Read Trails Of An Abused Woman (Story) Episode 2

Episode 2

Mabeline moved her children to the worst part of the village, there was no money for them to get a better place and her children had to stop schooling because of non payment of school fees. Things were bad and getting worse by the day, they only ate once a day, they ate the left overs of other people in the village or the food that were meant for the animals, their suffering was like no other.

It had been a year since Adong sent them out in the rain, Mabeline had gone to appeal to him so many times but he wouldn’t listen. Edama her last child was on the sick bed but there was no money to treat her. One morning disaster struck.
“Emerald am back.” Mabeline entered looking tired. “Welcome mother” Emerald shifted so she could sit. “How is Edama?” Mabeline asked as she touched Edama’s body. “Mother, her temperature is rising by the minute.”

Mabeline started to cry. “My baby, no one wants to treat her without payment first, ah! Olorun o(God) where is your face?” She carried the little girl in her hands.

“Edama open your eyes and acknowledge your mother.” Emerald and Mabeline began to shake her. “Edama, Edama.” By now they were both shouting and crying. Jokai and Jofin ran inside. “What is wrong with her?” “Somebody help! Help!” Jofin ran outside to call the neighbours. “Help! Help!” People ran to their house. A man popularly called ‘Dokita'(Doctor) in the villagechecked Edama. He straightened after a few minutes and began. “Hem! God taketh and giveth. Mama Emmy, am sorry but little Edama is gone.”
Mabeline shouted in despair. “Haaaaaaaa! My enemies have succeeded, they have won” She fainted and was later revived by the people who came to mourn with her. She mourned her daughter bitterly while people came to console her.

The death of Edama struck Mabeline and her children fiercely but after two years of mourning her, they let go. They accepted their fate. Little did they know that their ordeal had just started.
“Jokai, Jokai, come out here.” Mabeline called from the backyard. “Yes, mama you called.” Mabeline nodded affirmatively. “Yes, Jofin is not yet back from school?” He shook his head in response. “No mother but he will soon be here.” She smiled. “Good. I want you to take this….” She gave him some money. “………….Go to the market, buy cassava, heavy one o so that we may eat.”