The town Udala was a small town surrounded by urban cities which were a few kilometers from where it was located. It had a tiled road that linked both towns. The road was always busy every Thursday, motorcyclists transporting goods to the market, women in groups walking to the market with loads on their head, the ranting from the bike men, and drivers. Children playing around with tyres pulled from bikes, the butterflies resting on the petals of flowers, and the youth were seen going to farms. Udala was known for its productiveness, each harvest season was accompanied with a bountiful harvest, the joy and laughter that filled the atmosphere as men, women, and children sat in a circle to feast. This was all before the war began, everything had changed, the town now deserted and calm like a graveyard.
"Chidubem" my mum called, her voice faint and was almost like a whisper. "This was not the kind of future I had desired for you, the war had taken everything from us, we can barely feed".
I sat still watching my mum who was full of spirit some years back talk in a pitiful tone. The war had affected her badly having lost her husband from it. I didn't know what to say, I was only 10, I wished I could help but I knew deep within me that there was nothing I could do.
"I understand," I said, not knowing what exactly to reply.
"No, you don't understand, I can't give you the future that you desire, I had spoken with uncle James, and by tomorrow you'll go live with them until I have found a good life for us both".
I knew a day like this would come, a day I had dread of. Mum had consistently spoken on the phone in an indistinct voice. She does that each time it was a decision about me.
"Mum, l want to go to Adalu with you," I pleaded. Adalu was her father's Town. She was born and brought up there until she got married to my father when she left for Udala.
"I don't know the impact of the war in Adalu, I can't risk taking you along yet. It will be best for you to stay with uncle James and if things are good, I'll come get you soon".
Though she tried to conceal her pain, her eyes betrayed her courage letting out a drop of tear. She hugged me tight pulling me closely to herself.
"Tomorrow, all these memories will be healed," she said, patting me on the back.
We woke up and got ready in time to meet the lorry that was heading to Efi where uncle James lived. Mum and I sat next to each other quietly without saying a word. Consistently, she stared through the window looking at the green plants that were now withered and dried. No more butterflies, no more crowd walking down the once busy path. We got to uncle James' place at noon.
"Close to that iroko tree is a red gate, that's your uncle's house. He is there waiting for you, I'll continue my journey and will be back for you when I have settled".
"Okay ma" I said, my face looking at the ground, I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be brave just as mum encouraged me.
Two years had gone and no call from mum, it was the third year, in August that she visited and told stories of how bad Adalu was which had made her stay this long. I had thought mum had forgotten about me, I thought it was a way to separate me from her forever. She was now looking good with a flesh added on her, no doubt, she had settled down and was able to move on, away from the thought of papa that had troubled her back in Udala.
"I'll be joining me in Adalu tomorrow," she said. "I have missed us" she added, there was a way she said it that made me believe her. We hugged for a few minutes. "I miss you too".