If ONLY she KNEW what was WAITING for HER! #africanfolktales #folktales #folklore #folk – Ty

Jama ran into the compound screaming. She dropped her basket, her slippers. She just flew it off. She banged on the door. No answer. She then pushed the door open. She called again. Auntie Jeka, where is he for now? But the room were empty. Her baby’s wrapper were on the floor. The cup of pop already had gone cold.

Her small shoes were still by the chair. Chman’s hand shook. She stepped back. Her chest was rising very fast. She looked outside. Nobody. She looked inside. Nobody. Just the orange cat that always watch her from the fence. She ran to the neighbor’s shop. Mama blessing. Mama blessing. Did you see aunt Jeda go out? E. Yes. She carry if n go somewhere. No.

But I not to see Asha. Chama ran to another house. Uncle Dan, you see my pin. You You see Auntie Ja, you see my baby. No, I been there asleep. Oh, what is going on? That was when your mom knew something was really wrong. Very, very wrong. Her legs became weak. She fell to the ground shouting, “Jesus, where is my child?” The neighbors came out one after the other. They watched.

They started gossiping behind her. But nobody had answers. Nobody knew where Antinaka went to. That was the day everything changed. That day Chama’s word broke and what hurt the most was that the person who took her child was someone from inside the house, a neighbor. Jama lived in a face me, I face you compound in her back.

She sold tomatoes, onions, pepper in the market. Every morning, Jama would woke up by 4:30 a.m. She would cook, and as she’s cooking, she would tie her baby to the back. She prayed, then she went out to hustle. Her daughter was just 3 years old. Chubby cheeks, big eyes, always singing. Her voice was small but sweet like sugar. She would always ask her mommy, “Mommy, I go go sell Peppe with you today.

” “No, my beautiful baby. This son too hot though. You will need to stay with Auntie Jeka. If Na would stay, she won’t say anything again.” But once Auntie Jeka carried her, she would laugh again. Auntie Jeka was Chum’s neighbor. She stayed alone. No husband, no children, just her and her sewing machine. She would always help Chama anytime she’s going out.

If Chama was late from the market, Auntie Jeka will ba feed her pap, even plate her hair sometimes. She would always assure Chama, “Don’t worry yourself. Leave her with me. I would take care of her like my own.” Auntie Janetta would always say, “And Chama trusted her so much. Why wouldn’t she? They have lived in that house beside each other for five good years.

” When Chama had malaria, it was Auntie Jeka who bought medicine. When Ephonia fell from the bench one morning, it was her who rushed her to the chemist. So on that Thursday morning when your onions customer called her to come quickly she didn’t even think twice a beg help me looking for I not go take long go I here I think replied chama dropped ifa immediately at the door she kissed her forehead I call my baby don’t cry don’t disturb bro mommy buy biscuit for me ifa said to her mother, “There is no problem. I will buy biscuit for you.”

Chama said to her daughter as she ran off with her basket. She didn’t even know that that will be the last time she would hear her child laugh. The market was full that day. The woman that sold onions was traveling. Chama, take this one so they are very big. I will give you very very affordable amount.

Nah, thank you. Just pay next week, she said. Jama smiled. She carried the big basket. She even bought sweets for Eaya and Chinchim too. But as she walked back home, her body started to shake. Something doesn’t feel right. The compound was just quiet and nobody. Unlike her, whenever she comes back, she would hear if Nia laughing or playing around.

She thought maybe if Nia was sleeping. She opened the door slightly, but she couldn’t hear her child’s voice. She called Ephonaya’s name once, no answer. She called antina again. Still no answer. That was when she dropped everything and ran inside. Just a little pink shoe, the rapper, and the cup of pop that she kept for Auntie Jeka.

It was just there on the floor, untouched. Toma started to panic. She ran to the landlord. Oh land, did you seeka? You see my pin? Ah, I thought she there inside. Maybe she go buy something. Chama ran to the next compound. Please, did anybody see a woman carrying a child? My daughter, she stole brown dress.

Anybody? Nobody have seen anything? Nobody heard a cry. Nobody heard any door slam or saw the gates open. Chama ran to the streets to the junction to the back. She asked Okada riders ke men market women nothing. It was as if she was running mad. The child said this be no waka go play. Someone asked, “But if Na will be 3 years old, how she go wakar junction all by herself without anybody?” By afternoon, Chama had already lose it.

She put her wrapper off. She screamed on the ground. “God, please, I beg you, bring my peing back.” Her voice cracked. Her body was really hot. She has not eaten since morning. She has been running around looking for her child and Antona. People watched, some even tried to help, but that could not help anything.

Some started to take videos, but no one had answers. Jama then ran to the police station. When she got there, she started screaming. My child is missing. Somebody carried her. The policeman looked at her and one of them said to her, “Madame, children, they wonder they used to do too much working. Maybe she go play.

” She did not go anywhere. I’ve been keep with my neighbor. What is your neighbor’s name? The policeman asked Cha Jeka. We used to call her Aunt Jedeka. Then I wrote it down. Do you know her full name? No, I don’t know her full name. We just call her Aunt Jedeka. The policeman side, madam, how could you leave your picking with someone that you don’t even know too well? Jama was looking shocked.

Was she foolish? She asked herself. Did she trust someone without knowing their full name? In fact, everything was playing like a f trick. She even remembered that was one day she jokingly asked anka her full name. But she laughed and said to her, “Which one is surname again? Just call me sister, please.

” That night, Chama could not sleep. The police could not even help her because she couldn’t provide any tangible thing to prove who Auntie Da was. Jama just held her daughter’s rapper close to herself and she was crying. She sniffed it. She called her name. Where you day? My baby. Mommy is so sorry. I didn’t know that I could not trust this woman for over 5 years.

Please stay alive for me wherever you are. The next morning, Chama ran out again. She did the same thing. She searched. She screamed. She begged. But nobody have seen anything. But something kept on ringing in her ear, something she ignored before. The police said, “How did you leave your child with someone you did not know too well?” Chama had questions, big questions.

Who was Aunt Jeka? Why did nobody know where she came from? And why she never talked about her family? Why did she stop using phone last week? Why did she always close her door with padlock even when she’s inside? Was she hiding something all this while? Or was I just a careless mother? Jama did not know answer to all these questions. But one thing was clear.

She had to find her child. Even if it meant losing her own life. Jama sat outside her room. She hadn’t baked. She had not even eaten. Her eyes were red. Her voice were tired. She has cried, talked, screamed yet. No help, no answer. Her daughter Ephonaya was still missing. Her neighbor aunt Jedeka had vanished and it has been two whole days.

Nobody have seen or say anything that would help her. The police kept on giving her fake fake promises. Madame wait though. We have to track her number. You have to be patient. All these things takes time. But the number was off. Switched off since the day she disappeared. Chummer kept on crying.

She held Ephia’s small shoe. Where you day my baby? Where do I start from? She looked at Aunt Jedeka’s room. The landlord had already broken the door and the room was empty. Just an old mattress, a plastic chair and a small photo under the bed. Chama picked that photo. The photo was really faded. But she saw something. A baby.

The baby was in Auntie Jeka’s arms. The baby looked just like Ephaya. Same big eyes, same round nose. Chum’s heart skipped, “Who be this baby?” She ran to Mama, the woman who sold beads in front of their house. Mamra beg, “You know anything about Aunt Jedeka’s past? Anything that could help me? Please help a mother.

Emer don’t tell a long time ago. I been here say she born picking way die. I hear say her child die long time ago and teach has a child before asku. Yes now but she know they talk. She don’t usually talk about it, but after the child died, JCA changed. She’s always quiet, always inside her room. Ch’s heart was racing now.

Are you sure that the child died? Mama Juna replied to her again. Now waiting I hear is what I heard. As Chum sat down thinking, she remembered something weeks ago. She had caught Aunt Jedeka crying and she asked her if she was okay. But Aunt Jedeka replied, “Now yes, it’s just dust that entered my eyes. But it wasn’t dust.

It was something deeper, something very dark.” J knew now that she has trusted the wrong person. The next morning, she got up early. She wore her slippers, tie her scarf, and she took that faded photo and she went straight to the police station. When she got there, she met with one of the police officers. I don’t want to sit down and be waiting.

You people should find my peing for me. I need to find my child. They now sent her to the C office. The officer there was younger, but he listened. Madame, we are going to help you, but you need to give us more information. Chama handed him the photo that she got from the woman’s room.

He looked at it for a long time. And he said, “Are you sure this person your neighbor?” Jama replied, “Yes, she’s the one she carry my picking run.” The police officer noted. Okay, we are going to check if she gets record. Maybe she don’t do this kind thing before and you have to give us time. Chama looked at the police officer time again and with time time will still be going.

That afternoon Chama did not even bother waiting for the police officers. She went and print a picture of Ephoniah and she entered the street to search for her child herself. As she printed those posters, she started placing them on the walls. She pasted on the pole, the wall, the motor parks. She went to churches. She went to the market.

Please, have you seen this child? Her name is Ephaya. She she be come up with one woman with slim, dark, short hair. Everybody she asked would always say, “No, we don’t know her.” Some would even say sorry. Some even walked away without replying. But then one woman stopped. This woman was frying a car by the roadside.

Come, let me look at that poster again. Jama held it out. The woman was surprised and I’m not sure but it’s like I I saw this woman carry one small picking like this last week where tell me please ma for that boy hillside she they drag the pe the beginning they cry’s knees shook what her god please can you show me where the woman then called her small girl her child to washed the Accara that she was frying.

She then took Chama to the road where she cited Aunt Jeka and her daughter Ephonaya. They passed so many shops, past a broken bridge, it to a very street with old houses. That is where the woman saw Antina and Ephaya. And when they got there, Jama looked around and one thing looked familiar. She stepped closer and then she saw it.

A yellow plastic cup. The kind of cup she used for Ephaniah’s pap. And it was lying near the gutter. She picked it up. Ma, this is my baby’s cup. Oh. The woman looked surprised. Are you sure? Yes, I know this cup. This is the cup I use for my daughter. Jama thanked the woman and the woman left.

Jama stood there looking for who and who to ask questions. Since that cop is there, that means I think Jaka might have stopped there. Then a little boy ran past her. Jama had to stop him. Please come. Did you see any woman here with any small girl in this area? The boy scratched his head at first. No, he not says and anybody carry picking comet.

I don’t know but there is one particular woman that anytime she carries that baby girl the baby girl will be screaming and shouting and everybody will be looking at her. Jama sense that it might be her daughter if she then asks the boy when was the last time you saw this woman eh I think it’s yesterday night though my mom send me make I go buy sugar faboki.

So as I they pass I saw her again with the same girl and she was dragging her. She was also carrying back. I saw her telling the man that she’s going to aband looked at herself. Aban aban not that was foul but ah there was no way I will not get to that place faster. But she had to inform the police about the little investigation she did and what she got.

When she went to the police, they were still giving her all the stories in this world. She didn’t even listen to them again. She ran out of the police station and she went home. She packed few things and she went to the park. When she got to the park, she told the driver that she’s going to Aba not. The driver asked her to enter.

The road was really rough. But the tears coming out of Chum’s eyes, she could not even hold it. She just kept encouraging herself. Don’t cry, Chum. Your daughter Ephona is waiting for you. As the bus drove off, Chum did not know that someone else was also in the bus at the back wearing that glasses watching her.

The person dialed a number and he said on the phone, “She has entered the bus and she’s coming.” Jama did not hear that. She didn’t even know that someone was following her. She just held the cup tighter and the little bag that she cap. As Shama got to her destination, she came down from the bus. The sun was really hot.

She asked people one after the other showing them if Nia’s photo but most of the people that she was talking to. None of them know anything about the photo or who she was looking for. Chama then walked past a church and stopped. She entered inside and saw some people singing. As she entered, she begged one of them that she want to show these people here picture of her child and she did.

Please, I’m looking for my child. She disappeared 3 days ago. Her name she was last seen with one woman. She’s tall, slim, and dark. And we know her as aunt Jedeka and she’s my neighbor. The people that was singing stopped and one of the women came forward and asked Jama to come closer. Sit down. Let us all pray. They prayed. They cried.

Then the pastor gave her water and 200 naira. Told her to go with faith that she will find her daughter. She should be rest assured that God who answerth prayer hears her cries. Chama left and there is nowhere else she could sleep at night. She searched and searched but she did not see her daughter.

She had to go back home on the fifth day because she had not gotten any good sleep and she has not eaten any good food. She was even weak. She went back home to clean up herself and eat properly. That day that she came back, her neighbor mama maka met her at the gate. Chama, so you never find out your pe. No, ma. Ch replied.

Well, I will not stop until I find my child. H people are talking. Oh, talking about what? Jama asked Mama Maka. They are saying that they not watching your picking. where they are saying that she used to follow person. She’ll be running up and down. Chama became very angry. What do you mean follow person? Run follow who? Is my child a goat? Eh, what do you people mean? Maka hissed and walked away and ch warned her never to stop her to gossip such nonsense in front of her.

; Can’t she see the pain she’s in? At the end of the day, she’s the one that will carry it and go to bed. But you will go to your house and sleep and eat without anything affecting you. You people are very heartless in this compound. Jama went inside her room. She sat on the and she cried as if the insult she just received from Mama Maka was not enough.

As she sat down there crying, her phone rang and it was her uncle. Jama picked up and the first thing the man said to her was why you they disgrace us for I hear that you are now shouting like a mad woman on the road crying for what was confused uncle did you hear that my child was missing and so are you the first person that will lose a child’s mouth was wide open in shock as tears was just flowing through her face like would you help me and look for her? This is my child we are talking about.

Why would you call me and be saying this kind of nonsense? The uncle now told her I don’t have strength though. Please, I don’t want to be receiving call up and down that you are now running mad on the street. Don’t bring embarrassment to this household. After all, I’m not the one that gave you the pregnancy that you went and carry and disgrace your family.

The uncle called the call. Chuma was just looking at the phone. She doesn’t even know what to do next. Even her own blood had left her that evening. Her younger cousin Chuka came to visit. He brought malt and bread. Sister Chi, sorry. Oh, I heard what happened and I’m praying for Ephona. She will be seen. Jama had to hug him. Thank you so much.

Anybody else that is willing to help, I will appreciate it. Choka looked around. But Auntie Cha, this is somehow how a woman that you lived with for 5 years, you trusted her so much just disappear like that with your child. They talked and talked. Chuka decided to stay with her that night.

He even helped her to write out list of places to check and see if they will be able to find Ephonaya. Very early in the morning, Juma woke up. She wanted to use the toilet. Chuka was still sleeping. His phone was on the floor beside him. And as she was trying to pass, a message came inside his phone. Jama did not want to look, but something just pulled her eyes.

She just bent slowly and she picked up the phone and the message that popped up said, “She has come back. Move the girl tonight.” Tumor was confused. She read it again. “She has come back. Move the girl tonight.” Huh? And the person that sent the message, the name was saved as Mr. X. Juma felt something inside her. Something is not wrong.

She put the phone back quietly and then walked to the toilet where she wanted to go. She washed her face, looked herself in the mirror. Is it possible that Chuka Chuka? My own cousin. No, it’s not possible. How is that possible? Cuz I’m even surprised she he came here and he slept over un like the Chuka I know.

And Chuka never liked children. Jama said to herself, “The last time he came here, he was just complaining on how was crying.” Anyhow, and Jama was a day that Chuka bought cake for Ephonaya and Ifaya did not eat it. Ifa said that the cake smelled bad and the one that she even tasted, she vomited it. When she asked Chuka what she gave to her daughter, Chuka said it was just cake.

But why would cake be smelling bad? Something is wrong somewhere. Chama woke up. No one is to be trusted this time around. As Chum returned from the toilet, Chuka was already up and he said he wanted to go to one particular place. Chuma asked him if she would escort him to that place. But Chuka told her not to bother that he would be fine and he’s going to come back in the evening.

Immediately Chuka left, Chama also left the house. She went straight to the police station and she met the same officer. Officer, I came to talk to you on something important. It’s not as if I should not take matters into my hands, but since it’s involving someone closer to me, I think it’s important I bring it to your notice.

The officer now said, “Okay, sit down and talk to me.” Ch now showed him the message. She copied into her phone. She screenshotted it and the message was coming from her cousin’s phone and the message she saw it very early this morning. The officer now asked her, “Do you trust him?” Sir, I don’t know again because Joker has been so helpful.

He even helped me print the poster. He was helping me on a way to look for even follow me cry. Police officer was like, “Huh?” Well, you should know that even your worst enemy can stand by you in your time of trials and they will be crying more than you. That is a fake crime, madam. So what do we do now officer? The officer then told Chama to go home and pretend nothing happened.

Pretend you did not see anything. Leave the rest for us. Chama agreed. She went back home and she acted normal. She even made tea. When Chuka letter returned and Chuka was so happy. H auntie thank you. Chama smiled but inside of her she was really boiling. She already planned with the police to set a trap for Chuka and Chama begged Chuka to be staying with her so that she will not be able to commit suicide because she’s thinking of committing suicide already.

Chuka agreed and he started staying with her. But one particular night something strange happened. Chuka kept on pacing up and down inside the room. He was looking at his phone. He kept stepping outside, coming inside. Cha pretended as if she was sleeping, but she wasn’t. Then Chuka looked around, came in front of her, checked if she was fast asleep.

Chama pretended that she was fast asleep, and he then carried a small nylon, hid it under his chest, and quietly opened the door and left. Chama immediately stood up and followed him. She stayed far far behind him. The street was dark and Chuka didn’t know that she was behind. He turned few times but he didn’t catch any glimpse of her.

He then entered into a very strange compound. He knocked on their metal gate and one strange man opened the gate. The two of them started speaking and they were really whispering to each other. After a while, Chama heard a child’s cry, but she did not move. She was waiting for the police to come because she had already informed the police.

Cha then cited them passing something to each other. It was money wrapped in a brown envelope. Chuka then pointed inside somewhere. She’s inside there. You need you better hurry because her mother is already suspecting something. That was when your man knew that her suspicion was true. Her own cousin, her own blood is selling her own child. She felt weak.

But she remembered what the officer said. Stay calm. We are watching. She then stepped back. Suddenly, the siren came and it was the police. Police? Nobody should move. The gates man tried to run but they grabbed him. Even Chuka tried to escape through the back. But Chama cighted him and she shouted, “Catch him.

Oh, that is one of my cousin. He helped them. He’s even holding the money.” The two police officers grabbed Chuka. He screamed. He begged. It’s not me or I don’t know what they talking about. But Chama and the police officer already had evidence. Chama was so shocked. She could not believe that her own blood could do this to her. Choke her. You sat with me.

You ate my food. You cried with me. Sister, please. I just wanted money. So you wanted money. And the person that you saw that you want to sell is my own baby for money. Chased to cry crocodile tears. I do not mean it like that. I don’t I don’t know that it will go this far. Jama angrily slapped him. This is what you did to me.

You sold your own sister. You are worse than people buying children. The police then took Chuka into their van. They also arrested the other men. Three women and one woman that was also inside the kidnapping children thing. When the police officers got to where they kept Ephonaya, they were also three children there. Under aged five. All of them were crying.

But Chama looked at only one person, her beautiful daughter Ephonaya. She was sitting at the corner dear. Chama knelt down and huged her. My baby mommy is here. Ifa looked up and immediately she cited her mother. She smiled and ran into her arms. When Ephaya and her mother returned home, everybody came out to welcome her. Hey, mama bless him.

bought jellof rice. Even uncle Dan brought malt for Ephonaya. Mamu, she was so happy. Everybody was so happy to see Ephana and Chama back in one piece. You really try your Chama. Thank God that you did not give up. Chama was just smiling. And as she looked at Ephanaya, she could see that she’s a proud mother for fighting and making sure that her daughter comes back alive.

Chuka later gave the police the address where Antin Jeka was. She was also paid to play along and at the end of the day that was how Chuka convinced her and the two of them tried to sell Ephaya. She was also caught and apprehended. Each time Chama looked at her daughter, she thanked God. Thank God I almost lost you, but God you gave her back to me.

She remembered one thing. Not every smile means safety. Not every sister or brother means family. Even the closest person can carry the most darkest heart on earth. Chama’s story is not just a story, is a warning, is a lesson, and a cry for help. She was so lucky to get her baby back.

Some mothers never got their children back home to date. Some people never found their way home. If you’re watching this, please protect the ones you love. Ask questions and don’t trust anyone blindly to leave your child for him or her to take care of. Even the devil’s weird rapper. Even the thief eat from the same plate that you are eating from.

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