Chapter 4: Huzi’s Decision

As shock hold me, I waka go my room like zombie.

My leg heavy, I no even greet person. The whole house dey quiet, except my heart wey dey beat like local drum. For mind, I dey pray make everything na just bad dream.

I always think say even if my mama no like me, I still be her pikin.

E dey pain me—so tey tears wan drop. For this life, even stranger dey hope say mama go save am if wahala land. But my own mama, her mind dey another place.

I no believe say she fit carry me go die just because of small talk from my brother.

I dey reason, "Na so my matter take cheap for here? If to say I be goat, dem for sell me for market quick." My spirit weak.

I just curl for bed, dey think for long before I fit get myself.

Sleep no gree come. Mosquito dey sing for my ear, but I no even notice. The room dark, but the darkness inside me pass wetin dey outside.

That night, after my brother and mama sleep, I tiptoe go the woman room.

My leg light like cat. Each step I dey take, floorboard dey creak. I dey hold my breath, dey pray make no cock crow or dog bark.