Once A Girl

Mama lit the candle. The darkness that once enveloped the room went into hiding. There was power supply but she had put off the light-- it was her usual practice.

She was sitting opposite her daughter, both of them having their legs folded like they were about to say a prayer. A cemetery could be said to be noisy if compared to how silent the room was, that night.

  She heaved a sigh as she peered into the eyes of her daughter. About a minute later, she nodded.

  Amaka understood what the nod meant; it was a go-ahead signal. She picked up the book lying in between them on the bed. She glanced at the cover page and looked at her mother.

  "Mama?" Amaka broke the silence. "Once a girl?" She asked with a brow arched.

  Mama gave a half-toothed grin. 

  "You're even the author."

  "Plus the book is older than you are," mama added and chuckled.

  "Why this book this night?" Amaka asked, her eyes searching for answers to many questions she was yet to ask.   "As we read, you'd understand."

  "Why this title, mama?"

  "As we read, you'd understand."

  Amaka was not satisfied. "But mama--"   "You ask too many questions, Amaka."   Her shoulders dropped as her brows sank.

  Mama played with her cheeks. "C'mon, you'd get answers to your questions as we read."

  Amaka shook her head. "I don't like suspense," she muttered.

  "Life is full of suspense, my dear. One doesn't have to stretch one's neck to see tomorrow. If tomorrow comes, beautiful. If it doesn't, beautiful."

 "Yes mama," Amaka said.

  Mama blew off the candlelight. 

  "What do you see?"

  "Mama, I see nothing."

  "Were you expecting me to put off the light?"

  "No mama"

  Mama lit the candle again. "Now, that's life for you," she said almost in a whisper.

  Amaka shuddered quickly.

  "Lesson learnt?"

  "Yes mama"

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