Endless Road

Episode 3

Olabisi, Ayomiposi and Olaide were aunty Aina’s children. They did not like the idea,nor welcome it that a stranger would come and live with them. They always showed it to Mope that she belonged elsewhere, and not in their family. Mope remained a dutiful and responsible girl, and the neighbours always testified to her
impeccable conduct. She was really different among them.

She had, on many occasions been denied of sleep while her Aunty Aina’s children enjoyed rest of the night. She would not only tidy the house but also clean, scrub, dust and wash the dirty clothes and plates. She would also be the first to wake up in the morning to resume household chores again.
Mrs Olonade overpampered Bisi, Ayo and Laide at the expense of Mope. whatsoever went wrong in the house,Mope was always said to be responsible.

To say she was maltreated was stating the obvious She had been stripped naked in the presence of others at home countless time for the offence she was innocent of She had been physically and verbally assaulted as an helpless child. She had no one to turn to, she had nobody to talk to.

It was after dinner had been taken and Mope was still in the kitchen where she was still busy washing and rearranging plates, pots and other utensils and also where She was to manage whatever share remained of the meal which she personally
supervised that she heard her name being called.This had been the practice and adopted norm with
her since she was no more with her dear grandmother.

Moooooopeeee! The voice reverberated like a lightening thunder from the bedroom.
It was Mrs Olanode calling her looming around Mope was the inevitable.The morsel of eba in her hand dropped inside the okra soup as she responded to the sudden call.

' Ma-a-a-h'
'Come over here right now'
'Ma, I'm here'
'Now,tell me the truth,nothing but the truth. Mope where are my jewellery?

Mummy, I didn't see any jewellery.
She fell and landed on the floor after a dirty slap. The slap had an electrifying effect on her. The blood stain her nose and she was bleeding as Aina jumped on her with heavy blows and kicks.

Mope was helpless. There was no one in the house to pacify the woman except her children who were very excited at the sight of sobs of the poor girl.

After several beatings Mope was pushed out of the compound.

With no place in mind that night, She hid in a corner of a street tired, weak and sick. She had suffered so much,physically and emotionally. She was almost losing faith when she went off.

Mr Silva was not a resident of the town, but had came to see one of his friends.As he was driving past, he sighted a figure that looked lifeless. He became restless and packed beside the road. He moved closer and found out that the supposed corpse was still breathing.He called the attention of some neighbours around and they rushed Mope to a nearby hospital.

She was treated and she finally woke up to life. Mr Silva footed the bill and promised to take her back to her guardian.
But mope insisted vehemently and would rather be on the street being homeless rather than go back to her aunt.