I was not my usual self at school on that day and that’s why I could not run for my club. When I got home, I could not eat any food and even play around just like I used to when I’m at home. When my mum got back from work, I told her I was feeling nauseous and my head aches so bad.
Immediately, she took me to a hospital where I was tested positive for malaria and I was given some medicines and got some injections as well. Also, I could not eat at all so I only took Custard.
I went to the hospital again the next day till the fourth day so I was going to complete my treatment. On the fourth day, I started getting hungry just like my usual self. I took Custard but wasn’t satisfied. I just wanted something peppery or spicy but I can’t even make it for myself because I’m too lazy to cook. Then, I went to the street to get a street food. I only tasted a spoon out of the food but it still didn’t taste like what I wanted. I didn’t know what I want to eat but all I knew was that I wanted something spicy.
I got tired of the whole thing and went to sleep hoping my mum gets back early from work just as she has always done for the past three days when I haven’t been feeling too well.
Ko ko ko, that was my mum’s voice and that’s what she says anytime she’s knockimg on the door.
I opened the door and felt relieved that my companion was back and I could not wait to tell her that I was so hungry and I’ve been waiting for her to come home to cook something spicy but before saying that, I perceived an aroma.
It was smelling like what I really wanted.
Mum, what’s smelling in your bag, I asked her and didn’t even wait for her to respond before I began to unzip her bag trying to check what she had inside it.
It’s pepper soup. My colleague at work advised me to get it for you and said if you eat it, you’d have appetite to eat other foods, so I bought it, my mum said and I was so happy.
Thank you mummy. I’ve been craving for something spicy since I got back from school but I didn’t get what I wanted. Thank you mummy. I love you, I said to my mum trying to hug her even though I knew I wasn’t as tall as her. I also love how my mum embraced me and carried me on her arms.
She went inside to take her bath and changed her dress but I didn’t even wait for her to get to the dining so we could eat together just as we have always done. I sat with the pepper soup and began to eat it. I ate it including the bones of the fish which I don’t eat even when I’m feeling well.
While eating it, all I was saying was mummy thank you even though she wasn’t on seat. I ate it and even licked my plate and immediately, I started feeling better and it felt like the spicy food was the exact medication I need to make me feel totally good.
When my mum got to the dining, she was so surprised to see her daughter who hasn’t been eating well for the past four days finish two plates of pepper soup.
Kunmi, don’t tell me you finished two plates of pepper soup, my mum said to me.
Really, I didn’t know it was two plates. I just continued eating. I’m sorry, mum, I said to my mum looking sorry but deep inside me, I really enjoyed the food.
It’s fine and I’m even happy that you finished the whole food, she said to me and walked to the kitchen to prepare something light for herself.
I was so glad and that pepper soup was my soul food at that moment. Since that day, anytime I am not feeling too well, my go to food will always be pepper soup as long as I’m craving any kind of food.
I’m grateful she bought me that soul food because it was the best food for that moment and I could not even wish for more. I had a wonderful night rest and took my last medicine dose and jumped up in the next morning like a strong girl that I am.
