Episode
Three
The story so far on "The Cry Of Amanda"
When she recovered, she began sobbing
and sobbing. She would not talk to or even look me in the face, let alone any
of her other five children who were standing around her. I could think of
nothing to say, so I sought silent refuge in making bamboo ties.
I
could not borrow money from anyone else anymore, my present debt totaled
already about N300,000,00 naira only, I had been in debt for nearly ten years.
In all those years, all my efforts had only succeeded in ensuring that my debts
compounded interest slowly.
One
year, the Garri price had been exceptionally good, which was why I found myself in my
present state. The wholesalers had come directly to the village buying at
N14,000 to N16,000 naira a bag. It meant that, for once, I had enough money to
think of working for a better life, so I borrowed N300,000naira. With that and
the money I had saved. Previously, I bought a plot of cassava farm, I was
willing to pay the interest rate of N900,000 naira. I had planned to use the
entire cassava from the newly bought land to pay the interest and use the money
from the profit I made to pay off the original loan. But I met with a bad luck the following year,
the prices dropped, despite my efforts to appease my customers, that year began
my downward cycle. No matter how I struggled by trying other crops, the profits
I made was only enough to see my family through, my debts kept steadily
increasing, I was forced to give up my new plot of land to my creditors.
As
I thought of my past, my eyes brimmed with tears of bitterness at my fate,
welling over as my thoughts turned to the future; so now, Amanda had gone with
Miss Grace, I had controlled my tears, my parting words to her had been to obey
Miss Grace without questions. If she had any problems, she should write a
letter and let me know. I consoled her by saying if I had a chance, I would
come visit her, of what I had prepared to tell Amanda, not a single word came
out. In another four to five days, Amanda, my daughter, while still living,
would be forced into hell in Lagos, I would once again face the......
Stay in touch for the next episode of "The Cry Of Amanda" next week. Please, drop your comments. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment