Addicted. (A short story)

                        

Iya Joe!, a loving and caring mother of 4, of which 3 is married leaving her all alone in her suburb with his last and demanding son Joseph. she’s a hardworking woman and never seems to appreciate laziness , she owns large  Buka where she sells local dishes for the passerby. She sits gracefully In her shop when she heard a shout, right opposite her shop, it was Joseph, and a huge shaped dark bald  guy , and she rushed there. Seeing the young razz guy , who everyone will call a bouncer manhandling his son. 

“Eh! Morrruf , you want to kill my son?, just Leave him first “ she said angrily and dragged his hands off his sons neck.

“Iya Joe!, Help me tell your son.....” Moruuf said angrily 

“What is it? “ she asked as she ushered her son Inside.

“Ask your son” he said as he walks angrily and repeatedly talking to himself as he disappears, leaving Iya Joe and his terrible good looking son all alone, as buyers walked inside her shop and headlights of car flashes right and left. Joseph wanted zooming off like a rat being chased , then his mother held him in his hands like a thief, being caught by a police. 

“Joseph, What happened” she questioned like a primary school teacher, with her hands all over her jaw.

“Mom.... it’s nothing , I don’t just know why that guy hates me “ he said with conviction in his voice which allow his mother believed every single word he said. 

“Go Inside and eat, I will report that idiot to the police next time I see him” she said with a faint smile .

“Okay mother , he deserved to be locked , it’s because I’m better, more handsome than him, mom check me out na” he said stretching his hands and rolling like a tire. As he entered her shop and ordered for a precious meal. 

On a burning sunny afternoon, Iya joe was walking home with her scarf like a stripped bandage, it seems like joe elder sister is around with his family to spend the weekend before heading to their home. Suddenly he saw Moruuf , with short trousers flapping like flags, and his large brown eyes , staring to Iya joe, there was a moment of silent , before she broke the it.

“Are we fighting?” She asked curiously 

“No , o , we can never fight , it’s just your son that wants to make us fight” he said as he stretched his hand to help her get her heavy bags, as they both continue walking toward a long road.

“No wonder , I don’t use to see you in my shop again, Oya tell me what is it” she said as she adjusted her scarf.

“Okay, tell your son to leave my sister alone , he has a girlfriend and still chase my sister” he said 

“Haha!! Haha!!! Morrruf , you can’t be serious “ she said laughing so hard , which got him angry.

“Oh , you are laughing ba , next time I see him , I will break his leg” he said as he tried to swallow the anger in his face.

“Na you wan marry your sister” she said still laughing.

“Look....... Ols Solider’s daughter That stays down here your son is playing with  her, the next street your son is following thier principals daughter ...... I can count in ten fingers, who your son is messing around with , pls and pls , tell him to leave my sister if not......” he said in a too a tight face,  dragging his ear.

“Really”she said pretending not to be surprised. 

“Yes , look if...... I have said my own , you better tell your son , he don’t want to be like his father” he said waving at the passer by.

“Hey! Don’t insult me.....anyways thanks, and always try to mind your business” she said as she try to check her side bag for change

“Okay , I will “ he said, and he dropped the bags on the floor and recoiled back, leaving her all alone in a long and unending road.

At about 8pm, When all the family are around. They surrounded a large rich table, with beef , fried rice and juice all over it. And they dine . Iya joe called his son , who was sweating profusely venting his anger on the food. “Joseph.... Joseph.... leave Moruf sister alone....”.

“Mommy , I don’t know what you are talking about , who’s moruf?”. He asked confused, as he continued his meal. As he said to hisself “Mumu moruf sister that have put me in great doom”.

“You said “. Her mother asked “Nothing ma!” . They continued the meal. After the meal, his father advised him alone , to stay away form girls now that they are distractions , that they will run after him when they know what he can offer. But all these words were blunt. 

At Fatima’s place. it was surrounded on all sides by high stucco walls into which were embedded shards of shattered beer bottles–a crude security system  preventing anyone from entering illegally without leaving behind a good portion of flesh. At the far right, there was a mighty cage with two big builded bull dogs staring repeatedly at him. Then shortly , the door slid open. Right opposite him, it was a fair, thick lady with a pleasing smile and a wire rim glass appeared. it was Fatima . This is the second time of coming to her place. “How about your brother, Moruf?”. He asked panicky.

“He went to work”. She said as she ushered her in. She jumped on the chair and wear a sad face. 

“Joe. I’m pregnant...”.  She said as she fought her rising fear. 

“Tell  me you are joking”. He looked less frightened and confused.

“I’m serious”Her voice sharpen like a eraser.

“Ahh...I’m dead “. He felt he has been electrocuted. There was silent in the room, for a while. Then finally Joseph broke the silence.

“Let’s do this ... Aborrttt it” He said with fear all showing in his face. “I can’t “. She said with confidence..... I can’t .....The door swung open. Cutting her short . It was a huge fair razz guy , with a curly air. It was Moruf. They all  stood freeze . It’s only the grace of God that would get Joseph out of this mess.

“Goo...good afternoon brother Moruf”. He stammered. 

“Abort...”. He said as his eye went white like a shark ready to attack. No doubt he heard all their conversation. “ put on your slippers let’s head to your mothers place. Moruf said fiercely. As obvious fear gathered his face , Fatima also followed , they entered a white Toyota Camry , as the bull dogs continued barking as the car headed for Iya Joe’s Buka and joseph folded inside like a thief.