The house was unusually quiet that evening.
Not the peaceful kind of silence—but the heavy, uncomfortable kind that made even the walls feel tense.
In the dimly lit sitting room, plates lay unwashed in the kitchen, and the faint smell of leftover food hung in the air. Everything looked abandoned… neglected.
And in the middle of it all, Bimbo sat waiting.
Her face was hard. Her patience—long gone.
The door creaked open slowly.
Emeka stepped in.
He moved carefully, almost like a thief in his own home. His heart pounded loudly in his chest as his eyes darted around, hoping—just hoping—he could sneak in unnoticed.
But the moment he looked up, he froze.
Bimbo was already staring at him.
"Where are you coming from?"
Her voice was cold. Controlled. Dangerous.
Emeka swallowed.
"Mummy… good evening."
"Answer my question!" she snapped, rising to her feet.
Fear wrapped tightly around him. His fingers trembled at his sides.
"I… I went to play ball."
Silence.
For one second.
Then—
WHIP!
The cane cut through the air and landed across his back.
"Ahh! Mummy!" Emeka cried out, stumbling forward.
"You left the plates unwashed!" Bimbo shouted, her voice rising with each word. "You left this house in a mess—and you still have the audacity to go and play?"
WHIP! WHIP! WHIP!
Each stroke came harder than the last.
Tears streamed down Emeka's face as he tried to shield himself.
"I'm sorry, mummy! I'm sorry! I won't do it again!"
But Bimbo wasn't listening.
Her anger had taken over.
"Shut up!" she yelled. "Useless boy!"
At that moment, the door burst open.
Ella rushed in.
She had just returned home, but the sight before her made her drop everything instantly.
"Mum! Stop!" she shouted, running forward. "Leave him alone!"
"Get out of the way!" Bimbo snapped.
"No!" Ella stood her ground, placing herself between them. "This is too much!"
Bimbo paused, breathing heavily, her grip tightening around the cane.
"Do you know what he did?" she demanded.
"I don't care," Ella replied, her voice firm despite the fear in her eyes. "You shouldn't beat him like this."
For a brief moment, the room went silent.
The tension shifted.
Bimbo let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
"So now you're teaching me how to raise my children?"
Ella hesitated… but didn't back down.
"Mum… if anyone deserves an apology, it's him."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy. Unexpected.
Bimbo stared at her, stunned.
Then slowly… the anger in her eyes faded, replaced by exhaustion.
She dropped the cane and sank into the chair.
"How was your day?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
Ella exhaled softly and sat beside her.
"It wasn't good, mum. I didn't sell anything."
Bimbo's head snapped toward her.
"What?"
"Yes, mummy."
For a moment, Bimbo said nothing. Then she sighed deeply.
"From tomorrow… I will follow you to hawk," she said.
Ella turned quickly. "Mummy, no—please. You have high blood pressure. The doctor said you should avoid stress. Let me handle it."
Bimbo looked at her carefully.
"Are you sure you don't need help?" she asked.
"I'm sure, mummy. I'll be fine," Ella replied softly.
There was a brief silence before Ella spoke again.
"Mummy… I saw Mama Caro on my way home. I greeted her, but she didn't answer me. Are the two of you quarrelling?"
Bimbo's face changed immediately.
"Abeg, leave that foolish woman," she said with irritation.
Ella blinked, surprised.
"What happened?" she asked.
Bimbo let out a frustrated breath.
"Can you imagine? She came to my house telling me that there is one rich family that needs a housekeeper. She said you should go for it… so that things can change a bit."
Her voice rose with anger.
"What she said annoyed me! What does she take us for? Beggars?"
Ella remained quiet.
"Of all the jobs in this country, it is that one she chose for you," Bimbo continued. "So I told her to get out of my house."
Ella's eyes widened slightly.
"Mummy… you wouldn't—"
"Go and freshen up," Bimbo cut in. "You've had a long day."
Ella hesitated, then spoke softly.
"Mummy… I'm very hungry."
Bimbo paused.
For a moment, something gentle passed through her expression.
"I will go to Mama Zainab's place," she said. "Maybe I can get garri and groundnut on credit."
Ella looked at her.
"Will she give you?"
Bimbo adjusted her wrapper.
"I will try my luck," she replied.
Without another word, she stepped out into the night.
Later That Night
The house felt warmer when she returned.
They sat together on the floor, sharing the simple meal she had brought.
No one complained.
No one spoke much.
They just ate.
Emeka, however, kept glancing at her—his eyes soft, almost like a puppy searching for comfort.
Bimbo noticed but said nothing.
For that brief moment…
They were just a family trying to survive.That Night
One by one, they retired to bed.
The house fell silent again.
Bimbo lay down, her body heavy with exhaustion. Sleep came quickly this time—deep and peaceful.
She didn't want to wake until morning.
But suddenly—
"Mummy… mummy…"
A voice broke through the darkness.
Bimbo stirred.
"Mummy, wake up."
Her eyes opened slowly.
"Ella… why did you wake me up at this time?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep.
Ella stood beside her, tense.
"Mummy… I need to tell you something important."
Bimbo sighed and adjusted herself.
"Go on."
Ella took a deep breath.
"Mummy… I know you want the best for me. I know you want me to grow up and make you proud… but it all needs to start from somewhere."
Bimbo frowned slightly.
"I don't understand you."
Ella swallowed.
Then she said it.
"Mummy… I will accept the offer. I will go and work as a maid."
Bimbo's eyes widened in shock.
"Are you okay??"
"Mummy—"
"Shut up!" Bimbo snapped, sitting upright. "Do you know how people suffer in another person's house? Do you think I want you to experience that?"
Her voice trembled with anger and fear.
"I want the best for you—but working as a maid is not acceptable!"
Ella's eyes filled with tears.
"Mummy, please… I'm doing this so I can go back to school. I'm tired of the mockery from people. We can't even eat three square meals."
"God will provide!" Bimbo fired back. "But you are not going to work as a maid. How dare you even think of such nonsense?"
Something inside Ella broke.
"I'm tired, mummy!" she burst out. "I'm tired, for crying out loud! I'm supposed to write WAEC this term, but there is literally no money!"
Her voice shook with frustration.
"In fact… there can never be money in this house!"
"Shut up!" Bimbo shouted. "Watch your tongue!"
But Ella was already on her feet.
"I'm done with this life," she said, her voice cold and final.
Before Bimbo could react, she turned and stormed out.
BANG!
The door slammed shut.