Chapter 1: Barrage of Fate

When I was four years old, I finally understood those strange scrolling comments.

[The woman wey dey struggle still dey hustle, staying up late to find money for her pikin, she no even know say sickness don dey her body. If she still delay, this pikin go soon lose her mama. Na real wahala.]

[If only the man and woman just talk true, this run-away-with-child wahala for no even start.]

[See this poor pikin, lost her mama at six, the man no even know say the woman don die, or say she born pikin for am, just dey old dey go.]

[The worst part be say our little Ijeoma, get rich papa but still land for children’s home...]

Mama go die?

I just dey look my gentle, fine mama. No, this one no fit happen. My chest tight small, I hold my breath as if my whole small life dey hang on her next smile.

Dem no dey talk, but me I fit talk.

One hot afternoon, I wait outside office, see one man wey wear suit, I just run go hug im leg.

"Daddy, I beg, help me. My mama dey sick. Na only you fit help us."

Aunty for gate shout, "Who be this small madam? See as she just dey hug person anyhow!" Her surprise join the commotion for that day, as all eyes follow me and the big man.