Helsa is pregnant. Those 3 words kept ringing in India's head.

"And how does that involve me young lady?"

"I-I don't really know. You know that the priest was really unhappy when you didn't come."

"And why are you pregnant?"

"Don't do this to me. Please."

"Aww.. the perfect Queen Helsa has her flaws too? I didn't know that." I said with an evil smirk teasing her.

"Don't do this to me India. I shouldn't have gone to the priest in the first place, I should've come clean to God." She looked up. "God, I'm sorry. I should have listened to you. I should have obeyed your word. I will give you my undivided attention. No more consulting evil again." She was crying.

I looked at her. I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

"Drama queen." I mumbled.

I got some clothes to wear. I wore a pair of black knee-length shorts and a blue top. There were wearing out so I could easily wear them at home unlike some of my new clothes.

The rain had stopped so I went to wash the clothes. My stomach growled. Luckily, the firewood that my father brought was not wet. My mother made a fire and ordered us to come and help her.

I was peeling the tubers while Helsa cleaned and spiced the meat. She joined me. No words. She didn't say anything to me. When we were done peeling, my mother called our neighbor Mma Christian to help us with the cooking. Cassava had to be processed well because it could be poisonous. According to my Agric teacher, it contains Cyanide.

My grandmother's recipe indicated that the cassava should be peeled, sliced, roasted, then, boiled, then, drained, mashed, then, spiced.

The mashed cassava was put in a big pot and stirred slowly while adding seasoning and spices and meat. The meat should have been cooked and diced before putting in the cassava. Then, old palm oil should be poured over it. The pot should be covered to allow bubbling. It looked like a pottage but it tasted much more. When the food was served, my mother dished to all of us forgetting what we said about not wanting to eat.

The food was peculiar to my family alone. My grandmother created it when she got angry about eating one type of food all the time.

Mother put a piece of peppered game on each of our dishes. I always ate in my room. I thanked my mother and went with Helsa.

I was about to take a spoonful of the food when Helsa spanked my hand and told me to pray.

"Let me pray."

"Sure."

She closed my eyes and ordered me to do so. I sighed and obeyed.

"Father we thank you for giving us food. Thank you because we haven't had a day without food because of your supernatural provision. We are here to thank you." She continued.

"I'm sorry for pushing you away. I'm glad you have forgiven me because you are a merciful father and you love us."

I opened my eyes and saw that tears were streaming down her face.

This is supposed to be a normal 'before we eat' prayer.

I was about to reach for my food and begin to eat when she held my hands, tightly if I may add.

Then she pulled me to stand up.

What is wrong with her?

Her prayers were becoming more intense and I was getting uncomfortable. My eyes were no longer closed.

"Let your spirit radiate through our lives. Let us speak of your glory. Let us prophesy. Let your glory fill us Lord. Send us your power. Deliver us from our mistakes. Help us focus on the future you have for us. Don't let us fall into sun again."

Soon she began pestering me to pray with her.

"Pray with me Chidinma!" She shouted.

Why?
This is supposed to be a normal 'before we eat' prayer.

"Okay. God please let me end this prayer and eat." I said mockingly then began imitating some tongues I heard from those funny Christians whenever they're praying.

It was hilarious. But, it actually worked if you think of it. Helsa stopped praying and gave me an angry glare and left the room. She went outside to continue.

Close one. I would have died of hunger.

I ate my food. The plate was empty. It almost looked washed.

Helsa was still outside. I could see her from the small window. She was praying seriously. Singing at intervals. She didn't look hungry to me. I took her bowl and ate her food. Her's felt more delicious. Afterwards, I washed the plates. No one seemed to care or notice that Helsa wasn't inside. They both went to bed. I glanced one last time at her still praying before I slept.
.....
I was running. Running. It was going to catch me. It would get me. I was slowly getting tired. The bushes, everything stopped me from running. I heard it getting closer. I could smell the pain it'd give me. Running. Then, I slowly gave in. My feet couldn't go any further. I fell. It was coming for me. My eyes.
.....

I gasped waking up. It was bright outside. This was the first time I had dreamt of the incident. It brought it fresh to my body. The surrender, the regret. The anger and the pain.

My eyes were burning. I couldn't see as clearly as yesterday. My vision was going.

I looked outside. Helsa wasn't there. I smiled mockingly.

I hope she didn't faint. I thought with a sly smile.

I got up. I stretched. Nightmare forgotten.

...

Helsa was sent to the market to get things for school. I wished I had tagged along but she went earlier and I would most likely be useless and as per being almost blind, I would've gotten injured or something.

I washed clothes and fetched water. Then, I asked to go see someone.

I walked gently to Mma Linda's house. The girl I was looking for sat outside her feet up getting sunlight and smiling while I heard wails from inside.

I greeted her with a sound and she didn't even look in my direction.

Whatever. I rolled my eyes.

I went inside and saw Mma Linda with many people surrounding her. One, a young lady , I had never seen before.

They were consoling her. She was crying.

I shrugged and went to the reason I came in the first place.

The girl outside.

..........
Hey guys
It's Onome here again o
Sorry for the short chap that's why I gave more than one update

So who do you think the girl outside is?
Why is Mma Linda crying and what is up with India?
Please any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental and a product of my imagination

The recipe for the cassava pottage was a product of my imagination so I don't think you guys should try it yet 🥲

But the name is Nomenome's pottage. Hehehe 😂😎

Seems like Helsa is different. She is really sorry 😐

And we're getting to see bits of the incident.

Read on!!!!
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Read your Bible
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U guys should read IN THE LAST DAYS by
@taiwolily

It's awesome 😎

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Oh, and I deleted this chapter like 4 to 5 times. Different scenarios entirely 😅. God took it from my hands. And it came out awesome.