Episode 04 - Three Criminals

"Ada, come and buy pepper for me," Her mother said. 

"Send Ene, or am I the youngest here?" She took a swipe at the woman she calls her mother. 

"Okay Ene, take the money and buy pepper for me."

I was bitter and annoyed. I stood up sluggishly and collected the fifty naira note from her hand. 

As I strolled along the street of Elele Town, I wondered why I came as the penultimate child. My sister was an arrogant monster who was so lazy to do the house chores. The only thing she knew was spending time on WhatsApp, telling people 'what's up'; she is always blushing while texting. Her cachinnate gestures were the most annoying to me. She claimed to be the Queen of the house but there was no dignity or a sensible character in her. 

My younger brother was a tyrant: a man of many stomachs; ever eating, never satisfied. His case was even worse.  As young as he was, every tongue of errands that spoke to him was always met with rebuff. Except for playing football, there is no iota of sense neither is there any potential for sanity in his immature skull. 

It was only when our father, who is a driver for a transport company, comes around that they will act like humans. Their nonchalant and irritating acts made me looking antiquated and ancient. I was already a pile of stress. I have noticed everyone like me who is in a middle position by virtue of birth and my situation is the most unfortunate. I quickly muttered a word of prayer that God will send my sister packing by her getting admission to the university of her choice. 

It was close to 6pm when mum told us to fetch water into the house. As I was packing some buckets out of the kitchen, my sister came around. She just wanted to eat lunch, so she took her food and cut a part of the meat in the soup. 

"That is unfair oo. Mum didn't take any meat, so why will you then take a meat." I protested. 

"That is your headache. I can't eat without animals." She smiled, rattling her tongue against her teeth. 

Oya give me small meat

It's on my head, take it.

This was not the first time I will be subjected to this kind of futile adventure. It has happened countless times. Only my sister had the temerity to do such a thing; no one else do. 

Afterwards, we came outside and sat on the bench. Mrs Peace was feeling cold, so she told Emmanuel to bring her cardigan. 

"Ene, go and bring it. Bring a bottle of water for me also," Her sister directed.

I felt like slapping her yellowish face but I found rest in patience, despite my anger. I stood up and entered the house. 

About 10pm, I was in the room doing my assignments. Beside me was my sister on the bed snoring flawlessly and ceaselessly like a cursed frog. My exam was getting closer, and so I will have to step up the game by reading frequently. 

My math textbook was already suffering from inks, workings and cuts. I suddenly felt the urge to drink water, so I left for the kitchen. As I got to the rubber tank where we do store the drinkable water, I took a portion until my thirst fibers slept off. When I was about to leave, my mind replayed what happened between my sister and I. I had always lost to her but this was an opportunity for revenge; If only I can open the cupboard, bring out the pot carefully and cut some parts of meat. Even if I was eventually caught and punished, it wouldn't matter much. 

I borrowed courage from my mind and took some parts of big meat. However, my lust was already inflated for me to take just one. Because I wasn't satisfied, I did for countless meat until they all became slim fitted. Unfortunately, the pot made a sound and I had to flee. I made it safely to my room though. 

The next morning, mum screamed and called the three of us. 

'Ada!'

'Ene!'

"Emmanuel! Come out all of you

There is a thief in this house."

We all filed out and started the interview. While Ada said she was sleeping throughout the night, Emmanuel claimed he never left his room. I tendered my own statement too. 

"So you mean I'm lying abi? Look at the meats, see how slim they have become," She bent the pot to show us the corruption that had happened. 

"Again, who stole meat. Meat is missing."

"Haba, I can't do nonsense like that. I can't be cutting meat. Ask the both of them. They are the ones that can do that." Ada replied. 

Emmanuel and I were dazed to our bones. She was lying in our front! That was the highest form of hypocrisy I had ever seen.

"My sister, you can lie fa," Emma shouted. 

I clapped my hands together, smiling and hissing at the same time. 

"Mummy, she is the thief! Every time, chop chop. We will beg her to give us, she will say no. She will use that her useless finger to weigh the meat, so she can cut from the bigger ones."

"You are mad! God punish you!" Ada said. 

It turned from a heated argument to a serious fight. My sister was big and agile, so she took on my brother without much stress. However, because my brother was wicked and smart, he gave some marks on her hands with his teeth. It took the effort of some neighbours around to separate them. They were severely disciplined by a man who a teacher and drunkard. He beat them to a point that my mother had to step in and save them. 

When my dad came back in the evening, the matter was eventually revisited. My sister confessed that she had gained mastery in resizing meat but that she did not take whole meat. I accused her of threatening to beat or injure us if we ever told mum and my brother supported that motion. She was beaten by my father. He seized her phone for a month and gave her the task of sweeping the compound every morning. My Brother and I was happy. That was the first time we ever did something together that would make us happy as one. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, my sister's misery ended quite soon; she gained admission a month later and went to school. 

Ten years later, my brother happily announced that he took the meat that night: He came to kitchen immediately he heard the sound of a pot that same night. It was so hilarious, shocking and surprising but it took two weeks before my sister forgave him. 

Well, I am the only one left. No one knew I caused all the trouble. I am not telling anyone. Except for the readers of this book, it remains safe with me, forever.

Jegede Samuel Whyte 

Edited by: Asher and Toyosi 

Copyright: Livingwitness