When we were little, whenever my mother was making food especially the ones we liked very much, we hung around, telling tales- true and untrue, making jokes, acting very hard-working and humble, running errands, offering our services, praising my mother and doing just about anything that'll prompt her to give us a taste of the meal she was preparing. No matter how little.
Every single time, she gave us a taste but this day, it was different. Not for me tho. For two of my brothers. Two who failed to do as she had instructed earlier in the day. I think but am not sure that was why she did what she did.
This particular day, late in the evening, I remember it was a Saturday, she was making dinner, a meal we loved; fried yams, fried plantain, fried chicken which we would be having with tea. Actually, the chicken was to be used in making stew. We knew that yet, we hung around still, doing what we know best to do while swallowing our spittle as the aroma of the fries filed the kitchen atmosphere, hoping our throats don't fall off and hoping upon hope that she takes pity on us(them actually) and gives us some.
As if knowing the main reason why they were there, this woman refused to give them anything. She was just laughing at our jokes and sending us on errands. One of my brothers almost broke his waist from acting very good. Even before she says, go and get me..." He had already brought water. Flash reloaded! Long-throat almost finished him.
When they saw that she wouldn't give them anything. My bro said, " mummy, allow one of the fries to fall on the floor nau." She started laughing. The other one was a bit relieved and giggling from ear-to-ear cause he thought she got the message and would give one to them. Boy was he wrong! Nothing-nothing happened.
He could not hold it again. He was on the brink of tears. Kai! He begged her to give them some. Even if it was one piece of yam so himself and his brother would break it in half and eat. Daughter of Zion did not even pity them.
The most annoying part for them was that me, their baby sister, was seated there and occasionally she'll give me pieces of yam and plantain. She even gave me chicken wings. Small devil that I was, I did not give them. When they look in my direction and beg me to give them, I'll break one yam in half, strech both hands as if I was going to give them, if they make to take it, I'll withdraw my hand, point my fingers to my throat and amidst laughter, say, "longer-longer." I was wucked sha. The expressions on their faces, the almost dropping tears made me laugh harder. I knew what awaited me but I did not care.
So, my mum put the final batch of the chicken in the hot oil and asked us to watch after it. They begged me for some, I said no.
Now, they loved chicken butt. Don't scrunch up your face. My immediate elder brothers considered it the sweetest part especially as it is boneless. You need to see how they always struggled for who would get to eat it.
As a good sister that I am, I took pity on them and told them that any of them that can, should put his hand in the boiling pot and take the chicken butt. Don't look at me that way. It wasn't totally immersed in oil. It was supposed to be a joke even. I knew none of them could, plus, I had no power over the food.
They both attempted at first but when the oil sparked, they jumped in fright. Surprisingly and in a flash, my immediate elder brother put his hand in the pot and picked the butt. He yelped in pain. He started to transfer the meat from hand to the other. I just sat surprised and laughing. When it was cool enough, he threw the meat in the direction of his mouth but it didn't make it in. Phew! His big brother who had been standing and begging him to make sure he shared with him caught the meat mid-air, threw it into his mouth and fled.
The hot tears that day! After all of the pains from the billing oil. Just imagine that feeling.
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