granny and my tochi.

Finally.i got to my village.i took another bike from the village square to my house.i got home and every were was dry and quiet.were is everybody?.i looked at the kitchen side and saw my old mother coming out.

Mama.i called.immediately she saw me.she came forward and gave me a hug.

G.MAMA.my son.is this you?.

ME.(noo.is my ghost)yes mama is me.how are you doing?.

G.MAMA.my son.am strong o.just that i missed you alot.

ME.ooh mama.you looks strong indeed.i missed you too.smiled.

G.MAMA.you are looking very fine o.you are really taking care of yourself.your skin is now shining.smiling.

ME.thank you mama.lets go inside.

I went inside and took my bath.she brought out a well cook vegetable soup with hot fufu for me.i ate them as if i havn’t eaten for days.the food was delicious no dout.i really missed her cooking.after the food.

ME.mama thank you for the food. i really missed your food.it’s very delicious.

G.MAMA.you are welcome my son.i made the food special for you.you can eat as much as you like.

I gave her what i bought for her…

ME.mama.this is for you.(i handed the nylon to her).

G.MAMA.all this for me?thank you my son.may God bless you.you will never lack.

ME.amen mama.and this is for tochi.my wife to be.

Immediately i mention tochi’s name.my mama’s expression changed to sad mood. Ehee.that remind me.how is she doing.and what is the problem you were talking about when we spoke last time?

G.MAMA.hmmm.my son.i called you here so that we can talk about tochi.

ME.mama.what are you talking about.hope nothing bad happened to my tochi?.

G.MAMA.tobechukwu.there is a problem.tochi is pregnant.

ME.how.i mean what are you talking about.how is she pregnant?.

G.MAMA.she is two months pregnant.i called you here to ask you whether you are responsible for the pregnancy.so that we can hurry and pay her bride prize.before her stormach becomes bigger.

I was confused and supprise at the same time.how is tochi pregnant na.i havn’t done any jigida with her so far.how is this possible.or is she pregnant for another man?.noo. tochi don’t do this to me.

G.MAMA.tobechukwu.you are not saying anything.

ME.mama i don’t know what to say.i havn’t done any jigida with her.since we met each other.

G.MAMA.i don’t understand.what is jigida?.

ME.eerm.i mean s#x.

G.MAMA.you mean that you didn’t had any s#x with her.when both of you are together?.ME.yes mama.

G.MAMA.that means you are not the one responsible for her pregnancy.she is carring another person’s child.and she has been cheating on you for all this while.but are you sure that you are not the…(i cut her in).

ME.yes mama am not the one.so tochi my tobaby.has been cheating on me at my back.ooh tochi.why did she do this to me.i trusted her very well.mama why.(i started crying like a three years old child.tears was dropping freely from my eyes.i didn’t know that i was good in crying till that moment.chai!tochi my tobaby why.

G.MAMA.my son biko stop crying eeh.you are hurting me with this your tears.i don’t like seeing you this way.what has happen has happen tobe.what you will do now is to concentrate on your work in city.just move on with your life.better girl will come at the right time.ooh nwam.don’t cry again unless you want me to start my own cry.(she threaten).

ME.mama.try to understand me.tochi mean alot to me.i can’t forget her just like that.she was my first girlfriend.my first love.tochi have betrayed me mama.(more tears found there way out from my eyes).

G.MAMA.and then.do you want to kill youself.answer me.i have told you to forget her and move on.what else do you want me to do.if you want to kill yourself because of her then go ahead.what is your own self.(she said in a sad mood).please my son don’t kill your self.you are the only one i have please oo.

ME.i have heard you mama. I stood up and made to go.she called me back.

G.MAMA.were are you going now.

ME.mama am coming.i want to go and see her.and ask her some questions.i will be back.

I left our house and headed to her house. In 15 minutes time.i got to there compound and found nobody at home.i called toch’s name but got no reply.i decided to check at there back yard. i saw her washing clothes.i was shocked to see her and i don’t know why.it wasn’t my first nor second time to see her.but i was shocked.she didn’t see me.untill i called out her name.she looked up and saw me standing.she stood still like a stature.shock confusion guilty and fear was writting all over her body.am sure she wish the ground should open and swallow her once and for all.i called her name again.still she didn’t move an inch were she was standing.the next thing i saw was tears dropping from her eyes.