In a remote village of Amukoko, there lived a young girl of sixteen years old named Arike. She had been her mother, Abeje, 's last hope since she lost her husband, Alao, two years ago at sea. Alao was a fisherman who died when their canoe capsized. This left a huge scar in Arike's heart, and since then she had developed a phobia of water. Amukoko is so remote that there is no education or civilization. The people of this village live like one big family; they know one another and barely see strangers because of how remote the village is.
"Maami(my mother), I would love to study", Arike said to her mother, Abeje, one evening after dinner.
"Arike, omo mi(my child), I wish you would study too, but how do we do it. I don't have much to send you to the city and again, you will be going by sea. Remember what happened to your father, I don't want you to suffer the same fate", Abeje replied.
"That's my biggest fear, maami(my mother), how do I go to the city when the only available means of transportation is by water?" Arike lamented.
"My future lies ahead on a distant shore. How can I actualize my dream of being educated when there is a barrier right in front of me?" Arike further said.
"Hmm, Arike, we will find a way around it, shọ gbọ ọkọmi(did you understand my child)", Abeje said assuring her daughter.
Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. Arike was still in the valley of decision. One afternoon, she heard drums and singers echoing from afar.
"Is today Ogunsola's wedding?" Arike asked her mother, who was washing palm kernels.
"No, it's the fourth market day, that's two full moons to today", Abeje replied.
"Then what's that sound of drums we're hearing?" Arike asked.
Her mother gestured to tell her she had no idea of what the singing and drumming were all about.
Suddenly, Akintola came running. He's known as the town crier of Amukoko; he always knows what's going on in every family, and he is always right. People wondered where he gets his information from.
"Iya wa(our mother), ẹn le o(weldone). Se ẹ ti gbọ(have you heard?)", Akintola asked.
"Pe kini(that's what)", Arike answered sharply.
"Aduke omo iya alagbo(daughter of the here's seller) has just returned from the city. She is now a banker", Akintola said laughing.
Immediately, Arike's countenance changed. Her mother understood why that happened, and she immediately discharged Akintola. Arike is now 20years old and she's still dreaming of the world beyond Amukoko village. Aduke and Arike were childhood friends, but since Aduke left for the city, this is her first time returning home. Arike quickly changed her clothes and rushed to Aduke's house. She was expecting the same Aduke she had known a few years back, but things had changed. Aduke looked at her like she was a stranger, and this sent a cold chill down Arike's spine. She was disappointed, immediately she left quietly. She narrated what had happened to her mother who felt bad for her and encouraged her to be strong.
Seeing how Aduke treated her, Arike wanted more for herself, yet couldn't overcome her phobia of water. One afternoon as she sat in front of her house, she saw Aduke pass by with other girls. She couldn't bring herself to call her because of how she was treated the way she went to greet Aduke on her arrival. Arike stood up, went into her room, crying because she wished for more than seemed impossible to achieve.
When Arike clocked 21years, she made up her mind to go to the city. She told her mother about it. They had no one in the city, and Abeje was concerned about how Arike would survive, but Arike didn't care; she just wanted to go to the city for greener pastures. After weeks of deliberating between Abeje and her daughter Arike, she was finally ready to let her go. The next canoe going to the village, where they will board a bus to the city, leaves in two days. Arike had packed her clothes in one of her mother's wrappers and was eager to leave.
Finally, the D-day was here. Arike woke up early, helped her mother with some chores, and ran to the shore where the canoe was waiting. Her mother followed her to bid her goodbye. As the canoe began to swim away, tears rolled down Arike's and Abeje's eyes; they didn't know when they would see each other again. The journey was intense, waves were whistling into their eyes with strong wind, as if the canoe wanted to sink. This was Arike's greatest fear, she thought she would end her life on the sea. They had to stop by in another village to rest for the night before they continued their journey. The journey took two days before they got to a village where they would board a bus to the city. Arike got to the city on the third day with no means to contact her mother.
The struggle began as she had no one to accommodate her. She slept wherever the night met her until she found a helper. She worked several hours doing different jobs. Ten years down the line, Arike was able to find her footing, and she became an entrepreneur. She got the opportunity to take her mother out of Amukoko and live the life she had always dreamt of.
Thanks for your time and your comments will be appreciated.
