TYWA 2020 Nomination for The Read-Worthy Prize Emmanuella

 

03 - BLINDED TO LIGHT

Abisola Emmanuella lives in Ring-Road, Ibadan (16 years old). This story was slightly edited for grammatical accuracy and to better serve TGF readers. The originality of the story is 100% intact.

“You don’t need to feel love for you to understand that you are loved… You can search for it all you want but fail to realize that you had it all along.”

Rebecca never understood what it meant when her grandmother told her those words before she crossed to the other side. She had always believed her grandmother’s words were too intricate for her, yet they held answers to the most difficult questions she had. She was her ‘fountain of knowledge’ but she was gone now.

The moment Grandmother left her, she knew she had to start all over, on her own of course. Who else could she run to? Maybe her father who left when she was just fifteen. She knew perfectly well that wasn’t even an option. She would find a way, she had to.

“Rebecca, come and wash our plates!” spoilt Angela, who was only twelve years old shouted. Rebecca jolted in a flash. For a moment, she forgot she was in the ‘AKINTUDES’ residence as their maid.

If starting over meant she had to skip breakfast, take care of four spoilt children, and do house chores, it was something. More like it was her only choice.

Standing in front of her was the last person she wanted to see and the same person that fathered her till he got bored. That was what grandmother told her after it dawned on them that her father was never coming back.

“How did you get this address, who told you I live here?’’ Rebecca asked quietly. Her ‘oga’ would get the whole situation mixed up.

“We need to talk, Rebecca,” he said. Then he continued, “I married your mother at such a young age because we were both in love. Your grandmother never liked me, but there was nothing she could do especially after I got your mother pregnant. Your mother died during child birth because she was young, but you were healthy. That only increased the hatred your grandmother had towards me. I promised to take care of you, but she told me to go and not come back. I left you with her, but I sent money every week for your upkeep.”

A very flummoxed Rebecca then remembered: “You don’t need to feel love for you to understand that you are loved... You can search for it all you want but you fail to realize that you had it all along.”

Review: This tale suggests the possibility that love could exist even in the most desolate places! -TGF team.

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