MAMA NEVER LIES
The night before they departed for Nigeria, Mama had sat in the rocking chair beside Bunmi’s twin sized bed ready to read her to sleep like she had always done. Every night Mama’s silky voice carried her to sweet dreams unfailingly and tonight was no different. Before she succumbed to the sleep that was taking over, Bunmi asked Mama how long they’d be gone and Mama promised their visit would be brief. Content, Bunmi surrendered to slumber knowing that if Mama said it was so then it would be so. She could not help but believe her. After all, Mama never lied.
It had been three weeks since the dusty plane landed bumpily on the hot tarmac, and slowly the hot, sticky days had begun to fade into each other. The sun rose warm and delightful, but grew harsh as the day progressed till it scorched each creature under its dominion. Once it faded, a thick heat descended in its place swallowing every attempt of the wind. Each day was like the last, and Bunmi had let go of any hope of precipitation. However, despite the sweltering heat mother’s aura had improved. Her shoulders no longer hung wearily, and her smile seemed to dance in her eyes. Her playful laughter now filled the air and she swayed her hips rhythmically to beats as mundane as footsteps, humming to herself as she went.
Mama adjusted perfectly to this life Bunmi thought strange, and as Bunmi watched her everyday, she began to fear Mama would never leave. But those doubts faded quickly for she could not believe that Mama had gone against her word. Mama never lied.
Every night without fail, Mama would still read Bunmi to sleep, although now she had taken to fable stories with heavy traditional morals. Mama had taken her through the events of the tortoise and the hare, the monkey and the crocodile, the three magicians and more. Tonight it was the enchanting story of the dog and the tortoise. As the moonlight danced on the covers Bunmi listened inattentively, her heart heavy with a question that had been troubling her recently.
“Mama When are we going back?”, she asked after Mama had tucked her blanket into the thick wooden bed frame.
“Soon my dear” Mama responded with a smile as she smoothed Bunmi’s velvet black curls along her temple.
Mama’s calming voice did the trick and soon Bunmi was asleep, her troubles behind her; Mama would never lie to her.
The sound of her grandfather's roaring voice stirred Bunmi not long after she had slipped into her restful slumber and Mama’s voice soon followed.
“When will she know Kemi? When will you tell her the truth” Grandpa continued
“Please Papa, she will hear you” Mama pleaded tearlily but it was of no use.
“You have always done this, but I could not complain much because it was only yourself you were hurting. I cannot stand by when my granddaughter in involved”
“Papa I am doing what I know is best, she is my child and I want the best for her”
“You cannot keep running from your problems! You face them now or you leave my house” Grandpa announced defiantly.
Bunmi crawled out of bed and tiptoed into the hallway, peeking from behind the wall into the living room. Mama was sprawled on her knees, her hair matted to the back of her head and her clothes dirtied from grovelling. Arms locked behind her father's calves the tears streamed freely down her face staining her cheeks.
“Please Papa, I have nowhere else to go” Mama continued between sobs.
Bunmi sat transfixed, mortified at the view before her. Never had Mama been in such disarray, and her eyes began to well with tears on as she looked on achingly. As Mama wept so did Bunmi till she could bear to watch anymore. Willing herself to move, she stood up and quietly returned to her bed.
The next Morning Mama bore no trace of the events of the night, but Bunmi could not shake the sight of Mama distraught. That night Mama sat again beside Bunmi reading as she had always done. But Bunmi could not feign interest and Mama noticed. When the reading was done, and Bunmi was tucked in, Mama lingered and Bunmi took her chance to unload her troubles.
“What is the truth Mama. Bunmi asked shyly
“What are you talking about” Mama asked slightly puzzled
“Grandpa said last night that you should tell me the truth. What is it” she continued, too far in too retreat now.
Mama chuckled slightly and shook her head lovingly.
“Oh nothing honey. He didn't mean anything by it” she said softly.
Mama leaned and placed a tender kiss on Bunmi’s head before heading to the door.
“I love you Bunmi” Mama said just before she closed the door behind her.
“I love you too, Mama” Bunmi whispered under her breath.
As she drifted off to sleep she couldn't help but wonder if Mama was telling the truth. She had seen the slightest shock in Mama’s features when she had repeated what she overheard, but that slight reaction didn't mean Mama had something to hide. Afterall, why should she, Mama would never lie.