Chapter 4: Fading in Her Own House

As days turn week, weeks turn years, the house change. No more laughter. If rain dey fall, na just me and cockroach dey hear am.

Him business blow, money come dey everywhere.

Neighbours start dey respect am, call am Chief. Even people for church dey hail am for big donation. But inside house, na only silence dey reign.

As he come become big oga, he adopt Ifeoma.

The day dem bring Ifeoma, everywhere dey like festival. I dey peep from kitchen window, dey watch as people dey smile, dey snap picture. Me, I just dey wish say make Mama spirit dey somewhere, dey watch.

From that time—

E be like movie, but na real life. Ifeoma get everything, me I dey fade.

Na only Ifeoma he love.

Dem dey call am daddy everywhere, dey beg am for money, but na only Ifeoma fit hug am for public.

Ifeoma dey stay for master bedroom for mansion. Me, na boys’ quarters be my own.

Sometimes, for night, I go stand near the window, dey listen as AC dey hum for her room. My own bed, na foam wey don flat, still dey manage.