Agony Of The Heart - Episode 1

Back in the 80s,in David's bedroom, his wife Maigret was in pain,she was about giving birth.David sat outside an old house with some of his friends on a wooden bench with a bottle of gin on a small table in front of them.There was a small glass cut beside the bottle.He was waiting anxiously for the arrival of the new family member. His four children were also sitting on a bench in front of their mother's bedroom.The first child Sarah was standing beside her younger ones. Sarah laid on a mat on the floor two midwives and some friends were helping her deliver the baby. The baby is coming,you have to push harder said the first midwife. The other midwife used a wet clothe to clean off the sweat from Maigret's face,one of her friends held the bowl of water for the midwife while her other friend held her hands. Maigret pushed harder and at last the baby was out. It's a boy shouted one of her friends. While the midwife was trying to cut the umbilical cord,Maigret passed out. Is she okay? asked Blessing one of her friends. Yes,she is,answered one of the midwives,go and inform the men that we have a new man in the house. Bimpe rushed out to tell the men while the others attended to Maigret and the new baby. God has done it,we have another baby boy she said as she poured gin into the small glass cup and drank it.Sarah brought a plate of kolanut and put it on the small table in front of them

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. The men stood up and started dancing around while singing a song in their native dialect(Isoko).They hugged David in turns.Ozoro one of his friends shook hands with him. You are a man,a real man,this is the third time you are proving it.He said while breaking the kolanut according to their tradition. So what will you call the child? Another friend Dickson asked him. I will call him Godwin because God has won another battle for me,He replied. David owned a beer parlour that wasn't so far from his house,where he sold palm wine and pepper soup to the villagers.Even though he was living in a Yoruba land,he still found ways to make ends meet.He had two farms where he planted cassava and plantain. He had someone who worked for him in the bear.His name was Obaro. Obaro!Obaro!! David shouted as if Obaro was close to the house but got no response. Isacc! where is this boy? Isaac are you deaf? He shouted again. His son ran in panting heavily. Papa you called me. Isaac said. I thought you'very gone deaf.Run to the beer parlour and tell Obaro to come with a pot of pepper soup and two kegs of palm wine.Foolish boy.He shouted angrily. The boy quickly ran to where he was sent in fear of been vested if he wasted time. Some weeks later,Sarah sat in the kitchen cooking,she sat beside the fire.There was a pot, heavily stained with dark smoke on the fire that was set with woods.The fire place was made with clay.Her younger sister Uyoyo,was sitting close to her.Sarah sat down with her head on her hands between her laps. Blessing her mother's friend walked to her. So the water is not yet hot abi?She moved close to Sarah,dragged her left ear and slapped her. I have been waiting for the water since and you are here sitting beside the fire doing nothing.Blessing walked to the pot on fire to check the water.Sarah stood still with tears running down her cheeks. So this water is not hot enough abi? Sarah didn't utter a word,she just stood still.Blessing gave her another slap. Have you suddenly gone deaf? She asked but Sarah did not respond. She turned the water into a bowl she brought with her and placed the bowl on the ground. Now carry it and follow me.She told Sarah pointing to the bowl of hot water. Sarah followed her into the house.Her mother saw her face but didn't say anything. On David's farm.Maigret was clearing the weeds with her children Sarah,Isaac and Michael.Uyoyo her second child and daughter was sitting down under a tree in the farm with the baby who was just four months old.Blessing was also on the farm with her children.Her husband's farm wasn't far from David's. So the women could chat when they were resting.Blessing left her farm and walked to Maigret. Mama Sarah,well done o,she said.She looked around,still holding her cutlass. She greeted the boys and ignored Sarah. What is she doing,lazy child.She said. Working,Isaac replied.