Ama looked up at the old house down Johnson Street; memories rushed in like flowing rivers on a sunny day. She remembered when she used to run around in the rain trying to fill their drum with water and how she shivered after she was done fetching the water. When she fell and broke her leg as she ran to answer her aunt, who beat her at the slightest provocation.
When Amaka was 13 years old, tragedy struck her house. She lost her father and her mother became crippled on the same day in a fatal accident that took the life of every single passenger, excluding her mother. Due to her mother's condition, Amaka was left in the care of her father's sister, Mrs. Eze. A place that was supposed to be a comfort zone for her became a place of trauma and constant pain. Mrs. Eze was nice to Amaka for the first few weeks before her true colors began to unravel. She treated Amaka like a slave; she would wake her up as early as three in the morning to start making food for the whole family and for her children's lunch.
After that, she will carry a bag of ice blocks on her head to the open market to sell, and when she is done, she gets back home to wash and clean the house. Her aunty was supposed to put her in school, but every term, she had one reason or another not to make a move. Amaka had a simple dream: she wanted to go to school, to learn, and one day become a nurse, but her aunty always killed her self-esteem by constantly telling her she can't make it and reminding her about her family background.
One day, when Amaka was going to sell ice, she met Mr. Ugo, who asked her why she was not in school but selling instead. Amaka narrated her ordeals to him; he promised to speak to her aunty, and he did. Mr. Eze tried all ways to frustrate her, but no way.
Mrs. Eze became furious when she found out that Mr. Ugo had been helping Amaka out. She tried to stop Amaka from going to school with the excuse that she couldn't afford it anymore, but Mr. Ugo refused and said he would continue. He always encourages Amaka by telling her.She was made for greatness, and she shouldn't allow anybody to dim her light. One day, Mrs. Eze tried to keep her home, but Mr. Ugo would visit personally to reason with her. “Every child deserves a chance,” he told her firmly. Though Mrs. Eze despised his interference, she could not deny his persistence.
Amaka flourished under his encouragement. He taught her not just subjects, but confidence and hope. His words became her anchor. Each night, after finishing her chores, she would study by the dim light of a candle. Her dreams began to take shape; she wanted to become a great person, just like Mr. Ugo.
Years rolled by. Amaka’s hard work bore fruit as she finished secondary school and came top of her class. When she received a scholarship to attend university, she ran behind the school building and cried tears of joy. Mr. Ugo was the first person she told. He smiled proudly and said, “You see? I told you your story was not over.” But back home,
Mrs. Eze’s bitterness deepened. “You think you can "You think you can survive without me?" she hissed. "Don’t forget, you’re nothing without this roof over your head."
Amaka looked at her, her voice steady for the first time ever since she came to stay with her. "Maybe. But I’ll find my own roof and build it stronger." With that, she packed her few belongings and left for the university, determined to carve her own destiny.
Five years after graduation and finally securing a job with an international company, Amaka is here looking at the place where her dream and determination started. She shook her head and sighed as she turned to the next street and saw Mr. Eze sitting on his favorite bamboo seat; age was already telling on him.
She smiled and hugged him, shedding tears of joy. She was happy he was still alive to see her after her years outside the country for work.
Thank you, sir, for the beautiful memories, your words of encouragement, and your constant push whenever I wanted to give up. I don't think I would be here today without you.
Mr. Eze, 'Amaka, I am happy for the woman you have become. You are where you are today because of your hard work and not mine. I only encourage you, but the hard work was yours, and I am proud of you. Amaka brought out everything she bought for him and his family.'
Images are Ai generated
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