The women seated together in the living room were oblivious of the entrance of a figure that just came in; they were so engrossed with their discussion. It was Nkechi that noticed Amina’s entrance, She nudged Comfort who was closest to her and nodded towards the figure standing by the door.

Amina was not aware that she was being stared at. She just closed from work and because of the hard time she had with her boss she just wanted to get into the shower, have her bath and hit the bed. She just hopes Nkechi has helped her to bring Chinedu from school. As she turned from the door, she was startled to see the women staring at her menacingly.
“Good afternoon!” she greeted their way.
She got no answer but a reluctant grunt from Nkechi.
“God, please! I hope these people are not at it again today!” she thought to herself.
“Em.. Nkechi, has chinedu had his lunch?” she asked standing briefly in front of Nkechi.
Nkechi looked at the other women briefly before answering her. “Aunty Amina, I was tired! I have not gone to pick him” she retorted.
“What?” Amina screamed, looking at her wristwatch. “You mean Chinedu is still in school by this time?”
The eldest of the women who was obviously agitated by Amina’s outburst jumped on her feet and faced her. “Look here you this woman, my daughter is not your househelp o!” “Did you not hear her say she was not feeling fine? How can you be so heartless to ignore that part? Here you are talking about going to school to pick someone!”
Amina turned towards her mother in-law, her face red with anger. “Mama! You talk as if Chinedu is not your grandchild! This is thirty minutes past five pm and you talk as if all is well! Why do you have to extend your hatred of me to my son, your own flesh and blood?” She turned around and stomped out of the house.
Her mother in-law shouted after her, “nonsense! You better go and look for a house help who will be attending to your son for you! If he is my grandson is that why you should kill my own daughter for me? Eh Amina? Nonsense!”
“Mama it is okay!” Adanma her first daughter pleaded with her. “Do not mind that woman! By the time we are through with her, she will go back to the north where she comes from! Just let her be wasting her time!”

To be continued.