Agony Of The Heart - Episode 2

What of your sister?Blessing asked again.
Can't you see her working over there? Isaac rudely replied pointing at Sarah and continued working.
I mean Uyoyo,is Sarah the only sister you have? Blessing asked again angrily while Maigret just sat  saying nothing. 
You mean the lazy one?Michael the fourth child replied. 
I don't care what you call her just answer me,Blessing shouted. 
She is sitting under the tree with Godwin,he answered again.
Anyway, I don't care about that,she said again.
I don't care about that,Michael said mimicking her.

Maigret and her children arrived home in the evening,the sun had already gone to rest for the day.She told the boys to go and drop the stuffs they brought back from the farm,the girls to go and prepare the family meal.Uyoyo turned deaf ears to her mother's words,she gave Godwin to her mother and was walking towards the house.
Where are you going,didn't you hear what I said?Maigret asked.
The bathroom nau,I can't stand one more minute with this dirt on my body,she replied.
Won't you help your sister? Maigret asked her again removing some dirt from Godwin's head and body.
Mama,am tired,I can't do anything, I need to rest. Sarah can cook all by herself

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/agony-of-the-heart

. Or can't you? She asked staring at Sarah.
Sarah didn't utter a word because she feared and respected her mother. There were enough scars on her skin to help her remember how her mother treated her when it comes to Uyoyo or her brothers. Her mother had always told her to care for them.She dares not force them on errands they don't want to run.There was a time her mother had told her and Uyoyo to fetch water,wash clothes and make the family meal before she comes back from the market but Uyoyo went out with her friends leaving Sarah alone to do the chores. When Maigret came back from the market in the evening the meal wasn't ready yet and Uyoyo wasn't back yet. She asked Sarah why she was just preparing the meal and just as she was explaining what happened,Uyoyo walked in,greeted her mother,whispered something into her ears and went inside. Maigret turned to Sarah.
If you were the only girl child I have,won't you do the house chores? Maigret asked.
Mama but.....just as she was still speaking, her mother landed a hot slap on her cheek.
But what,answer me but what? Maigret shouted angrily.
Am sorry mama,Sarah pleaded in tears.
Don't speak when your mother is speaking,now go and prepare the food. Maigret said.
Sarah answered ‛‛yes ma'' and went to the kitchen to make the family meal.
Useless child,Maigret shouted and went inside her room.
That slap was enough to make her remember not to talk back at her mother or Uyoyo. She just walked to the kitchen to do the cooking.
Who will wash the plates then? Maigret asked again.
Mama please tell Sarah to do that too,Uyoyo replied and walked out.
Michael came out of the house,he has been listening to his mother's conversation with his sisters at the window.
Mama,why do you treat Sarah like she isn't your child,why can't lazy one do the chores? Michael asked looking so pale.
Who is lazy one? Maigret asked in surprise.
Uyoyo of cos,she does nothing in the house and on the farm. All she does is eat,sleep and hang around with her friends. All she did in the farm today was hold and cared for Godwin. Is Sarah our slave? Michael asked again.
No child, she is a girl and the first child. She has to learn these things so she can grow to be a strong woman. Maigret replied.
But mama....Maigret interrupted, go and take your bath before I beat you.
Michael reluctantly left to take his bath.

Sarah was now in SS3 and it was the second term. The principal addressed the students on the assembly ground concerning their upcoming WAEC examination. He told the students to study very hard. They replied ‛‛yes sir'' to the principal and walked into their various classes in an orderly manner while singing ‛‛IF YOU DO GOOD KINGDOM Oo Oo KINGDOM  O O O KINGDOM WAITING FOR YOU.IF YOU DO BAD..........
After school Sarah and her best friend,Rebecca and two others were talking about what happened in class.