SHORT STORY: 'MAMA' by ELIZABETH OGUNADE

It has been sixteen years since Mama left. I was only eight years old when she left. I remember vividly how she dragged her luggage through the door, without a final word or hug. It did not fully hit me that she would be leaving for good. Now, I know better. Looking back, I cannot say that I had a happy childhood and it is mostly due to the fact that I was raised in a broken home. I remember the arguments and wailings. We lived in a block of flat and my three siblings had a daily monotonous routine. We would wake up early to prepare for school on our own while my Dad would have been out earlier. He used to travel out a lot so he was away most of the time.

I really do not remember much about Mama. Maybe it is because she was always distant. We never had a connection and I did not know her. As a shy and withdrawn kid, whenever, their arguments spiralled out of control, such that it took the intervention of neighbours to settle their dispute, I would hide in my dad’s study room, bury my face in my palms and sob. Most times, I found comfort in reading books and creating an imaginary world of my own. My dad who was a junior lecturer at that time, would buy us loads of books during his trips. He always instilled in us, a reading culture. Mama on the other hand, acted strangely most of the time.

 I recall one cold evening, my siblings and I were playing hide and seek with our neighbour’s children outside the flat. Mama was having another episode of talking to invincible creatures. Her scream startled us but we were used to the erratic behaviour so we paid no attention. Later that evening, she beat all four of us, accusing us of witchcraft. She would rant and curse and break down in tears. I discovered years on that she was battling with schizophrenia and anxiety disorder. Perhaps, it was what affected her union with my dad.

About the Author.

Oluwatodimu Elizabeth Ogunade is a Content strategist and Creative writer.  She is a graduate of English Language from the University of Ilorin. She has worked as a correspondent at Sunshine Herald and Ripples Nigeria. She was a Media Associate for Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN). Elizabeth loves reading, writing and teaching. When she is not working on her novel or reading a book, she can be found helping brands grow their business on a large scale through content marketing. She lives in Lagos Nigeria.