Chapter 14
By
Rejoice Igbinovia Aluyi
......We arrived home, neighbors and well wishers had rushed in to come welcome the baby..
There was merriment, celebration and rejoicing,indeed children are blessings from God,and there's this joy they bring to our lives and homes....
I had given father the 18,000 Mrs Johnson gave me,he sent Osato to get some drinks so that we could entertain our guest and well wishers...
Many of them gave the baby money as they left...
Mrs Johnson stayed with us for a while and then said she she was leaving....
We honestly can't thank you enough for all you did for our daughter,God will richly bless you, father appreciated Mrs Johnson...
Oh come on sir,I only did what anyone would have done,Esohe, please take care of yourself and your baby,I may not be able to come everyday, but I'd definitely not miss your baby's naming ceremony,she said....
Oh thank you very much ma,I said....
So when is the Naming,she asked father...
In seven days time,that would be on Friday,he said...
Okay then,I shall be around,she said...
Thank you so much madam,I really appreciate, mother said to her,please just call me Mrs Johnson,and it's okay,I am glad I could help,,,what do I call you,she asked mother...
Everyone around here call me mama Nathaniel,but for a woman of your class,I know calling mama would be difficult,call me Mrs Edosa,mother said....
You are so funny,Mrs Edosa would do,that makes your husband Mr Edosa right,she asked her..
Of course, mother replied.....
Okay then, Mrs Edosa, it's nice meeting you and your household,see you on the day of the naming ceremony,she said,entered her car and drove off....
Chai, that woman is definitely swimming in money.one could see and feel money all around her, she's so classic and nice, it's this kind of people I want to associate with,mother said....
No success comes in a day,and laziness and success are two parallel lines which can never meet,no successful man or woman attain such height by doing nothing,father said.....
Are you by any chance calling me lazy,ehenn, you calling me lazy,okay,you that have been working,what have you achieved,is it not this rented three bedroom apartment in this under developed area you have achieved,,see let me tell you, whether you believe it or not,there are people who God destined to be rich,whether such people work or not,they make money,and one of such people is Mrs Johnson,mother said....
Ehenn Ese,you see that woman,you are going to get close to her,get to know her, infact I want to be a part of her life,you and I are going to pay her a visit,once you become stronger...she said...
Itohan,leave Esohe out of any of you move,please,if you want to be friends with her, do that on your own,father said...
Mother gave a long hiss and walked away...
We continued receiving visitors and many of them would give the baby money, where's the money,was mother's line immediately the visitor leaves,she was the one keeping the money,and I dare not speak...
Soon it was the baby's naming ceremony, father had giving mother 12,000 from the 18,000 I had given him,given to me by Mrs Johnson,,to make snacks and drinks to entertain guest. ..
At 4pm the naming ceremony started,the pastor, neighbors, friends and relatives were around, Nathan had said he wouldn't be able to make it,as he was busy with lectures,but I was earnestly waiting for two people, Mrs Johnson and my uncle, They promised to be around....
Soon my uncle and his wife came,I was so happy to see him,I hugged him tightly,he was happy too,he held the baby,and some tear drops flowed down his check, she's just like my sister,so beautiful,if only she was here,he said....
Esohe,you have experienced the joy's of motherhood,how was it,his wife asked me in sarcasm...
It was fine, God stood by me,I replied her...
Ehenn,, congratulations, welcome to motherhood,she said....
I looked at her,and didn't want her to spoil the moment for me...
Soon Mrs Johnson drove in,I welcomed her beautifully....
The naming ceremony started,the pastor had a short sermon, asking us to bring the child in the ways of the lord,as we were only but caretakers, that God would ask me someday how I raised the child he had given me,some prayers were made and then the naming started....
Nathan didn't send a name,he said he was fine with what ever name I and father calls the child....
Many person's named the child....
Uncle called her Oghosa, meaning God'sOwn
Mrs Johnson called her Bernice
Mother called her Ivie... meaning precious or valuable.
Father called her Eloghosa meaning, it isn't difficult for God....
And of course I called her Miracle....
Her official names were Miracle Eloghosa Edosa....
Music went on and the light refreshments mother had bought was shared....
It was getting late and persons started leaving....
Mrs Johnson was about leaving,when she asked me for my phone number,then I told her I didn't have a phone,she than promised to get one for me and a sim when next she comes visiting...
My uncle too was about leaving...
My child,I am so happy for you,thank God for successful delivery, thank God you and your baby are in good and perfect shape,he said....
He gave me 10,000 he had also bought some provisions and so many clothes and shoes for the baby...
He hugged me tightly and was on his way,he said he would be traveling the next day, but promised to come visit me once he got back....
Bring the money your uncle gave you,mother said....
But mother it'sssssss
It's what,come on give me,mother said taking the money from me,have you forgotten you won't be able to go to market for now,so i need all the money I can get to take care of the family,,,mother said...
How much did Mrs Johnson give you,she asked me...
Mother,Mrs Johnson didn't give me any money,I replied.....
Are you sure,are you sure,she kept asking but I didn't even say a word......
Itohan,are would you just take the whole money given to her and the baby like that,father quarried,but mother didn't answer him.....
My baby was a blessing,she kept attracting gifts from people around,she received so much gifts and money,but of course mother wouldn't let us get hold of the money....
In less than a month,mother had finished everything,there wasn't anything in the house,no food and no money...
Nathan too was calling that he needed money in school...
You have Mrs Johnson's number right, mother asked me....
No mother, I don't,I replied...
How can you be so senseless not to get the phone number of such a wealthy woman,she quarried.now there's nothing In this house, nothing,what exactly are we going to do,she said....
Itohan, people have been coming to ask of food stuffs,I asked you to go to the market with some of the money,and continue with the business,just sell at home, but you refused,have you seen it,you thought money will keep flowing in,father quarried ..
No no honey,were you actually expecting me to start doing yam, plantain and Cocoyam business,she asked..
And so, what's the big deal,that plantain,yam and Cocoyam business has been sustaining us in this house,now see,my major concern is what Esohe who is a breastfeeding mother would eat, she's my only concern right now, father said....
She's your only concern,so what about me and Osato,we aren't your concern right,she asked but father ignored her...
Father sent a neighbor to buy beancake (akara) and he made Pap for me to eat with the beancake....
So you have truly looked for what she'd eat,while the rest of us should open our mouth to air right,she asked him angrily....
In about three hours later,Mrs Johnson came,she actually kept her promise,she bought me a phone and sim,I was very grateful,she stayed for a few minutes,and she was about leaving,I asked her for her address,so I could come visit her,and she gave me,she gave me the sum of 12,000 and I was very grateful......
Mother of course took the money from me immediately she left,as she was there when Mrs Johnson gave me the money,and bought some foodstuffs....
In two Days time, uncle came from travel and he came visiting,he stayed with us for some time,and gave the baby and I 15,000 as he was about leaving...
Father told him we would soon be taking the child for dedication, uncle promised to be around....
The baby was two months and two weeks when we took her to church, Mrs Johnson and uncle were in attendance,and even Nathan,he came from school and he was happy to see his daughter....
She's so beautiful he had said.....
After dedication Nathan was to go back to school,and mother gave him from the little money she had, making us broke again....
The upper Sunday mother then asked that we go to see Mrs Johnson,I called her that I was coming to see her,and she said she was home.....
On our way to her house mother began...
See Esohe,as we are going there, it's for a mission, anything you lay your hands in that you know is valuable,grab it,if you like go there and act foolishly,she said....
Mother are you asking me to steal,I asked suprised....
Who's calling it stealing, listen,when you take from the rich, it's not called stealing because they have more than enough,it's simply called taking, it's when you take from the poor,you know do not have, that it is stealing..she explained..
I was Starring at her as I hadn't heard that before.....
We got to Mrs Johnson's and it was a magnificent building,she welcomed us cheerfully with smiles,she served us sophisticated wine and asked the help to serve the table....
We had a sumptuous meal of chicken vegetable soup and pounded yam.,.
We discussed about so many things...
She soon asked me to come with her to her daughter's room,to see if I'd like anything there, apparently her daughter traveled abroad for educational purpose..
Can I come too,mother asked,of course, Mrs Johnson said....
She opened her daughter's Wardrope and asked me to pick anything I liked,I selected some clothes,and then my hands touched a small box...
Oh my darling you can take anything expect for the jewelries in that box,they are all pure gold and diamonds,and she doesn't joke with her jewelries,you know how you young girls can be with jewelries,she said laughing....
Mrs Edosa let's leave Esohe alone, so she can select what she needs,Mrs Johnson said leading the way....
Yes of course,mother said,but she turned to me, giving me the sign to take from the jewelries.....
I opened the box,and indeed it was filled with beautiful gold and diamond necklaces, earrings and bracelet...
I was confused,I didn't know if I should take some as mother had instructed,after all it isn't called stealing because they are wealthy or If i shouldn't....
To be continued
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