"Emabong if you leave this house, make sure you stay there, you cannot return here," Emabong's mother reprimanded her.
"Mama, I really want to be among those out there. I have to experience this, even at the university nothing as significant as this happens. See the crowd of people trooping out. Watch out for me on the news tonight mama, I will make sure I stand by the cameras."
"I am just back from what I call a job, which you know nothing about. While sweeping the road this morning, do you know the kind of things we trashed? Unthinkable! I saw many Men out there, but I did not see one responsible girl"
Mama the struggle is becoming more intense. Young people have to go out to show the government how serious we are. How many of our Government officials fuel their uncountable cars with their hard earned money? I am going out there for you, for Papa, me and my siblings. Think about what the subsidy removal will result to- increased food, transportation cost and many more, and with all this increases, salaries will still not be increased. I am going"
"I already told you go, but stay there, don't return. I have seen the bag you packed. What do you need a change of clothes and underwear for, you even have your lotion and bath sponge will you have a wash on the streets Emabong Issong? Do you think your mother to be a fool?"
"Bye bye Mama, see you when I get back."
Emabong walked out of the house with her Mama behind her. Her Mama was screaming for her not to go, passers-by stopped to watch, people living around them came out to see what is causing so much noise.
"Mama Ema, you can't follow her, you have your other children to look after. Let her go, she will come back." Mama Lele her friend from the market held her back.
"What if she doesn't return home? She replied. Mama Lele could see the genuine concern in her eyes. But she helds her back to stop her from going after Ema. She screamed, cried, struggled to free herself, but Mama Lele held her back. With all this, Emabong didn't even turn back until she disappeared into the distance.
The demonstration against the fuel subsidy removal had been going on for three days and the government still didn't relent when Emabong left home to Join in. Her father returned from work some minutes past nine in the morning and met his wife pacing around the house.
" Papa Ema your daughter has gone. she says she has gone to fight for me and you" Mama Ema informs her husband. Very exhausted after keeping guard all night, he soaks in the information and without uttering a word, gets on his bed for a rest. Able to sense his mood, his wife lets him off, she knows that if she pushes further, they might end up having a fight. She holds her peace and lets him sleep, she keeps checking from time to time to see if he is awake, he isn't but she can see his sleep is not restful. He is tossing and turning and even talking in his sleep. Usually when he returns from his Job as a night guard, his snoring is so loud one could hear from two houses away, but today he makes no sound. The houses are so mashed up together, that when they first moved in, the neighbours would query the Issongs about the loud snoring. Seems they have gotten used to it because they didn't make trouble anymore.
She mutters "this man is not enjoying his sleep," then she calls "Papa Ema" he doesn't reply so she gives him more time. With their other children still in school, she is alone and her mind begins to wonder. it's on Emabong. So Emabong has grown bigger than me now, she's now out of control. She still cares for her child though, she shuts her eyes and prays for Ema oh God bring my daughter back home, please.
Mama Ema checks on her husband, two more times and she meets him till sleeping. The third time she sees him sitting on the bed. His elbow on his lap and his palms on his cheeks. "You're finally up papa Ema," she asks. " when You and your daughter would not allow me to sleep" he replies.
They sit quietly for a few minutes, then he asks "what's the time" "1:15pm" she replies. They sit quietly again for a few minutes and then he demands "where is my food woman.” She stares at him perplexed. "how can he even ask me that" she's thinking“ I didn’t cook anything” she replies. He shakes his head, he is feeling his temper rise, but he tries to keep his cool, he drags air into his lungs and His wife considers it a threat and goes on the offensive. She starts screaming “I told you our daughter left home this morning and still you say nothing........”. He listens to her, but he's got his palms on his ears trying to protect his eardrums from bursting. After screaming her heart out she sinks into the wooden armchair by the bed.
“ I was relieved of my job this morning,” he tells her after she let out her frustration.
“Ah! Hey hhhey O God. Where are you! My world is crashing down this morning,” she starts off again
“They went from peaceful protestors to ravaging rioters. They broke in, looted all valuables and could have set the building on fire” he continues telling her
“ I guess These are the same people our daughter has gone to be with, So Emabong is also a thief now” Mama Ema starts lamenting again.
Papa Ema sees he is causing her more grief so he ties his wrapper properly, puts on a vest, then leaves the room. He wants some quietness and besides the room is too small for all the noise she is making.He sits on a wooden stool outside the house and his mind begins to hover until the rest of their children return from school.After marriage, it had taken them over six years to conceive Emabong, after mockery from some family members, friends, and even strangers. All doctors they visited confirmed both of them to be fertile, their families had insisted it was spiritual and brought every kind of concoction for them from different herbalists, which almost killed them, did Emabong arrive to restore Joy to their family.Effiong their second child came another six years after Ema and was only fourteen. The next, twin boys Bassey and Edo were three years younger than Effiong. The last, a girl Ini, came when they thought they were done with child bearing Five years after the twins. “Good afternoon papa” they all chorused.” “ My children you are welcome. Effiong, keep your school bag, take this money, buy us some garri, groundnut and sugar. Be fast, your papa is hungry.” Ini rushed into the kitchen, brought out a large rubber bowl. It has happened before, they will all eat soaked Garri from the rubber bowl and whenever this happens, whatever they ate tasted more delicious than when their mother cooked rice, stew and chicken. It was enjoyable dipping their spoons into the bowl to fetch garri and groundnut swimming on top of the bowl. Their Mama, being curious that none of her kids had come in to ask for food, came out and met them eating with their father. She picked up a spoon too and joined them and for a short time forgot the pain Emabong had caused her.
Later that evening, Mama Ema had found strength so she cooked dinner for the family.While they ate, she and her husband discussed “ I have been considering, it may not be a bad thing I lost my job today. It's been more than five years I sat down in the evening like this to eat dinner with you and the children. The cooking business you had to stop when Ema got admission into the university, we can revive it. I will help you out. When you go out to sweep in the morning I and the children can begin until they leave for school and you return home. We could get a few chairs and tables, bring out all the abandoned pots and food warmers. My days as a night guard is over”
“God Forbid, I can not have my husband, cooking and selling food.” Mama Ema rose up saying. “ You will look for another job, as soon as possible.”
“Look at me. I am not a young man anymore, most people would consider me a liability to employ” he responds.
“What will other men think of you, what will the women be saying of you!- look at him like a woman…”
He cut her off “ who cares what they think or feel. What bill has my job as a night guard paid off since I started. Every month we still have to beg, we are heavily indebted. Last night I got lucky I did not get killed. You know why the company was vandalised? because it belongs to the minister of petroleum.And today I was let off with no pay.”He adds
“My husband selling food” she exclaims
“Yes and if you chose not to do it, I will do it myself. I Know my children will help me,” he insists.It was a very hot night and the electricity was out, so after washing up they all sat outside listening to the news on radio when the news of the death of ten protesters was announced, reason being that they had gone violent, destroying state property. They were all listening attentively when two policemen walked into their compound.
“Please where is the house of Mr Issong” one of them asks
Being very afraid he responds trembling “it's me sir”
The arrival of the policemen to the residence of the Issongs did initiate a gathering of men and women who were eager to scoop the gist of what was going on. “Can we talk to you alone?” the policeman says. Papa Ema leads him into his house, lit by a lamp placed on the table.
“This identification card was found on one of the girls killed today at the city center. It apparently belongs to your daughter Emabong Issong”
Papa Emabong screams loudly and his wife rushes into the room.
“It’s Ema. Emabong……”
Mama Ema starts Wailing too and the rest of their children understand the news and start crying too.
“Sir, please pull yourself together, you have to come with us to identify the body,” The policeman says to Papa Emma and they get him ready to leave with them.
