STIGMA

Chapter 4

　　PARTNERS IN CRIME

　　It was a Friday morning and Salamat woke up to the sound of her alarm. It was 5:15 am.

　　She quickly stood up to observe her morning prayer. After praying, she moved close to her dressing mirror, opened her drawer, and brought out her diary and fountain pen.

　　She sat on a stool in front of the dressing mirror and started scribbling on the diary.

　　Life is beautiful only if we open our eyes to see its beauty.

　　Life is full of ups and downs,

　　Life of challenges, full of lessons.

　　Life is a teacher and we live to lesson every day,

　　The lessons learned are what makes us experienced as humans.

　　Tough times should not stop us from living,

　　Rather it ought to make us stronger.

　　It's just a test of time and it will surely pass.

　　So, therefore, be like a mountain, big, strong, and unshakeable,

　　And no wind nor sand will ever shake you.

　　Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life!!!

　　Reading and writing was Salamat's hobby and she writes majorly as a form of motivation. Her state of mind and mood inspire her to write.

　　Reading is a passion while writing is a hobby that developed out of reading books.

　　She encouraged herself by writing and it made her see beyond spoken words. She pours out her heart by writing to replace the missing attention and companion that she is so much in need of and it also makes her see life from a different perspective.

　　Salamat read through her write-up, smiled, and closed the diary. She put her diary and pen back into the drawer and locked it.

　　She looked up at the clock which was directly above her head while stretching and yawning. It was already 6 am.

　　She stood up and went into the bathroom to take a piss, then took her toothpaste and brush to clean her teeth.

　　After brushing, she went to the kitchen to make breakfast. She toasted some bread, made scrambled eggs which was her mum's favorite, and boiled water for tea.

　　After making breakfast, she quickly set the dining table and went to knock on her parent's door. She knocked twice and got no response, so she pushed open the door and entered the room.

　　She looked around and noticed that the room was actually in a mess because their cleaner has been away for almost a week.

　　Guilt washed through her as she realized it's been long since she entered her parent's bedroom. Her mum who was hardly around doesn't have the time for cleaning even on weekends and her dad who was not so tidy doesn't seem to bother.

　　Salamat then decided to help clean it up later in the day.

　　As a financial accountant, her mum normally resumes work at 8:00 am and closes by 10:00 pm daily and at times 11 pm. That was one of the reasons why she hardly stays at home or even has time to discuss personal and girly issues with her daughter.

　　Sometimes, they hardly see each other for two consecutive days.

　　During Salamat's puberty, her mum was not available to provide and guide her through counseling but her dad who had little knowledge tried the counseling session. Though he avoided the aspect of s*x education to avoid another traumatic session.

　　Salamat thought of the first day she saw her period, she was scared and couldn't fathom what the blood signified. The use of the internet was what guided her through and then a week after, a topic on menstruation was taught in school. After two months, she told her father and that was when he counseled her.

　　Her father who was the intermediary then told her mum but she never brought the topic up.

　　Salamat wondered why and then concluded that she was either ashamed of bringing up the topic or perhaps was not good at counseling when it comes to issues like that.

　　Salamat saw her mother sleeping soundly on the bed but her dad was nowhere to be found.

　　This woman is going to be late for work today, she thought to herself.

　　She moved close to the bed and tapped her mother.

　　"Mum", she called "It's past 7 am already, you are going to be late for work."

　　"What a girl?!", her mum exclaimed. "Is that how to greet your mother early in the morning in your father's village?", her mum said, yawning, and rose from the bed.

　　Salamat smiled.

　　"Good morning, mummy", Salamat said, kneeling.

　　"Good morning Omowunmi, how was your night? I hope you slept well", her mum responded.

　　"Yes mummy, I made breakfast, go and freshen up or else you will be late for work", Salamat said and stood up.

　　"See who is talking? Are you trying to get rid of me or what? Oh, I get it... you want to have my husband to yourself right? No problem. Husband snatcher", her mum uttered with humor.

　　"For your information, I am going nowhere today, I called in sick and I was given a day off", she finished.

　　Salamat was quiet. She felt pleased but kept on wondering what's with her mother's behavior. She never knew her mother was that amusing.

　　"Okay mummy, where is dad?"Salamat asked, sitting on the bed.

　　"You are always asking of that old man, do you even care about me?", she asked her daughter, ready to keep up with the act.

　　"Of course I do mummy, I just want to know where your old husband is", Salamat replied and winked.

　　Mrs. Ade laughed out loud and beckoned to her daughter to come closer. When she was close enough, she stood up and engulfed her in a hug. She sat down and Salamat did the same.

　　They were both silent before Mrs. Ade spoke up.

　　"Your dad went out immediately after his morning prayers and he said he will be back in the next 3 hours or so. He went to the office to clear some files and I am sure he will soon be back. Are you satisfied now?", Mrs. Ade explained.

　　"Yes mummy", Salamat said.

　　"My one and only Wunmi, the apple of my eye...... I want to use this opportunity to apologize for whatsoever I might have done to wrong you whether knowingly and unknowingly. All our struggle is for your interest and future. I know I haven't been a good mother to you. But from now onward, I want you to be free to discuss anything with me. Don't hide anything from me please because I am your mother and I will always be. I don't want to be just a mother to you, I want to be your friend, your confidant, and your partner in crime as well as your diary", she asserted and smiled at her daughter.

　　Salamat did the same.

　　Mrs. Ade continued, "Forgive your father and me for our mistakes and shortcomings. We love you so much Omowunmi and we are doing our best to provide you with the best. I know deep down that you are not happy. The mistake is not a sign of incompatibility my dear but a reminder that we are humans. As humans, we are not perfect and we are bound to make mistakes. When we make mistakes, we try to adjust so as not to make such mistakes again and that is proof that we are growing. Just like I always say 'No amount of sand can ever move a mountain, so be like a mountain and no sand will ever move you.' My dear, continue being the strong girl that you have always been, and always remember that relief they say comes after hardship. I love you my baby", she looked at her daughter tearfully but surprisingly Salamat was already crying.

　　"Shhh don't be a baby, you are no longer one but if you want to behave like one then I think you need to suck", Mrs. Ade said touching her bosom.

　　Salamat laughed amidst her tears and hugged her mother.

　　"That's my woman", Mrs. Ade said.

　　Salamat released her mum and asked, "Mummy, you said dad will soon be back, does that mean you and dad will be home today?"

　　"Yes baby", Mrs. Ade answered. "Oya let's go and have breakfast, it seems your old man is not coming back anytime soon. I reckon he has gone to see his concubines."

　　"It's not possible", said Salamat.

　　Just then, there was a horn at the gate.

　　"You see?"Salamat said, widening her eyes.

　　"Speak of the devil. Anyways, don't tell him I said anything, remember we are now partners in crime", she whispered, holding out her finger.

　　"Of course we are", said Salamat, bringing out hers too.

　　"That's my baby...Oops sorry woman", Mrs. Ade said.

　　They smiled at each other and went out to the dining room.