Shadows Of The Past

Martha

This chapter is dedicated to
@"Waterdragon23"
For adding this book to her "current reads"

That meant a whole lot.. Thank you ❤️.....
Sooo, let's take off ✈️

We ate dinner in silence. That was how we usually ate a bad dinner. No one would make any complaint because we all knew that a good soup was a product of good money

** Father cleared his throat
Typical father
"Martha"
"Yes sir"

*Long sigh
A quick glance at my mum confirmed my suspicion. Something was up but what was?

"You are no longer a kid, and I believe you understand everything that has been happening. My portion of my father's inheritance, I mean the palm trees do not yield money anymore. No one seems interested in palm oil anymore. Everyone is talking about Vegetable oil

I never attended the four walls of a school but I know the importance of education and myself and your mum have sworn to send you to school at all costs.

But the person who does not know where the rain catches him usually gets drenched before he finds a shelter. As I said I cannot hide things from my only child. The truth is I cannot manage anymore and you may have to leave school soon. You have completed your JSCE, I believe with that, you can do something else successfully and excel "

Tears had welled up in my eyes threatening to spill the next second. I had known it would eventually happen that my parents would not be able to continue with my school fees but I still felt disappointed and crestfallen

Soon, all was said and it was time to go to bed.. Father had groped into his room without bothering to take the oil lamp which had in fact, almost let out it's light due to insufficient kerosene.

Unable to control myself further, I finally let out the tears that had threatened to spill.
How was I going to become a medical doctor if I quit school now?
"Martha", I heard a voice call

Shit, I forgot my mum was still in the living room. I quickly made move to wipe my tears with the edge of my cloth. I couldn't bear the thought of giving her more things to think about. She was really keen on me going to school and she had sacrificed a lot in the cause. So, if that loving woman I call my mother could no longer strive to pay my fees at school,it was not because she didn't love me but that she really didn't have the means.

"Martha", she called again, this time, wrapping her hand round my shoulder and I instantly responded to the warm gesture by wrapping my hands round her, giving her a tight hug and sniffing into her cloth which smelt of smoke. Of course, that was inevitable as we cooked using firewood

"We'll be fine, Martha, and you will go back to school", she said, with a really low voice

"How mum?.. How is that even possible?" I asked, disbelief clearly evident in my voice.
"I haven't given up, Martha, your father might have but I will fight to the last drop of blood in me that you do not quit school."
I stared at her in pure shock as I squealed in joy and hugged her tighter.

"Thank you mum, I promise to make you proud of me, I promise" I said while kneeling this time, tears cascading from my eyes again
"I know dear, I know," was all she said as she pulled me up and drew me in for another hug

Sour night turned sweet
I couldn't sleep in the early part of the night as I kept stirring and ruminating on how real my mum's promise seemed in my bamboo bed which gave loud creaking noises in the silent night....

Finally!.. I'm sorry I couldn't update earlier, I had this very tight schedule coupled with the fact that I had trouble writing this chapter
I'm sorry if it has a lot of errors. I can't risk going back to read it, else, I may delete the chapter like I have done previously..TWICE actually, if you care to know
In case, you are having problems with understanding what the chapter is all about, it's Raymond's mum POV, her background
I'm not sure what JSCE is equivalent to in other countries, but it's a certificate you obtain before you can proceed to becoming a senior in high school..

Sooo, I have to say bye now..
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