As if it was a dream,the blood of our mother dripping from her forehead gripped a serious attention from her children; I, Isreal and Karen.
The anger from my dad was boiling so bad that I couldn't stand the tears anymore. I shivered walking to hold my dad's hand from touching mum again.
It was really a bad experience that had all my attention.
From the little discussion,to exchange of words and then this drastic fight.
I found myself begging,dad please ! please!!.
Let go of my hand,I'll deal with your mother today,he angrily said. Isreal and Karen was with mum,cleaning off the blood over her body.
Dad walked away, dressed up and drove out.
This is the first fight I've experienced between my parents.
Alot of questions on my mind,why would a man beat up a woman till she bleeds?
Is this experience a good one ? Will this continue? Blah blah blah ... questions overflowed.
I followed my mum to a near pharmacy to get drugs for herself,the injury wasn't a nice one at all.
You mean he did this to you ? Dr. Linda asked.
You can see it yourself doctor,mum replied.Does he really want to kill you madam? Dr Linda asked.This time I reply to that question.
Well,you need a serious attention,Dr Linda said on a low tune,walked to get the necessary requirements for the treatment of the injury.
She continued speaking,I wouldn't want to be treating you with this kind of injury.He has to stop this domestic violence,it cost more harm to you.
Mum was so weak to reply to any thing doctor said.I watched my mum's forehead bandaged like she was involved in an accident,the pain of seeing a human treated such way can never be well explained to another just as I can't put it in words to tell.
After the treatment and drugs prescription ,we went home.
On our way, questions were throwing to us.Ma, what happened to you ? Were you involved in an accident? And alot more ...
I couldn't just wait to get home.
This moment created a huge suspense at home that everyone was on their lane,no interference.
Most unusual thing that happened was,mum sleeping at the sitting room instead on her matrimonial bed.It's so bad for us to see this happening.
As the last among her children,and closest to her,I stayed with her on the couch.
Go to your room okay...she said to me calmly.
I want to sleep here,I replied.No,it's not convenient for you Bell,go to your room,she insisted.But mum,what happened between you and dad ? I asked.
Nothing dear,just go to bed,you don't have to know everything now... Later on,you would understand things yourself,she said.
Goodnight,I replied and went to my room.
I didn't just doze off instantly,the moment I saw blood dripping like water from mum's forehead couldn't stop playing in my head.That was a terrible and a bad moment.
I feel irritated by it.
The next day, Monday morning,I didn't feel like going to school but no way I would be at home .Dad didn't drop us in school today,we entered a public transport to school and it was unlike us.
I was not feeling good staying in class,all my mind was focused on my mum, praying something like that shouldn't happen again especially when no one is at home.
Bella,you appear too down today, what's up with you,Mandy asked.
Nothing,a little head ache,I lied.Sorry about that.Are you aware of the inter-house sport coming up soon,we are expected to fix ourselves into any of the sport we are good at,I'll be participating in high jump and relay race,how about you shorty ...
I smiled after a whole time being devastated, that's because she called me "shorty". That's the other name am addressed as in class cause am not a tall person.
I'll involve in long race,I replied.
Good ! She replied and left.
Every other activities in class flowed along till we closed.We went home ourselves,no longer dad picking us up.
We got home, ate,went to our different rooms.
I went to stay with mum, and dad wasn't home too.
How was school? Fine mum, how's your fore head ? Better Bell,you don't need to worry about me okay? But mum,what exactly resulted to this? You're still too little to understand,I can't explain certain things to you now.
I still insist mum, I want to know.Bell stop the questions and go to do something better,you have home work right?
Yes,I have.Go attend to them now,it's getting late.Okay ma,I replied and went to my room.
Something is actually not right in this house, dad's actual change towards us, what could be the reason he's been acting different these days...
Few minutes passed,I was already on my English home work.From my room,I could hear the voice of one of my aunt,seems she's here to pay a visit.I sneaked out to warmly greet her.
Hey Bella... How are you,she asked immediately she saw me coming and mum stopped speaking.
Aunty I'm fine and you? I'm good, how's school? Fine ma. Alright,go back to your room,I'll come check you inside before I leave,she replied.Okay ma,I said and walked back.
I was walking back slowly,then overheard mum continue speaking with so much bitterness and with a crying voice,truly she was crying, because I turned back and saw aunty already sitting close to my mum tapping her back but they couldn't see me.
Mum is in deep pain, something is wrong,I was thinking this inside my room.I barely see mum cry,this one has touched some where too painful to hold back the tears.
Dad came back home very late today,so very late.I've been waiting to see him before going to bed but I slept before he came.
The next morning,Dad addressed us,Isreal,take care of your siblings,I won't be dropping and picking you all from school again, I'm too busy this period to do that so I'll provide the necessary for transportation.
I wanted to ask why the change,but my instinct shut up that suggestion.
Okay dad,we chorusely replied.
Isreal would be writing JAMB this year though,he's in his final class in secondary school,while Karen is in his SS1 and myself,JSS1.
After school,I found out something.Dad was home when we got back from school,we all sat in the sitting room except mum who has been going through a lot,she was sitted outside under a mango tree.
Dad's phone rang,he was actually sleeping and I was close to where he plugged his phone to charge.I went to take his phone to him, the number calling was saved as "my second wife".
Huh, second wife... Amusing to me.Dad,your phone,I was tapping him to wake up.
Oh,thanks dear,why is she calling... He whispered but I heard it.
He went into his room to talk to her,I followed but eavesdropped standing at his door.
Hello,he said.I can't hear the reply from the other end,just what he's replying to the person.
You mean my wife is in labour ?
Which hospital ? He asked.
Oh,I'll be right there shortly,he replied and I ran back to the sitting room.
He rushed out from his room and drove out.
For real,dad has another wife outside,this is unbelievable.
I couldn't stop thinking about this disappointment from my father to us.This may be the reason he had issue with my mum.
Dad didn't sleep home today and so I forcefully slept in the sitting room with my mum no matter how she disagreed.My eyes were closed but wasn't sleeping, just thinking back what I overheard and how true it is,then mum's phone rang.
This is not any of tribe person neither family,as she was conversing using English.
...I need a good house please,this one you're talking about to me is not what I want...
Alot are going wrong really,dad welcoming a new child and mum in search of a new house,what exactly is going on ...
Maybe she felt I was asleep that's why she made the call here.
Honestly, things have changed,the moments of joy are now past,the bond is now loosen,I really miss the former.The family was thriving, laughter echoed through the walls, and love was the language spoken.Dad, the pillar of strength, was the glue holding everyone together. But life had other plans.
The storm clouds gathered slowly. Whispers of a woman outside the marriage, a secret life unfolding.Then, the unthinkable: she was pregnant.The news hit like a wrecking ball, shattering the peace.
Panic, anger, and hurt swirled in a toxic mix. Questions swamped the mind: Why? How could he? What's next? The family's rhythm was disrupted, trust broken. The joyous moments turned bittersweet, memories tainted by the weight of betrayal.
The fallout was palpable. Arguments flared, silences stretched, and the once-solid foundation crumbled. Everyone struggled to cope, each person wrestling with their own demons. It was a dark period, one that would leave scars but also teach lessons.