FED UP!

(...continued...)

  “What is it?” Mabel asked, dropped the bucket and went to help her.

  “My back,” Cynthia said and sat on the ground.

  “Which side?”

                Cynthia managed to point at the spot and Mabel touched it.

  “I think it is just a sprain,” Mabel told her.

  “I don’t think so o,” Cynthia said, gasping.

  “You need to relax. We will go back upstairs.”

  “How will we manage?”

  “I am definitely not carrying you.”

  “Why? Are you not my big sister?”

  “So that my own back will break. Then who will carry two of us?”

  “Mama Risi.”

                They laughed, even though Cynthia was obviously in pains. She managed and got up. She supported herself with Mabel’s shoulder as they gently walked up the staircase. They met Mama Risi coming down the staircase.

  “What is happening?” she asked them.

  “Aunty I don’t know o,” Cynthia said. “My back.”

  “I think it is just a sprain. Nothing more.”

  “Is that why you are doing like a woman in labour?” Mama Risi asked Cynthia.

  “You will not understand what kind of pain I am going through now.”

  “Let’s get you to the bed first. Then we will massage you and give you pain reliever for a start. You should feel relieved.”

                She helped Mabel support Cynthia.

  “We did not say you should relax,” Mama Risi said. “We are not carrying you o.”

  “I am not heavy na.”

                They managed and got her to the bed. She lay in a ways that eased the pain a bit.

  “Is the pain like before?” Mabel asked her.

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t worry,” Mama Risi said. “You will get pain reliever and massage it. Do you have any of these?” she asked Mabel.

  “No o. I hate taking drugs.”

  “Ok. Let me check in my house whether the ones I use are still remaining.”

                Mama Risi left them as Mabel helped Cynthia undress.

  “Are you feeling the pain inside or just on the outside?” Mabel asked Cynthia.

  “I can’t say. It happens from time to time.”

  “Oh this is not the first time.”

  “No. But it has not been as painful as this.”

  “what do you take when it happens?”

  “Nothing. I told you it has not been this painful before.”

  “it’s ok.”

                They waited for Mama Risi much longer than they expected. Mama Risi was taking time to come.

(...to be continued...)

-Chinedu Isaac