THE POWER OF HUNGER

Mom has been complaining of someone that always eats the foodstuffs she buys and keeps or perhaps hides.

And the person seems to enjoy every single thing. A huge glutton in the making.

The person had no conscience and was very fast in this mode of stealing.

The culprit was a like a spirit and was never seen in action.

It ranges from fruits to snacks to spices and even uncooked meat.

The person eats every single item and dispose the casings through the window that is closest during the operation thereby leaving a huge mess outside.

This always leaves Mum so pissed and she prayed that God shows her the culprit.

Whenever she brings up the topic, there is usually no answer so she lets it slip down her back and talks with anger for hours till she gets tired.

It’s an early Saturday morning

Everyone wakes up with utmost laziness and tiredness.

And no one wants to do any house chores or try something positive.

No one wants to sweep, mop, wash or cook.

It was TV or phone or sleep.

Saturday always had a simple pattern so we relaxed and allowed the day to take its course.

We just assumed that's it’s going to be the usual way Saturday goes in which Mom would shout for  some seconds, stare at us and then angrily do everything then we have a good breakfast.

Everyone woke up so lazy and reluctant.

Mom begins to rant and scream of the early morning attitude as usual but it did not concern us.

The laziness was in its greatest stage and we believed the Saturday would take its usual turn.

But there was a great change today that we never ever expected.

After all her talk and grumbling, she simply said "It’s okay" and then left the parlor.

As if she planned for us today in her dream or something, she stormed into the kitchen, gathered some items, then into the store, gathered another set of items and dropped them off in her room.

We in our separate rooms not aware of what was going on simply continued with what we were doing.

On our phones, tablets, books, sleep and whatsoever.

She kept on moving and moving then suddenly came to a halt.

We still had no idea on what was going on at the moment.

She came out fully dressed and stormed out saying "Let me see how you people will eat". Then entered and locked herself inside her room.

I laughed inside me knowing what was in the kitchen and the goodies located in the store so I relaxed and continued scrolling YouTube.

Then I heard a scream from the kitchen, this bought everyone to their feet and they rushed into the kitchen seeing the kitchen half empty.

The shock was overwhelming.

At this point it dawned on us on what just happened.

All the eatables were in mom’s room

Then I understood the statement that she made earlier. And I was hungry to the core.

Whilst everyone was baffled and contemplating

I had to eat...Any way and manner

I must eat.

But to get any eatable and to get them out safely, she must be out.

Since all the edibles were in her room, I needed a distraction to get her out, if I could get garri only. Then I have succeeded. After all Garri is life.

I was so ready to get it and take it. No matter the crime that a child commits, the love of a mother will still be present.

So I had to come up with a plan, though my plans have not been pulling through lately.

Or have ever pulled through.

I was ready to take the risk.

My sister's part was to cry and scream loudly.

Mum would surely come out to check what was wrong. It’s simply irresistible for a Nigerian mother.

So as Mum's comes out to check. Then I get in and grab a large quantity of garri.

The screams began and were louder than ever, Mum zoomed out to attend to her. Then I jumped in with speed I couldn't even imagine.

Hunger truly comes with some Adrenaline and stupid wisdom.

Then, it happened.

One thing about me is that while I plan, I never relax to think of the consequences of my actions.

The plan quickly came to a halt.

She came back to lock the door to prevent hungry intruders, but I was inside there.

Instant regret set it. My tears were swelling with tears already. I was wishing I died a peaceful death in my room at least I would be buried and mourned over. But here I am stuck in the room with no way out.

Hunger brought me to my doom, what will I do? Scared and afraid, I decided to eat before being caught.

When I say I ate, believe me!!!

I ate enough, and more, I ate like food for one week and extra. I gathered strength to endure the beating and whatever was coming afterwards.

At least, it was just Mom. My sister couldn't keep up with the tears and she stopped but Mom was still attending to her.

Thinking of how to escape, then I heard Dad's car horn. At this point I didn’t know if it was a blessing or an additional problem.

He will surely come to the room and then find me here.

My plan had another fault but kind of positive though.

Mom made a decision to forgive everyone and bring food.

She was then asking what we wanted for breakfast.

Dad came towards the room but it was locked. And Mom was searching for all of us to apologize.

In no time, they will find out that am missing and the worse could happen.

I resolved to my normal prayer whenever I get stranded beyond redemption.   

I wish I could just disappear, not exist, reverse time or something but inside me I know it won't work.

I heard Dad collect the keys and coming towards the room. It was my end.

I began to imagine how my properties would be shared and the pattern in which I would die.

So I closed my eyes and awaited death like the movies.

I just continued hiding and Dad came in, doing the unexpected.

He grabbed bananas with groundnut and ate them quickly like he was being chased.

Then drank a lot of milk and belched while giving a sarcastic smile.

Then he threw the peels out of the window.

OUT OF THE WINDOW!!!

So he's the person behind this act all this while and I and my siblings kept accusing each other every passing day.

He was the culprit. I had to expose him.

This could be my chance of salvation. Maybe I don't need to die after all. I jumped from my hiding place and it made him shiver with fear.

He asked "What were you doing there all along?” I didn't answer because there was nothing reasonable in my mind and I really wanted to expose him.

He could literally read my eyes and he told me to remain quiet or else.

With the current situation I could negotiate with him and keep quiet while he breaks me out without any single problem.

Again I after without thinking of the consequences of my actions. He did another unexpected thing that gave me an instant heartbreak.

He screamed “Honey come o". Calling for my mother's attention. He didn't only gain her attention, he got my siblings attention and the people that came visiting.

He screamed again "Your son has killed me." Mum rushed to the room followed by my siblings.

With the way events turned out, nothing could save me.

I was just standing there empty and scared.

He made the problem extreme when he said I was the thief and that he caught me.

From Saturday hunger to being convicted with two heavy crimes.

Before I could open my mouth and utter a statement or explain myself.

Slippers and other confiscated items came towards my forehead followed with rounds of beating.

The Anger of a Mother was fully unleashed that fateful day.

Dad saved himself big time and was smiling from a distance watching Mom send the missiles of destruction towards me.

Everyone thought I was the culprit. He continued smiling and even joined to beat me.

And he scolded me loudest. Mom then said that I will be monitored and given the least amount of food as a lesson for others to learn from.

Later Dad called me and said it was training for a higher cause.

Evening came, dinner was served. Everyone smiling and gisting but on my side I was receiving serious stern looks from my Mom.

Mum kept on criticizing me and even swore I will soon be eating once a day without water.

I was partially innocent but I still paid the price.

You viewing this knows that am innocent.

It was simply a bad day.

I doubt I will ever follow my stomach's thoughts ever again.