Day 18: My Quarantine Diary

When my mother visited a few days ago (during my brief hiatus), it was with a half bag of rice, some tubers of yam, and a keg of palm oil. I was not prepared! No, not in the least.

Besides, it was a surprise visit. We had spoken a day or two before that and not once had she said anything about visiting.

I opened the door, half expecting to see Ikechukwu. Yes, he visits now. Yes, too, we are now a couple. Sigh! I told you I had a lot to talk about.

But let's get back to my mum first. So ... she was standing at my door in her signature Ankara blouse and wrapper, with a matching head tie wrapped loosely around her head.

I stood staring at her with my mouth wide open for a full minute.

"Mummy!" I said when I finally found my voice.

"Daughter! Are you letting me in or not?" she responded, pushing past me into the house. "There are some things at the gate oh! Be a dear and pick them up."

I was happy she visited, though. I was even more grateful for the foodstuff. But I wanted my house back to myself, especially as she found one thing or another to complain about.

I was not cooking. There was no food in my house. I was living in a pigsty. Why did I have so many clothes in my laundry basket? It was one complaint after the other so that by the time she was gone, my ears were full.

I sought solace in my boyfriend - it almost feels strange saying that, strange but exciting. When I needed a break from her, I would tell her I was going next door to get something.

Then, I would almost race to Ike's house, and there we either played video games or watched a movie.

When I returned without actually getting anything, my mum would stare at my hands suspiciously and ask: "What did you get?"

I would tell a lie about whatever it was I went to get not being available. But my mum was too smart. She knew I was lying but I guess she chose to keep quiet about it.

It has been two days since her visit but in a weird, funny way, I miss her being around.

Signed with love,

Anike.